February 7, 2003
The Justice Department today increased its terrorist threat assessment level to "orange" - or high risk -indicating that U.S. security officials have received intelligence suggesting that terrorists may be planning an attack during the Muslim holy period of Hajj which begins Sunday. In response, Southern California Edison (SCE) released the following statement.
ROSEMEAD, Calif., Feb. 7, 2003-Heightened security measures instituted following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, remain in effect at SCE and include many of the recommendations contained in the Justice Department's terror alert system up through the "Orange" level declared today.
The physical security guidelines associated with the Orange Level are routine at SCE facilities, including ensuring that facilities are locked, maintaining liaison with law enforcement officials, screening personnel and vehicles entering facilities, and asking employees to report suspicious activities.
These security procedures are in effect at all of its company facilities and energy systems -- power plants, substations, and other parts of the electricity infrastructure, including the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station in north San Diego County which has remained at the highest level of security since 9/11.
SCE maintains close contact with government, military, and law enforcement officials regarding potential security threats that might endanger its facilities, employees, and customers, including participation in regular briefings and teleconferences within the nation's electricity generation and transmission sector. There is no intelligence at this time that SCE facilities are threatened.
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An Edison International company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of more than 12 million via 4.5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within central, coastal and Southern California. For more information on the California electricity market, see www.sce.com.
