Countywide : Report Cites Adverse Effects of Merger

A variety of mitigation measures should be used to cut air pollution and reduce damage to fisheries if Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric merge their facilities as proposed, the final environmental impact report says.

“The merger would result in a significant net increase in emissions and a corresponding significant adverse air quality impact in the South Coast Air Basin,” the report states.

Edison and San Diego Gas & Electric own or co-own 17 power plants, and the merger would make them the largest privately owned utility in the nation. If the merger is approved by the state Public Utilities Commission, much of the power production from the San Diego area would be shifted to the Ormond Beach and Mandalay Beach plants in Ventura County and Edison plants in other areas.

Consultants suggest that company officials install special equipment to cut emissions at power plants throughout the Southland.

In Ventura County, Edison has agreed to pay for area companies to convert diesel and gas engines to cleaner electric motors. Edison would also be required to install pollution reduction devices at Mandalay Beach in 1992 and Ormond Beach in 1996.

According to the report, the merger would also significantly affect fisheries in Los Alamitos, Huntington Beach and Redondo Beach. Therefore, consultants are asking that special pumps be installed to cut the amount of water sucked into the power plants during off-hours.

Nader Mansour, manager of environmental regulations for Edison, declined to comment on the report Wednesday, saying he is still reviewing it.

The document was issued by Jones & Stokes Associates for the PUC.

The proposed merger is expected to be voted on by the PUC early next year.