In its story, “Edison knew before Eaton fire that cutting power risked igniting blaze, records show,“ the Los Angeles Times published misleading information in an attempt to link a 2022 California Independent System Operator (CAISO) study to the Jan. 7 windstorm event.
Here are the facts:
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The Los Angeles Times cites a 2022 CAISO study whose premise is not aligned with the actual conditions of the Jan. 7 windstorm event. This study was done with Southern California Edison and focused on transmission planning for a hypothetical system condition. That hypothetical condition relies on specific assumptions across the western U.S. and is different from operational studies used for real-time decision making. Those operational studies reflect actual up-to-date information on grid conditions, customer loads and available generation.
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SCE has been working on a project in the Los Angeles Basin area that would increase the capacity of an existing line, which is near completion. The purpose of this project is to improve the ability of the SCE transmission system to deliver electricity to the Western Los Angeles Basin during peak summer load conditions. Transmission projects typically take three or more years to complete, so this timing is not out of the ordinary. There have been some delays due to material acquisition, outage coordination challenges and the complexity of pulling transmission lines through metropolitan areas, which require various crossings and approvals.
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SCE operates the system safely. The premise that potential fire risk from Eaton Canyon lines being overloaded due to other lines being de-energized is irrelevant. None of the overloaded facilities that the CAISO study notes are located in Eaton Canyon. Our transmission system is designed to handle a wide range of system events, such as opening of a transmission line or loss of a generator, and system operators are trained to keep the system operating safely within its limits.
At this time, the causes of the 2025 wildfires across the region remain unknown, and SCE is committed to a thorough and transparent investigation. While we continue to support ongoing response and restoration efforts, our teams continue to work with authorities and investigators.
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