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ROSEMEAD, Calif., Sept. 4, 2014 — To ensure continued reliable electric service, Southern California Edison (SCE) will invest more than $6.2 million beginning this month in the first phase of a series of projects to upgrade distribution circuits that serve parts of Manhattan Beach. The work will continue through mid-2015. Subsequent phases will begin later this year.
SCE will install 154 new transformers, replace about 660 poles and upgrade 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.
Ron Garcia, Local Public Affairs region manager for Manhattan Beach, said SCE recognizes its responsibility to keep the lights on.
“Upgrading the circuits in Manhattan Beach will help minimize the likelihood of unanticipated and extended outages,” said Garcia. “We’re not only improving reliability, but building a smarter grid that can handle the needs of customers for decades to come.”
In order to better educate and communicate with residents most impacted by the infrastructure-improvement projects, SCE will hold a community meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at the Joslyn Center located at 1601 Valley Drive in Manhattan Beach.
“We understand that there will be inconveniences throughout the project,” Garcia said. “Residents will experience lane closures and maintenance outages. Some of our work might require personnel to access customers’ properties to replace poles. We recognize the potential disruption the work could have on peoples’ lives, but we promise to communicate early and often.”
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 Manhattan Beach is only one of many infrastructure-improvement projects that will take place.
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.
