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Climate and Environment

Want to weigh in on SoCal Edison's Eaton Fire compensation program? Here's how

The charred remains of what used to be the interior of a home, with a stone fireplace sticking out from the rubble.
A home destroyed in the Eaton Fire on Jan. 8.
(
David Pashaee
/
AFP via Getty Images
)

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Topline:

SoCal Edison will hold a series of community workshops later this month to gather input on its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program.

Why now: Edison says the program is launching this fall, but it wants to gather community feedback on things like eligibility and valuation criteria before the program rolls out.

The backstory: Edison announced the payout program in July, which it says will offer eligible Eaton Fire survivors a way to file claims for commercial and residential damage and total loss. The fire killed at least 19 people and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.

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What's in the plan? Property owners, tenants and businesses affected by the fire in Altadena can apply for the fund, according to Edison. They can submit claims related to property damage, personal property loss, emotional distress, physical injury or death. Potential payouts could be $5 million for a person who died, $200,000 for a home that burned. Insurance companies and public entities are not eligible.

What if you’re part of a lawsuit? A SoCal Edison spokesperson had previously said survivors can submit a claim even if they’re involved in ongoing lawsuits against the utility.

What's next: There are four workshops coming up, two virtual and two in-person:

  • Sept. 25, 7 p.m. (virtual)
  • Sept. 26, 9 a.m. (virtual)
  • Sept. 27, 10 a.m., Loma Alta Park Gymnasium, 3330 Lincoln Ave., Altadena
  • Sept. 29, 7 p.m., Loma Alta Park Gymnasium, 3330 Lincoln Ave., Altadena

You can register for the workshops here.

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