SCE lays out community resource centers, battery programs and microgrid options for PSPS events

Lori Blackwell, who leads customer‑service operations for Southern California Edison, summarized the utility’s programs to help customers before, during and after public‑safety power shutoffs (PSPS) at the Fillmore community meeting.

Blackwell said SCE operates community resource centers (CRCs) and community crew vehicles that provide water, snacks, charging stations and language support during events, and that the outage map (sc.com/outagemap) lists CRC locations when activated. "For the Fillmore area, the closest community resource center we have is very close by at the active adult and community center," she said.

She described targeted battery programs: a critical‑care battery backup program that provides free batteries (with solar panels) to qualifying medical‑baseline customers in high‑fire areas, and an in‑event battery loan program that coordinates delivery and pickup for customers who need temporary support. Blackwell said SCE has issued more than 7,000 rebates for portable power stations and generators and distributed close to 19,000 backup batteries to medical‑baseline customers since about 2020.

Other customer supports include rebates for portable generators (up to $600 for medical‑baseline or low‑income customers), a $150 rebate for portable power stations, and a self‑generation incentive program for larger systems (noting that it will sunset for most customers at year‑end except for low‑income customers where financing was secured).

Blackwell emphasized services for access‑and‑functional‑needs customers, defined by the CPUC as people with physical, developmental or intellectual disabilities, medical‑baseline customers and others who may be significantly affected by interruptions of power. SCE partners with 2‑1‑1, local food banks (the utility named Food Share of Ventura County) and community organizations to provide transportation, lodging and other supports during events.

On microgrids and backup generation, Blackwell said customers with their own generation can provide resilience but must complete an interconnection agreement with SCE to prevent unsafe backfeeding when crews are working on lines. She warned that permanent generator installations require a licensed electrician and proper interconnection.

Why it matters: The presentation outlined concrete options and eligibility rules that residents can use to prepare for PSPS events, with specific programs for medically vulnerable customers and a clear route (SCE website and local CRCs) to get help during outages.