To support customers and families staying home from work and school during the current COVID-19 emergency, Southern California Edison will be postponing all noncritical planned power outages while continuing with emergency outage work for public safety and wildfire mitigation.
SCE is working to ensure customers receive timely notifications for any planned work that is continuing and is also taking measures to shorten the impact of these critical planned outages where possible.
Any decision to proceed with an outage at this time is not taken lightly and all outages are being evaluated based on critical needs. The safety of SCE’s customers, its employees and the public remain the top priority.
SCE is also helping customers with their bills by suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees by request for small business and residential customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency.
“We know this is a difficult time for our communities and we want SCE’s customers and employees to know we are here for them,” said Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company. “While SCE continues taking actions to maintain operations and provide reliable electric service to its 15 million customers, we also want to do our part to support communities in these challenging times.”
Customers who are not eligible for income-qualified programs can work with SCE staff on payment arrangements that could spread out their payments and help during difficult times. Visit sce.com/billhelp or call 1-800-950-2356.
In addition to halting nonessential employee travel, the utility is following the recommendations of state and health officials — including CDC guidelines — on washing hands often, avoiding close contact and staying home when sick to help reduce the risk of exposure to the virus.
About 8,000 workers throughout Edison International’s companies will work remotely where feasible through April 6 to help minimize the risks posed by the coronavirus. To ensure seamless customer service and operations, about 5,000 SCE employees will continue to work at facilities or in the field, including workers in our Customer Contact Centers, troublemen and linemen.
Edison International will also donate $1 million to community-based organizations, starting with a donation of $150,000 to the California Community Foundation’s COVID-19 LA County Response Fund.
This is a quickly evolving situation and the utility’s emergency planning teams are working daily to ensure the continuity of critical operations and managing any potential impacts to employees, customers and communities. For more information and updates on our response to COVID-19, visit SCE.com/safety/coronavirus.
Don’t Fall for Scams
The WHO has warned that scammers are taking advantage of the coronavirus outbreak to send phishing emails, texts and social media posts. Look out for these types of scams asking for personal information and never click on any malicious links or attachments. For the most up-to-date facts, visit the CDC or WHO.
Tips on How to Keep Yourself and Others Healthy
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with an alcohol content of at least 60%.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid or limit your time in crowded areas (airports, conference venues, etc.).
- Practice social distance, which means that you maintain a distance from others as much as possible.
- If you have any signs or symptoms, consult a medical professional, do not report to any work facility and contact your manager or supervisor.
- Older adults and people with chronic medical conditions may be at increased risk and should take additional precautionary actions such as avoiding travel.
For more information, visit the CDC or WHO sites for reliable and up-to-date information. You can also follow the CDC guidelines on how to stay safe.
