Rep. Schiff Reacts to 2 New Reports on SCE’s Response to Windstorm

Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) said he was pleased that Southern California Edison (SCE) has responded “proactively to the problems identified in its response to the recent Windstorm” as he reacted to reports issued the Davies Group and SCE about the utility’s response to the disaster.

Schiff said “both reports identify areas where SCE’s response should be improved for future. Most importantly, the reports call for an improved damage assessment method that will integrate information and produce more accurate final power restoration times. It will also be essential for power companies to better apprise consumers as those restoration times change, and better monitor their poles for potential overloading problems.”

“The November windstorm was an unplanned drill for a more serious natural disaster in the future,” Schiff said, “and we can learn from the problems we encountered. There are many improvements to make, and all utilities can take the lessons of the Windstorm response to heart by implementing the lessons learned.”

The windstorm which hit the Los Angeles area on November 30 knocked out power to more than 400,000 homes and businesses and did tens of millions of dollars in damage to cities in the San Gabriel valley. Power restoration proved time-consuming and difficult, with thousands still without power almost a week after the storm hit.

Schiff previously hosted a roundtable discussion with federal, state and local officials, representatives from local utilities, FEMA, the CPUC and others focusing on the windstorm and how its region can be better prepared for a future emergency.