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- 04 Aug 2026 by Southern California Edison
CONTENTS
1 | SCE Celebrates 140 Years
2 | Upcoming Bill Credits
3 | Rebuilding Altadena
4 | Funding Opportunities
5 | National Drive Electric Month
6 | FAQ: High Heat Preparedness
140 Years Powering Our Communities
This year, Southern California Edison (SCE) celebrates 140 years of service. Since helping illuminate a Fourth of July celebration in Visalia in 1886, SCE has grown alongside the region, supporting homes, businesses and economic growth while helping meet the changing energy needs of millions of Californians.
Throughout our history, SCE has played a key role in advancing energy innovation. Milestones such as the development of the Big Creek hydroelectric system helped demonstrate that clean energy could be delivered across long distances to growing communities. Over the decades, investments in transmission, substations and grid infrastructure expanded reliable electricity service throughout Southern California and helped power the region's growth.
Today, SCE continues to build on that legacy by modernizing the electric grid, reducing wildfire risk, and strengthening partnerships with local communities. The company maintains more than 125,000 circuit miles of power lines, operates more than 1,000 substations and conducts approximately 1.6 million tree inspections each year to help keep communities safe and connected.
As SCE reflects on 140 years of service, the focus remains firmly on the future. By investing in grid resilience, cleaner energy technologies and community partnerships, SCE is working to ensure that the next generation of Californians continues to benefit from safe, reliable and increasingly sustainable electric service.
California Climate Credit
SCE residential customers will soon receive the California Climate Credit, a bill credit funded through California’s Cap-and-Trade Program that returns a portion of program proceeds to customers while supporting the state’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
While customers previously received the credit in the spring and fall, beginning this year the electric credit will be applied during the late-summer billing period to provide added relief when energy use and bills are typically higher. The credit will appear automatically on eligible customers’ bills as a line item labeled “California Climate Credit,” and no action is required to receive it. Customers will see a $36 credit on their August bill and a $36 credit on their September bill, providing a total of $72 in rate relief this summer.
Learn more about ways to save: Powering Progress
Upcoming Events
Policy & Philanthropy Summit
The Inland Empire Community Foundation (IECF) host's its annual Policy & Philanthropy Summit on Aug. 6. Join SCE, as we lead a breakout session, All Together, to examine the impacts of extreme weather on Inland Empire communities. It will also highlight collaborative strategies between the public and private sector to build long-term community resilience. Attendees will include regional leaders, nonprofit and philanthropic organizations, government agencies and elected officials.
Short Stories
Rebuilding Lives One Home at a Time
Following the Eaton Fire, many Altadena families have faced difficult decisions about whether they could rebuild and remain in the community they call home. Edison International recently donated more than $5 million to San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity to support a revolving loan fund that helps homeowners access zero-interest financing and begin rebuilding sooner. The partnership helps families navigate permitting, construction and other challenges that can delay recovery efforts after a disaster. Together, these efforts help residents restore their homes, remain connected to their community, and move forward after the fire.
Funding Opportunities
· Wildfire Resilience Block Grants: Awards grants of $100,000 to $5 million for projects that build local capacity while providing financial and technical forestry assistance to nonindustrial forest landowners. Deadline: Aug. 7
· Environmental Justice Project: Awards of $10,000 for projects that bridge social justice and environmental resilience, addressing how climate change disproportionately impacts vulnerable communities. Deadline: Aug. 10
· EV HOME: $10 million in awards to accelerate EV adoption by connecting drivers with EV & residential charging equipment incentives, facilitating home charger installations and providing education on EV benefits, charging options and incentives. Deadline: Aug. 18
· Community Resilience Centers Program: $52 million for planning and implementation awards for neighborhood resilience centers that provide shelter & resources during climate emergencies. Planning Grant Deadline: Sep. 4
· Tribal Wildfire Resilience Grants: Awards of $250,000-$3 million for projects that serve California Native American tribes, support Traditional Ecological Knowledge and cultural fire, improve forest health. Deadline: Sep. 8
Educational Opportunities for Your Community!
In partnership with Edison International, Plug In America is offering mini-grants of up to $3,500 to support National Drive Electric Month events. Selected hosts will also receive training and resources to help create engaging, impactful electric vehicles (EV) experiences for their communities. Events must be located within SCE's service area or attract SCE customers, with priority given to those serving communities and customer segments with lower EV adoption rates. You can find more information and apply here by Aug. 9.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How can residents prepare for extreme heat and stay safe during a power outage?
Answer: Extreme heat can increase demand on the electric grid and raise the likelihood of heat-related outages. Residents should prepare by:
· Signing up for outage alerts
· Building an emergency kit with essentials such as water, food, medications, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio
· Identifying a nearby cooling center
During hot weather, stay hydrated, avoid drinks that can contribute to dehydration and keep blinds and shades closed to help reduce heat inside the home. If an outage occurs, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, unplug electronics to help prevent damage from power surges and use flashlights instead of candles. Customers who rely on medical equipment may be eligible for SCE's Critical Care Backup Battery program, which provides free portable backup batteries for use during outages and emergencies. Residents should also check in with family, friends and neighbors, especially those who may be more vulnerable to extreme heat.
Please Submit Your Questions: If you have a question related to SCE and electrical service, please send them to us in one of two ways:
· Contact your local SCE Government Relations Manager and pose the question.
· Send the question directly to the team at SCE.LocalPublicAffairs@sce.com.
We will go through all questions and answer them in priority order, based on the most popular or frequently asked. Answers will appear each month in this newsletter. Thank you for your interest and engagement with SCE Local Public Affairs!
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) and Support Programs
SCE hosts virtual community meetings covering key topics on wildfire prevention, PSPS, and emergency preparedness. You may access the full video recordings and PDF presentation decks here.
Sign Up for SCE Newsletters
News Release Alerts: Updates about recent media or press releases.
Edison for the Record Alerts: Updates on corrections to inaccuracies and misinformation in recent media articles.
ENERGIZED by Edison Weekly Newsletter: Weekly newsletter with Edison International and SCE news stories.
Got questions about this month’s newsletter? Email us at SCE.LocalPublicAffairs@SCE.com.
- 03 Aug 2026 by Vance Wealth
The Retirement Puzzle: When Every Decision Feels Connected
After more than four decades with the same employer, a couple nearing retirement was ready for their next chapter, including purchasing their dream home.
But retirement brought several connected decisions. When should they take Social Security? Which pension option made sense? How would they replace a steady paycheck? How would the home purchase affect their income and taxes?
The excitement was real, but so was the pressure. After a lifetime of thoughtful decisions, they worried that one wrong move could affect everything they had built.
Bringing the Pieces Together
Jerrod Ferguson and the Vance Wealth team began by looking at the full picture.
They mapped the couple’s income sources, modeled the home purchase across multiple scenarios, and created a distribution strategy designed to provide structure and predictability. They also identified a proactive tax planning opportunity by carefully timing distributions across two years.
“Our goal isn’t just to answer the question in front of us. It’s to make sure every answer supports the bigger picture: the retirement they actually want to live.”
Jerrod Ferguson, CFP®
Partner at Vance Wealth
The plan did not remove the decisions. It made sense of them.
The couple moved forward with the home they envisioned, closer to family and designed for their next chapter. More importantly, they entered retirement understanding how each decision supported the life they wanted to live.
Retirement planning is not simply about choosing a Social Security date, selecting a pension option, or deciding how much to withdraw. It is about understanding how those choices work together.
If you are approaching retirement, Vance Wealth can help you bring the pieces together with a coordinated plan.
Vance Wealth, LLC. ("Vance Wealth") is a registered investment advisor. Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Vance Wealth and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure.
The information provided is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute advice. Vance Wealth does not provide tax or legal advice. You should contact your tax advisor and/or attorney before making any decisions with tax or legal implications.
The case study presented is hypothetical and provided for illustrative purposes only. It does not depict the experience of any actual client or guarantee any particular outcome. Actual recommendations and results will vary based on individual circumstances. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice.
