Local News in Brief : PUC OKs Continued Gas Supply to Edison

A plan to cut smog in Los Angeles by supplying the area with more natural gas to power electric generators has been approved by the state Public Utilities Commission.

The PUC approved an emergency order allowing Southern California Edison Co. to purchase natural gas at higher than previously allowed prices. This will allow Edison to use cleaner-burning gas in its generators instead of low sulfur oil that emits a greater amount of pollutants.

The commission’s action was in response to a recent Southern California Gas Co. decision to reduce supplies to Edison and other major utilities because high demands for natural gas had jeopardized the gas company’s efforts to stock up for winter heating needs.

The emergency order also calls for the utilities to encourage conservation by customers who will see much higher utility bills unless they cut back on their gas and electricity usage.