ENERGY

Southern California Gas Cutting Rates: The utility said it is cutting its annual rates by $280 million beginning this month for its residential and core commercial and industrial customers of 3.7 cents per therm, effective Sept. 22. For residential customers who use the systemwide average of 50 therms a month, the reduction will amount to $1.85 a month, Southern California Gas Co. said. The rate decrease is due to lower gas purchase costs, the company said, adding that mild weather and increased competition have resulted in a surplus of gas and lower spot market prices during 1995. Southern California Gas is a unit of Pacific Enterprises, a Los Angeles natural gas distribution and alternative-energy company.