In 1979, Southern California Edison's Supplier Diversity Program was formalized. The purpose of our program was to identify minority suppliers and provide them with opportunities to participate in Southern California Edison's procurement process. The program was expanded in 1983 and again in 1992 to include white female, and service disabled veteran-owned businesses.
In 1990, Southern California Edison (SCE) was the first utility to file a Comprehensive Equal Opportunity Pledge with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). We voluntarily committed to a 30 percent women and minority business enterprise goal by 1998. In 1995, SCE issued a joint statement with other California utilities and 72 members of the California Business Roundtable in support of the importance of women and minority business participation to their future profitability and California's overall economic growth. From 1979 to 1997 Southern California Edison's women and minority-owned business spending increased from 0.8 percent to 29.2 percent.
SCE's Supplier Diversity Program (SDP) functions are:
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To ensure the corporate program is in compliance with CPUC's General Order 156;
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To advocate use and participation of women, minorities, and disabled veteran businesses (WMDVBE's) in all areas of the company procurement, in the most cost-effective manner;
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To establish short- and long-term corporate WMDVBE participation goals, monitor results and provide reports to user departments;
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To create and implement internal and external outreach programs to enhance utilization and development of WMDVBEs; and, 5. To respond to regulatory agencies/outside parties on WMDVBE-related issues.
In 2008, as Edison enters the 29th year of its outreach program, we maintain a strong commitment to providing opportunities for women, minority, and disabled-veteran businesses, awarding contracts on the basis of their qualifications, competitiveness, and performance. We continue to seek opportunities to improve our program's overall effectiveness, and to exceed the CPUC’s WMDVBE goal of 21.5 percent. Edison's Supplier Diversity Program has the full support of our senior management.
Southern California Edison is working with the community
At Southern California Edison, every department is responsible for achieving our WMDVBE goals. Our commitment to promoting business opportunities is supported by the effort of each employee. We know the importance of the power of an entrepreneurial spirit. The power of pride in workmanship. The power of diversity. It's the power that energizes our region's economy.
