Contests Article

In her May 30 article, “SCE Tree Maintenance in Question,” [reporter] Mikaela Stone raised concerns about safety practices, utility pole maintenance and tree trimming work. At Southern California Edison, the safety of our customers, communities and employees is always our top priority.

We inspect our poles and electrical equipment every one to three years in high fire risk areas. This work is part of our Wildfire Mitigation Plan required by the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. The utility poles mentioned in the article, located in the Briggs Terrace neighborhood of La Crescenta, were inspected on June 4, 2024, and April 2021. We determined that the poles are safe. As part of our maintenance cycle, they may need to be replaced in the future.

When it comes to properly maintaining trees, our vegetation management crews are trained and consider the well-being of each tree when contemplating the best way to keep them a safe distance from high-voltage power lines and other electrical equipment. We have been working with customers in the area to fully trim these trees to adhere to California’s vegetation management requirements.

We encourage SCE customers who have a concern about vegetation near power lines to schedule an inspection by calling us at (800) 655-4555.

Jennifer Wood, Monrovia District Manager
SCE

Questions CVWD Capital Charge

Dear Members of the Crescenta Valley Water District Board,

I am writing to express my concerns regarding the proposed renewal of the capital charge for the fiscal year 2024-25. As a long-time resident and customer of the Crescenta Valley Water District, I believe it is imperative to reassess the necessity and impact of this charge on the community.

First and foremost, the transparency and justification for the capital charge needs thorough review. Over the past years, the CV Water District has implemented this charge to fund various capital improvement projects. We have opposed this tactic from the beginning; however, CVWD pressed forward, regardless of the community’s outrage.

While infrastructure maintenance and upgrades are undoubtedly important, there has been a lack of detailed communication about how the funds collected through the capital charge have been specifically allocated. The vague and generalized information provided in the Capital Charge Analysis report is insufficient and erodes trust. Providing a comprehensive report on the expenditures and the status of the completed and ongoing projects would help build trust and justify the continuation of this charge. A thorough audit and assessment of past projects could reveal opportunities for cost savings and more strategic planning.

In conclusion, I respectfully request that the Crescenta Valley Water District board reconsider the renewal of the capital charge for the fiscal year 2024-25. A comprehensive review of the charge’s necessity, detailed reporting on its use, consideration of economic impacts and exploration of alternative funding sources are essential steps to ensure that the community’s interests are best served.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and the opportunity to discuss this issue further.

Vincent and Catherine Pappas
La Crescenta