ENERGY

PUC OKs SDG&E;, Edison Cost-Cutting Moves: The California Public Utilities Commission approved two more changes by the state’s investor-owned electric utilities as they position themselves for competition. The PUC accepted San Diego Gas & Electric Co.’s request to cut electric rates by $36 million, or 2.28%--about 30 cents a month for the average residential customer. SDG&E; said internal cost trims and inexpensive natural gas had dropped the cost of its power. Southern California Edison Co. will amend two 30-year power contracts with Magma Power Co., recently acquired by California Energy Co., saving customers $19.3 million. Magma, which makes electricity from geothermal energy, will abandon plans to build a plant in Fish Lake Valley, Nev., and expansion of an existing plant near the Salton Sea. It will build a less expensive facility there.