US sues Southern California Edison, blames it for Eaton, Fairview wildfires
The US Department of Justice seeks over $77 million in damages from Southern California Edison, alleging negligence caused two deadly fires that burned tens of thousands of acres and killed 21 people.
- Thursday, the U.S. Department of Justice filed two lawsuits accusing Southern California Edison of negligence linked to the Eaton and Fairview fires, seeking roughly $37 million in damages.
- The suits allege Southern California Edison failed to maintain power lines and minimum clearance, causing a sagging line to contact a Frontier Communications messenger cable and ignite fires.
- The Eaton Fire killed 19 people, destroyed more than 9,400 structures around Altadena, burned over 14,000 acres, took 24 days to contain, and injured nine firefighters.
- U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said, `It is our intention that SCE, the company itself and not the rate payers, will bear the burden of these costs`; DOJ will seek terms to prevent rate hikes, while Southern California Edison reviews the lawsuits.
- Estimates show a UCLA study valued fire losses at $24 billion to $45 billion, while state officials warned damage claims could exhaust a $21-billion California fund and more than 130 lawsuits await trial into 2027.
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95 Articles

Feds say Southern California Edison started Eaton fire, sue for damages
The U.S. Department of Justice this week sued Southern California Edison, alleging the utility’s equipment caused the deadly Eaton Fire that swept through Los Angeles County in January. An official cause of the fire has not yet been released.

Feds sue Southern California Edison over Eaton, Fairview fires
(The Center Square) – The U.S. Department of Justice is suing electric utility company Southern California Edison for tens of millions of dollars over the devastating Eaton and Fairview fires, which torched national forests.
The U.S. government filed a lawsuit against a Californian power company after the severe forest fires in Los Angeles in January.
US sues Southern California Edison, blames it for Eaton, Fairview wildfires - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
The U.S. government filed two lawsuits against Southern California Edison on Thursday, blaming the utility’s equipment for sparking two wildfires, including the Eaton Fire in January that damaged National Forest System lands.
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