CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SAN DIEGO : Panel Backs Merger of Electric Utilities

Most of the objections raised against Southern California Edison’s proposed merger with San Diego Gas & Electric “are without merit,” according to a report issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission staff. The report concludes that the merger “is consistent with the public interest and should be approved,” in part because it would generate “net savings” that could be passed along to customers. The commission staff report came amid a flurry of recent filings by merger proponents and opponents. A commission law judge will use the staff report when he makes a recommendation to the federal commission on the controversial, $2.5-million stock-swap merger. The full commission will rule on the merger by early next year.