v3.25.2
Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Indemnities
Edison International and SCE have agreed to provide indemnifications through contracts entered into in the normal course of business. These are primarily indemnifications against adverse litigation outcomes in connection with underwriting agreements, indemnities for specified environmental liabilities and income taxes or other contractual arrangements. Edison International's and SCE's obligations under these agreements may or may not be limited in terms of time and/or amount, and in some instances Edison International and SCE may have recourse against third parties. Edison International and SCE have not recorded a liability related to these indemnities. The overall maximum amount of the obligations under these indemnifications cannot be reasonably estimated.
Contingencies
In addition to the matters disclosed in these Notes, Edison International and SCE are involved in other legal, tax, and regulatory proceedings before various courts and governmental agencies regarding matters arising in the ordinary course of business. Edison International and SCE believe the outcome of each of these other proceedings will not materially affect its financial position, results of operations and cash flows. Legal costs expected to be incurred by Edison International and SCE in connection with loss contingencies are expensed as incurred.
Southern California Wildfires and Mudslides
Unprecedented weather conditions in California due to climate change have contributed to wildfires, including those where SCE's equipment has been alleged to be associated with the fire's ignition, that have caused loss of life and substantial damage in SCE's service area, including as recently as January 2025.
Numerous claims related to wildfire events have been initiated against SCE and Edison International. Edison International and SCE have, or may, incur material losses in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events, the Other Wildfire Events that are described below, and the January 2025 Eaton Fire. Of the Other Wildfire Events described below, only the 2017 Creek Fire ignited prior to the adoption of AB 1054 in July 2019. SCE's equipment has been, and may further be, alleged to be associated with other wildfires that have originated in Southern California, and SCE's service area remains susceptible to additional wildfire activity.
Liability Overview
The extent of legal liability for wildfire-related damages in actions against utilities depends on a number of factors, including whether the utility substantially caused or contributed to the damages and whether parties seeking recovery of damages will be required to show negligence in addition to causation. California courts have previously found utilities to be strictly liable for property damage along with associated interest and attorneys' fees, regardless of fault, by applying the theory of inverse condemnation when a utility's facilities were determined to be a substantial cause of a wildfire that caused
the property damage. If inverse condemnation is held to be inapplicable to SCE in connection with a wildfire, SCE still could be held liable for property damages and associated interest if the property damages were found to have been proximately caused by SCE's negligence. If SCE were to be found negligent, SCE could also be held liable for, among other things, fire suppression costs, business interruption losses, evacuation costs, clean-up costs, medical expenses, and personal injury/wrongful death claims, including claims for non-economic damages. Additionally, SCE could potentially be subject to fines and penalties for alleged violations of CPUC rules and state laws investigated in connection with the ignition of a wildfire.
While investigations into the cause of a wildfire event are conducted by one or more fire agencies, fire agency findings do not determine legal causation of or assign legal liability for a wildfire event. Final determinations of legal causation and liability for wildfire events, including determinations of whether SCE was negligent, would only be made during lengthy and complex litigation processes, and settlements may be reached before determinations of legal liability are ever made. Even when investigations are still pending or legal liability is disputed, an assessment of likely outcomes, including through future settlement of disputed claims, may require estimated losses to be accrued under accounting standards. Each reporting period, management reviews its loss estimates for remaining alleged and potential claims related to wildfire events. The process for estimating losses associated with alleged and potential wildfire related claims requires management to exercise significant judgment based on a number of assumptions and subjective factors, including, but not limited to: estimates of known and expected claims by third parties based on currently available information, opinions of counsel regarding litigation risk, the status of and developments in the course of litigation, and prior experience litigating and settling wildfire litigation claims. As additional information becomes available, management's estimates and assumptions regarding the causes and financial impact of wildfire events may change. Actual losses incurred may be higher or lower than estimated based on several factors, including the uncertainty in estimating damages that have been or may be alleged and in estimating settlement outcomes.
Estimates and Assumptions
Edison International and SCE may incur a material loss in excess of amounts accrued in connection with the remaining alleged and potential claims related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and Other Wildfire Events. Due to the number of uncertainties and possible outcomes related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and the Other Wildfire Events litigation, Edison International and SCE cannot estimate the upper end of the range of reasonably possible losses that may be incurred in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events or the Other Wildfire Events.
Estimated losses for wildfire litigation are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Actual losses incurred may be higher or lower than estimated based on several factors, including the uncertainty in estimating damages that have been or may be alleged and uncertainty in estimating settlement outcomes. For instance, SCE receives additional information with respect to damages claimed as claims mediation and trial processes progress. Other factors that can cause actual losses incurred to be higher or lower than estimated include the ability to reach settlements and the outcomes of settlements reached through claims mediation processes, uncertainties related to the impact of outcomes of wildfire litigation against other parties and increasingly negative jury sentiments in general litigation, uncertainties related to the sufficiency of insurance held by plaintiffs, uncertainties related to litigation processes, including whether plaintiffs will ultimately pursue claims, uncertainty as to the legal and factual determinations to be made during litigation, including uncertainty as to the contributing causes of wildfire events, the complexities associated with fires that merge, as applicable for the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires, and, for the Montecito Mudslides, whether inverse condemnation will be held applicable to SCE with respect to damages caused by the mudslides, and the uncertainty as to how these factors impact future settlements.
Litigation
2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events
Wildfires in SCE's service area in December 2017 and November 2018 caused loss of life, substantial damage to both residential and business properties, and service outages for SCE customers. The investigating government agencies, the Ventura County Fire Department ("VCFD") and CAL FIRE, have determined that the largest of the 2017 fires in SCE's service area originated on December 4, 2017, in the Anlauf Canyon area of Ventura County, followed shortly thereafter by a second fire that originated near Koenigstein Road in the City of Santa Paula. According to CAL FIRE, the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires, collectively, burned over 280,000 acres, destroyed or damaged an estimated 1,343 structures and resulted in two confirmed fatalities. The largest of the November 2018 fires in SCE's service area, the Woolsey Fire, originated in Ventura County. According to CAL FIRE, the Woolsey Fire burned almost 100,000 acres, destroyed an estimated 1,643 structures, damaged an estimated 364 structures and resulted in three confirmed fatalities. Four additional fatalities are alleged to have been associated with the Woolsey Fire.
Multiple lawsuits related to the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires and the Woolsey Fire have been initiated against SCE and Edison International. Some of the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires lawsuits claim that SCE and Edison International have
responsibility for the damages caused by debris flows and flooding in Montecito and surrounding areas in January 2018 based on a theory alleging that SCE has responsibility for the Thomas and/or Koenigstein Fires and further alleging that the Thomas and/or Koenigstein Fires proximately caused the Montecito Mudslides. According to Santa Barbara County initial reports, the Montecito Mudslides destroyed an estimated 135 structures, damaged an estimated 324 structures, and resulted in 21 confirmed fatalities, with two additional fatalities presumed but not officially confirmed.
The lawsuits related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events naming SCE as a defendant have been filed by three categories of plaintiffs: individual plaintiffs, subrogation plaintiffs and public entity plaintiffs. A number of the lawsuits also name Edison International as a defendant and some of the lawsuits were filed as purported class actions. As of July 24, 2025, in addition to the outstanding claims of approximately 130 individual plaintiffs, there were alleged and potential claims of certain public entity plaintiffs, including CAL OES, outstanding. SCE has settled all fire suppression claims and subrogation plaintiffs' claims related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events, except for one indemnification claim.
In January 2019, SCE filed a cross-complaint against certain local public entities alleging that failures by these entities, such as failure to adequately plan for flood hazards and build and maintain adequate debris basins, roads, bridges and other channel crossings, among other things, caused, contributed to or exacerbated the losses that resulted from the Montecito Mudslides. Some of SCE's cross-claims are still outstanding.
The litigation could take a number of years to be completely resolved because of the complexity of the matters and number of plaintiffs. As of July 24, 2025, SCE has entered into settlements with approximately 13,700 individual plaintiffs in the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events litigation. The statutes of limitations for individual plaintiffs in the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events have expired.
In October 2021, SCE and the SED executed an agreement to resolve the SED's investigations into the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and three other 2017 wildfires for, among other things, aggregate costs of $550 million. The $550 million in costs was composed of a $110 million fine to be paid to the State of California General Fund, $65 million of shareholder-funded safety measures, and an agreement by SCE to waive its right to seek cost recovery in CPUC-jurisdictional rates for $125 million and $250 million of third-party uninsured claims payments (and related financing costs) in the TKM litigation and the Woolsey Fire litigation, respectively. The SED Agreement provides that SCE may, on a permanent basis, exclude from its ratemaking capital structure any after-tax charges to equity or debt borrowed to finance costs incurred under the SED Agreement. The SED Agreement also imposes other obligations on SCE, including reporting requirements and safety-focused studies. SCE did not admit imprudence, negligence, or liability with respect to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events in the SED Agreement.
2017 Creek Fire
The "Creek Fire" originated near Sylmar in Los Angeles County in December 2017 and burned approximately 16,000 acres, destroyed an estimated 123 structures, damaged an estimated 81 structures, and resulted in 3 civilian injuries. While the United States Forest Service's ("USFS") January 2018 report of investigation concluded that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power ("LADWP") long-span transmission lines slapping together in high winds resulted in arcing and ignition of the fire, in August 2024, the USFS issued a supplemental report concluding that the fire was caused by SCE power lines. In 2023, the USFS dismissed its claim against LADWP and filed a claim against SCE to recover over $40 million for fire-suppression costs incurred by the USFS and environmental damage to U.S. lands. Multiple other lawsuits related to the Creek Fire were also filed by individual plaintiffs and subrogation plaintiffs naming SCE as defendant. SCE has settled substantially all of the claims that were filed against it related to the Creek Fire and does not expect to incur additional losses in excess of amounts accrued for the Creek Fire.
2019 Saddle Ridge Fire
The "Saddle Ridge Fire," originated in Los Angeles County in October 2019 and burned approximately 9,000 acres, destroyed an estimated 19 structures, damaged an estimated 88 structures, and resulted in one fatality and injuries to eight fire fighters. In August 2023, SCE received a signed report of investigation from the LAFD, in which the LAFD stated with respect to the Saddle Ridge Fire that the cause of ignition was unintentional, the form of heat was undetermined, the item first ignited was undetermined and the material type first ignited was undetermined. The LAFD report noted that no other competent ignition sources other than SCE's transmission lines were found in the specific origin area of the Saddle Ridge Fire. The SED is conducting an investigation with respect to the Saddle Ridge Fire. Multiple lawsuits related to the Saddle Ridge Fire were filed by plaintiffs naming SCE as defendant. A jury trial for a bellwether individual plaintiff in the Saddle Ridge Fire litigation has been set for November 2025. Based on pending litigation and without considering insurance recoveries, it is reasonably possible that SCE will incur a material loss in connection with the Saddle Ridge Fire, but the range of reasonably possible losses that could be incurred cannot be estimated at this time. SCE has not determined that losses in connection with the Saddle Ridge Fire are probable and consequently has not accrued a charge for potential losses relating to the Saddle Ridge Fire.
2020 Bobcat Fire
The "Bobcat Fire" was reported in the vicinity of Cogswell Dam in Los Angeles County in September 2020. The USFS has reported that the Bobcat Fire burned approximately 116,000 acres in Los Angeles County, destroyed an estimated 87 homes, one commercial property and 83 minor structures, damaged an estimated 28 homes and 19 minor structures, and resulted in injuries to six firefighters. In addition, fire authorities have estimated suppression costs at approximately $80 million. An investigation into the cause of the Bobcat Fire was led by the USFS. In May 2023, SCE received a report of investigation from the USFS, in which the USFS finds that the Bobcat Fire was caused when an SCE electrical wire made contact with a tree limb. The SED has concluded its investigation of the Bobcat Fire and found no violations of its rules and regulations by SCE related to the Bobcat Fire. Multiple lawsuits related to the Bobcat Fire were filed by plaintiffs, including individual plaintiffs, subrogation plaintiffs and the United States of America, naming SCE as a defendant. SCE has settled substantially all of the claims that were filed against it related to the Bobcat Fire and does not expect to incur additional losses in excess of amounts accrued for the Bobcat Fire.
2020 Silverado Fire
The "Silverado Fire" originated in Orange County in October 2020 and burned over 12,000 acres. The Orange County Fire Authority ("OCFA"). OCFA jointly with CAL FIRE have reported that the Silverado Fire destroyed five structures, damaged nine other structures and resulted in two firefighter injuries. There were also four other structures damaged or destroyed. In addition, methane re-generation pipelines were destroyed and approximately 200 acres of avocado orchards were damaged in the fire. Fire authorities have estimated suppression costs at approximately $20 million. An investigation into the cause of the Silverado Fire was conducted by the OCFA and CAL FIRE. OCFA and CAL FIRE concluded in their October 2020 report of investigation that contact between an SCE conductor and a T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile") line resulted in ignition of the Silverado Fire. In 2024, SCE paid a fine of approximately $2 million imposed by the SED for failure to comply with maintenance requirements with respect to two conductors. Multiple lawsuits related to the Silverado Fire were filed by plaintiffs, including individual plaintiffs, subrogation plaintiffs, CAL FIRE, T-Mobile, County of Orange and Cal OES, naming SCE as a defendant. SCE has settled substantially all of the claims that were filed against it related to the Silverado Fire and does not expect to incur additional losses in excess of the amounts accrued for the Silverado Fire.
2022 Coastal Fire
The "Coastal Fire" originated in Orange County in May 2022 and burned approximately 200 acres. The Orange County Fire Authority ("OCFA") has reported that the Coastal Fire destroyed 20 residential structures and damaged 11 residential structures. Two firefighters also reportedly sustained minor injuries. In addition, fire authorities have estimated suppression costs at approximately $3 million. While SCE's investigation remains ongoing, SCE's information reflects that an SCE circuit in the area experienced an anomaly (a relay) approximately 2 minutes prior to the reported time of the fire. An investigation into the cause of the Coastal Fire was led by the OCFA. The OCFA has retained SCE equipment in connection with its investigation. In September 2024, SCE received a report of investigation from the OCFA, in which the OCFA finds that the Coastal Fire was unintentionally caused by sparks from overhead SCE electrical equipment igniting vegetation under the equipment. The SED is conducting an investigation with respect to the Coastal Fire. SCE has settled subrogation plaintiff claims and claims brought by the County of Orange related to the Coastal Fire. Individual plaintiffs have also filed complaints against SCE related to the Coastal Fire. As of July 24, 2025, no trials are scheduled in the Coastal Fire litigation. SCE expects to obtain and review additional information and materials in the possession of third parties during the course of its internal reviews and the litigation process. SCE has accrued charges for potential losses relating to the Coastal Fire.
2022 Fairview Fire
The "Fairview Fire" originated in Riverside County in September 2022 and burned approximately 28,000 acres. CAL FIRE has reported that the Fairview Fire destroyed 22 residential structures, damaged five residential structures, and destroyed or damaged 17 minor structures. CAL FIRE also reported two civilian fatalities, one civilian injury and two injuries to responding fire personnel. In addition, fire authorities have estimated suppression costs at $39 million. While SCE's investigation remains ongoing, SCE's information reflects that an SCE circuit in the area experienced an anomaly (a relay) approximately 8 minutes prior to the reported start time of the fire. In November 2023, SCE received a report of investigation conducted by CAL FIRE, in which CAL FIRE finds that the Fairview Fire was caused when a sagging SCE electrical conductor came in contact with a communication line, causing sparks to fall and ignite surrounding vegetation. In March 2025, the SED issued a citation for approximately $2 million for violations of the SED's rules and regulations, including SCE's failure to comply with clearance requirements with respect to its electrical conductor. SCE has settled subrogation plaintiff claims related to the Fairview Fire. A jury trial in the Fairview Fire individual plaintiff litigation has been set for January 2026. SCE expects to obtain and review additional information and materials in the possession of third parties during the course of its internal reviews and the litigation process. SCE has accrued charges for potential losses relating to the Fairview Fire.
2025 Eaton Fire
In January 2025, several wind-driven wildfires impacted portions of SCE's service area, causing loss of life, substantial damage and service outages for SCE customers. One of the largest of these wildfires, the "Eaton Fire," ignited in SCE's service area in Los Angeles County and spread under conditions of an extreme Santa Ana windstorm.
CAL FIRE has reported that the Eaton Fire burned approximately 14,000 acres and resulted in 18 civilian fatalities and 9 fire personnel injuries/illnesses. An additional fatality has also been reported to be attributed to the Eaton Fire. In addition, according to preliminary information provided by CAL FIRE, the Eaton Fire destroyed approximately 6,018 single residence structures, 3,146 other minor structures, 96 multiple residences and 158 mixed commercial/residential and nonresidential commercial structures; and damaged approximately 750 residential structures, 260 other minor structures, 28 multiple residences and 35 mixed commercial/residential and nonresidential commercial structures. Fire authorities have estimated suppression costs at approximately $100 million.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department is leading the investigation into the origin and cause of the Eaton Fire, with the assistance of CAL FIRE, and has identified a preliminary area of origin of the fire. SCE has transmission facilities in the preliminary area of origin. As part of its investigation, the Los Angeles County Fire Department initially requested that SCE preserve in-place its equipment in the preliminary area of origin. Subsequently, in coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and other interested parties, SCE removed certain equipment as part of its investigation. The SED is also conducting an investigation with respect to the Eaton Fire.
Multiple lawsuits related to the Eaton Fire have been initiated against SCE. A number of the lawsuits also name Edison International as a defendant and some of the lawsuits were filed as purported class actions. As of July 24, 2025, SCE was aware of approximately 300 lawsuits representing approximately 4,500 individual plaintiffs, subrogation lawsuits, and lawsuits by public entity plaintiffs related to the Eaton Fire.

SCE's ongoing internal review into the facts and circumstances of the Eaton Fire is complex and will require significant time. SCE's review includes ongoing inspections of its facilities and records and of third-party information and testing. While SCE has not conclusively determined that its equipment caused the ignition of the Eaton Fire, concerning circumstantial evidence suggests that SCE's transmission facilities in the preliminary area of origin could have been associated with the ignition of the fire. Additionally, SCE is not aware of evidence pointing to another possible source of ignition. Absent additional evidence, SCE believes that its equipment could have been associated with the ignition of the Eaton Fire and, in light of pending litigation, that it is probable that Edison International and SCE will incur material losses in connection with the Eaton Fire. In July 2025, SCE announced that it would launch a program in the fall of 2025 that will allow individual plaintiffs to seek expedited resolution of their claims. Given SCE's ongoing review into the cause of the Eaton Fire and, among other things, the complexities associated with estimating damages, uncertainties related to the sufficiency of insurance held by plaintiffs and uncertainties related to litigation processes, Edison International and SCE are currently unable to reasonably estimate a range of losses that may be incurred.
Settlement of Claims
The following table presents settlements paid:
(in millions)
Inception to June 30, 2025
Three months ended June 30, 2025Six months ended June 30, 2025
2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events$9,612 $59 $158 
Other Wildfire Events691 62 127 
Total $10,303 $121 $285 
Edison International and SCE have not admitted wrongdoing or liability as part of any settlements related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events or the Other Wildfire Events. SCE continues to explore reasonable settlement opportunities with plaintiffs in outstanding wildfire litigation.
Loss Estimates
The following table presents changes in estimated losses since December 31, 2024:
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2024$426 $575 $1,001 
Increase in accrued estimated losses— 21 21 
Amounts paid(158)(127)(285)
Balance at June 30, 2025
$268 $469 $737 
Edison International's and SCE's condensed consolidated balance sheets included fixed payments to be made under executed settlement agreements and accrued estimated losses presented in the tables below:
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Current portion of Wildfire-related claims liabilities1
$36 $133 $169 
Long term wildfire-related claims liabilities2
232 336 568 
Total Balance at June 30, 2025
$268 $469 $737 
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Current portion of Wildfire-related claims liabilities1
$48 $12 $60 
Long term wildfire-related claims liabilities2
378563941
Total Balance at December 31, 2024
$426 $575 $1,001 
1At June 30, 2025, current liabilities related to 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events consisted of $17 million of settlements executed and $19 million of short-term payables under the SED Agreement. At December 31, 2024, current liabilities related to 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events consisted of $29 million of settlements executed and $19 million of short-term payables under the SED Agreement.
2At June 30, 2025, long-term wildfire-related claims related to 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events consisted of $30 million of long-term payables under the SED Agreement and $202 million of estimate of expected losses for remaining alleged and potential claims. At December 31, 2024, long-term wildfire-related claims related to 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events consisted of $38 million of long-term payables under the SED Agreement and $340 million of estimate of expected losses for remaining alleged and potential claims.
Management reviews its loss estimates for remaining alleged and potential claims related to wildfire litigation quarterly. Edison International and SCE have accrued their best estimate of expected losses for remaining alleged and potential claims related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and at the low end of the estimated range of reasonably possible losses for the Other Wildfire Events as no amount within the range of reasonably possible losses for the Other Wildfire Events appears, at this time, to be a better estimate than any other amount within the range. While Edison International and SCE may incur a material loss in excess of the amounts accrued, they cannot estimate the upper end of the range of reasonably possible losses that may be incurred in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events or the Other Wildfire Events.
The estimated losses for the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events do not include estimates of potential losses related to certain potential public entity plaintiff claims, including CAL OES's claim in the TKM litigation for which the statute of limitations has been tolled, as losses from these alleged and potential claims are not estimable at this time.
For the three months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, there were no wildfire-related claims, net of expected recoveries on SCE's condensed consolidated statements of income.
For the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, SCE's condensed consolidated statements of income included wildfire-related claims, net of expected recoveries as follows:
Six months ended June 30, 2025
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Wildfire-related claims$— $21 $21 
Expected recoveries from insurance and third parties1
— (82)(82)
Expected (recoveries from)/refund to CPUC customers(1,341)44 (1,297)
Expected refund to FERC customers— 
Total pre-tax gain(1,341)(14)(1,355)
Income tax expense375 379 
Total after-tax gain$(966)$(10)$(976)
Six months ended June 30, 2024
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Wildfire-related claims$490 $180 $670 
Expected recoveries from insurance and third parties2
— (56)(56)
Expected revenue from FERC customers(27)(7)(34)
Total pre-tax charge463 117 580 
Income tax benefit(130)(33)(163)
Total after-tax charge$333 $84 $417 
1For the six months ended June 30, 2025, EIS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Edison International, incurred $50 million insurance expense, which consisted of $47 million of wildfire claims and $3 million of related legal costs. Wildfire claims were included in the insurance recoveries of SCE, offset by reduction in expected recovery from CPUC and FERC customers, and was excluded from insurance recoveries of Edison International.
2For the six months ended June 30, 2024, EIS incurred $1 million insurance expense. This amount was included in the insurance recoveries of SCE but were excluded from those of Edison International.
In total, through June 30, 2025, SCE has recorded estimated losses of $11.1 billion, expected recoveries from insurance and third parties of $2.8 billion and expected recoveries through electric rates of $1.9 billion related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and the Other Wildfire Events. The after-tax net charges to earnings recorded through June 30, 2025, have been $4.6 billion.
Recoveries
SCE has exhausted expected insurance recoveries related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events. Expected recoveries from insurance recorded for the Other Wildfire Events are supported by SCE's insurance coverage for multiple policy years. Edison International and SCE record a receivable for insurance recoveries when recovery of a recorded loss is determined to be probable.
Recovery of SCE's losses realized in connection with the Woolsey Fire and the Other Wildfire Events in excess of available insurance is subject to approval by regulators. The CPUC and FERC may not allow SCE to recover uninsured losses through electric rates, including by requiring refund of amounts recovered, if it is determined that such losses were not prudently incurred. Under accounting standards for rate-regulated enterprises, SCE defers costs as regulatory assets in the period it concludes that such costs are probable of future recovery in electric rates. SCE utilizes objectively determinable evidence to form its view on the probability of future recovery.
While Edison International and SCE may incur material losses in excess of the amounts accrued for certain of the Other Wildfire Events, Edison International and SCE expect that additional losses incurred in connection with any such fire will
be covered by insurance, subject to self-insured retentions and co-insurance, and expect that any such additional losses after expected recoveries from insurance and through electric rates will not be material.
The following table sets forth SCE's total recoveries received since inception and expected to receive as of June 30, 2025:
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Recoveries from insurance and third parties$2,000 $800 $2,800 
FERC recoveries440 22 462 
CPUC- RMBA recoveries— 12 12 
CPUC-WEMA deferral1,341 96 1,437 
Total $3,781 $930 $4,711 
The following tables summarize expected recoveries from insurance and third parties, and through electric rates as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024:
June 30, 2025
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Long-term receivables from insurance and third parties$— $380 $380 
FERC related balancing accounts46 22 68 
CPUC-WEMA1,341 96 1,437 
Total $1,387 $498 $1,885 
December 31, 2024
(in millions)2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide EventsOther Wildfire EventsTotal
Long-term receivables from insurance and third parties$— $434 $434 
FERC related balancing accounts64 73 
CPUC-WEMA— 140 140 
Total $64 $583 $647 
For events that occurred in 2017 and early 2018, principally the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires and Montecito Mudslides, SCE had $1.0 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage, subject to a self-insured retention of $10 million per occurrence. For the Woolsey Fire, SCE had an additional $1.0 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage, subject to a self-insured retention of $10 million per occurrence. SCE recovered $2.0 billion from its insurance carriers in relation to the claims related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and $18 million related to the Creek Fire. Additional insurance was not available for the Creek Fire because wildfire insurance for the period in which the fire was ignited was almost fully exhausted as a result of the TKM litigation.
SCE has approximately $1.2 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage for events that occurred during the period June 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020, subject to up to $165 million of co-insurance and self-insured retention, which resulted in net coverage of approximately $1.0 billion.
SCE has approximately $1.0 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage for events that occurred during the period July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, subject to up to $130 million of self-insured retention and co-insurance per fire, which results in net coverage of approximately $870 million.
SCE has approximately $1.0 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage for events that occurred during the period July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2022, subject to up to $163 million of self-insured retention and co-insurance per fire, which resulted in net coverage of approximately $837 million.
SCE has approximately $1.0 billion of wildfire-specific insurance coverage for events that occurred during the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, subject to up to $63 million of self-insured retention and co-insurance per fire, which results in net coverage of approximately $937 million.
SCE's wildfire insurance expense for the July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 policy period was approximately $450 million, of which $357 million was paid to commercial insurance carriers (commercial insurance carriers other than EIS are referred to herein as "Third-Party Commercial Insurers"). The difference between the Third-Party Commercial Insurer cost and total cost for the July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 policy period was paid in premiums to EIS (see Note 17 for further information). Wildfire insurance premiums paid for the July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023 policy period are being recovered through customer rates. As a result of an EIS insurance policy amendment, in the first quarter of 2025, EIS recorded a $50 million wildfire insurance expense (by utilizing the premiums already collected as discussed above), and SCE recorded the corresponding insurance recovery from EIS, which reduced expected WEMA recoveries. On the Edison International consolidated statements of income, the EIS insurance expense is eliminated with SCE's insurance recovery from EIS.
In May 2023, the CPUC allowed SCE to establish an expanded self-insurance program for wildfire-related costs that will be funded through CPUC-jurisdictional rates, in lieu of obtaining wildfire liability insurance from the commercial insurance market. Beginning on July 1, 2023, SCE implemented its customer-funded wildfire self-insurance program. In 2023 and 2024 SCE collected $150 million and $300 million, respectively, through CPUC-jurisdictional rates in support of SCE's customer-funded wildfire self-insurance program.
In July 2024, the CPUC issued a decision in the 2025 GRC proceeding authorizing this self-insurance framework to continue through at least 2028, supporting a self-insurance fund of up to $1.0 billion per policy year. From 2025 through 2028, $300 million will be collected annually until a total available self-insurance accrual amount of $1.0 billion is achieved. As of June 30, 2025, SCE has collected $148 million for the January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 period for its customer-funded wildfire self-insurance and is authorized to collect an additional $152 million through December 31, 2025.
If losses are accrued for wildfire-related claims for wildfires that occur between July 1, 2023 and the end of 2028, customer rates will be increased in subsequent years, as needed, to allow for full recovery of the amounts accrued up to $1.0 billion per policy year, subject to a shareholder contribution of 2.5% of any self-insurance costs ultimately paid exceeding $500 million in any policy year, up to a maximum annual contribution of $12.5 million per policy year. SCE's self-insurance program meets its obligation to maintain reasonable insurance coverage under AB 1054 for the January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 period.
Recoveries through Electric Rates
CPUC recoveries pre-AB 1054
Regulatory recovery of SCE's losses realized in connection with the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events in excess of available insurance is subject to approval by regulators. Under accounting standards for rate-regulated enterprises, SCE defers costs as regulatory assets in the period it concludes that such costs are probable of future recovery in electric rates. SCE utilizes objectively determinable evidence to form its view on probability of future recovery. The only directly comparable precedent in which a California investor-owned utility sought recovery for uninsured wildfire claims related costs and the CPUC made a prudency determination is SDG&E's requests for cost recovery related to 2007 wildfire activity, where the FERC allowed recovery of all FERC-jurisdictional wildfire claims related costs while the CPUC rejected recovery of all CPUC-jurisdictional wildfire claims related costs based on a determination that SDG&E did not meet the CPUC's prudency standard ("SDG&E Decision"). The SDG&E Decision is evidence of a California investor-owned utility seeking recovery for uninsured wildfire-related costs and FERC allowing recovery of all FERC-jurisdictional wildfire-related costs while the CPUC rejected recovery of all CPUC-jurisdictional wildfire-related costs based on a determination that the utility did not meet the CPUC's prudency standard.
In August 2023, SCE filed an application to seek CPUC-jurisdictional rate recovery of prudently incurred losses related to the Thomas Fire, the Koenigstein Fire and the Montecito Mudslides, consisting of uninsured claims and associated costs, including legal costs and financing costs. In January 2025, the CPUC approved the TKM Settlement Agreement and closed the proceeding. Under the TKM Settlement Agreement, SCE is authorized to recover 60%, or approximately $1.6 billion, of approximately $2.7 billion of losses, consisting of approximately $1.3 billion of uninsured claims paid as of May 31, 2024 and $0.3 billion of associated costs, composed of legal fees and financing costs incurred as of May 31, 2024 and estimated ongoing financing costs. SCE is also authorized to recover 60% of claims paid and related costs incurred after May 31, 2024, other than for $125 million of uninsured claims and related financing costs which SCE waived its right to seek recovery of under the SED Agreement. As a result, in the first quarter of 2025, SCE recorded a regulatory asset for recoveries authorized under the TKM Settlement Agreement. As of June 30, 2025, the balance of the regulatory asset was $1.6 billion, consisting of $1.3 billion uninsured claims and $0.3 billion associated costs, including legal and financing costs. SCE was also authorized to recover approximately $55 million of approximately $65 million in incremental restoration costs, inclusive of operations and maintenance expenses, incurred related to the Thomas and Koenigstein Fires. Additionally, SCE recorded $50 million of shareholder-funded wildfire mitigation expenses.
In October 2024, SCE filed an application (the "Woolsey Application") to seek CPUC-jurisdictional rate recovery of $5.4 billion of prudently incurred losses related to the Woolsey Fire, consisting of approximately $4.4 billion of uninsured claims paid as of August 31, 2024 and $1.0 billion of associated costs, composed of legal and financing costs incurred as of August 31, 2024 and estimated ongoing financing costs. The CPUC may not allow SCE to recover uninsured losses related to the Woolsey Fire and through electric rates if it is determined that such losses were not prudently incurred. SCE is also seeking recovery of approximately $84 million in restoration costs in the proceeding. These assets are impaired if the restoration costs are permanently disallowed by the CPUC.
The CPUC did not make a determination regarding SCE's prudency when it approved the TKM Settlement Agreement. Therefore, notwithstanding CPUC approval of the TKM Settlement Agreement, SCE believes that the CPUC's interpretation and application of the prudency standard to SDG&E continues to create substantial uncertainty regarding how that standard will be applied to an investor-owned utility in wildfire cost-recovery proceedings for fires ignited prior to July 12, 2019. Consequently, SCE is unable to estimate the uninsured CPUC-jurisdictional claims related costs related to the Woolsey Fire or Creek Fire, both pre-AB 1054 events, that are probable of future recovery, and will not record a regulatory asset for recoveries related to the Woolsey Fire or Creek Fire in connection with the approval of the TKM Settlement Agreement. SCE will continue to evaluate the facts and circumstances of cost recovery proceedings applicable to pre-AB 1054 wildfires to determine if and when a regulatory asset for pre-AB 1054 wildfire events may be recorded.
CPUC recoveries post-AB 1054
The SDG&E Decision was prior to the adoption of AB 1054 on July 12, 2019, after which date AB 1054 clarified that the CPUC must find a utility to be prudent if the utility's conduct related to the ignition was consistent with actions that a reasonable utility would have undertaken in good faith under similar circumstances, at the relevant point in time, and based on the information available at that time. Further, utilities with a valid safety certification at the time of the relevant wildfire will be presumed to have acted prudently related to a wildfire ignition unless a party in the cost recovery proceeding creates serious doubt as to the reasonableness of the utility's conduct, at which time, the burden shifts back to the utility to prove its conduct was prudent.
Each of the Other Wildfire Events discussed above, with the exception of the Creek Fire, was ignited after July 12, 2019, and SCE has held a valid safety certification since July 15, 2019. While a California investor-owned utility has not yet sought a prudency review related to recovery for uninsured claims and other costs related to wildfires ignited after the adoption of AB 1054, SCE believes that for fires ignited after July 12, 2019, and for investor-owned utilities holding a safety certification at the time of the fire, the CPUC will apply a standard of review similar to that applied by the FERC which presumes all costs requested by an investor-owned utility are reasonable and prudent unless serious doubt as to the reasonableness of the utility's conduct is created. As such, SCE has concluded, at this time, that uninsured CPUC-jurisdictional wildfire-related costs related to those Other Wildfire Events occurring after AB 1054 that it has deferred as regulatory assets are probable of recovery through electric rates. SCE will continue to evaluate the probability of recovery based on available evidence, including regulatory decisions, such as any CPUC decisions illustrating the interpretation and/or application of the prudency standard under AB 1054, and, for each applicable fire, evidence that could create serious doubt as to the reasonableness of SCE's conduct relative to that fire. The CPUC may not allow SCE to recover uninsured losses related to the Other Wildfire Events through electric rates if it is determined that such losses were not prudently incurred.
FERC recoveries
Through the operation of its FERC Formula Rate, and based upon the precedent established in SDG&E's recovery of FERC-jurisdictional wildfire-related costs, SCE believes it is probable it will recover its FERC-jurisdictional costs related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and Other Wildfire Events. FERC recoveries are subject to refund, and SCE will continue to evaluate the probability of recovery of FERC-jurisdictional costs related to the 2017/2018 Wildfire/Mudslide Events and Other Wildfire Events based on available evidence, including any FERC decisions to allow or disallow recovery of FERC-jurisdictional wildfire related costs based on a state regulator's decision on whether to permit recovery of related costs.
Environmental Remediation
SCE records its environmental remediation and restoration liabilities when site assessments and/or remedial actions are probable and a range of reasonably likely cleanup costs can be estimated. SCE reviews its sites and measures the liability quarterly, by assessing a range of reasonably likely costs for each identified site using currently available information, including existing technology, presently enacted laws and regulations, experience gained at similar sites, and the probable level of involvement and financial condition of other potentially responsible parties. These estimates include costs for site investigations, remediation, operation and maintenance, monitoring, and site closure. Unless there is a single probable amount, SCE records the lower end of this reasonably likely range of costs (reflected in "Other long-term liabilities") at undiscounted amounts as timing of cash flows is uncertain.
At June 30, 2025, SCE's recorded estimated minimum liability to remediate its 19 identified material sites (sites with a liability balance at June 30, 2025, in which the upper end of the range of expected costs is at least $1 million) was $226 million, including $151 million related to San Onofre. In addition to these sites, SCE also has 17 immaterial sites with a liability balance as of June 30, 2025, for which the total minimum recorded liability was $4 million. Of the $230 million total environmental remediation liability for SCE, $218 million has been recorded as a regulatory asset. SCE expects to recover $34 million through an incentive mechanism that allows SCE to recover 90% of its environmental remediation costs at certain sites (SCE may request to include additional sites in this mechanism) and $184 million through proceedings that allow SCE to recover up to 100% of the costs incurred at certain sites through customer rates. SCE's identified sites include several sites for which there is a lack of currently available information, including the nature and magnitude of contamination, and the extent, if any, that SCE may be held responsible for contributing to any costs incurred for remediating these sites. Thus, no reasonable estimate of cleanup costs can be made for these sites.
The ultimate costs to clean up SCE's identified sites may vary from its recorded liability due to numerous uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, such as: the extent and nature of contamination; the scarcity of reliable data for identified sites; the varying costs of alternative cleanup methods; developments resulting from investigatory studies; the possibility of identifying additional sites; and the time periods over which site remediation is expected to occur. SCE believes that, due to these uncertainties, it is reasonably possible that cleanup costs at the identified material sites and immaterial sites could exceed its recorded liability by up to $96 million and $2 million, respectively. The upper limit of this range of costs was estimated using assumptions least favorable to SCE among a range of reasonably possible outcomes.
SCE expects to clean up and mitigate its identified sites over a period of up to 35 years. Remediation costs for each of the next five years are expected to range from $9 million to $19 million. Costs incurred for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 were $6 million and $4 million, respectively, and were included in the "Operation and maintenance" expense on Edison International's and SCE's condensed consolidated statements of income.
Based upon the CPUC's regulatory treatment of environmental remediation costs incurred at SCE, SCE believes that costs ultimately recorded will not materially affect its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows. There can be no assurance, however, that future developments, including additional information about existing sites or the identification of new sites, will not require material revisions to estimates.
Nuclear Insurance
SCE is a member of Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited ("NEIL"), a mutual insurance company owned by entities with nuclear facilities. NEIL provides insurance for nuclear property damage, including damages caused by acts of terrorism up to specified limits, and for accidental outages for active facilities. The amount of nuclear property damage insurance purchased for San Onofre and Palo Verde exceeds the minimum federal requirement of $50 million and $1.1 billion, respectively. If NEIL losses at any nuclear facility covered by the arrangement were to exceed the accumulated funds for these insurance programs, SCE could be assessed retrospective premium adjustments of up to approximately $17 million per year.
Federal law limits public offsite liability claims for bodily injury and property damage from a nuclear incident to the amount of available financial protection, which is currently approximately $560 million for San Onofre and $16.3 billion for Palo Verde. SCE and other owners of San Onofre and Palo Verde have purchased the maximum private primary insurance available through a Facility Form issued by American Nuclear Insurers. SCE withdrew from participation in the secondary insurance pool for San Onofre for offsite liability insurance effective January 5, 2018. Based on its ownership interests in Palo Verde, SCE could be required to pay a maximum of approximately $79 million per nuclear incident for future incidents. However, it would have to pay no more than approximately $12 million per future incident in any one year. Based on its ownership interests in San Onofre and Palo Verde prior to January 5, 2018, SCE could be required to pay a maximum of approximately $255 million per nuclear incident and a maximum of $38 million per year per incident for liabilities arising from events prior to January 5, 2018, although SCE is not aware of any such events.