ENERGY

San Diego Gas & Electric Asks to Void Power Auction: The San Diego-based utility petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to overturn a controversial state-mandated auction of millions of dollars worth of contracts to independent producers of electricity from wind and other renewable resources. SDG&E; contends that the contracts, required by the California Public Utilities Commission, would force it to buy electricity at above-market prices--totaling $511 million in “excess costs” over the life of the contracts. The independents contend that their power bids are competitive.