SCE Promises Swift Wildfire Compensation, but Will It Deliver for Survivors?

GUEST OPINION

West of Fair Oaks in Altadena (Photo – Melissa Michelson)

Southern California Edison (SCE) has unveiled a new Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, aiming to provide swift financial relief to individuals and businesses affected by the recent Eaton Fire. Scheduled to launch this fall, the voluntary program offers a streamlined claims process featuring direct payments and expedited resolutions.

By John Boucher

The initiative is designed to cover a broad spectrum of losses, including total and partial structure damage, commercial property loss, business interruption, smoke and ash exposure, physical injuries, and fatalities. Both homeowners and renters will be eligible to apply.

To guide the program’s development, SCE has enlisted Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros—nationally recognized experts in disaster compensation. Their past work includes administering the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, as well as overseeing other high-profile recovery programs. While Feinberg and Biros will consult on the program’s design and public rollout, they will not review individual claims or manage its daily operations.

The compensation program is expected to run through 2026, with more information on eligibility criteria and required documentation anticipated later this summer. In the meantime, SCE plans to solicit feedback from stakeholders, including plaintiff attorneys, community organizations, and local elected officials.

Despite the program’s stated goals, some advocates remain skeptical of its potential effectiveness.

Doug Boxer, an attorney representing wildfire victims through LA Fire Justice, voiced concern that SCE’s approach may mirror problematic efforts seen in the past.

“Experience suggests that these direct payments for victims are neither quick, nor easy, nor equitable,” Boxer said. “PG&E offered a similar program, and wildfire victims ended up receiving inadequate compensation, and it didn’t happen fast.”

PG&E’s Fire Victim Trust, created in the aftermath of several devastating wildfires, has faced widespread criticism for delays, low payouts, and bureaucratic complexity, issues that some fear could resurface under SCE’s program.

For many fire survivors, the concern is whether SCE’s new effort will truly put people first, or follow a familiar pattern of corporate promises that underdeliver when it matters most.

With the program still in development, survivors and advocates alike will be watching closely. Whether this becomes a meaningful shift in how utility-caused fire losses are handled, or just another bureaucratic response, remains to be seen.

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