Extended Power Outages Leave SCE Customers Frustrated; Compensation Available for Food Loss
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Southern California Edison’s (SCE) Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) have left many Ventura County residents facing significant disruptions, with extended outages causing food spoilage, interrupted work, and an overall strain on daily life. While PSPS events are designed to reduce wildfire risks, customers report growing frustration with their length and frequency.
Residents across the region are grappling with the inconvenience of repeated outages. Many have lost perishable food items, struggled to power medical devices, and dealt with work interruptions due to lack of electricity. Families with young children, in particular, have faced challenges keeping food safe or maintaining a comfortable environment during the outages.
“The power shutoffs are necessary for safety, but it’s really hard to prepare for them when you don’t know how long they’ll last,” said Maria Lopez, a Simi Valley resident. “I’ve had to throw away groceries twice this month—it’s such a waste, and it’s expensive to replace everything.”
To help ease the burden, SCE is offering a claims process for customers who experience food spoilage during PSPS events. Customers can submit a claim for reimbursement, but the process requires detailed documentation.
How to File a Claim:
- Create a List of Losses: Itemize all spoiled food and include costs.
- Provide Receipts: If available, include receipts, credit card statements, or other proof of purchase.
- Explain Preservation Efforts: Detail actions taken, such as using ice or moving food to another location.
Submission Methods:
- Online: Fill out the claim form on SCE’s website.
- Email: Send documents to [email protected].
- Mail: Address your claim to SCE’s Claims Department at P.O. Box 900, Rosemead, CA 91770.
For assistance, residents can contact SCE’s disaster support line at 1-800-251-3311.
Challenges for Customers
While the claims process offers some relief, many customers feel it doesn’t address the larger issue of prolonged outages. Residents are calling for better communication from SCE and shorter restoration times. Some also question why power lines in high-risk areas haven’t been upgraded to prevent the need for PSPS events in the first place.
“I appreciate the compensation, but it doesn’t fix the bigger problem,” said local business owner Jason Lee. “We’re losing money every time the power goes out. It’s not sustainable.”
Keeping Food Safe During Outages
The Ventura County Environmental Health Division provides guidance on reducing food spoilage:
- Freezers: A full freezer keeps food frozen for about two days. Use dry ice or block ice to extend cooling time.
- Refrigerators: Food in the fridge stays safe for about 4-6 hours if the door is kept closed.
- Discard Unsafe Food: Perishables left above 40°F for more than two hours should be thrown away.
The PSPS program is a necessary step to prevent wildfires, but it also highlights the need for long-term solutions to reduce customer impact. Residents are encouraged to share their experiences with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to advocate for better infrastructure and services.
For more information or to file a claim, visit SCE’s Claims Page. While compensation helps, many in Ventura County hope for improvements that will reduce the need for outages altogether.
