County Drops Out of Edison Program

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors has ended its participation in Southern California Edison’s program of discounts on utility bills if the county agrees to shut down power at Edison’s request.

Because of the energy crisis, officials said, that program is no longer cost-efficient. The county has been in the program for nearly a decade--taking home $4.5 million in discounts without ever having to cut its power. But Edison has asked the county to turn off the power dozens of times in recent months.

When the county refused some requests, Edison fined the county $1.5 million. County analysts have determined that ending the program will cost about $600,000 in potential discounts--but will avoid as much as $11 million in penalties.