The Justice Department filed two lawsuits against Southern California Edison (SCE) alleging the power provider’s negligence contributed to the deadly Eaton and Fairview fires in the Golden State earlier this year and in 2022, respectively.
Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement Thursday that the utility company engaged in a “troubling pattern of negligence resulting in death, destruction and tens of millions of federal taxpayer dollars spent to clean up” the damage.
“We hope that today’s filings are the first step in causing the beginnings of a culture change at Southern California Edison, one that will make it a responsible, conscientious company that helps – not harms – our community,” Essayli said.
“Hardworking Californians should not pick up the tab for Edison’s negligence,” the attorney added.
At least 21 people died in the Eaton and Fairview fires, which burned tens of thousands of acres of national forest lands in Southern California and caused widespread property damage.
