Southern California Edison continued to dispute California Energy Commission demand forecasts--although the discrepancy is narrowing. In a July 10 workshop on future peak demand scenarios, the Southern California electric utility maintained its customer base will grow by 60,000 households/year through 2014, creating a demand of about 27,000 MW. Based on a record peak demand statewide last year of 50,270 MW, that would account for more than half of absolute peak use even though Edison is one of three investor-owned utilities. Commonly, Edison accounts for about only 40 percent of the load on the California Independent System Operator’s system, grid operator data show. “You’re [forecasts are] too low. We think there’s some real physical need out there,” said Art Canning, Edison manager of demand forecasting. The difference in forecasts narrowed, however this week. Last month Edison maintained it was a 1,200 MW demand difference (Circuit, June 25, 2007). This week, Canning said the forecast difference between what CEC staff and Edison believes is down to 900 MW--the size of two new medium-sized power plants. CEC staff predicts that beginning next year, statewide peak consumption will reach about 62,000 MW and increase thereafter. The report blames most of the demand on air conditioning use and larger houses being developed. Pacific Gas & Electric expected slightly higher demand also. San Diego Gas & Electric, however, did not hazard its own guess, saying the utility needs more information before making a forecast.