Jockeys

Natural gas is one of the factors lurking behind the scenes ofLong Beach’s continuing quest to buy a section of SouthernCalifornia Edison Co.’s power distribution system within its cityborders. The city recently rejected an offer by Edison that wouldhave ended the municipalization campaign. At least part of thereason for the city’s resolve is the likelihood it will be a majorend-point for large new gas loads. But that appears to be a smallpart of a much larger scheme behind the city’s recent activities.