2 More Power Sellers Approved for Agencies

California said it approved two additional electricity suppliers that agencies may use to save the state as much as $4 million a year for power to light highways, prisons and buildings. Edison Source, a unit of Rosemead-based Edison International, and Commonwealth Energy Co. can sell electricity to government offices through the Department of General Services, joining Enron Corp., New Energy Ventures, Modesto Irrigation District and LG&E; Energy Corp. Government offices that want to buy power from those suppliers must submit their preference by July 1. Government offices may decide to stay with their current utility, select one of the state-approved vendors or set up their own purchase agreements. In 1996, those government offices spent $62 million on electricity. Commonwealth Energy, a closely held Tustin-based electricity seller, guaranteed a fixed discount to what the local utility charges. Edison Source offered power from sources that are less harmful to the environment, and usually more expensive, than most of the electricity generated by utilities.