As planners, it’s Ashley Rose Salazar and Andrew Gutierrez’s job to help map out project plans and take customer calls at a Southern California Edison service center.
Whether they’re meeting in person with customers at Altadena’s one-stop permit center or at customers’ properties to review building plans, their goal is the same: Help customers find their way forward.
That mission has taken on new meaning since the January 2025 wildfires.
“When homeowners come to us, they already have so much on their plate,” said Salazar, who has spent the past six years working with customers as an SCE planner. “They may be recovering from a lot of loss, making big decisions or rebuilding their homes. We’re here to help walk them through the electric side of that process.”
SCE planners like Andrew Gutierrez work closely with customers to plan service connections as neighborhoods transition to underground power.
As part of wildfire recovery efforts, SCE is working to create a safer, more resilient and reliable electric system. This includes undergrounding around 63 miles of electrical equipment in Altadena. As lines move underground, many property owners will need to know how the new underground lines will connect to their property.
That’s where planners like Salazar and Gutierrez come in, working directly with property owners to review site plans, flag potential constraints and help customers understand their options early.
“With everything these homeowners are juggling, reaching out to us for service connections sooner rather than later really helps,” Gutierrez said. “Customers don’t need to have everything figured out to start the conversation with us.”
Those early planning discussions lay the groundwork for restoring service. For Salazar, they often lead to some of the most meaningful moments of her job.
“When someone finally has power again and can move back home, it means everything,” she said. “After hearing and seeing everything they’ve been through, helping them come home is why I do this work.”
Common underground service connection questions:
Q: How do service connections work in undergrounded neighborhoods?
For homes being rebuilt, connecting to underground power involves both SCE crews working in the street and customers completing work on their private property:
- SCE typically builds the underground electric system in roadways that run up to each resident’s property line. That equipment, plus the meter outside the home, is owned and installed by SCE.
- Homeowners complete the necessary construction on their own property, which typically includes trenching and conduit installation. This allows SCE-owned equipment to connect to customer-owned components, including the electrical panel.
Q: How much does underground service connection construction cost?
SCE does not set prices for underground service connections — the pricing is determined by contractors hired by the customer to do the construction. Actual costs vary by property and typically depend on factors such as:
- The layout of the lot
- Whether driveways, landscaping or hardscape are affected
- Panel location or whether upgrades to the panel are needed for underground connection
Q: Where can I get help with my service connection?
- Schedule an appointment with SCE planners at the Altadena one-stop permit center for one-on-one guidance and direct access to county and recovery resources.
- Call SCE’s disaster assistance line at 800-250-7339 to get help with a specific situation, including starting a service request.
- Visit SCE’s Disaster Recovery page to learn what to expect when rebuilding.
As parts of Altadena continue to transition to underground power, understanding how service connections work and where to get help can make the path forward feel more manageable.
“Every property is different, and a conversation early on can help save time and money, and avoid added stress later,” said Gutierrez. “Our job is to help customers see what’s possible and plan with better confidence.”
For more information on SCE's wildfire mitigation efforts, visit sce.com/wildfire.
Communications for this program are funded by ratepayers to support impacted customers.
