Feinberg/Biros to advise on program design

Southern California Edison today announced the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program that will offer a streamlined approach to quickly compensate those impacted by the Eaton Fire. Launching this fall, the voluntary, comprehensive claims program will provide direct payments and fast resolutions to eligible individuals and businesses. This includes owner and renter claims for total and partial structure loss, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and ash, physical injury and fatalities.

“Community members shouldn’t have to wait for the final conclusions in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they need to begin rebuilding,” said Pedro J. Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE’s parent company. “Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly. This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.”

SCE is working with Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros — world leaders in compensation fund design and administration — to consult on the design of this program. Feinberg and Biros have over 35 years of experience in mediating and resolving thousands of complex disasters and advocating for those impacted. This includes their work with the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001 and the design of many similar programs.

“The goal for SCE’s Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program is to model the program after several successful direct claims programs we have designed,” said Feinberg. “These programs can quickly and fairly compensate individuals and businesses that have experienced losses resulting from these tragic events.”

While Feinberg/Biros will continue to consult through the launch and implementation of the program, they will not be involved in the review of claims or program administration.

Participation will be voluntary for community members, with no application fees, administrative costs or legal fees charged by SCE to participate. The program will be designed to easily, quickly and equitably compensate community members who qualify — including those with insurance and renters. Participation in the program is possible with or without an attorney. The program is expected to operate through 2026. More details on eligibility, documentation and residency verification requirements will be shared later this summer. As part of the development process, SCE will engage stakeholders, including plaintiff attorneys and elected officials, to gather input on the program before it is finalized.

“The architecture and timing of the SCE direct claims program will be instrumental in efficiently managing funding resources, mitigating interest costs and minimizing inflationary pressures so funds can address actual claims and fairly compensate community members for their losses,” added Pizarro.

SCE has served the Altadena community for nearly 140 years and is investing in long-term infrastructure improvements. This includes plans to underground 63 circuit miles of distribution lines, evaluating an additional 19 miles and upgrading infrastructure to accommodate more customer demand. The company continues to deploy advanced grid technologies – such as automation to enhance equipment maintenance, isolate disruptions and restore service faster. These efforts reflect SCE’s broader commitment to building a more resilient and reliable clean energy future.

For more information on the program, click here.

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 approximately 15 million via 5 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

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