ENERGY

Edison Files Optional Rate Requests: As part of a plan announced in March to reduce the utility’s systemwide average rate by 25% by the year 2000, Southern California Edison Co. submitted its first requests to the California Public Utilities Commission for regulatory approval. The plan includes rate reductions of up to 25% for business start-ups; cheaper installation of rooftop solar panels for residential customers; streamlined PUC approval of rate cuts for large customers to dissuade them from installing their own power plants, thereby leaving the Edison system (last year the utility cut its rate to Mobil Corp.’s Torrance refinery by 25%), and other options aimed at large industrial and agricultural customers.