SIMI VALLEY : City Wants Voice at Hearing on Merger

The Simi Valley City Council decided Wednesday to hold a special meeting early today to approve sending a staff member to a public hearing later in the day on the proposed merger of Southern California Edison and San Diego Electric power companies.

Council members said they want a representative of the city, which has the worst air pollution in Ventura County, to testify about the hazardous effects the proposed merger could have on the region’s air quality. The Public Utilities Commission has been conducting public hearings in San Diego on the merger since May.

If the commission approves the merger, Edison officials said the utility will increase production at its two power plants in Oxnard while curtailing operations at less efficient facilities in San Diego.

Edison officials have agreed to take steps during the next five years to significantly reduce emissions at its Oxnard plants. But Simi Valley officials said emission control measures should be in place before the merger is allowed.