I joined SCE because I had a deep interest in the subject of energy and electricity. At the time I naively thought it would be a good way to start a career. I have remained here for 30 years because it offered challenging assignments and good people to work with.
California utility regulators conclude that a seven-year fraud by the company caused substantial harm to customers and could have diminished worker safety.
The state Public Utilities Commission on Thursday levied a $30-million fine -- its largest ever -- against Southern California Edison and ordered the utility to refund more than $81 million to customers, concluding that a seven-year fraud caused substantial harm to consumers and could have diminished worker safety.
Although the fine is a record for the PUC, it is $10 million less than what was ordered in late 2007 by a commission judge. The decision also substantially reduced the judge's refund order, cutting Edison's total price tag from the fraud to $146 million from $200 million.