Add renewables, not cost: Edison International CEO

By Scott DiSavino and Bernie Woodall

NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Edison International (EIX.N) will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, boost renewable power supplies and increase energy efficiency without subjecting customers to hefty price spikes, said CEO Ted Craver.

Craver, speaking at the Reuters Global Energy Summit in New York and later by phone from corporate offices in Rosemead, California, said customers are prepared to pay to reduce carbon emissions and increase renewable power sources and energy efficiency.

But, he warned, "Customers cannot handle huge price spikes. We need to give the industry enough time to phase in any changes needed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions."

As have most chiefs of U.S. utilities, Craver said that his company expects national carbon regulation including a cap-and-trade system.

For such emissions-curbing rules to work, he said, Edison International's two main units, the regulated Southern California Edison (SCE) and unregulated Edison Mission Group, must have "certainty" and "a reasonable transition period."

SCE, which serves more than 4.9 million customers in Southern California, is already the biggest buyer of renewable power and the most energy efficient utility in the nation.

SCE conducts annual requests for proposals (RFP) to buy more renewable power. The 2009 solicitation will take place in the coming weeks.

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