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Wildfires

Southern California Edison Company's Response to Small Business Utility Advocates' Application for Rehearing of Decision 25-06-051

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Southern California Edison Company (SCE) has submitted a comprehensive response to the Small Business Utility Advocates' (SBUA) Application for Rehearing (AFR) of Decision 25-06-051, contesting SBUA's claims regarding SCE's presentation of vegetation management costs and its aerial suppression costs. SCE argues that its presentation is consistent with the 2021 WMVM decision and that it has thoroughly explained and justified the use of customer funding for aerial suppression costs. The Commission should deny SBUA's AFR and uphold the decision.

Key Takeaways:

  • SCE's presentation of vegetation management costs is consistent with the 2021 WMVM decision, which explicitly excludes the Vegetation Management Balancing Account (VMBA) from its additional requirements.
  • SCE has thoroughly explained and justified the use of customer funding for its aerial suppression resources, including the Quick Reaction Force (QRF) that provides critical suppression support for incipient wildfires that threaten SCE infrastructure and customers.
  • SBUA's claims regarding SCE's failure to comply with the 2021 WMVM decision and its aerial suppression costs are baseless and have already been addressed in previous proceedings.
  • The Commission has consistently approved of SCE's aerial suppression program and its arrangement with firefighting agencies, finding it reasonable and beneficial to ratepayers.
  • SCE requests that the Commission deny SBUA's AFR and uphold the decision.

Statistics:

  • SCE spent $18.2 million to fund the QRF in 2022.
  • The QRF is a critical part of SCE's wildfire mitigation efforts.
  • SCE has consistently complied with the 2021 WMVM decision and its requirements.
  • SBUA has repeatedly failed to demonstrate any legal error in the Decision, and their claims have been addressed in prior proceedings.

Sources:

  • California Public Utilities Commission Rule of Practice and Procedure 16.1(d)
  • Public Utilities Code Section 1732
  • CPUC Rules of Practice and Procedure, Rule 16.1(c)
  • Decision 09-10-029
  • Decision 20-07-038
  • Decision 24-03-008
  • Decision 24-06-025
  • Decision 25-06-051
  • A.23-05-010
  • SBUA AFR at pp. 3-12
  • Ex. SCE-01
  • Ex. SCE-02
  • Ex. SCE-03

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