Southern California Edison is terminating leases

U.S. Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (from the Whittier and Cerritos area) has heard that Southern California Edison is terminating leases for several horse stables and other recreational uses under Edison power lines along the San Gabriel and LA Rivers. Congresswoman Sanchez is very concerned about the loss of recreational space, especially horse stables and trails, and would like to know if ETI members have heard of other stables being told by Edison that they should prepare to terminate their operations over the next few years. She wants to know if this is a regional problem throughout So Cal Edison's territory.

Specifically, the problem is that the California Public Utilities Commission has changed its longstanding policy forebidding most permanent structures under power lines and is now allowing utilities to build rental storage facilities under power lines. That allows utilities to make more money than they can from using those rights-of-way as recreational space. Most utilities around the state have not been very aggressive about changing their leases with horse stables and recreational users, but Edison has become very aggressive. This is unfortunate, because the amount of revenue earned through this policy change is very minor for a huge company like Edison (which was listed as one of America's most profitable utilities recently), but the policy change means a lot in terms of the loss of limited recreational space in our region, especially some of the last horse stables and trails in heavily surburban areas.

Edison is in the process of terminating several stable leases along the lower San Gabriel and LA River Channels. Edison terminated the lease of Pegasus Ranch in Pico Rivera a few years ago, and recently told B&B Stables in Cerritos that the next five-year lease they get will be their last. Congresswoman Sanchez has heard reports that stables in South Gate, Whittier, Lakewood, and Long Beach are now worried about their leases being terminated in the future. In addition, the Congresswoman has learned that Edison is now telling local governments that if they want to create nature parks along the river channels (and there is State bond money to help with that) then the cities must allow Edison to pave over and develop other open space in the city. Thus, what should create a gain in open space in a city, doesn't.

Congresswoman Sanchez has already written the CEO of Edison protesting the first horse stable loss she heard of, in Cerritos. That particular action is now "under review" although we don't know if the review will end positively or negatively. Before the Congresswoman writes again to Edision, she would like to find out if other stables in other parts of Southern California are hearing similar worries.

If you have relevant information, please contact:

Bill Grady
District Director to Congresswoman Linda Sanchez
email: bill.grady@mail.house.gov
tel: 562-429-8499