ENERGY

PUC OKs Rate Increases: Beginning in January, Southern California Gas Co. rates to customers will go up $88 million, or 7.4%, the state Public Utilities Commission announced. A typical resident’s winter gas bill will increase from $29.93 to $32.41, or $2.48; a typical summer bill of $16.16 will increase to $17.18, a rise of $1.12. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. was allowed a 4.41% increase for electricity and 3.2% increase for natural gas sold to residential customers, raising the typical PG&E; customer’s monthly electric bill by $2.64, to $62.92; the gas bill will increase by $1.29, to $41.67. Southern California Edison received $111 million in rate increases but the PUC was unable Wednesday to estimate how this would affect typical monthly residential rates for its customers.