Latest news with #Edison


Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Daily Mirror
‘I found a little-known part of Florida with quiet beaches and incredible wildlife'
Dreaming of blue skies, breathtaking sunsets and soft sandy beaches, and need some inspiration for where to go? We found all this and more on a trip to Southwest Florida's Lee County, where we explored the rich history and top seafood restaurants of Fort Myers before soaking up the sun on nearby Sanibel Island, known as the seashell capital of the world. Regenerated following the destruction caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022, Fort Myers and its beaches, neighbourhoods and more than 100 islands are back to being a must-visit destination. Fort Myers' history Fort Myers boasts a rich history thanks to its wealth of natural resources. The area's first inhabitants were the Calusa Indians, who discovered it around 5000 BC and left behind shell mounds, believed to have been used for both ceremonial and practical purposes. Moving forward to the start of the 20th Century, notable Americans such as Thomas Edison and Henry Ford purchased homes here, putting Lee County firmly on the map. Edison bought Seminole Lodge in 1886, which served as a winter haven for him and his wife Mina until his death in 1931. Both Edison's and Ford's homes are now open to the public, with tours available to book. In downtown Fort Myers we stayed at the Luminary Hotel, which has spectacular riverside views. The rooms are spacious, and there's Ella Mae's Diner for hearty breakfasts and Silver King Ocean Brasserie for seafood lovers, plus the Beacon Social Drinkery rooftop bar where you can watch the sun set over a glass of wine or chilled beer. Fort Myers' wildlife The Sunshine State has a remarkable variety of wildlife, from manatees and dolphins to alligators and turtles. During a ferry trip from Sanibel to an island named Cabbage Key, we saw pods of bottlenose dolphins – which inhabit Fort Myers' bays and estuaries year round – playfully surfing in the ferry's wake. Another highlight was seeing manatees while kayaking around the secluded island of Captiva, just north of Sanibel. There's also a spot named Manatee Park where visitors can observe them without the need for a kayak or paddleboard, as many head there when the Gulf of Mexico waters become too chilly. The Estero River in the Koreshan State Park is another great kayaking spot too. Where to eat in Fort Myers During our stay, we dined at some of Fort Myers and Sanibel's top seafood restaurants, including Oxbow Bar and Grill, Doc Ford's, Coconut Jack's Waterfront Grille and Captain's Catch. All had stunning views of the sunset as dinner was served, and the local shrimp dishes were standouts on the menu. For a more relaxed feel, Wickies Lighthouse Restaurant on Sanibel Island is a must for a hearty all-American breakfast, and one lunch spot we recommend is Cabbage Key Inn, which is covered in thousands of dollar bills. The tradition of slapping money on the ceiling and walls began in 1941 when a fisherman signed and taped his last dollar to the wall. It meant that when he returned he'd have money to buy himself a beer. The walls are now plastered with an estimated $70,000 of bills, and ones that fall off are donated to local charities. The best beaches around Fort Myers Florida is known for its incredible coastline, with the white sand as soft to touch as icing sugar, and there were plenty of beaches to explore on our trip. Don't miss Bowman's Beach on Sanibel Island, which is covered in shells. To learn more about the island's shells, molluscs and their ecosystems, pay a visit to the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium, which is devoted to every aspect of seashells and open daily from 10am to 5pm. Another must-see destination is Sanibel's Blind Pass Beach, which is ideal for sunset-viewing and fishing. For the perfect beachside accommodation, Margaritaville Beach Resort is great for cocktails and live music during the day, while Sundial Beach Resort & Spa has a peaceful, secluded stretch of sand to unwind on. How Fort Myers is rebuilding and recovering It's impossible to visit this part of Florida and not acknowledge the devastation wrought by Hurricane Ian in 2022, when ferocious storms of 160mph hit the region, with Fort Myers Beach, Pine Island and Sanibel Island bearing the brunt of the damage. However, a gradual rebuilding process has been underway in Lee County over recent years. While the recovery efforts are ongoing, homes and businesses have been reconstructed, the stunning beaches are open, and wildlife is thriving, restoring this beautiful part of the USA as a top holiday hotspot. How much does it cost to visit Fort Myers? For more on Fort Myers and the area, go to Fort Myers Islands, Beaches & Neighbourhoods. Rooms at Luminary Hotel & Co. start from $195 (£145) per night. Rooms at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa start from $250 (£185) per night.


Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Edison's plan to pay Eaton fire victims could mean less litigation, less compensation
Southern California Edison's plans to compensate Eaton fire victims for damage were met with skepticism Thursday from lawyers representing Altadena residents, but drew tentative support from others who say the initiative could help shore up the state's $21-billion wildfire fund. The utility announced its Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this week, saying it would be used to quickly pay victims, including those who were insured, while avoiding lengthy litigation. The announcement comes as state officials consider ways to shore up the state's fund to compensate wildfire victims, amid fears that it could be fully exhausted by Eaton fire claims. Fees that attorneys receive as part of victim settlements could further strain the fund. State Sen. Henry Stern (D-Calabasas) said Edison's new program may have some merit as potentially 'a more efficient way' than lawsuits to make sure victims are fairly compensated. He pointed out that lawyers were 'coming across the country to represent' Eaton fire victims. 'Are they really getting their money's worth when they pay 30% to these lawyers?' Stern asked. Mark Toney, executive director of the Utility Reform Network, said Edison's program had the potential to reduce costs that otherwise must be covered by the wildfire fund, which was established in part by a surcharge on the bills paid by customers of Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric and San Diego Gas & Electric. 'If Edison is determined to be the cause of the fire, anything they can settle early reduces the costs that otherwise would be paid later,' Toney said. The utility has released few details of how the program would work, leaving victims who are already coping with uncertainty with more questions. And lawyers who had been seeking to represent victims in lawsuits against Edison were quick to urge caution. 'Without admitting fault or providing transparency, Edison is asking victims to potentially waive their rights,' said Kiley Grombacher, one of dozens of lawyers involved in litigation against Edison for the Jan. 7 wildfire that killed 19 and destroyed 9,000 homes in Altadena. According to Edison, the program would be open to those who lost homes or businesses as well as renters who lost property. It would also cover those who were harmed by smoke, suffered physical injuries or had family members who died. 'People can file a claim even if they are involved in active litigation,' said Kathleen Dunleavy, an Edison spokeswoman. Dunleavy said the company would be releasing more information soon, including on eligibility requirements. At a Thursday meeting in Sacramento of the Catastrophe Response Council, which oversees the wildfire fund, officials said they were creating criteria that Edison must follow in designing the program, including having measures to prevent fraud and clear eligibility standards. Sheri Scott, an actuary from Milliman, told the council that the firm estimated that losses from the Eaton fire ranged from $13.7 billion to $22.8 billion. 'We heard from our guest today that we might run out of money very quickly,' said Paul Rosenstiel, a member of the council appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. He urged state lawmakers to consider changing the law that created the fund so that less money was at risk of flowing to third parties who aren't fire victims. PG&E created a program to directly pay victims of the 2021 Dixie fire, which burned more than 960,000 acres in Northern California. It created a similar program to compensate victims of the 2022 Mosquito fire, which burned nearly 77,000 acres in Placer and El Dorado counties. PG&E said it offered Mosquito fire victims who lost their homes $500 per square foot and $9,200 per acre for those whose lots did not exceed 5 acres. To aid in rebuilding efforts, victims who decided to reconstruct their homes were eligible for an additional $50,000. Lynsey Paulo, a PG&E spokeswoman, said in an email that the company paid nearly $50 million to victims of the Dixie fire through its program. That money went to 135 households, she said. 'PG&E's program was designed to provide claimants with resources to rebuild as quickly as possible and help communities recover,' she said. Richard Bridgford, a lawyer who represented Dixie fire victims, said that PG&E's offer was lower than victims won through lawsuits, and that only a fraction of those eligible for the PG&E program decided to participate, he said. 'Victims have uniformly done better when represented by counsel,' said Bridgford, who now represents victims of the Eaton fire. Edison's announcement of its program came as fire agencies continue to investigate the cause of the Eaton fire. Edison said in April that a leading theory is that a dormant transmission line, last used in 1971, somehow was reenergized and sparked the blaze. The company says the new compensation program 'is not an admission of legal liability.' 'Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly,' Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility's parent company, said in a news release. 'This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.' The utility said it had hired consultants Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who had worked on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, to help design the program. If Edison is found responsible for the fire, the $21-billion state wildfire fund would reimburse the company for all or most of the amounts paid to victims through the new program or through lawsuits and insurance claims. Half of the fund's $21 billion came from charges to electric bills of customers of Edison, PG&E and SDG&E. The other half was contributed by shareholders of those three companies, which are the only utilities that can seek reimbursements from the fund.


The Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
LA's main utility to pay wildfire victims although cause of blaze undetermined
Los Angeles's main utility company will compensate victims of January's deadly Eaton wildfire – even though investigators have yet to determine whether the company's equipment sparked the blaze. In a statement released Wednesday, Southern California Edison announced the establishment of the Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program, a voluntary fund it developed in consultation with Kenneth R Feinberg and Camille S Biros, the duo who designed the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund. 'Community members shouldn't have to wait for the final conclusions in the Eaton Fire investigation to get the financial support they need to begin rebuilding,' Pedro J Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, SCE's parent company, said in a statement. 'Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly. This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.' Although the Los Angeles fire department is still investigating the cause of the Eaton fire, a leading theory is that the utility's ageing equipment ignited the first spark. Since the fire broke out on 7 January, dozens of families, and even the city of Los Angeles, have filed lawsuits against Southern California Edison. In its press release, the utility said the victims' compensation program would launch this fall and that participation would require 'no application fees, administrative costs or legal fees'. The company's announcement comes amid concerns that the state of California's wildfire fund may not be able to handle the size of the insured losses if Edison is found responsible. In that case, the state fund would pay out any settlements in lawsuits against Edison. The California Earthquake Authority, which administers the fund, told the Los Angeles Times that it worries attorney fees could shrink the fund further (up to half of settlement amounts can go to legal fees). Attorney Richard Bridgford, who represents victims of the wildfires, meanwhile told the Times: 'Victims have uniformly done better when represented by counsel.' 'In the past, the utilities have proposed these programs as a means for shorting and underpaying victims,' he added. 'They are trying to make people panic so they don't get adequate representation.'


Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Edison expects to reach upper end of profit guidance in 2025
July 24 (Reuters) - Italy's energy company Edison ( opens new tab on Thursday forecast it will achieve the upper end of its 2025 core profit (EBITDA) target at 1.4 billion euros ($1.65 billion), supported by strong cash flow and increased investment in renewable energy. The Italian subsidiary of France's EDF posted a 736 million euros core profit in the first six months if 2025, down from 967 million recorded in the same period last year. Despite less favorable market conditions, Edison said it achieved growth in its thermoelectric sector and energy services. Renewables and customer-related activities accounted for 50% of its EBITDA, in-line with a 70% target by 2030. Sales revenues grew to 9.45 billion euros in the first half from 7.27 billion euros a year ago, boosted by energy price increases and higher volumes. Hydroelectric production fell back in line with the historic average. Volumes in 2025 were down 29.5% compared to the first half of 2024. ($1 = 0.8492 euros)


Los Angeles Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Edison offers to pay Eaton fire victims for damages, in move to avoid litigation
Seeking to avoid lengthy litigation, Southern California Edison said Wednesday it will offer to compensate Eaton fire victims directly for damages suffered, even though it has yet to formally concede that its equipment ignited the blaze on Jan. 7. Edison said it planned to launch a Wildfire Recovery Compensation Program this fall that would be open to those who lost homes, businesses or rental properties in the fire that killed 19 people and destroyed more than 9,400 homes and other structures in Altadena. It would also cover those who were harmed by smoke, suffered physical injuries or had family members who died. 'Even though the details of how the Eaton Fire started are still being evaluated, SCE will offer an expedited process to pay and resolve claims fairly and promptly,' Pedro Pizarro, chief executive of Edison International, the utility's parent company, said in a press release. 'This allows the community to focus more on recovery instead of lengthy, expensive litigation.' The utility said it had hired consultants Kenneth R. Feinberg and Camille S. Biros, who had worked on the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, to help design the program. Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Edison in the wake of the Jan. 7 fire that videos captured igniting under a transmission line in Eaton Canyon. The cause is still under investigation, but Pizarro has said a leading theory is that an idle Edison transmission line, last used in 1971, somehow became re-energized and started the blaze. An attorney who represents fire victims expressed skepticism of the plan, saying it could lead to reduced compensation for fire victims. 'In the past, the utilities have proposed these programs as a means for shorting and underpaying victims,' said attorney Richard Bridgford said. 'Victims have uniformly done better when represented by counsel.' Edison said the program would be designed to quickly compensate victims, including those who were insured. People can apply with or without an attorney, it said. The program is expected to run through 2026. 'The architecture and timing of the SCE direct claims program will be instrumental in efficiently managing funding resources, mitigating interest costs and minimizing inflationary pressures so funds can address actual claims and fairly compensate community members for their losses,' Pizarro said. If Edison is found responsible for the fire, the state's $21 billion wildfire fund is expected to reimburse the company for all or most of the payments it makes to victims. Brigford said he believed the wildfire fund would be enough to cover the Eaton fire claims. 'They are trying to make people panic so they don't get adequate representation,' he said. Others are concerned that the state wildfire fund is inadequate. Officials at the Earthquake Authority, which administers the wildfire fund, said in documents released in advance of a Thursday meeting that they fear the costs of the Eaton fire could exhaust the fund. State officials plan to discuss what can be done to lengthen the life of the fund at the meeting. Edison said more information on eligibility and other details of the compensation plan would be released in the coming weeks.