Media Contact: David Song, (626) 302-2255

ROSEMEAD, Calif., Oct. 9, 2014 — This month, Southern California Edison (SCE) will begin major infrastructure-improvement work in Long Beach to ensure continued reliable electric service for the city’s residents. SCE will invest more than $1.1 million in the initial phase of work beginning this month. The work will continue through early next year.

Much of the work will take place in southeast Long Beach and the first few construction projects will include upgrades to a substation, the construction of three new underground vaults, half a dozen manholes and more than 1.6 miles of underground cable — in addition to the replacement of other key distribution equipment to improve reliability. During the project, some customers may experience maintenance outages. SCE will communicate with affected customers well in advance so they can make appropriate arrangements.

Hilda Delgado, Public Affairs region manager for Long Beach, said SCE recognizes its responsibility to keep the lights on.

“The grid has served Long Beach residents well for many decades,” said Delgado. “Upgrading the system with new equipment will not only reduce unanticipated and extended outages and improve reliability, but help build a smarter grid that can handle the needs of customers for years to come.”

Residents may experience inconveniences during some projects, including lane closures and scheduled maintenance outages. Other work might require SCE personnel to access customers’ properties to replace poles.

In the next few years, SCE plans to invest billions of dollars to strengthen its territory-wide distribution grid, which serves nearly 14 million people. The work in Long Beach is only one of many infrastructure-improvement projects that will take place.

SCE usually provides customers with at least three days advance notice before a maintenance outage, and will update customers with changes whenever possible. Here are some tips for customers preparing for a maintenance outage:

  • Customers with a medical condition that require electric-powered life support equipment should be sure to have a backup power system in place or make other plans for health and welfare during an outage.
  • Make sure food stays as cold as possible by keeping refrigerator and freezer doors closed and placing blocks of ice inside.
  • Learn how to manually open security gates and garage doors.
  • Notify any security companies that monitor the customer’s home or business.
  • Protect computers, televisions and other sensitive equipment by unplugging them.

If you have any questions about maintenance outages, please call SCE at 1-888-759-6056. SCE will provide the latest information about outages at its website and on Twitter.

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 nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.