SoCal Edison's Wildfire Prevention Plan Angers Altadena Residents

Residents say they were "completely blindsided" by costly requirement to connect to new underground power lines

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Residents in the fire-scorched Altadena community of Los Angeles County are outraged by Southern California Edison's plan to bury 63 miles of power lines in response to last year's devastating Eaton wildfire. Some locals may have to pay up to $40,000 to connect their homes to the new underground lines, and they are also angry that the plan could destroy local oak and pine trees that survived the fire.

Why it matters

The Eaton fire last January killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,000 buildings, highlighting the need for utilities to take action to prevent future wildfires. However, Altadena residents feel that SoCal Edison's plan places an unfair financial burden on them and could further damage the community's environment.

The details

SoCal Edison is building the new underground power lines to protect against future wildfires, but residents say they were "completely blindsided" by the high costs they will have to pay to connect their homes. Homeowner Connor Cipolla estimates he will have to pay between $20,000 to $40,000 to connect, while a neighbor received a $30,000 estimate. Residents have also found dozens of sites where the utility's planned trenches could sever the roots of precious remaining trees that survived the fire.

  • The Eaton fire occurred last January.
  • SoCal Edison is currently implementing its plan to bury 63 miles of power lines in the Altadena area.

The players

Southern California Edison

The utility company that is implementing a plan to bury 63 miles of power lines in the Altadena area in response to the devastating Eaton wildfire.

Connor Cipolla

An Eaton wildfire survivor who says he may have to pay between $20,000 to $40,000 to connect his home to SoCal Edison's new underground power lines.

Robert Steller

A homeowner in Altadena who is trying to block SoCal Edison from burying a large transformer between two cedar trees, which he says would be "downright fatal" to the trees.

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What they’re saying

“We were completely blindsided.”

— Connor Cipolla, Eaton wildfire survivor (Los Angeles Times)

“Residents are so angry.”

— Connor Cipolla, Eaton wildfire survivor (Los Angeles Times)

“The plan would 'be downright fatal' to the venerable trees.”

— Robert Steller, Homeowner (Los Angeles Times)

What’s next

SoCal Edison spokesman Scott Johnson said the utility is trying to get government funding to help pay for the electrical connection fees that Altadena residents will have to cover. However, a state commission says the customers must pick up the bill for such connection services.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the tension between utilities' efforts to prevent future wildfires and the financial burden those efforts can place on local residents who are still recovering from past disasters. It raises questions about how the costs of wildfire prevention should be shared between utilities, governments, and affected communities.