Southern California Edison is facing as much as $34 million in fines after an administrative judge ruled Wednesday that the company was involved in illegal, unreported communication with members of the California Public Utilities Commission regarding the shutdown of the San Onofre nuclear plant, the Los Angeles Times reports. The judge is giving Edison until Aug. 20 to explain why it should not have to pay the penalties. Utilities are not supposed to discuss cases with their regulators outside of formal hearings.