The State : Pollution Fears in Merger Eased

Fears that a proposed merger by San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison would generate more air pollution in the San Diego area are unfounded, an air-quality official told the San Diego City Council’s Public Services and Safety committee. Richard Sommerville, executive director of the San Diego Air Pollution Control District, said the merger is not likely to cause the San Diego utility’s plants to generate power at higher capacities. He also said it was guesswork to say that San Diego’s air quality would improve to the detriment of air quality in the Los Angeles and Ventura County areas because of the merger. San Diego’s rigorous air-quality standards will keep industry from moving to the city as companies attempt to cope with stiffer emission regulations in the Los Angeles area, he said, and regulatory agencies work to evaluate effects of the proposed merger.