SCE Expands Wildfire Compensation Program with Legal and Rental Support Boosts
Event summary
- SCE retroactively enhances its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program to increase legal expense coverage to 20% of net damages for claimants with counsel.
- Program now offers displaced renters up to three months of housing assistance at higher of pre-fire rental rates or fair market value.
- As of February 18, 2026: 2,405 claims submitted (7,000 individuals), $183M in settlement offers extended, and $18M paid out.
- Program remains voluntary through November 30, 2026, with average claim processing time of just over 100 minutes.
The big picture
SCE's program expansion reflects growing utility industry focus on proactive disaster recovery solutions. The move comes amid increasing regulatory scrutiny over corporate responsibility in wildfire-related damages. With $183M already allocated in settlements, the program demonstrates significant financial commitment to affected communities.
What we're watching
- Claim Processing Efficiency
- Whether SCE can maintain its current claim processing speed as volume increases.
- Participation Rates
- How the expanded legal and rental support impacts claim submission rates among eligible parties.
- Program Costs
- The financial impact of retroactive enhancements on SCE's overall compensation budget.
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