U.S. Government Sues Southern California Edison Over Wildfires Caused by Allegedly Faulty Equipment
The U.S. government has sued Southern California Edison, alleging its faulty equipment caused the Eaton and Fairview wildfires, damaging National Forest System lands and seeking over $77 million in damages.
Overview
The U.S. Department of Justice has filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE) in Los Angeles federal court, alleging negligence and legal violations.
The lawsuits claim SCE's faulty power infrastructure caused the January 7 Eaton Fire in Angeles National Forest and the September 2022 Fairview Fire in San Bernardino National Forest.
The Eaton Fire burned nearly 8,000 acres, while the Fairview Fire consumed nearly 14,000 acres, causing significant environmental and property damage.
The Justice Department seeks over $77 million in damages from SCE, emphasizing that ratepayers should not bear the financial burden for the alleged negligence.
SCE faces additional lawsuits from property owners, shareholders, and Los Angeles County, leading to a 1.6% drop in Edison shares.
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