SCE Tells Residents Above Paradise Cove That Underground Lines Are Coming To Their Streets

SCE has notified some residents in the Winding Way and Escondido Canyon areas that power lines on their streets are going to be put underground starting in 2026.

Residents in the area north of PCH … in Ramirez Canyon … on Winding Way West and along Latigo Canyon Road got notified by SCE last week. 

The area apparently includes parts of the troublesome Cuthbert Circuit … a stretch of power lines that repeatedly fail … or have to be turned off due to the likelihood of catching fire in heavy winds. 

But the power company has yet to explain details about its overall plans for undergrounding lines in Malibu.

And … what will be expected of homeowners.

Questions remain about service drops … the power lines that connect neighborhood transformers to individual houses. 

SCE has been told by the state legislature that it must put its distribution lines underground in very very high fire risk areas.

But it is not clear if that order includes the service lines… Which connect the distribution lines to individual customers.

It is also not clear if customers will be responsible for digging trenches on their property… Installing underground conduits… And rewiring their electric meters to accept underground service.

Also not clear … what will happen to the myriad of cable TV and Internet wires and fiber on the poles.   

Will those be left in the air?

Is there some sort of community option to underground everything all at once?

And not appears that power lines in that area … along Pacific coast Highway itself … are not in the under grounding plans. 

At least … not the ones disclosed so far.

KBUU radio has repeatedly asked Southern California Edison officials about these rather essential issues … which were met with “gee we don’t know but we will find out and get back to you.” 

Which has not happened. 

Critical Meeting On Pulling Malibu Out Of SMMUSD Is Tonight, 47 Miles From Malibu

Monday night is the last public hearing for the county committee that will make a recommendation on a Malibu school district.

The meeting is at 6 in Santa Monica … at the Pico Boulevard campus of Santa Monica College.

That location … in Santa Monica … discussing the future of Malibu schools … is 47 miles away from Malibu High School .. via the 101 and 405 freeways.

That is exactly the point … says Malibu city council member Marianne Riggins. 

She says Malibu needs independent schools not despite of the fire … but because of the fire. 

71061 RIGGINS 47 MILES

“Never has the distance between Malibu and Santa Monica been greater. 

“As Malibu residents continue to feel the effects of the destruction from the Franklin and Palisades fires …  “

The Malibu city Council member says the lack of electricity connections for use on generators during power outages … that alone should be reason for a separate Malibu school district.

Like many parents in Malibu … Riggins says it all boils down to one thing:

71061

“Local control over local schools.

“Look for the Zoom link over social media.

“Join us either on the Zoom link… or 47 miles away in Santa Monica.”

Tonight at 6 … the city will present its case for a separate Malibu district … then Santa Monica will rebut.

20 minutes each.

Then … public speakers … 45 minutes from each side.

Then … summations.

Next month … a vote from the committee … which is advisory to the LA Coutny board of education.

Which will make its own advisory vote … to the state Board Education … which may take up to 4 years to render a decision.

It may take special state legislation in Sacramento to speed this whole process up.

You can drive to the Santa Monica College campus on Pico Boulevard to make your comments tonight at 6. 

The Zoom link is https://lacoe-edu.zoom.us/j/86198100117?pwd=azZIcHY4b1dqcVBqOVVhem8wVi9CUT09#success

Kraig Hill Resigns From Planning Commission

Mal;ibi planning commissioner Kraig Hill has made it official … he is resigning from the city planning commission. 

Hill lost his house in the Palidsades Fire. 

He says he had been planning to resign .. to work on other projects.

Hill and his political ally … John Mazza … have grown increasingly frosty towards each other … openly snipping at each other. 

City council member Bruce Silverstein gets to appoint the new planning commissioner to the thankless job. 

Kamins has not in the past been vocal on community affairs. … at least insofar as speaking at Planning Commission meetings.

On her application … she says she is a family therapist.

She says she is a listener and problem solver … which will help her be balanced and fair on the planning commission.

She says she is a Malibu native… quote … I have roots in this community …. And skin in the game.

“I am raising my child in this local schools … my husband surfs our breaks … and the desire to preserve the unique culture of this town.”

Marni Kamns lives in Serra Estates … she lost her house in the Franklin Fire last December. 

Hill has been serving as the chairman of the badly-divided board.  His replacement will require a majority vote.

Weak Chance Of Weak Rain This Afternoon, Windy

A weak cold front will roll thru the area today.

A 30 to 40 percent chance of rain rolls in midafternoon.

Not much accumulation … a tenth of an inch at best.

Windy late today and tonight as the wind blows the storm east.

Gusts up to 30 miles an hour on the beaches … possible late today and tonight.

Sunny and a little warmer tomorrow.