ENERGY

PUC OKs Funding for Natural Gas Vehicles: The California Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved funding for two of the largest programs in the nation to boost the use of vehicles that run on compressed natural gas. During the next two years, Pacific Gas & Electric will spend $12.5 million and San Diego Gas & Electric $6.8 million to encourage the use of natural gas vehicles. The PUC is allowing the utilities to recover the costs through customer rates. Southern California Gas Co., meanwhile, has said it will seek PUC approval for its own $18-million program.