The California Public Utility Commission yesterday decided toleave Southern California Gas Co.’s interstate transportation ratesbundled, determining that a state law passed last summer preventsthe commission from taking any action on gas industry restructuringissues until the year 2000.

As a result, in 1999 SoCalGas will continue to hold on to firminterstate capacity rights that are in excess of core requirementsby about 200 MMcf/d, according to a CPUC staff member familiar withthe issue. It also means that while Pacific Gas and Electric Co.has its gas intrastate distribution and transmission chargesseparated, SoCalGas will continue to bundle the two under onetransportation charge.

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