Edison International Gets Regulatory Approval for Transmission Project

Edison International’s (EIX) subsidiary Southern California Edison's (SCE) Tehachapi renewable transmission project got regulatory approval. The regulatory body was the California Public Utilities Commission.

The Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) will be the first major regulatory approved transmission project in California built for the specific purpose of accessing multiple renewable generation sources in remote renewable-rich resource areas.

California already generates almost a fifth of its electricity needs through nuclear means. Of them the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station is owned by SCE. The other nuclear plant Diablo Canyon is owned by PG & E Corporation (PCG).

SCE prior to getting regulatory approval started work on the TRTP project. The company is laying a series of new and upgraded high-voltage electric transmission lines to deliver electricity from new wind farms in the Tehachapi wind source area, north of Los Angeles to customers and the California power grid. When all phases are developed, the TRTP will include transmission lines capable of delivering 4,500 MW of electricity from wind farms and other generating companies in Northern Los Angeles and Eastern Kern counties. The project is expected to become operational in 2014.

The future looks promising for the regulated utility Edison International stemming from consistent performance by its solid base of stable utility operations, rate hikes, regulatory approvals and ongoing alternative energy projects, partially offset by a stagnant economy, volatile gas prices, low-hedged power output and coal positions, as well as risks regarding recovery of capital expansion costs.

California-based Edison International is a regulated utility holding company operating through its principal subsidiaries – Southern California Edison Company, Edison Mission Energy, and Edison Capital.

Southern California Edison is a regulated utility providing electricity to central, coastal, and southern California (excluding Los Angeles ). The subsidiary accounts for roughly 80% of Edison International’s total revenue and is one of the nation’s largest electric utilities serving a population of 13 million, through 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area.