ENERGY

Regulators Still Oppose Renewable Energy Auction: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reaffirmed its position that a controversial California plan to encourage utility purchases of energy from such renewable sources as wind, geothermal and solar violates federal law. Southern California Edison Co. and San Diego Gas & Electric Co. had appealed to the state Public Utilities Commission, which ordered the auction, and then to the FERC, contending that the bidding process was flawed. Independent power producers, who stood to reap billions of dollars in long-term power contracts under the system, have campaigned to have the auction go forward.