Citing a favorable August decision by the...

Citing a favorable August decision by the Public Utilities Commission, San Diego Gas & Electric Co. reported that third-quarter earnings rose to $46.8 million, a 5.5% increase from the $44.4 million profit reported for the same three months ended Sept. 30 last year.

The decision allowed SDG&E; to recover expenses it incurred in making seismic and safety improvements to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station.

Operating revenue for the quarter was $475.5 million, up 21.2 % from the $392.3 million for the same period last year.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, SDG&E;’s profit stood at $136.2 million, down 5.8% from the $144.5 million reported for the same three quarters last year. Revenues were $1.37 billion, up 12.1% from the $1.23 billion reported last year.