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California Edison to Bury 150 Miles of Power Lines in Fire-Prone Areas

The $860-$925 million project in Altadena and Malibu aims to reduce wildfire risks and modernize the electrical grid under relaxed environmental regulations.

Firefighters battle the Palisades Fire as it burns during a windstorm on the west side of Los Angeles, California, U.S. January 8, 2025. REUTERS/Ringo Chiu SEARCH "CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES. TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Edison's logo is seen outside the company headquarters in downtown Milan, Italy, January 14, 2016. Edison, Italy's No. 2 energy company owned by France's EDF, is trying to sell part of its Abu Qir field in Egypt and has opened the books to prospective buyers including Kuwait's KUFPEC, people familiar with the matter said. REUTERS/Stefano Rellandini
Inspections of the Southern California Edison transmission towers alleged to be responsible for igniting the Eaton fire above Altadena and Pasadena continued on Thursday, March 20, 2025. Crews climbed the Eaton Canyon transmission towers looking for evidence that could ultimately determine the company’s liability. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)

Overview

  • Southern California Edison (SCE) announced plans to replace over 150 miles of damaged power lines with underground systems in Altadena and Malibu following January's devastating fires.
  • The initiative will target high fire risk areas, with 130 circuit miles of underground distribution lines planned to mitigate wildfire hazards.
  • The project, estimated to cost between $860 million and $925 million, will be implemented over several years, with timelines dependent on community rebuilding and permitting processes.
  • Gov. Gavin Newsom's suspension of key environmental laws in March expedited the planning and approval of this infrastructure modernization effort.
  • SCE is actively exploring federal, state, and philanthropic funding options to minimize costs for customers and support community recovery efforts.