Latest news with #Edison
Los Angeles Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Eaton fire could wipe out California's $21-billion wildfire fund, documents show
Damage claims from the Eaton wildfire in Altadena could wipe out the $21-billion fund California created to shield utilities and their customers from the cost of wildfires sparked by electric lines, according to newly released state documents. Investigators are seeking to determine whether Southern California Edison's equipment sparked the Jan. 7 inferno, which killed 19 people and destroyed 9,000 homes. If Edison is found responsible, 'the resulting claims may be substantial enough to fully exhaust the Fund,' state officials who administer the wildfire fund wrote in a draft annual report to the Legislature. The seven-member state Catastrophe Response Council, which oversees the fund, is scheduled to meet Thursday to discuss how potential damage claims from the Eaton fire could affect it. Concerns are already emerging that, should Edison be found liable, it would have little incentive to keep damage claims from becoming excessive since the utility itself would be spared from covering most of the costs. 'Are we impressing on the utilities that they need to settle claims with diligence?' wrote one of the council members, according to meeting materials released ahead of Thursday's meeting. 'Since the claims they settle are just passed on to us, they don't have much incentive to keep claims low.' Asked for comment on that statement, Edison spokeswoman Kathleen Dunleavy said that officials 'need to be wise and cautious about how this money is spent.' 'We agree that the wildfire fund should go to those directly affected by wildfires,' she said. The council member who raised the concern wasn't identified by name. Wade Crowfoot, California's secretary of Natural Resources, holds one of the nine council seats. His spokesman, Tony Andersen, said Crowfoot is 'engaged very closely' on the wildfire fund issue, but had no additional comment at this time. Other council members include Gov. Gavin Newsom, other state leaders and their appointees. According to the state documents, the insured property losses alone could amount to as much as $15.2 billion, according to materials released ahead of a Thursday meeting. That amount does not include uninsured losses or damages beyond those to property, such as wrongful-death claims. An earlier study by UCLA estimated losses from the fire at $24 billion to $45 billion. Newsom and legislative leaders are now talking about how to shore up the fund. The Times reported last month that one option under discussion behind closed doors is to have electricity customers pay billions of dollars more into the fund. Newsom and lawmakers created the wildfire fund in 2019, saying it was needed to protect the state's three biggest for-profit utilities from bankruptcy if their equipment sparked a catastrophic fire. Newsom said at the time that the legislation, known as Assembly Bill 1054, would 'move our state toward a safer, affordable and reliable energy future.' Six years later, however, utilities' electricity lines continue to be a top cause of wildfires in California. And in 2024, the state had the second highest electric rates in the country after Hawaii. Edison said in April that a leading theory of the cause of the Eaton fire is that one of its decades-old transmission lines, last used in 1971, somehow became reenergized and sparked the fire. The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing. Already lawyers have filed dozens of lawsuits against Edison on behalf of families who lost their homes, nearby residents who say they were harmed by toxins in the smoke and governments that lost buildings and equipment. Under the 2019 law, Edison would be allowed to settle those lawsuits. Then the state fund would reimburse the company for all or most of those costs. The Palisades fire, which also ignited Jan. 7, isn't covered by the wildfire fund because Pacific Palisades is served by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, a municipal utility. Newsom's staff didn't respond to questions about how the fund's life could be extended and whether he believed AB 1054 should be amended so that excessive settlements or attorney fees aren't allowed to deplete the fund. One idea being debated is to have the 30 million Californians served by Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, and San Diego Gas & Electric pay billions of dollars more into the fund. That plan could involve extending a monthly surcharge of about $3 on electricity bills beyond its planned expiration in 2035. Officials at the California Earthquake Authority, which serves as administrator of the wildfire fund, say they are also worried that attorney fees could eat up a large portion of the money. Attorneys can receive 30% to 40% of the victim settlements, according to a 2024 study. An additional 10% to 15% can go to lawyers defending the utility from fire claims, the study said. That means as much as 50% of settlement amounts could go to legal fees, the paper said. The consolidated lawsuit against Edison in Los Angeles County Superior Court lists more than 50 law firms involved in the litigation. Officials at the Earthquake Authority say the Legislature may have to change the 2019 law to limit attorney fees or give priority to some settlements over others. For example, Wall Street hedge funds have been offering to buy claims that insurance companies have against Edison. The funds are gambling that they can get more from the state's wildfire fund in the future than they are paying insurers for the claims now. Council members discussed in May whether AB 1054 should be amended so that claims from Californians who lost their homes be given precedence over those owned by Wall Street investors trying to profit from the fire.
CBS News
14 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Partner of man detained at New Jersey's Delaney Hall ICE facility concerned for his health
A New Jersey woman is concerned about what's next after her partner and more than a dozen migrant workers were arrested during a raid at a warehouse and taken to the controversial U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility Delaney Hall. ICE agents raided Alba Wine and Spirits in Edison on July 8 and detained 20 workers, officials confirmed. The woman, who did not want to use her real name and asked to be called "Vanessa," said her longtime partner was on the phone with her during a lunch break at the time. "He only said, 'Immigration is here. I need support ... Immigration, they come here with the dogs,'" she said. "'Please, I need you call my lawyer.'" She went directly to the warehouse parking lot, but he was gone. "The families was outside," she said. "Every family is crying." Vanessa said she met her partner while working in a warehouse before she changed jobs. She said he was allowed into the U.S. from his native Honduras as an asylum seeker with permission to work. Now, Vanessa says she is afraid to go to work, a store or a church. "The life right now is so terrible," she said. She said when she speaks to her partner on the phone, she can tell he is sick with a cold or flu. "He feels cold, he's hungry. The food is terrible," she said. "Everything is bad. Only have maybe a little bread." Vanessa said the best case scenario is that her partner will be freed at the conclusion of a virtual bond hearing scheduled for Monday. CBS News New York contacted Alba Wine and Spirits, ICE and the Department of Homeland Security about the raid and specific cases. Alba said, "No comment." "There will be no safe spaces for industries who harbor violent criminals or purposely try to undermine law enforcement's efforts," the DHS assistant secretary of public affairs said in a statement.
Arab News
2 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power signs multiple deals to supply clean energy to Europe
RIYADH: Saudi utility giant ACWA Power has signed multiple agreements to export renewable electricity and green hydrogen to Europe, marking a major step in the Kingdom's efforts to become a global clean energy hub. The deals, signed during an international workshop in Riyadh under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy, aim to build integrated systems for cross-border energy exports. The event, titled 'Exporting Renewable Energy and Green Hydrogen,' underscores Saudi Arabia's strategic push to lead the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor by leveraging its geographic position between East and West, the Saudi Press Agency reported. The agreements support the Kingdom's target to generate 50 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to become the world's largest exporter of green hydrogen, with plans to produce 1.2 million tons annually by the end of the decade. The SPA report stated: 'The agreements and memoranda of understanding signed by ACWA Power at the workshop included a multilateral memorandum of understanding with leading European companies, including Italy's Edison, France's TotalEnergies, the Netherlands' ZeroEurope, and Germany's ENPW, to export electricity generated from renewable energy sources from the Kingdom to Europe, while assessing commercial potential and European market trends toward sustainable energy solutions.' ACWA Power also signed memoranduma of understanding with global leaders in electrical interconnection and high-voltage DC transmission technologies, including Italy's CESI as an independent technical adviser, as well as Prysmian, GE Vernova, Siemens Energy, and Hitachi. The partnerships aim to develop advanced cross-border transmission corridors to enhance supply reliability and infrastructure efficiency. In collaboration with Germany's EnBW, ACWA Power also launched the first phase of the Yanbu Green Hydrogen Hub, an integrated project designed to help meet global demand for low-emission energy. The facility is expected to begin commercial operations in 2030. The project will feature renewable electricity generation, water desalination, electrolysis units, hydrogen-to-ammonia conversion, and a dedicated export terminal. It is intended to support Saudi Arabia's ability to produce clean energy at competitive costs while meeting rising global industrial demand for sustainable energy solutions. The workshop and accompanying agreements highlight the Kingdom's competitive advantages and reinforce its leadership in global energy transition efforts. The Ministry of Energy said the initiative supports Saudi Arabia's commitment to energy security, regional integration, and its Vision 2030 goals. With a net-zero emissions target by 2060, Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in both green and blue hydrogen. ACWA Power and Saudi Aramco are spearheading several major projects, including a hydrogen venture in NEOM, to solidify the Kingdom's role in the future hydrogen economy.
Hype Malaysia
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
The 'Durian Party' Returns To The Genting Dream For A Cruise You'll Never Forget!
Calling all durian lovers – the wait is over! Dream Cruises is thrilled to bring back its fan-favourite 'Durian Party' aboard the Genting Dream, setting sail on four special 2 Night cruises from Singapore to Melaka. Mark your calendars! Set sail on 24th and 31st August, and 7th and 14th September 2025, and get ready to indulge in the ultimate tropical fruit celebration! From Sea To Feast: Cruise To Melaka Tor The Ultimate Durian Experience Get ready for the ultimate tropical indulgence with Dream Cruises's 'Eat-All-You-Can Premium Durian Buffet' Package – an exclusive VIP experience onshore in vibrant Melaka! Savour a mouthwatering spread of Malaysia's most prized durian varieties, including the legendary Musang King, luxuriously creamy Black Thorn, bold Tan Sri XO, Red Prawn and many more. It's a durian lover's dream come true – a full-blown fruit fiesta bursting with flavour! And for those craving something a little lighter, there's a colourful selection of tropical fruits to refresh and delight every palate. After your 1.5-hour durian extravaganza, take a leisurely stroll along Melaka's iconic Jonker Street – packed with culture, street food and charming shops. Round-trip coach transfers between the ICQS terminal and the Durian Buffet event site are included, so you can relax and enjoy every moment. All this for just S$45 (RM148) per person! Book early with your cruise package or secure your spot onboard at the Box Office on Deck 6 – but hurry, availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Michael Goh, President of StarDream Cruises shared, 'We're delighted to bring back the Durian Party – a uniquely Southeast Asian celebration – in a bigger and more exciting way. These cruises combine the rich flavours of Malaysia with fun-filled experiences that guests of all ages will love.' Meet Edison Ang – Your Durian Guru At Sea Adding star power to the Durian Party Cruise is Edison Ang, one of Malaysia's most popular durian content creators and social media influencers. Renowned for his passion and expertise in all things durian, Edison has built a devoted following across Facebook, Douyin, TikTok and other major social media platforms. His engaging content showcases Malaysia's finest durians – from expert tastings and orchard tours to practical tips on selecting the perfect fruit. As part of this special collaboration, renowned durian expert Edison will make exclusive appearances at the Melaka Durian Buffet on selected dates – giving guests a rare opportunity to dive deeper into the delicious world of Malaysian durians. Join Edison for a fun and flavourful journey as he shares insider knowledge, fascinating stories and little-known facts about the beloved King of Fruits. From the secrets behind each variety to tips on choosing the perfect durian, this curated experience is your chance to learn from one of Malaysia's most trusted voices in the durian scene – all while enjoying unlimited bites of the best durians the country has to offer. A Cruise Full Of Fruity Fun The durian celebration kicks off even before you set foot onshore – and keeps going long after! From ship to shore and back again, get ready for a juicy lineup of tropical-themed fun for all ages. Here's what's in store: Lively games and quizzes onboard to warm up your durian knowledge and spark some friendly competition – all themed around the King of Fruits and other tropical favourites Creative, hands-on workshops where you can craft and paint your own durian-inspired masterpieces. Whether you're a die-hard durian fan or just in it for the fruity fun, this cruise promises a flavourful adventure from start to finish! So Much More to Explore Onboard Beyond the durian festivities, guests can indulge in: Complimentary dining with international and Asian cuisine, including certified Halal, vegetarian and Jain options Dazzling stage shows at the 999-seat Zodiac Theatre Movies under the stars Waterslides, jacuzzis, rope courses, rock climbing and more Retail therapy, relaxing spas and endless entertainment for all ages With limited sailings and strong demand, early booking is highly recommended. Book your Durian Party Cruise today at
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Watch as legacy stone is unveiled honoring legendary Edison coach Chuck Brady
Retired Thomas A. Edison football coach Archie McNelis discusses his predecessor, Chuck Brady, before a Brady legacy stone is unveiled July 19, 2025.
