Company: SCE-PL
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0000827052-25-000022
Chunk: 191

Company: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON Co
Filing Date: 2025-02-27
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 191
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 requests are denied, significant costs may not be recoverable from customers. In addition, SCE may have to pay fines, penalties and remediation costs if it does not comply with laws and regulations in the operation of the water and gas distribution systems. An inability to recover costs associated with any such damages or injuries or any fines, penalties or remediation costs, from insurance or through electric rates, could materially affect SCE's business, financial condition and results of operations.

Financing Risks

As a capital-intensive company, SCE relies on access to the bank and capital markets. If SCE were unable to access these markets or the cost of financing were to substantially increase, its liquidity and operations could be materially affected.

SCE regularly accesses the bank and capital markets to finance its activities and is expected to do so by its regulators as part of its obligation to serve its customers. SCE needs substantial capital for its ongoing infrastructure investment program and for financing wildfire related losses. SCE's ability to obtain financing, as well as its ability to refinance debt and make scheduled payments of principal and interest, are dependent on numerous factors, including SCE's levels of indebtedness, maintenance of acceptable credit ratings, financial performance, liquidity and cash flow, increases in interest rates and credit spreads due to inflationary pressures, and other market conditions. In addition, the actions of other California investor-owned utilities and legal, regulatory and legislative decisions impacting investor-owned utilities can affect market conditions and therefore, SCE's ability to obtain financing. SCE's inability to obtain additional capital from time to time could have a material effect on SCE's liquidity and operations.

Competitive and Market Risks

If SCE is unable to operate efficiently and to effectively and timely respond to the changes that the electricity industry is undergoing, as a result of increased load requirements, competition, technological advances, and changes to the regulatory environment, SCE's business model, financial condition and results of operations could be materially impacted.

SCE’s ability to efficiently operate and implement process changes has a direct impact on its ability to execute its strategy, its customer rates and affordability of electricity. Even if SCE’s costs are recoverable, the necessary costs of operations and investments supporting safety, reliability, resilience and being ready to meet California’s clean energy goals will negatively impact the affordability of SCE’s customer rates, may cause reputational harm and cause increased load departures.

Customers and third parties are increasingly deploying DERs, such as solar generation, energy storage, energy efficiency and demand response technologies. California's environmental policy objectives are accelerating the pace and scope of industry change.