Between 2019 and 2022, Southern California Edison (SCE) installed 11 weather stations on wooden power poles across Altadena as part of its Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) program. During the catastrophic January 2025 Santa Ana windstorm, these stations provided meteorologists with real-time wind data that helped warn the public, support emergency response, and save lives.

Now, SCE plans to underground dozens of miles of power lines throughout Altadena. While this project may reduce wildfire ignition risk, it may also threaten to eliminate these critical weather stations, leaving the community blind during future disasters.

By signing this petition, you are joining your Altadena neighbors in calling on SCE to: 

A. Preserve all 11 existing wooden poles that host weather stations, ensuring this critical data network remains operational.

and 

B. Fund and install 11 additional weather stations in strategic locations, hand-selected by local meteorologists:

West of Lake:

SCE Glenrose Ave located at 34.191778516794464, -118.15237462116191

SCE Fair Oaks Ave located at 34.19509650247698, -118.14705129731607

SCE Woodbury Rd located at 34.18200902843101, -118.15981543563495

SCE Las Flores Dr located at 34.196113740902184, -118.13443407597939

SCE El Molino Ave located at 34.18396992840023, -118.13480941049286

 

East of Lake:

SCE Zane Grey Terrace located at 34.197971192834146, -118.11887584349331

SCE Tanoble Dr located at 34.193985971433406, -118.11392319903678

SCE Altadena County Club located at 34.179582384187796, -118.12073975023502

SCE Altadena Dr located at 34.1845445784038, -118.10192879512266

SCE Layton St located at 34.172870789691196, -118.11187732574203

SCE Galbreth Rd located at 34.16856081768704, -118.10163326486645

Each of these 11 weather stations was specifically hand-picked by local meteorologists as being great spots for data collection. In many cases, the very next power pole on either side of the distribution line was not a good candidate. Each one fills a gap within the neighborhood that allows meteorologists to track microclimates that would otherwise not be visible, cementing our ability to communicate and protect those who live and work in Altadena. 

Each power pole:

• Is owned by SCE
• Has at least 5ft between electrical lines for space for a weather station
• Has limited or no obstructions to its north-northeast that would otherwise block wind energy, such as trees or buildings
• Is accessible by road to install the weather station via cherry picker trucks.

SCE made an excellent decision in making this data publicly viewable on the NWS resource page. This is an opportunity for the corporation to demonstrate leadership and willingness to work with community leaders in Altadena.