Dive Summary:

• Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission approved a settlement that will see Southern California Edison (SCE) and NextG Networks pay $51.5 million for their roles in a 2007 Malibu Canyon fire. Three utility poles toppled during the Santa Ana windstorm sparked the fire which scorched 3,800 acres and devastated 14 structures.
• Both SCE, which must pay $37 million and NextG, which must pay $14.5 million, admitted to breaking commission rules by overloading power poles. The settlement also requires the companies to run safety checks on 61,000 utility poles.
• "These settlements not only financially penalize two companies for wrongdoing and serve as a deterrent to future violations of CPUC rules, but they also increase safety going forward by requiring inspections, repairs and strengthening safety factors to make poles in the Malibu area better-able to withstand high winds," according to CPUC commissioner Carla J. Peterman.

From the article:

"Edison officials noted that $17 million of its settlement with the commission will go toward safety enhancements. The company also noted that the utility has begun an inspection program for its more than 1.4 million poles, and the cost of the settlement will be borne by shareholders, not Edison customers." ...