FILLMORE : City Won’t Oppose Merger of 2 Utilities

The Fillmore City Council will not join four other Ventura County cities that oppose a proposed merger between Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric.

The council decided Tuesday that the issues were best handled by officials at the Ventura County Air Pollution Control District board.

Under an agreement with the board, Edison has until 1996 to reduce pollution caused by the proposed merger. Consolidation of the two utilities would shift the load of electrical generation from San Diego plants to facilities in Ventura County, which burn less fuel to produce electricity.

While fostering efficiency, the move would also increase pollution in Ventura County as local plants expand production.

Edison has promised to comply with pollution reduction measures outlined by the control board. Edison representatives said at Tuesday’s meeting that Ventura County will eventually enjoy improved air quality as a result of the merger.

New pollution controls will be applied to generating facilities at Mandalay and Ormond beaches. Edison has also agreed to reduce emissions from other industries to offset increased pollution produced by the electrical plants.

The cities of Simi Valley, Oxnard, Ojai and Ventura have opposed even a temporary increase in pollution and labeled the agreement premature.

Fillmore residents and environmental groups urged the council to oppose the merger. Ventura County ranks sixth in the nation for air pollution.

Fillmore’s council turned down a staff recommendation to demand that pollution control measures be in place before the merger. However, the city will officially protest the failure of the pollution control board to consult cities before making the agreement.