The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has issued a Proposed Decision regarding Southern California Edison’s (SCE) General Rate Case, setting the amount SCE can collect from customers through rates between 2025 and 2028.
According to the CPUC, the Proposed Decision reduces SCE’s initial request by $727 million. The revenue requirement adopted for 2025 is $9.756 billion, which is $1.174 billion higher than the 2024 authorized amount but still below what SCE had requested. The overall approved revenues for the four-year period total $41.58 billion—about 10% less than SCE’s proposed $46.17 billion.
“Customer Savings: The Proposed Decision reduces SCE’s request by $727 million, prioritizing affordability while ensuring safety and reliability,” stated the CPUC in its summary of key points.
The proposal includes investments aimed at reducing wildfire risk, such as undergrounding power lines in high-risk areas and upgrades to aging equipment intended to improve reliability and safety. “Wildfire Safety: The Proposed Decision supports major investments in wildfire risk reduction, including undergrounding power lines in high-risk areas,” according to the CPUC.
For residential customers enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, which provides bill discounts for qualifying households, average monthly bills are expected to increase by about $10.51 or 9.7%, reaching approximately $118.50 if the decision is adopted. Non-CARE residential customers would see an increase of about $16.66 per month under similar usage assumptions.
Because the Proposed Decision will be voted on after January 1, 2025, SCE must recover any difference between amounts already collected since January and those newly authorized over a two-year period beginning as early as October 1, 2025.
Beyond customer costs, the plan authorizes specific funding levels for wildfire management activities—such as grid hardening through targeted undergrounding and covered conductor installations—and vegetation management work totaling over $600 million during the four-year span.
“Vegetation Management: The Proposed Decision authorizes a budget of $607.230 million to conduct vegetation management activities, which focus on reducing ignition risks when vegetation is near electrical facilities,” noted the CPUC fact sheet.
SCE’s original request included funds for infrastructure projects supporting increased electricity demand linked to economic growth and state decarbonization targets. The CPUC-approved funding will allow modernization efforts such as grid technology pilots and cybersecurity enhancements.
The decision reflects feedback gathered from ratepayer advocates, environmental groups, customers, and other stakeholders over a two-year process that included public forums and evidentiary hearings with participation from twenty intervenors.
Next steps include written comments due August 18 with reply comments due August 25; oral arguments are scheduled for August 11; and a final vote is planned at the August 28 CPUC meeting.
“Community Input: The Proposed Decision reflects input gathered over two years from ratepayer advocates, environmental groups, customers, and others,” stated the agency.
