Utilities Layoffs

Tennessee Valley Authority said Wednesday that it will lay off 7,500 employees--23% of its work force--to help cover the high costs of restarting its troubled nuclear plants. The layoffs are part of a $300-million cost-cutting program that includes restructuring of certain divisions and the deferral of construction at TVA's Bellefonte nuclear plant, in northern Alabama, that has cost more than $3.6 billion so far. TVA, a U.S.

Los Angeles Board of Water and Power commissioners unanimously approved a sweeping plan Tuesday to make the utility more competitive, heeding a stark warning from DWP General Manager S. David Freeman that "we will go broke" if the nation's largest municipal utility doesn't slash 2,000 jobs and reduce its huge burden of debt.

Los Angeles Board of Water and Power commissioners unanimously approved a sweeping plan Tuesday to make the utility more competitive, heeding a stark warning from DWP General Manager S. David Freeman that "we will go broke" if the nation's largest municipal utility doesn't slash 2,000 jobs and reduce its huge burden of debt.

Pacific Enterprises Details Layoffs: Pacific Enterprises, parent of Southern California Gas Co., detailed the next round of layoffs in a belt-tightening effort announced in January. Beginning with 66 employees given notice on Monday, 480 management and staff positions of a total of 8,500 Pacific Enterprises jobs will be eliminated by the end of June. This and other non-labor cost cuts will save $59 million a year, a Gas Co. spokeswoman said.

Edison Announces First Layoffs in Companywide Review: As a result of belt tightening to improve the utility's "business efficiency," first announced in November, Southern California Edison has cut 16 technical jobs at its Rosemead headquarters. Earlier this summer, the company announced a goal of reducing 400 jobs through attrition from a work force of 17,000.

Closing of San Onofre Will Cost Jobs: As many as 500 jobs at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will be eliminated beginning in late 1993 if Southern California Edison receives state Public Utilities Commission approval to close down the facility's aging Unit No. 1, Edison officials said.

Under pressure from Los Angeles city leaders to streamline operations, the Department of Water and Power will reduce its staff by 1,000 employees--10% of its work force--by July and will implement other cost-saving measures within the next 18 months, officials announced Tuesday. DWP Director William R.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the San Francisco-based electric utility, announced a companywide restructuring Monday that will trim 3,000 jobs, or about 11% of its work force. The company said the cost savings from the changes--estimated at $200 million a year by 1995--will be passed on to PG&E customers in the form of lower rates, the company said. The reorganization eliminates PG&E's engineering and construction unit and changes other units to focus on customer services.

Southern California Gas Co., in a possible break with longstanding tradition, may impose fees for service calls that are now offered free and plans to cut its work force by 500 to 600 employees, mainly through attrition. No final decision has been made on either the personnel cuts or the service fees, both of which would be aimed at slashing costs and improving competitiveness, gas company spokesman Richard Terrell said Friday.

Under pressure from Los Angeles city leaders to streamline operations, the Department of Water and Power will reduce its staff by 1,000 employees--10% of its work force--by July and will implement other cost-saving measures within the next 18 months, officials announced Tuesday. DWP Director William R.

The City Council levied a 5.5% utility user tax and laid off 17 city employees to help make up a $1.1-million budget shortfall. Council members unanimously passed the $7.8-million budget, which included the new tax and the layoffs, on June 16. The tax will be tacked on to electricity, telephone, gas, cable television, water and cellular telephone bills. Residents' utility bills are expected to rise an average of $88 a year, said Tom Devereux, city director of community resources.

Residents would pay higher taxes and some City Hall employees would lose their jobs under a plan to balance the city's budget, officials said. The City Council tentatively approved the measures last week to eliminate a projected $1.1-million shortfall for next year. A formal vote is expected June 2. Council members said they plan to institute the city's first tax on utilities and cable TV. The tax would collect an estimated $66 a year per household and would take effect in October.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co., the San Francisco-based electric utility, announced a companywide restructuring Monday that will trim 3,000 jobs, or about 11% of its work force. The company said the cost savings from the changes--estimated at $200 million a year by 1995--will be passed on to PG&E customers in the form of lower rates, the company said. The reorganization eliminates PG&E's engineering and construction unit and changes other units to focus on customer services.

Closing of San Onofre Will Cost Jobs: As many as 500 jobs at San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station will be eliminated beginning in late 1993 if Southern California Edison receives state Public Utilities Commission approval to close down the facility's aging Unit No. 1, Edison officials said.