Electricity Purchase Plans Required

California utilities, which seven years ago stopped buying electricity in long-term contracts, must submit five-year power purchase plans that will make it easier for consumers to form groups seeking other sources of electricity.

The California Public Utility Commission sided with 17 consumer groups that sought to reduce the amount of electricity utilities owned by PG&E; Corp., Edison International and Sempra Energy must buy for their customers in long-term contracts.

Consumer groups had argued that the commission’s initial rules for utility purchases would lead to higher electricity prices and favor natural gas- fueled plants over generators that pollute less.