March 11, 2009

ROSEMEAD, Calif., March 11, 2009 – In these tough economic times, Southern California Edison (SCE) customers may be eligible for programs that can reduce their utility bills by 20 percent or more.

The number of customers who enrolled in the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program, for example, increased 100 percent in January 2009. The average monthly enrollment for 2008 was 6,700 customers; in January, 12,718 customers enrolled. This increase is attributed to stronger outreach efforts and a growing need for economic assistance.

“We know it’s especially difficult for the newly unemployed who may not know where to turn,” said Linda Yamauchi, SCE’s Consumer Affairs manager. “We want people to know that we’re here for them and that we have programs and services that can help.”

SCE offers the following programs for income-qualified customers:

  • CARE provides a discount of 20 percent or more off a monthly electric bill.
  • FERA, the Family Electric Rate Assistance program, allows a discounted rate on the monthly bill for families of three or more who fall within the income guidelines and exceed their baseline usage by 30 percent or more.
  • EMA, the Energy Management Assistance program, helps income-qualified households conserve energy and reduce their electricity costs. SCE supplies and installs energy-efficient appliances and equipment at no cost to eligible customers. EMA services are available to homeowners and renters.

To learn more about these programs and other ways SCE helps customers keep current on their bills, such as payment arrangements and assistance plans, please visit www.sce.com/assistance or call 1-800-447-6620.

In addition, SCE encourages all customers to keep bills low by conserving energy. Information on payment plans, household energy guzzlers, and rebates and savings are at www.sce.com/highbillhelper. Customers can also learn many easy ways to save energy at www.sce.com/tips.

Media Contact: Vanessa McGrady or Mashi Nyssen, (626) 302-2255


About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 13 million via 4.8 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

-###-