Altadena should take the opportunity to go solar as it rebuilds
#solar power#Altadena#disaster recovery#Southern California Edison#reconnection fees#renewable energy#solar installation#community resilience
📌 Key Takeaways
Solar power proposed as alternative to utility reconnection fees
Installation during rebuilding would be cost-effective long-term solution
Politicians should help finance transition with low-interest loans or grants
Altadena could become a model for solar-powered communities nationwide
📖 Full Retelling
Stephen Edberg, a resident of La Cañada Flintridge, proposed in a February 20, 2026 L.A. Times letter that Altadena should embrace solar power as it rebuilds following a devastating fire, rather than paying Southern California Edison's reconnection fees. Edberg argues that property owners could purchase solar power and battery systems for the same cost or less than Edison's reconnection charges, creating a more sustainable and cost-effective long-term solution. The letter suggests that rebuilding homes presents the perfect opportunity to install solar infrastructure that would pay for itself over several years. Edberg criticizes the approach of paying a 'lifetime subscription to a public utility' and instead calls on politicians to help residents finance the transition to solar through low-interest loans or grants. The writer envisions Altadena not only restoring its beloved neighborhoods but also leading the way toward a solar-powered future for the entire nation as it recovers from the disaster.
🏷️ Themes
Renewable Energy, Disaster Recovery, Community Leadership
Electrical utility in Southern California, United States
Southern California Edison (SCE), the largest subsidiary of Edison International, is the primary electric utility company for much of Southern California. It provides 15 million people with electricity across a service territory of approximately 50,000 square miles.
SCE owns all of its electrical t...
Unincorporated community in California, United States
Altadena (AL-tə-DEE-nə) is an unincorporated area, and census-designated place in the San Gabriel Valley and the Verdugos regions of Los Angeles County, California. Directly north of Pasadena, it is located approximately 14 miles (23 km) from Downtown Los Angeles. Its population was 42,846 at the 20...
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Original Source
Feb. 20, 2026 7 AM PT 1 min Click here to listen to this article Share via Close extra sharing options Email Facebook X LinkedIn Threads Reddit WhatsApp Copy Link URL Copied! Print 0:00 0:00 1x This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here . p]:text-cms-story-body-color-text clearfix mb-10 md:max-w-170 md:mx-auto" data-subscriber-content> To the editor : There is a much more cost-effective solution for re-electrifying Altadena after the fire: Go solar ( “Altadena asked Edison to bury power lines. Some fire victims say that could cost them $40,000,” Feb. 17). For the same cost (or less) as Southern California Edison’s reconnection fee, a property owner could purchase a solar power and battery system. Building a home is the perfect time to install solar and it would pay for itself over a few years’ time. Why confirm a lifetime subscription to a public utility asking owners to pay for the opportunity to buy electricity transferred over Edison power lines? Altadenans should take this opportunity to jump into the future as they rebuild. Politicians should help residents find ways to finance this jump with low-interest loans or grants. Rebuild and restore Altadena’s beloved neighborhoods and lead the way to a solar-powered future for the whole USA. Advertisement Stephen Edberg, La Cañada Flintridge More to Read Voices Letters to the Editor: Pam Bondi should follow the U.K.’s lead after the arrest of former Prince Andrew Voices Letters to the Editor: Younger generations could learn a lot from KCRW’s Michael Silverblatt Feb. 19, 2026 Voices Letters to the Editor: To this reader, Robert Duvall will always be Boo Radley Feb. 19, 2026
