Utility details energy investments

Re “Shedding light on all those blackouts,” Current, Aug. 20

The point of Steven Erie’s Op-Ed article -- power blackouts during the July heat wave demonstrated “chronic neglect” of the state’s transmission grid by utilities -- is inaccurate. In 1998, Southern California Edison launched a major infrastructure replacement and expansion program, recognizing that power demands were growing and that many components in our system would soon near the end of their service. With the exception of the energy-crisis period, investments in our lower-voltage distribution system have grown annually, from nearly $700 million in 1999 to more than $1 billion this year. We will invest an additional $6 billion during the next five years, plus $3 billion to expand our high-voltage transmission system.

Erie also claimed that utilities have “opposed measures to spur renewable-energy development.” Actually, Edison is the nation’s leading purchaser of renewable energy, and proud of the accomplishment.

RON LITZINGER

Senior Vice President of

Transmission and Distribution

Southern California Edison

Rosemead