Judge Proposes $17M Penalty For Improper Utility Talks

(AP) - Southern California Edison is facing a nearly $17 million penalty for holding improper talks with utility regulators related to the now-closed San Onofre nuclear power plant.

California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Melanie Darling proposed the fine Monday for what she called misleading acts and omissions by the company in its dealings with the state in 2013 and 2014.

The proposed penalty comes as the latest development tied to a dispute over a nearly $5 billion settlement that divided costs from the defunct plant between Los Angeles and San Diego.

The judge wrote that Edison executives engaged in improper talks with agency officials eight times.

Edison said they're reviewing the decision.

The commission is not expected to vote on the proposed penalty until December.