MARCH 27, Irvine — Yesterday, over 30 students, extreme-weather survivors, labor advocates, and climate leaders gathered outside Irvine City Hall to protest Southern California Edison (SCE) following reports of the utility’s $4.9 billion in annual profits. As protesters marched at the intersection of Alton Parkway and Harvard Avenue, passing drivers honked in support of the group’s demands to end predatory rate hikes.

This rally comes amid heightened scrutiny of the utility’s safety records, including its roles in the 2017 Thomas Fire, 2018 Woolsey Fire, and 2025 Eaton Fire, and rules that allow corporate utilities to pass wildfire-related costs onto ratepayers.

Speakers at the event highlighted the disconnect between record corporate earnings and the financial strain on Orange County families, who have seen costs rise by more than 101% over the last decade.

In response to growing concerns about rising living costs, Irvine Councilmember Kathleen Treseder announced during the rally that she will introduce a formal resolution to the city council within the next two months. The resolution will urge the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to implement stricter regulatory limits on rate increases.

“I’m going to bring forward to the council a resolution asking my colleagues to ask the CPUC to stop these rate hikes, to stop stealing from our lower-income folks,” said Councilmember Treseder. “This is the very least we can do.”

Councilmember Betty Martinez Franco also joined the group, agreeing that action is nonnegotiable: “We cannot stay silent while people are being priced out of basic necessities. I will continue advocating for the relief and accountability that our community deserves. I will support anything that helps us lower our bills.”

The rally featured a costumed “Monopoly Man” to symbolize what organizers call the utility greed. Beyond the symbolism, speakers shared data showing that nearly one in five SCE customers is currently behind on their bills, with an average debt of over $829.

“When workers organize, they talk about the conditions they are living in,” said Francis Engler, Organizing Director at UNITE HERE Local 11. “Right now, working people are asking who owns the energy, how they make money off of it, and where our voice is in that process.”

For wildfire survivors, including those of the Eaton Fire, the cost of utility negligence extends beyond monthly invoices. Nicholas Hernandez, wildfire survivor and Organizing Associate at Extreme Weather Survivors, described the failures of the current energy and insurance landscapes. “After the fire, our insurer dropped us. Countless families across the state are experiencing a similar issue,” said Hernandez. “Recovery should not mean choosing between keeping the lights on and rebuilding your life.”

Tomas Castro, Climate Equity Advocate and Organizer at Climate Action Campaign, says that SCE currently has 10 new proposals to increase rates further. “We’re all here for the same reason: our energy bills are too damn high, and we’re fed up.”

The coalition vowed to continue its advocacy until the CPUC and lawmakers implement reforms to prioritize people over utility profits.