Media Contact: Media Relations, (626) 302-2255
ROSEMEAD, Calif., Sept. 2, 2009 — Southern California Edison (SCE) customers whose homes were destroyed or rendered uninhabitable by recent wildfires will not have to pay for electricity used since the last bill they received at those damaged residences. The utility is also offering payment arrangements for those who were indirectly affected by the fires, such as customers who lost business income.
SCE customers who qualify for bill forgiveness can call SCE toll-free at (800) 250-7339. Other customers who need bill payment arrangements may call (800) 950-2356.
Utility crews and support personnel continue their efforts making repairs, restoring service and responding to customers’ needs in areas ravaged by the wildfires.
Customers should keep these important safety tips in mind during a widespread outage:
- Check on the safety of family and neighbors, especially those dependent on power for medical equipment.
- Use flashlights. Do not use candles, which can start fires.
- Turn off and unplug any unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics.
- Maintain at least three-quarters of a tank of gasoline in your vehicle(s). Gas station pumps do not operate during power outages.
- If possible, stay away from areas severely impacted by wildfires. Traffic signals may be inoperative, poles and power lines may block streets and utility crews could be in the area making repairs.
- Never connect a portable generator directly to a power line. State law requires that customers inform SCE when a generator is being used at their home or business by calling (800) 655-4555.
- Never touch a power line suspended in the air or lying on the ground. Call SCE and report it to police and fire departments immediately.
For more information, visit www.sce.com/heat or www.sce.com/safety
About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is the largest electric utility in California, 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.
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