Senator Sasha Renée Pérez issues statement on federal lawsuit filed against Edison for Eaton Fire liability 

SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena) has issued the following statement on the federal government’s lawsuit filed against Edison over liability in the deadly Eaton Fire:

“We must hold SoCal Edison accountable for any role it played in causing the Eaton Fire. Today’s federal lawsuit will only be helpful if it benefits fire victims and prevents future wildfire tragedies. Our priority must be to ensure that fire victims are made whole, with federal agencies addressing their recoveries afterwards.

“Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, but SoCal Edison’s executives have acknowledged unused power lines that stood inactive for 56 years may have caused the Eaton Fire. In response, I introduced SB 256 that would have forced utilities to remove unused power lines, but it was quietly killed in the Assembly Appropriations Committee. Special interest continue to wield too much power and there has not been nearly enough accountability.

 “If the results of the ongoing investigation show Edison at fault, California ratepayers should not be expected to pay for the harm caused by the company’s negligence.

 “Eaton Fire victims have been through so much. It’s past time to implement common sense measures like SB 256 to make California safer and prevent these avoidable tragedies.”

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Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.