SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON CO
424B5, 2000-01-21
ELECTRIC SERVICES
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Prospectus Supplement to Prospectus Dated February 2, 1996

$250,000,000
Southern California Edison Company
75/8% Notes, Due 2010

The notes  will bear  interest  at the rate of 75/8% per year.  Interest  on the
notes is payable on January 15 and July 15 of each year, beginning with July 15,
2000.  The notes will mature on January 15, 2010. The notes may be redeemed at a
redemption  price equal to the greater of (i) the  principal  amount or (ii) the
sum of the present values of the remaining  scheduled  payments of principal and
interest on the notes,  discounted  to the date of  redemption  on a  semiannual
basis  (assuming  a 360-day  year  consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the
Treasury Yield as defined in this prospectus supplement plus 0.15%, plus in each
case accrued interest to the date of redemption.

The notes will not be listed on any  national  securities  exchange.  Currently,
there is no public market for the notes.

The notes will be unsecured  and will rank equally with all other  unsecured and
unsubordinated  indebtedness of Southern  California  Edison Company.  The notes
will be issued only in registered form in  denominations  of $1,000 and integral
multiples of $1,000.
                           --------------------------

Neither  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  nor  any  state  securities
commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this
prospectus  supplement or the  accompanying  prospectus is accurate or complete.
Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
                           --------------------------

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  Per Note           Total

  Initial Price to Public.......................     99.750%    $   249,375,000

  Underwriting Discount.........................       .331%    $       827,500

  Proceeds to Company (Before Expenses).........     99.419%    $   248,547,500

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The public  offering  price set forth above does not include  accrued  interest.
Interest on the notes will accrue from January 15, 2000. Purchasers must pay the
accrued  interest from that date in addition to the public offering price of the
notes.
                            -------------------------

The  Underwriters are severally  underwriting the notes.  They expect to deliver
the notes to you in global form through the  book-entry  delivery  system of The
Depository Trust Company on January 24, 2000.

              Chase Securities Inc.
                       Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc.
                                   First Union Securities, Inc.

                            -------------------------

           The date of this Prospectus Supplement is January 19, 2000.


<PAGE>


     You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying  prospectus
carefully before you invest.  You should rely only on the information  contained
or incorporated by reference in this prospectus  supplement and the accompanying
prospectus.  We have not, and the  Underwriters  have not,  authorized any other
person to give you  different  information.  If anyone  gives you  different  or
inconsistent information,  you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement
may add to, update or change  information in the  accompanying  prospectus.  The
information  contained in this  prospectus  supplement is current only as of the
date  appearing  at the bottom of the cover.  Since  that  date,  our  business,
financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed.

     We are not,  and the  Underwriters  are not,  offering  to sell or  seeking
offers  to buy  securities  in any  jurisdiction  where the offer or sale is not
permitted.

     In this  prospectus  supplement  and the  accompanying  prospectus,  unless
otherwise  stated,  the terms  "we,"  "us,"  "our," and "the  Company"  refer to
Southern  California  Edison Company and its  subsidiaries  but not to any other
affiliated companies.
                          ----------------------------

                                Table of Contents

                              Prospectus Supplement

                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----
         The Company....................................................S-3
         Recent Developments............................................S-3
         Description of the Notes.......................................S-3
         Use of Proceeds................................................S-6
         Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.............................S-6
         Underwriting...................................................S-7
         Available Information..........................................S-8

                                   Prospectus

                                                                       Page
                                                                       ----
         Available Information............................................2
         Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference..................2
         Selected Information.............................................4
         The Company......................................................5
         Use of Proceeds..................................................5
         Description of Debt Securities...................................5
         Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities....................16
         Experts.........................................................16
         Validity of Debt Securities.....................................17
         Plan of Distribution............................................17

                                      S-2


<PAGE>


                                   THE COMPANY

     We are an  investor-owned  public  utility  company  primarily  engaged  in
providing  electricity to our customers in central and southern California.  Our
mailing address is 2244 Walnut Grove Avenue, P.O. Box 800, Rosemead,  California
91770.  Our telephone  number is (626) 302-1212.  We file annual,  quarterly and
special reports,  proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange  Commission.  Those reports and proxy  statements  are considered to be
part of this  prospectus  supplement  and the  accompanying  prospectus  through
incorporation by reference.  You may read and obtain copies of those reports and
other information to learn more about the Company.  Under the heading "Available
Information" below we have described how you can do so.

                               RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

     As part of our ongoing  response to electric  industry  restructuring,  the
Company  is  establishing  the  value for its  ownership  interests  in  various
generating   stations  and  related  assets  and  is  considering  the  possible
disposition of various  generating  facilities and other assets. Any disposition
would be subject to, among other things,  regulatory approval. In November 1999,
the Company filed an application with the California Public Utilities Commission
("CPUC")  to  approve  an  auction  and sale of its 56%  interest  in the Mohave
Generating  Station. A CPUC decision on the auction process is expected in early
2000.  On December  15, 1999,  the Company  filed an  application  with the CPUC
which,  among other things,  proposes that the Company retain its  hydroelectric
generating facilities.  The filing is supported by, and includes a memorandum of
understanding  with, labor,  ratepayer and  environmental  groups. A decision on
this matter is expected by year end.

                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES

     The following  description of the specific  terms of the notes  supplements
the general and more extensive description of debt securities,  including notes,
set forth in the accompanying  prospectus under the heading "Description of Debt
Securities."

Interest and Maturity

     The notes will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other  unsecured
and  unsubordinated  indebtedness  of the Company.  The notes will be limited to
$250,000,000 aggregate principal amount.

     The notes will be due on January  15,  2010 and will bear  interest  at the
rate specified on the cover of this prospectus  supplement  beginning on January
15,  2000.  Interest  will be  payable  semiannually  on January 15 and July 15,
beginning July 15, 2000. Interest will be paid to you if you are included in the
record  of  beneficial  owners of notes on the  January 1 or July 1  immediately
preceding  each  interest  payment  date.  The notes will not be entitled to the
benefits of any sinking fund.

Redemption

     The notes may be redeemed at any time at our option at a  redemption  price
equal to the greater of (1) the  principal  amount or (2) the sum of the present
values of the  remaining  scheduled  payments of  principal  and interest on the
notes,  discounted  to the  redemption  date on a semiannual  basis  (assuming a
360-day year  consisting  of twelve  30-day  months) at the Treasury  Yield plus
0.15%, plus in each case accrued interest to the redemption date.

                                      S-3

<PAGE>

     If we elect to redeem less than all of the notes, the trustee for the notes
will select, in a manner it deems fair and appropriate,  the particular notes or
portions of them to be redeemed. Notice of redemption shall be given by mail not
less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to the
holders  of notes to be  redeemed  (which,  as long as the notes are held in the
book-entry only system,  will be The Depository  Trust Company,  its nominees or
successors  as  described  below).  On and after the date  fixed for  redemption
(unless we default in the payment of the redemption  price and interest  accrued
thereon  to such  date),  interest  shall  cease to  accrue  on the notes or the
portions  of  them  called  for  redemption  and the  notes  shall  cease  to be
outstanding.

Certain Definitions

     "Comparable  Treasury  Issue"  means the United  States  Treasury  security
selected by an Independent  Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term of the notes that would be utilized, at the time of selection
and in accordance with customary  financial  practice,  in pricing new issues of
corporate  debt  securities of comparable  maturity to the remaining term of the
notes.

     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the  average  of the bid and asked  prices  for the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage  of its  principal  amount) on the third
business  day  preceding  such  redemption  date,  as set  forth  in  the  daily
statistical  release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New  York  and  designated  "Composite  3:30  p.m.  Quotations  for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if that release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such  business  day, the average of
all the Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date.

     "Independent  Investment  Banker" means Chase  Securities  Inc. or, if such
firm is  unwilling  or  unable to  select  the  Comparable  Treasury  Issue,  an
independent  investment banking  institution of national standing selected by us
and appointed by the trustee for the notes.

     "Reference  Treasury  Dealer" means each of Chase  Securities  Inc.,  Bear,
Stearns & Co.  Inc.  and  First  Union  Securities,  Inc.  and their  respective
successors,  provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government  Securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), we shall substitute for it another Primary Treasury Dealer.

     "Reference   Treasury  Dealer  Quotations"  means,  with  respect  to  each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the  trustee  for the  notes,  of the bid and asked  prices  for the  Comparable
Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal  amount)
quoted in writing to the trustee for the notes by such Reference Treasury Dealer
at 5:00 p.m. on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

     "Treasury  Yield" means,  with respect to any redemption date, the rate per
annum equal to the  semiannual  equivalent  yield to maturity of the  Comparable
Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as
a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for
the redemption date.


                                      S-4

<PAGE>


Book-Entry System

     The notes will be issued  only in  book-entry  form,  which means that they
will be represented by one or more permanent global securities registered in the
name of The Depository  Trust Company,  New York, New York, which we refer to as
"DTC."  DTC will keep a  computerized  record of its direct  participants  whose
clients have purchased the notes.  Direct  participants  may include  securities
brokers and dealers,  banks, trust companies,  clearing corporations and certain
other   organizations.   DTC's   book-entry   system   is  also  used  by  other
organizations,   such  as  securities  brokers  and  dealers,  banks  and  trust
companies, that work through a direct participant. Each participant will in turn
keep a  record  of its  clients  who  have  purchased  the  notes  and  will  be
responsible for keeping account of their holdings on behalf of their customers.

     Unless  it is  exchanged  in  whole  or in part  for  notes  in  definitive
certificate form, a global security may not be transferred, except that DTC, its
nominees,  and their successors may transfer a global security as a whole to one
another.  Beneficial  interests in the global  securities  will be shown on, and
transfers of notes will be made only through,  records maintained by DTC and its
participants.  You will not receive an individual  certificate  representing the
notes you purchase.

     DTC has given us the following information:  DTC is a limited-purpose trust
company  organized  under the New York  Banking  Law, a  "banking  organization"
within the meaning of the New York  Banking  Law, a member of the United  States
Federal Reserve System, a "clearing  corporation"  within the meaning of the New
York Uniform  Commercial  Code,  and a "clearing  agency"  registered  under the
provisions  of Section 17A of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934.  DTC holds
securities  that its direct  participants  deposit with it. DTC also records the
settlement  among  direct  participants  of  securities  transactions,  such  as
transfers and pledges, in deposited  securities through computerized records for
direct  participants'  accounts,  thereby  eliminating  the  need  for  physical
movement of securities certificates.

     DTC is owned by some of its direct  participants  and by the New York Stock
Exchange,  Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC and the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc. The rules that apply to DTC and its participants are on
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

     Redemption  notices  shall be sent to DTC.  If less  than all of the  notes
within an issue are being  redeemed,  DTC's  practice is to determine by lot the
amount of the interest of each direct participant in such issue to be redeemed.

     We will wire principal payments, interest payments, redemption proceeds and
other  distributions  on the notes to DTC's nominee.  We and the trustee for the
notes will treat DTC's nominee as the registered owner of the global  securities
for all  purposes.  Accordingly,  we, the  trustee  for the notes and any paying
agent will have no direct  responsibility or liability to pay amounts due on the
notes to owners of beneficial interests in the global securities.

     It is DTC's current practice, upon receipt by its nominee of any payment of
principal or interest,  to credit direct  participants'  accounts on the payment
date  according  to their  respective  holdings of  beneficial  interests in the
global  securities as shown on DTC's records.  In addition,  it is DTC's current
practice to assign any consenting or voting rights to direct  participants whose
accounts  are  credited  with notes on a record date by using an omnibus  proxy.
Payments  by  participants  to  owners of  beneficial  interests  in the  global
securities, and voting by participants, will be governed by the

                                      S-5

<PAGE>


customary practices between the participants and owners of beneficial interests,
as is the case with securities  held for the account of customers  registered in
"street name." However,  payments will be the responsibility of the participants
and not of DTC, the trustee for the notes or us.

     Notes   represented  by  global   securities  may  be  exchanged  for  note
certificates with the same terms in authorized denominations only if:

o    DTC notifies us that it is unwilling or unable to continue as depositary or
     if DTC ceases to be a clearing agency registered under applicable law and a
     successor depositary is not appointed by us within 90 days; or

o    We determine  not to require all of the notes to be  represented  by global
     securities and notify the trustee for the notes of our decision.

     We have obtained the information concerning DTC and DTC's book-entry system
from sources that we believe to be accurate,  but we are not responsible for the
accuracy  of this  information.  In  addition,  we are not  responsible  for the
performance  by DTC, its  participants  or any indirect  participants  of any of
their obligations.

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

     A portion  of the net  proceeds  received  by us from the sale of the notes
will be used to repay all amounts due under a $190,000,000  short-term loan from
The Chase  Manhattan  Bank  which  bears  interest  at a rate of 5.69% and which
matures on January 26,  2000.  We  incurred  this  short-term  loan to repay the
$225,000,000  principal amount of our 63/4% First and Refunding  Mortgage Bonds,
Series 93A, due January 15, 2000.  The  remaining  net proceeds will be used for
general corporate purposes.

                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

     The following table sets forth the ratio of the Company's earnings to fixed
charges for each of the five years in the  five-year  period ended  December 31,
1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          Year Ended December 31,
                                                                ---------------------------------------
                                                                1995     1996     1997     1998    1999
                                                                ----     ----     ----     ----    ----

<S>                                                             <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges...................           3.52     3.54     3.49     2.95    2.94
Adjusted Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (1)......           3.52     3.54     3.54     3.81    3.67
- ------------
</TABLE>

     (1) The  following  effects of rate  reduction  notes are excluded from the
adjusted ratios for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1998, and 1999:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          Year Ended December 31,
                                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                                 1997             1998             1999
                                                                 ----             ----             ----

<S>                                                           <C>            <C>                  <C>
     Income before interest expense ..........................$8,142,000     $149,486,000         $132,359,000
     Interest expense ........................................$8,142,000     $149,486,000         $132,359,000
</TABLE>

     SCE Funding LLC, a special  purpose entity of which the Company is the sole
     member,  issued  approximately  $2.5  billion  of rate  reduction  notes in
     December 1997.  For further  details,  you should refer to the  information
     described  in  "Available   Information"  in  this  prospectus  supplement,
     particularly page 24 of the Company's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders.

                                      S-6
<PAGE>


                                  UNDERWRITING

     We have entered into an underwriting  agreement with the Underwriters  (the
"Underwriters")  named below.  Subject to the terms and  conditions set forth in
the underwriting agreement, we have agreed to sell to each Underwriter, and each
Underwriter  has severally  agreed to purchase from us, the principal  amount of
the notes set forth opposite its name below. The Underwriters  will purchase all
the  notes  if  any of the  notes  are  purchased.  However,  if an  Underwriter
defaults,  less  than all of the notes may be  purchased  by the  non-defaulting
Underwriters.

                                                                    Principal
                         Underwriter                                 Amount
                         -----------                                --------

Chase Securities Inc...........................................   $100,000,000
Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc........................................    100,000,000
First Union Securities, Inc....................................     50,000,000
                                                                  ------------

               Total...........................................   $250,000,000
                                                                  ============

     The  Underwriters  have told us that they initially plan to offer the notes
to the public at the public  offering  price set forth on the cover page of this
prospectus  supplement  plus  accrued  interest as provided on the cover page of
this prospectus supplement. They may also offer notes to some securities dealers
at a discount  from the public  offering  price of up to .225% of the  principal
amount of the notes.  Those  securities  dealers may resell any notes  purchased
from the  Underwriters to other brokers or dealers at a discount from the public
offering  price of up to .053% of the principal  amount of the notes.  After the
initial public offering, the public offering price and discounts may be changed.

     The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market.
The  Underwriters  have told us that they  intend to make a market in the notes,
but they are not  obligated to do so and may  discontinue  market  making at any
time  without  notice.  We cannot  assure you that there will be  liquidity in a
trading market for the notes.

     In connection with the offering of the notes,  the  Underwriters may engage
in overallotment,  stabilizing  transactions and syndicate covering transactions
in accordance  with  Regulation M under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.  Overallotment  involves  sales in excess of the offering  size,  which
creates a short position for the Underwriters.  Stabilizing transactions involve
bids to purchase the notes in the open market for the purpose of pegging, fixing
or maintaining the price of the notes.  Syndicate covering  transactions involve
purchases  of the  notes in the open  market  after  the  distribution  has been
completed  in order to  cover  short  positions.  Stabilizing  transactions  and
syndicate  covering  transactions  may cause the price of the notes to be higher
than  it  would  otherwise  be in the  absence  of  those  transactions.  If the
Underwriters engage in stabilizing or syndicate covering transactions,  they may
discontinue them at any time.

     We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding
the underwriting discount, will be about $300,000.

     We have  agreed  to  indemnify  each of the  Underwriters  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                      S-7

<PAGE>


     In the  ordinary  course of their  respective  businesses,  certain  of the
Underwriters  and  their  respective  affiliates  are  currently  engaged,  have
engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking,  general financing
and/or  investment  banking  transactions with us and certain of our affiliates.
Chase  Securities Inc.,  through a competitive bid process,  was selected as the
lead underwriter for the sale and distribution of these notes.  Chase Securities
Inc. serves as one of the dealers for the commercial  paper programs of both the
Company and its parent, Edison International.  The Company, Edison International
and Edison Mission Energy, an affiliate of the Company, have entered into credit
facilities with The Chase Manhattan Bank, an affiliate of Chase  Securities Inc.
As described  under the heading "Use of Proceeds," a portion of the net proceeds
from  the  sale of the  notes  will be used to repay  amounts  due to The  Chase
Manhattan  Bank  under a  short-term  loan.  Because  more  than  10% of the net
proceeds of the sale of the notes will be used to repay an  affiliate  of one of
the Underwriters,  the offering is being made pursuant to Rule 2710(c)(8) of the
Conduct Rules of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     You may  read and copy any  document  filed by us with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission")  at the  Commission's  Public Reference
Room, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information
on the  operation  of the Public  Reference  Room by calling the  Commission  at
1-800-SEC-0330. The Commission maintains an Internet site that contains reports,
proxy  statements,  and  other  information  regarding  issuers,  including  the
Company, that file electronically with the Commission.  The address of that site
is  http://www.sec.gov.  Information  about  the  Company  is  available  at the
Internet site maintained by Edison  International,  the corporate  parent of the
Company. The address of that site is http://www.edison.com.

     Reports,  proxy  statements and other documents that we have filed with the
Commission  are  considered  to  be  part  of  this  prospectus  supplement  and
prospectus  as  described  on  page  2  of  the  accompanying  prospectus  under
"Incorporation  of Certain  Documents by  Reference."  We will  provide  without
charge to you, at your request,  a copy of any or all of the  documents  that we
have  incorporated by reference,  other than exhibits to those documents (unless
the  exhibits are  specifically  incorporated  by  reference  in the  document).
Written or telephone  requests should be directed to Southern  California Edison
Company,  P.O.  Box  800,  Rosemead,  California  91770,  Attention:   Corporate
Governance, telephone (626) 302-2662.

                                      S-8

<PAGE>


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   PROSPECTUS

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                       SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY
                                 Debt Securities
                            ------------------------


         Southern  California  Edison Company (the  "Company") from time to time
may offer,  in one or more series,  its  unsecured  debt  securities  (the "Debt
Securities")  on terms to be  determined  at the time of sale,  from  which  the
Company will receive up to an aggregate of $1,005,000,000 in proceeds or, if the
principal of the Debt Securities is payable in a foreign or composite  currency,
the  equivalent  thereof  at the time of  offering.  The  specific  designation,
aggregate   principal  amount,   designated   currency  or  composite  currency,
authorized denominations,  purchase price, maturity, rate (which may be fixed or
variable) and time of payment of any interest,  any redemption terms,  terms for
sinking  fund  payments,  terms of  subordination  and other  specific  terms in
connection with the offering and sale of Debt  Securities,  and any listing on a
securities  exchange of the Debt  Securities in respect of which this Prospectus
is being delivered ("Offered Debt Securities") are set forth in the accompanying
prospectus supplement ("Prospectus Supplement").

         At September 30, 1995,  the Company had  approximately  $4.1 billion of
indebtedness that would rank senior to the Senior Debt Securities (including the
first  mortgage  bonds  referred  to below) and  approximately  $5.6  billion of
indebtedness  that  would  rank  senior  to  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities
(including  the first  mortgage  bonds  referred  to below).  Substantially  all
properties of the Company are currently subject to the lien of a trust indenture
securing  first  mortgage  bonds of the  Company,  of which  approximately  $4.1
billion   principal   amount  were  outstanding  at  September  30,  1995,  and,
accordingly,  the Company's  obligations  under such first  mortgage  bonds will
effectively rank senior to the Debt Securities to the extent of such properties.

         The  Company may sell Debt  Securities  to or through  underwriters  or
dealers,  and also may sell Debt  Securities  directly  to other  purchasers  or
through  agents.  See  "Plan  of  Distribution".   The  accompanying  Prospectus
Supplement  sets forth the names of any  underwriters  or agents involved in the
sale of the Offered Debt Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered,  the principal  amounts,  if any, to be purchased by underwriters and
the compensation, if any, of such underwriters or agents.

                            ------------------------

    THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
       AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
         THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
               COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF
                     THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO
                       THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                 The date of this Prospectus is February 2, 1996

                                       1
<PAGE>

      No  person  is  authorized  to  give  any   information  or  to  make  any
representations  other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus or the Prospectus  Supplement and, if given or made, such information
or  representations  must not be relied  upon as having  been  authorized.  This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy any securities  other than the registered  securities to which it relates or
an offer to sell or a  solicitation  of an offer to buy such  securities  in any
jurisdiction  to any  person  to  whom it is  unlawful  to make  such  offer  or
solicitation  in such  jurisdiction.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus or
the Prospectus Supplement nor any sale made hereunder or thereunder shall, under
any  circumstances,  create any implication that there has been no change in the
affairs of the Company since the date hereof or thereof or that the  information
contained or  incorporated  by reference  herein or therein is correct as of any
time subsequent to its date.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

      The Company is subject to  informational  requirements  of the  Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in  accordance
therewith  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  Such reports,  proxy
statements  and other  information  may be  inspected  and  copied at the public
reference  facilities  maintained  by the  Commission  at Room  1024,  450 Fifth
Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices
at 7 World Trade Center,  Suite 1300, New York, New York 10048 and  Northwestern
Atrium Center,  500 West Madison Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,  Illinois 60661.
Copies  of such  material  may be  obtained  by mail from the  Public  Reference
Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,  D.C. 20549, at
prescribed rates. In addition,  reports,  proxy statements and other information
concerning the Company may be inspected at the offices of the New York, American
and Pacific Stock Exchanges.

      The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3  (together  with all  amendments  and exhibits  thereto,  the  "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").
This  Prospectus  does  not  contain  all of the  information  set  forth in the
Registration  Statement,  certain parts of which are omitted in accordance  with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information,  reference
is made to the Registration Statement.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

      The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
1-2313) under the Exchange Act are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference:

      1.    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

      2.    Quarterly  Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods ended March 31, June
            30, and September 30, 1995.

      3.    Current  Reports on Form 8-K dated March 31, May 24, June 1, June 9,
            August 15,  September 20, November 22, December 14, and December 22,
            1995, January 11, 17, and 18, 1996.

      4.    All other documents filed by the Company  pursuant to Section 13(a),
            13(c),  14 or 15(d) of the  Exchange Act  subsequent  to the date of
            this  Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the
            Debt Securities. Any documents incorporated by reference do not form
            part of the listing  particulars of the Council of the International
            Stock  Exchange of the United  Kingdom  and the  Republic of Ireland
            Limited.

                                       2
<PAGE>

      The Company will provide  without  charge to each  person,  including  any
beneficial  owner,  to whom a copy of this  Prospectus  is  delivered,  upon the
request  of  such  person,  a copy  of any or  all of the  documents  which  are
incorporated by reference herein,  other than exhibits to such documents (unless
such exhibits are specifically  incorporated by reference  therein).  Written or
telephone  requests  should be directed to Southern  California  Edison Company,
P.O. Box 800, Rosemead, California 91770, Attention: Corporate Finance Division,
telephone (818) 302-2662.


                                       3
<PAGE>


                              SELECTED INFORMATION

         The  following  material is  qualified  in its entirety by the detailed
information and financial  statements  appearing  elsewhere in this  Prospectus,
including the documents incorporated by reference in this Prospectus.



                                   THE COMPANY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                                                                       <C>
Customers (September 30, 1995)                                                                            4,173,091
Area Generation Capacity at Peak (Megawatts) (September 30, 1995)                                            20,615
Kilowatt-Hour Sales (12 Months Ended September 30, 1995)                                             75,808,864,000
Funds Required for Construction Expenditures (1995-1999)                                             $4,815,000,000
Energy Sources (12 Months Ended September 30, 1995)                           Purchased Power 38%; Natural Gas 23%;
                                                                          Nuclear 20%; Coal 14%; Hydroelectric 7%.
</TABLE>

                       CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                      12 Months
                                                  Year Ended December 31,                               Ended
                                                                                                    September 30,
                                   1990         1991         1992        1993          1994             1995
                               ----------   ----------    ---------  -----------    ----------   -----------
Income Statement Data:
<S>                            <C>          <C>           <C>                     <C>            <C>
   Total Operating Revenue     $  6,986,460 $  7,297,759  $7,721,613  $7,396,599     $7,798,601   $7,815,198
   Operating Income               1,147,132    1,117,034   1,230,084   1,164,443      1,093,929    1,137,963
   Total Interest Expense(1)        552,567      542,732     517,142     449,230        443,219      459,022
   Net Income                       736,753      629,553     672,909     678,045        638,581      678,161
   Ratios of Earnings to
      Fixed Charges(1)(2)              3.17         2.92        3.16        3.39           3.43        3.48

                                                                                          September 30, 1995
                                                                                          ------------------
Capitalization (3):
   Common Shareholder's Equity                                                      $5,140,237          47.1%
   Preferred Stock without Mandatory Redemption Requirements                           283,755           2.6
   Preferred Stock with Mandatory Redemption Requirements                              275,000           2.5
   Long-Term Debt                                                                    5,225,928          47.8%
                                                                                  ------------          -----
      Total Capitalization                                                         $10,924,918         100.0%
                                                                                  ============         ======
</TABLE>

(1)  Net of capitalized interest related to nuclear fuel. Such amounts have been
     included in the computation of the ratios of earnings to fixed charges.

(2)  For  purposes  of  computing  the  ratios  of  earnings  to fixed  charges,
     "earnings"  are defined as income before fixed charges and taxes on income,
     excluding the  cumulative  effect of a change in  accounting  principle for
     unbilled  revenues.  Income  includes the  allowance  for funds used during
     construction  and subsidiary  earnings.  Fixed charges  consist of interest
     (including interest on affiliate  indebtedness) and an allocable portion of
     rentals and long-term contracts for the purchase of power.

(3)  Excludes the portion of long-term debt due within one year.



                                       4
<PAGE>

                                   THE COMPANY

         The Company,  incorporated  in 1909 under  California  law, is a public
utility  primarily  engaged in the  business  of  supplying  electric  energy in
portions of Central and Southern  California,  excluding the City of Los Angeles
and certain  other  cities.  The mailing  address  and  telephone  number of the
Company's  principal  executive offices are P.O. Box 800,  Rosemead,  California
91770 and (818) 302-1212.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         Except as otherwise  described in the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the net
proceeds from sales of the Debt  Securities  will be applied to the  redemption,
repayment or retirement of outstanding  indebtedness  or other  securities,  the
financing of construction expenditures or other general corporate purposes.


                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

         The Debt  Securities  are to be issued under an  Indenture  dated as of
January 15, 1993, (the "Senior  Indenture") between the Company and Harris Trust
and Savings Bank, as Trustee (the "Senior Trustee"), or under an Indenture dated
as of May 1, 1995 (the  "Subordinated  Indenture")  between  the Company and The
First National Bank of Chicago (the "Subordinated  Trustee"),  a copy of each of
which is filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The Senior Indenture
and the  Subordinated  Indenture  are each  sometimes  referred to herein as the
"Indenture",  the Senior Trustee and the Subordinated Trustee are each sometimes
referred to herein as the "Trustee",  and the Debt Securities to be issued under
the Senior  Indenture and the Subordinated  Indenture are sometimes  referred to
herein as the  "Subordinated  Debt Securities" and the "Senior Debt Securities,"
respectively.

         The following  summaries of certain  provisions of the Indenture do not
purport to be complete and are subject to, and are  qualified in their  entirety
by reference to, all  provisions  of the  Indenture,  including the  definitions
therein of certain terms. Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of the
Indenture  are  referred  to  herein  or  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement,  such
provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein or therein by reference.

         The Debt  Securities  may be  issued  from  time to time in one or more
series.  The  following   description  sets  forth  certain  general  terms  and
provisions  of the Debt  Securities  to which  any  Prospectus  Supplement  will
relate.  The  particular  terms of the Offered  Debt  Securities  offered by any
Prospectus Supplement will be described in such Prospectus Supplement.

General

         The Indenture does not limit the amount of Debt Securities which may be
issued  thereunder and provides that Debt Securities may be issued thereunder up
to the aggregate  principal  amount which may be authorized from time to time by
the Company.  The Senior Debt  Securities  will be unsecured  and will rank on a
parity with all other unsecured and unsubordinated  indebtedness of the Company.
The Subordinated Debt Securities will be subordinated to all senior indebtedness
of the Company.


                                       5
<PAGE>

         Reference is hereby made to the Prospectus  Supplement  relating to the
Offered Debt Securities for the terms of such Debt Securities,  including, where
applicable:  (i) the  title  of such  Debt  Securities;  (ii)  any  limit on the
aggregate principal amount of such Debt Securities; (iii) the price or prices at
which such Debt Securities  will be issued;  (iv) the date or dates on which the
principal  of such Debt  Securities  will be  payable;  (v) if other than United
States Dollars,  the currency,  currencies or composite currencies in which such
Debt Securities are being sold and in which the principal of and any interest on
such Debt  Securities  will be payable  and  whether the holder of any such Debt
Securities may elect the currency in which payments  thereon are to be made, and
if so, the manner of such  election;  (vi) the rate or rates (which may be fixed
or variable) per annum,  or the method or methods of calculating  such rates, at
which such Debt  Securities  will bear  interest,  if any;  (vii) each office or
agency  where,  subject to the terms of the  Indenture as described  below under
"Payment and Paying  Agents,"  the  principal of and any premium and interest on
such Debt Securities will be payable and each office or agency where, subject to
the terms of the Indenture as described below under "Form, Exchange Registration
and  Transfer,"  such Debt  Securities  may be  presented  for  registration  of
transfer  or  exchange,  (viii) the date from which such  interest  on such Debt
Securities will accrue, the dates on which such interest will be payable and the
date on which payment of such interest  will  commence;  (ix) the dates on which
and the price or prices at which  such Debt  Securities  will,  pursuant  to any
mandatory sinking fund provision, or may, pursuant to any optional redemption or
required  repayment  provisions,  be  redeemed or repaid and the other terms and
provisions of any such mandatory sinking fund,  optional  redemption or required
repayment;  (x) whether such Debt  Securities  are to be issuable as  Registered
Securities,  Bearer  Securities  or both and the terms  upon  which  any  Bearer
Securities  of such series may be exchanged  for  Registered  Securities of such
series;  (xi) whether such Debt  Securities are to be issued in whole or in part
in the form of one or more Global  Securities  and,  if so, the  identity of the
Depositary or  Depositaries  for such Global  Security or Securities;  (xii) any
special  provisions  for the payment of additional  amounts with respect to such
Debt  Securities;  (xiii) if a  temporary  Global  Security is to be issued with
respect to such  series,  the  requirements  for  certification  of ownership by
non-United  States  persons  that  will  apply  prior to (a) the  issuance  of a
definitive Bearer Security or (b) the payment of interest on an Interest Payment
Date that occurs before the issuance of a definitive Bearer Security; (xiv) if a
temporary Global Security is to be issued with respect to such series, the terms
upon which  interests in such  temporary  Global  Security may be exchanged  for
interests in a definitive  Global  Security or for definitive Debt Securities of
the series and the terms upon which interests in a definitive  Global  Security,
if any, may be exchanged for definitive Debt Securities of the series;  (xv) the
denominations in which such Debt Securities which are Registered Securities will
be issuable if other than  denominations  of $1,000 and any  integral  multiples
thereof, and the denomination or denominations in which any such Debt Securities
which  are  Bearer  Securities  will be issued if other  than  denominations  of
$1,000,  $10,000 and $100,000;  (xvi) if such Debt Securities are Original Issue
Discount  Securities,  the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of such
Debt  Securities  following  an Event  of  Default;  (xvii)  any  index  used to
determine the amount of payments of principal of and any premium and interest on
such Debt Securities  (xviii) any deletions,  modifications  or additions to the
covenants or Events of Default  provided  with respect to such Debt  Securities;
(xix)  whether the Debt  Securities  of such series are subject to discharge and
defeasance at the option of the Company; and (xx) any other terms and conditions
of the Offered Debt Securities.  In addition, the Prospectus Supplement relating
to any  offering  of Debt  Securities  under  the  Subordinated  Indenture  will
provide, if applicable: (i) any right to extend the interest payment periods and
the  duration  of such  extension;  (ii)  whether any one or more series of Debt
Securities  shall be junior in right of payment to any other one or more  series
of Debt Securities;  and (iii) any deletions,  modifications or additions to the
subordination  provisions of Article  Sixteen with respect to any series of Debt
Securities.  (Section 301 of Senior  Indenture,  and Section 3.1 of Subordinated
Indenture)

                                       6
<PAGE>

         Debt  Securities  may be issued under the  Indenture as Original  Issue
Discount Securities to be offered and sold at a substantial discount below their
stated  principal  amount.  Federal  income tax  consequences  and other special
considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount Securities will be
described  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement  relating  thereto.  "Original  Issue
Discount  Security" means (i) any Debt Security that provides for an amount less
than the principal  amount  thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration  of
acceleration of the Maturity  thereof upon the occurrence of an Event of Default
and the  continuation  thereof and (ii) any Debt  Security  issued with original
issue discount for United States  Federal  income tax purposes.  (Section 101 of
Senior Indenture, and Section 1.1 of Subordinated Indenture)

Form, Exchange, Registration and Transfer

         The Debt  Securities may be issuable as Registered  Securities,  Bearer
Securities or both.  Debt  Securities of a series may be issuable in whole or in
part in the form of one or more  Global  Securities,  as  described  below under
"Global Securities". Unless the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto specifies
otherwise,  Registered  Securities  denominated in United States dollars will be
issued only in the denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof and
Bearer  Securities  denominated  in United States dollars will be issued only in
denominations of $1,000,  $10,000, and $100,000.  All Debt Securities of any one
series shall be substantially  identical except as to denomination and except as
may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to a Board  Resolution and set forth in
an Officer's Certificate or in any indenture supplemental thereto. See, however,
"Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities" below. The Prospectus  Supplement
relating  to a series of Debt  Securities  denominated  in foreign or  composite
currency  will specify the  denomination  thereof and any special  United States
Federal income tax and other considerations  relating thereto. No service charge
will be made for any  transfer or exchange of Debt  Securities,  but the Company
may require  payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other  governmental
charge  payable  in  connection  therewith.  (Sections  302  and  305 of  Senior
Indenture, and Sections 3.2 and 3.5 of Subordinated Indenture)

         At the option of the  Holder,  subject  to the terms of the  Indenture,
Bearer Securities (with all unmatured coupons,  except as provided below) of any
series  will be  exchangeable  into  an  equal  aggregate  principal  amount  of
Registered  Securities  (if the Debt  Securities  of such series are issuable as
Registered  Securities)  or Bearer  Securities of the same series (with the same
interest rate and maturity date),  however,  delivery of a Bearer Security shall
occur only outside the United States,  and  Registered  Securities of any series
(other than a Global  Security,  except as set forth below) will be exchangeable
into an equal aggregate  principal  amount of Registered  Securities of the same
series (with the same interest rate and maturity  date) of different  authorized
denominations.  If  a  Holder  surrenders  Bearer  Securities  in  exchange  for
Registered   Securities   between  a  Regular   Record   Date  or,  in   certain
circumstances,  a Special Record Date, and the relevant  interest  payment date,
such  Holder  will not be  required  to  surrender  the coupon  relating to such
interest  payment date.  Registered  Securities  may not be exchanged for Bearer
Securities.  (Section 305 of Senior  Indenture,  and Section 3.5 of Subordinated
Indenture)

         Debt   Securities  may  be  presented  for  exchange,   and  Registered
Securities (other than a Global Security) may be presented for transfer,  at the
office  of the  Security  Registrar  or at the  office  of  any  transfer  agent

                                       7
<PAGE>

designated  by the Company for such purpose with respect to the Debt  Securities
of a series and  referred to in an  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  without
service charge and upon payment of any taxes and other  governmental  charges as
described in the Indenture.  Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the
Security  Registrar or such transfer  agent, as the case may be. The Company has
initially appointed the Trustee to act as Security Registrar.  Bearer Securities
will be transferable by delivery.  (Section 305 of Senior Indenture, and Section
3.5 of Subordinated Indenture)

         If a Prospectus  Supplement  refers to any transfer agents (in addition
to the Security Registrar)  initially  designated by the Company with respect to
any  series  of  Debt  Securities,  the  Company  may at any  time  rescind  the
designation  of any such  transfer  agent or  approve a change  in the  location
through which any such transfer agent acts,  except that if Debt Securities of a
series  are  issuable  solely as  Registered  Securities,  the  Company  will be
required to  maintain a transfer  agent in each place  where  principal  and any
premium and  interest in respect of such  series  shall be payable  and, if Debt
Securities  of a series are issuable as Bearer  Securities,  the Company will be
required to maintain,  subject to any laws or regulation  applicable  thereto, a
transfer  agent in a place outside of the United States where  principal and any
premium and interest in respect of such series shall be payable. The Company may
at any time designate  additional  transfer agents with respect to any series of
Debt  Securities.  (Section  1002  of  Senior  Indenture,  and  Section  10.2 of
Subordinated Indenture)

         In the event of any  redemption,  the Company shall not be required (i)
to issue, register the transfer of or exchange Debt Securities of any particular
series  during a period  beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the
day of the mailing of a notice of redemption  of Debt  Securities of such series
selected  for  redemption  and ending at the close of business on (a) the day of
mailing the relevant notice of redemption,  if Debt Securities of the series are
issuable only as Registered  Securities and (b) the day of the first publication
of the relevant  notice of redemption,  if the Debt Securities of the series are
issuable  as  Bearer  Securities,  or the  mailing  of the  relevant  notice  of
redemption, if the Debt Securities of the series are also issuable as Registered
Securities  and there is no  publication;  (ii) to register  the  transfer of or
exchange any Registered Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part,
except the unredeemed portion of any Registered Security being redeemed in part;
(iii) to exchange  any Bearer  Security so selected for  redemption  except that
such a Bearer Security may be exchanged for a Registered Security of that series
(if the Debt  Securities of such series are issuable as Registered  Securities);
or (iv) to register the transfer of or exchange any Debt  Security if the Holder
thereof has  expressed  his right,  if any, to require the Company to repurchase
such  Debt  Security,  in whole or in part,  except  that  portion  of such Debt
Security not required to be repurchased,  provided that such Registered Security
shall be immediately  surrendered for redemption with written  instructions  for
payment consistent with the provisions of the Indenture.  (Section 305 of Senior
Indenture, and Section 3.5 of Subordinated Indenture)

Global Securities

         The Debt  Securities  of a series  may be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more Global  Securities  that will be deposited  with,  or on
behalf of, a Depositary (the  "Depositary").  Global Securities may be issued in
either registered or bearer form and in either temporary or definitive form. One
or more  Global  Securities  will  be  issued  in a  denomination  or  aggregate
denominations  equal to the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  Outstanding  Debt
Securities  of  the  series  to  be  represented  by  such  Global  Security  or
Securities.  Unless  and  until  it is  exchanged  in  whole or in part for Debt
Securities in definitive  form, a Global Security may not be transferred  except
as a whole by the  Depositary  for such  Global  Security  to a nominee  of such

                                       8
<PAGE>

Depositary  or by a nominee of such  Depositary  to such  Depositary  or another
nominee  of such  Depositary  or by such  Depositary  or any such  nominee  to a
successor  of  such  Depositary  or a  nominee  of  such  successor  Depositary.
(Sections  303  and  305 of  Senior  Indenture,  and  Sections  3.3  and  3.5 of
Subordinated Indenture)

         The specific  terms of the depositary  arrangement  with respect to any
Debt  Securities  of a series will be  described  in the  Prospectus  Supplement
relating to such series if other than or in addition to the  description  below.
The Company  anticipates  that the following  provisions will generally apply to
depositary arrangements.

         Upon the issuance of a Global Security,  the Depositary for such Global
Security will credit,  on its book-entry  registration and transfer system,  the
respective  principal amounts of the Debt Securities  represented by such Global
Security to the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary
("participants").  The  accounts  to be  credited  shall  be  designated  by the
underwriters of such Debt Securities, by certain agents of the Company or by the
Company,  if such Debt  Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company.
Ownership  of  beneficial  interests  in a Global  Security  will be  limited to
participants or persons that may hold interests through participants.  Ownership
of  beneficial  interests  in such  Global  Security  will be shown on,  and the
transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,  records maintained by
the Depositary for such Global  Security or by participants or persons that hold
through participants. The laws of some states require that certain purchasers of
securities take physical  delivery of such  securities in definitive  form. Such
limits and such laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial  interests in
a Global Security.

         So long as the Depositary for a Global Security, or its nominee, is the
holder of such Global Security, such Depositary or such nominee, as the case may
be,  will be  considered  the  sole  owner  or  holder  of the  Debt  Securities
represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Indenture. Except
as set forth below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not
be entitled to have Debt  Securities  of the series  represented  by such Global
Security  registered in their names,  will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical  delivery of Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will
not  be  considered   the  owners  or  holders   thereof  under  the  Indenture.
Accordingly,  each person owning a beneficial interest in a Global Security must
rely  on  the  procedures  of  the  Depositary  and,  if  such  person  is not a
participant,  on the  procedures  of the  participant  and, if  applicable,  the
indirect  participant,  through which such person owns its interest, to exercise
any  rights of a holder  under the  Indenture.  Nothing  in the  Indenture  will
prevent the Company,  the  Trustee,  or any agent of the Company or the Trustee,
from   giving  any  effect  to  any  written   certification,   proxy  or  other
authorization  furnished by a Depositary or impair,  as between a Depositary and
holders of beneficial interests in a Global Security, the operation of customary
practices governing the exercise of rights of the Depositary (or its nominee) as
Holder of such Global Security.  (Section 308 of Senior  Indenture,  and Section
3.8 of Subordinated Indenture)

         Subject to the restrictions discussed under "Limitations on Issuance of
Bearer Securities" below,  principal,  premium, if any, and interest payments on
Debt Securities registered in the name of or held by a Depositary or its nominee
will be made to the  Depositary  or its  nominee,  as the  case  may be,  as the
registered  owner or the holder of the Global  Security  representing  such Debt
Securities.  The Company  expects that the Depositary  for Debt  Securities of a
series, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or interest in respect
of a definitive Global Security,  immediately will credit participants' accounts
with payments in amounts  proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the principal  amount of such Global Security as shown on the records of such
Depositary.  The Company also expects that payments by participants to owners of



                                       9
<PAGE>

beneficial interests in such Global Security held through such participants will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with  securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name", and will be the responsibility of such  participants.  Receipt
by owners of beneficial  interests in a temporary Global Security of payments in
respect of such temporary  Global  Security will be subject to the  restrictions
discussed under "Limitations on Issuance of Bearer Securities" below.

         If a  Depositary  for  Debt  Securities  of a  series  is at  any  time
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary and a successor  Depositary is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will issue Debt  Securities
of such  series in  definitive  form in  exchange  for the  Global  Security  or
Securities  representing  the Debt Securities of such series.  In addition,  the
Company  may at any time and in its sole  discretion  determine  not to have any
Debt Securities of a series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in
such event,  will issue Debt  Securities  of such series in  definitive  form in
exchange  for  the  Global  Security  or  Securities   representing   such  Debt
Securities.  Further,  if  specified by the Company with respect to a particular
series  of Debt  Securities,  which is  represented  by Global  Securities,  the
Depositary  for Debt  Securities of such series may, on terms  acceptable to the
Company and the Depositary for such Global Security,  receive Debt Securities of
such series in definitive  form. In any such instance,  an owner of a beneficial
interest  in a  Global  Security  will  be  entitled  to  physical  delivery  in
definitive  form of Debt  Securities  of the series  represented  by such Global
Security equal in principal amount to such beneficial  interest and to have such
Debt  Securities  registered in its name (if the Debt  Securities of such series
are issuable as Registered  Securities).  (Section 305 of Senior Indenture,  and
Section 3.5 of Subordinated Indenture) See, however, "Limitations on Issuance of
Bearer  Securities"  below for a  description  of  certain  restrictions  on the
issuance of a Bearer  Security in definitive form in exchange for an interest in
a Global Security.

Payment and Paying Agents

         Payment of  principal  of and  premium,  if any, and interest on Bearer
Securities  will  be  payable  in the  currency  designated  in  the  Prospectus
Supplement,  subject to any  applicable  laws and  regulations,  at such  paying
agencies outside the United States as the Company may appoint from time to time.
Any such  payment  may be made,  at the  option of a  Holder,  by a check in the
designated  currency  or by transfer  to an account in the  designated  currency
maintained by the payee with a bank located  outside the United  States.  Unless
otherwise  indicated  in an  applicable  Prospectus  Supplement,  payment of any
interest due on Bearer  Securities  will be made only  against  surrender of the
coupon for such interest  installment.  (Section 1001 of Senior  Indenture,  and
Section 10.1 of  Subordinated  Indenture)  No payment with respect to any Bearer
Security will be made at the Corporate  Trust Office of the Trustee or any other
paying  agency  maintained by the Company in the United States nor will any such
payment be made by  transfer to an  account,  or by mail to an  address,  in the
United  States.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  payments of  principal of and
premium,  if any, and interest on Bearer Securities may be made in United States
dollars at the  Corporate  Trust  Office of the  Trustee in the City of Chicago,
Illinois,  if payment of the full amount thereof at all paying agencies  outside
the United States is illegal or  effectively  precluded by exchange  controls or
other similar restrictions.  (Section 1002 of Senior Indenture, and Section 10.2
of Subordinated Indenture)

         Unless  otherwise  indicated in the Prospectus  Supplement,  payment of
principal of and premium,  if any, on Registered  Securities will be made in the
designated  currency  against  surrender of such  Registered  Securities  at the
Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee in the City of Chicago,  Illinois.  Unless

                                       10
<PAGE>

otherwise indicated in the Prospectus  Supplement,  payment of any instalment of
interest on Registered  Securities will be made to the person in whose name such
Debt Security is registered at the close of business on the Regular  Record Date
for such interest.  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement,  at
the option of the Company, payments of such interest may be made by check in the
designated currency mailed to each Holder at such Holder's registered address or
by wire  transfer  to an  account  designated  by  such  person  pursuant  to an
arrangement  that is satisfactory to the Trustee and the Company.  (Sections 307
and  1001  of  Senior  Indenture,  and  Sections  3.7 and  10.1 of  Subordinated
Indenture)

         Any paying agents outside the United States and any other paying agents
in the United  States  initially  appointed  by the Company for a series of Debt
Securities will be named in the Prospectus Supplement. The Company may terminate
the  appointment of any of the paying agents from time to time,  except that the
Company  will  maintain  at least one paying  agent in the City of  Chicago  for
payments with respect to Registered  Securities and at least one paying agent in
a city  outside  the  United  States  so  long  as  any  Bearer  Securities  are
outstanding  where Bearer  Securities  may be  presented  for payment and may be
surrendered for exchange, provided that so long as any series of Debt Securities
is listed on The  International  Stock  Exchange  of the United  Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland Limited or the Luxembourg  Stock Exchange or any other stock
exchange  located  outside the United  States and such stock  exchange  shall so
require, the Company will maintain a paying agent in London or Luxembourg or any
other required city located  outside the United States,  as the case may be, for
such series of Debt Securities.  (Section 1002 of Senior Indenture,  and Section
10.2 of Subordinated Indenture)

         All moneys  paid by the  Company to a paying  agent for the  payment of
principal of or premium,  if any, or interest on any Debt  Security that remains
unclaimed  at the end of two years  after such  principal,  premium or  interest
shall have become due and  payable  will be repaid to the Company and the Holder
of such Debt Security or any coupon  appertaining  thereto will  thereafter look
only to the Company for payment thereof.  (Section 1003 of Senior Indenture, and
Section 10.3 of Subordinated Indenture)

Modification of the Indenture

         The Indenture permits the Company and the Trustee,  with the consent of
the  holders  of not  less  than a  majority  in  principal  amount  of the Debt
Securities at the time outstanding thereunder and affected thereby, to execute a
supplemental  indenture  modifying the Indenture or the rights of the holders of
such Debt Securities and any related coupons, provided that no such modification
shall, without the consent of the holder of each Debt Security affected thereby,
(i) change the maturity of any Debt Security or coupon,  or reduce the principal
amount  thereof,  or reduce the rate or change the method of  computation of the
rate of interest,  or reduce any premium payable upon redemption,  or change any
obligation  of the Company to pay  additional  amounts,  or reduce the amount of
principal of an Original  Issue  Discount  Security  payable  upon  acceleration
thereof,  or change the time of payment of interest thereon, or change any place
of payment or change the coin or currency in which a Debt  Security or coupon is
payable or impair the right of any holder to institute suit for the  enforcement
of  payment in  accordance  with the  foregoing,  or (ii)  reduce the  aforesaid
percentage of Debt  Securities,  the consent of the holders of which is required
for any such modification.  (Section 902 of Senior Indenture, and Section 9.2 of
Subordinated Indenture)

         The Indenture contains provisions for convening meetings of the Holders
of Debt Securities of a series.  (Section 1401 of Senior Indenture,  and Section
14.1 of  Subordinated  Indenture)  A  meeting  may be  called at any time by the

                                       11
<PAGE>

Trustee  or upon the  request of the  Company or the  Holders of at least 10% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of such series,  in any such
case upon notice given in accordance with the Indenture. (Section 1402 of Senior
Indenture,  and Section 14.2 of Subordinated Indenture) Except as limited by the
proviso in the preceding  paragraph,  any  resolution  presented at a meeting or
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present may be adopted by the affirmative
vote of the  Holders  of not less than a  majority  in  principal  amount of the
Outstanding Debt Securities of that series;  provided,  however, that, except as
limited by the proviso in the preceding  paragraph,  any resolution with respect
to any demand,  consent, waiver or other action that may be made, given or taken
by the  Holders of a  specified  percentage,  which is less than a  majority  in
principal amount of outstanding Debt Securities of a series, may be adopted at a
meeting or  adjourned  meeting  at which a quorum is present by the  affirmative
vote of the Holders of such  specified  percentage  in  principal  amount of the
outstanding Debt Securities of that series.  (Section 1404 of Senior  Indenture,
and Section 14.4 of Subordinated Indenture)

         The Indenture  provides that in determining  whether the Holders of the
requisite  principal  amount of the  Outstanding  Debt Securities have given any
request, demand, authorization,  direction, notice, consent or waiver thereunder
or are present at a meeting of Holders of Debt  Securities for quorum  purposes,
(1) the principal  amount of an Original Issue  Discount  Security that shall be
deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal  thereof that would
be due and payable as of the date of such determination upon acceleration of the
Maturity thereof, and (2) the principal amount of a Debt Security denominated in
a foreign  currency or  composite  currency  shall be the United  States  dollar
equivalent  of the  principal  amount  (or,  in the  case of an  Original  Issue
Discount Security,  the United States dollar equivalent of the amount determined
as  provided  in (1)  above)  of such  Debt  Security.  (Section  101 of  Senior
Indenture, and Section 1.1 of Subordinated Indenture)

         Any  resolution  passed or decision  taken at any meeting of Holders of
Debt Securities of any series duly held in accordance with the Indenture will be
binding  on all  Holders  of Debt  Securities  of that  series  and the  related
coupons.  The quorum at any  meeting  called to adopt a  resolution,  and at any
reconvened  meeting,  will be persons  holding or  representing  not less than a
majority in principal  amount of the  outstanding  Debt  Securities of a series.
(Section 1404 of Senior Indenture, and Section 14.4 of Subordinated Indenture)

Events of Default

         The Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series of
Debt Securities as being any one of the following events and such other event as
may be established for the Debt Securities of a particular  series:  (a) default
for 30 days in any  payment  of  interest  on such  series;  (b)  default in any
payment of principal,  and premium,  if any, on such series;  (c) default in the
payment of any sinking fund installment on such series;  (d) default for 60 days
after appropriate  notice in performance of any other covenant in the Indenture;
(e) failure to pay any  obligation  for borrowed money of, or guaranteed by, the
Company when due by reason of  acceleration or otherwise,  the grace period,  if
any,  provided with respect thereto shall have elapsed or any security  therefor
shall have become  enforceable,  and, the aggregate due but unpaid amount of all
such  obligations  shall be in excess of  $10,000,000,  and within 30 days after
receipt of notice by the  Company  from the  Trustee or by the  Company  and the
Trustee from the Holders of 25% in principal  amount of all the Debt  Securities
at the time Outstanding of any such acceleration or failure to pay or accrual of
such right of  enforcement,  such  acceleration or failure to pay shall not have
been  rescinded,  annulled or cured or such right of enforcement  shall not have
been  terminated;  or (f) certain  events  involving  bankruptcy,  insolvency or
reorganization.  No Event of Default with respect to a particular series of Debt

                                       12
<PAGE>

Securities  issued  under  the  Indenture  necessarily  constitutes  an Event of
Default with respect to any other series of Debt Securities  issued  thereunder.
(Section 501 of Senior Indenture, and Section 5.1 of Subordinated Indenture) The
Company is required to file with the Trustee  annually an Officer's  Certificate
indicating whether the Company is in default under the Indenture.  (Section 1008
of Senior Indenture, and Section 10.8 of Subordinated Indenture)

         The Indenture provides that if an Event of Default specified therein or
established for the Debt Securities of any particular  series shall occur and be
continuing with respect to any series of Debt Securities,  either the Trustee or
the Holders of 25% in principal amount of the Debt Securities of such series (in
the case of defaults under clauses (d), (e) and (f) above, the Holders of 25% in
principal  amount of all the Debt  Securities)  then outstanding may declare the
principal (or in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of
the principal  amount  thereof as may be specified in the terms  thereof) of and
all accrued but unpaid interest on the Debt Securities of such series (or of all
the Debt  Securities,  as the case  may be) to be due and  payable.  At any time
after a  declaration  of  acceleration  with respect to Debt  Securities  of any
series (or all of the Debt Securities, in case of a default described in clauses
(d),  (e) or (f) above) has been made,  but before a judgment or decree based on
acceleration has been obtained, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of Outstanding  Debt  Securities of that series (or Holders of a majority
in aggregate principal amount of all of the Outstanding Debt Securities, in case
of a default  described  in clauses (d),  (e) or (f) above) may,  under  certain
circumstances,  rescind  and annul  such  acceleration.  (Section  502 of Senior
Indenture,  and Section 5.2 of  Subordinated  Indenture) In certain  cases,  the
Holders of a majority in principal  amount of the outstanding Debt Securities of
any series (or in the case of defaults under clauses (d), (e) and (f) above, the
Holders of a majority in  principal  amount of all the Debt  Securities)  may on
behalf of the Holders of all the Debt  Securities  of any such series (or of all
the Debt Securities,  as the case may be) and any related coupons waive any past
default or event of default except a default not theretofore cured in payment of
the principal of or premium,  if any, or interest on any of the Debt  Securities
of such  series  (or of all the  Debt  Securities,  as the  case may be) and any
related  coupons.  (Section  513  of  Senior  Indenture,  and  Section  5.13  of
Subordinated Indenture)

         The Indenture  contains a provision  entitling the Trustee,  subject to
the duty of the  Trustee  during  default to act with the  required  standard of
care, to be indemnified  by the Holders of the Debt  Securities of any series or
any related  coupons before  proceeding to exercise any right or power under the
Indenture  with respect to such series at the request of such Holders.  (Section
603 of  Senior  Indenture,  and  Section  6.3  of  Subordinated  Indenture)  The
Indenture  provides  that no Holder of any Debt  Securities of any series or any
related coupons may institute any proceeding,  judicial or otherwise, to enforce
such  Indenture,  except among other things,  where the Trustee has, for 60 days
after it is given  notice of  default,  failed to act,  and where there has been
both a request to enforce such  Indenture by the Holders of not less than 25% in
aggregate  principal  amount of the then  outstanding  Debt  Securities  of such
series and an offer of  reasonable  indemnity  to the  Trustee.  (Section 507 of
Senior Indenture, and Section 5.7 of Subordinated Indenture) This provision will
not prevent any Holder of Debt  Securities or any related coupons from enforcing
payment of the principal  thereof and premium,  if any, and interest  thereon at
the respective due dates thereof.  (Section 508 of Senior Indenture, and Section
5.8 of Subordinated  Indenture) The Holders of a majority in aggregate principal
amount of the Debt  Securities  of any series  then  outstanding  may direct the
time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to
the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on it with respect to the
Debt Securities of such series.  (Section 512 of Senior  Indenture,  and Section
5.12 of Subordinated Indenture)

                                       13
<PAGE>

         The Indenture  provides that the Trustee will, within 90 days after the
occurrence of a default with respect to any series of Debt  Securities  known to
it, give to the Holders of Debt Securities of such series notice of such default
if not cured or waived,  but,  except in the case of a default in the payment of
principal of (or premium,  if any),  or interest  on, any Debt  Securities,  the
Trustee shall be protected in  withholding  such notice if it determines in good
faith that the  withholding of such notice is in the interests of the Holders of
such Debt  Securities.  (Section  602 of Senior  Indenture,  and  Section 6.2 of
Subordinated Indenture)

Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets

         The  Company,  without  the  consent  of  the  Holders  of  any  of the
Outstanding Debt Securities  under the Indenture,  may consolidate with or merge
into,  or transfer  or lease its assets  substantially  as an  entirety  to, any
Person  which is a  corporation,  partnership  or trust  organized  and  validly
existing  under the laws of any  domestic  jurisdiction,  or may permit any such
Person to  consolidate  with or merge into the  Company or convey,  transfer  or
lease its  properties  and assets  substantially  as an entirety to the Company,
provided that any successor Person assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt
Securities and under the Indenture,  that after giving effect to the transaction
no Event of Default,  and no event which,  after notice or lapse of time,  would
become an Event of Default,  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing,  and that
certain other conditions are met. (Section 801 of Senior Indenture,  and Section
8.1 of Subordinated Indenture)

         There are no provisions of the  Indenture  which afford  holders of the
Debt  Securities  protection  in the  event  of a highly  leveraged  transaction
involving  the Company.  However,  such a transaction  would require  regulatory
approval and  management of the Company  believes  that such  approval  would be
unlikely in a highly leveraged context.

Discharge and Defeasance

         The Indenture  provides that the Company may specify that, with respect
to the Debt Securities of a certain  series,  it will be discharged from any and
all  obligations  in  respect  of  such  Debt  Securities  (except  for  certain
obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities,  to replace
stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities,  to maintain paying agencies and hold
monies for  payment  in trust  and,  if so  specified  with  respect to the Debt
Securities of a certain  series,  to pay the principal of (and premium,  if any)
and interest,  if any, on such specified Debt  Securities)  upon the irrevocable
deposit with the Trustee, in trust, of money and/or Government Obligations which
through the payment of interest and principal  thereof in accordance  with their
terms will  provide  money in an amount  sufficient  to pay any  installment  of
principal  (and  premium,  if any) and  interest,  if any, on and any  mandatory
sinking fund payments in respect of such Debt  Securities on the stated maturity
of such  payments in  accordance  with the terms of the  Indenture and such Debt
Securities.  If so specified  with respect to the Debt  Securities  of a series,
such a trust may only be  established  if  establishment  of the trust would not
cause the Debt Securities of any such series listed on any nationally recognized
securities  exchange to be de-listed as a result thereof.  Also, if so specified
with respect to a series of Debt Securities,  such establishment of such a trust
may be  conditioned  on the delivery by the Company to the Trustee of an Opinion
of Counsel (who may be counsel to the  Company) to the effect  that,  based upon
applicable  United States  Federal  income tax law or a ruling  published by the
United States Internal Revenue Service, such a defeasance and discharge will not
be deemed,  or result in, a taxable  event with  respect to Holders of such Debt
Securities.  (Section 1301 of Senior Indenture, and Section 13.1 of Subordinated
Indenture)

                                       14
<PAGE>

Subordination

         Unless otherwise  provided in the Prospectus  Supplement (and indicated
in a Board Resolution,  Officer's Certificate or any supplemental indenture with
respect to Offered Debt Securities under the Subordinated  Indenture),  the Debt
Securities  issued  pursuant  to  the  Subordinated   Indenture  will  have  the
subordination  provisions as set forth under this caption  "Subordination".  The
Subordinated  Debt  Securities are subordinate and junior in right of payment to
all Senior  Indebtedness  (as  defined  below) of the Company as provided in the
Indenture.  No payment of principal of  (including  redemption  and sinking fund
payments),  or premium, if any, or interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities
may be made if any  Senior  Indebtedness  is not paid when due,  any  applicable
grace  period with  respect to such  default has ended and such  default has not
been cured or waived,  or if the  maturity of any Senior  Indebtedness  has been
accelerated  because  of a  default.  Upon any  payment  by the  Company  or any
distribution  of  assets  of the  Company  to  creditors  upon any  dissolution,
winding-up,  liquidation or reorganization,  whether voluntary or involuntary or
in bankruptcy,  insolvency,  receivership or other proceedings, all principal of
and  premium,  if any,  and  interest  due on or to become  due on,  all  Senior
Indebtedness  must be paid in full before the holders of the  Subordinated  Debt
Securities  are  entitled  to receive or retain any  payment.  The rights of the
holders of the Subordinated  Debt Securities will be subrogated to the rights of
the  holders  of  Senior  Indebtedness  to  receive  payments  or  distributions
applicable to Senior  Indebtedness  until all amounts owing on the  Subordinated
Debt  Securities are paid in full.  (Sections  16.1 to 16.4 of the  Subordinated
Indenture)

         The term "Senior Indebtedness" shall mean the principal of and premium,
if any,  interest on and any other payment due pursuant to any of the following,
whether  outstanding at the date of execution of the  Subordinated  Indenture or
thereafter  incurred,  created or assumed:  (a) all  indebtedness of the Company
evidenced by notes,  debentures,  bonds or other  securities sold by the Company
for  money;  (b) all  indebtedness  of  others  of the  kinds  described  in the
preceding clause (a) assumed by or guaranteed in any manner by the Company or in
effect guaranteed by the Company; and (c) all renewals, extensions or refundings
of indebtedness  of the kinds  described in any of the preceding  clause (a) and
(b) unless, in the case of any particular  indebtedness,  renewal,  extension or
refunding,  the instrument  creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or
guarantee  of the same  expressly  provides  that  such  indebtedness,  renewal,
extension  or  refunding is not superior in right of payment to or is pari passu
with  the  Subordinated  Debt  Securities.  (Section  1.1  of  the  Subordinated
Indenture)

Concerning the Trustees

         Harris Trust and Savings Bank acts as Trustee for the  Company's  First
and Refunding  Mortgage Bonds.  The Company  maintains bank deposits with Harris
Trust and Savings  Bank and intends to borrow  money from such bank from time to
time.

         The First  National  Bank of Chicago acts as Trustee for certain of the
Company's  Pollution Control Bonds. The Company maintains bank deposits with The
First  National  Bank of Chicago and intends to borrow money from such bank from
time to time.


                                       15
<PAGE>

                  LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE OF BEARER SECURITIES

         In compliance with United States Federal tax laws and  regulations,  in
general Bearer  Securities may not be offered or sold during a restricted period
to a person within the United States or its possessions or to or for the account
or benefit of a United States person.  However,  subject to certain restrictions
and limitations,  offers or sales may be made to (i) the United States office of
an international  organization (as defined in Section 7701(a) (18) of the United
States  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986,  as  amended  (the  "Code")  and  the
regulations thereunder), (ii) the United States office of a foreign central bank
(as defined in Section 895 of the Code and the regulations thereunder) and (iii)
United States persons that are (a) foreign  branches of United States  financial
institutions   (as  defined  in  United  States  Treasury   Regulation   Section
1.165-12(c)(1)(v)  ("financial  institutions")),  which are purchasing for their
own  account  or for  resale,  or (b)  persons  that  acquire  and  hold  Bearer
Securities  through a foreign  branch of a U.S.  financial  institution,  and in
either case, such financial  institution  agrees to comply with the requirements
of Section  165(j)(3)(A),  (B) or (C) of the Code.  Definitive Bearer Securities
will not be delivered during the same restricted period within the United States
and will not be delivered in any event unless the beneficial owner of the Bearer
Securities   provides  the  required   certification  as  to  non-United  States
beneficial  ownership.  The  restricted  period for these purposes is the period
beginning  upon the  earlier of the issue date of any Bearer  Securities  or the
date on which such Bearer  Securities are first offered and ending 40 days after
such issue date or later date in the case of any unsold  original  allotment  or
subscription.

         Bearer  Securities will bear the following  legend on their face and on
any interest  coupons which may be detached  therefrom or, if the  obligation is
evidenced  by a book  entry,  in the book of record  in which the book  entry is
made:  "Any United  States person who holds this  obligation  will be subject to
limitations  under the United States income tax laws,  including the limitations
provided in Sections  165(j) and 1287(a) of the United States  Internal  Revenue
Code".  The Sections  referred to in such legend  provide  that a United  States
person  who holds a Bearer  Security  will not be  allowed  to  deduct  any loss
realized on the sale,  exchange or  redemption  of such Bearer  Security and any
gain (which might otherwise be characterized as capital gain) recognized on such
sale, exchange or redemption will be treated as ordinary income.

         As used herein,  "United  States  person" means an individual  who is a
citizen or resident of the United States,  a  corporation,  partnership or other
entity  created or  organized  in or under the laws of the United  States or any
political  subdivision  thereof,  or any  estate or trust the income of which is
subject to United States Federal income taxation regardless of its source.

                                     EXPERTS

         The  consolidated  financial  statements  and related  schedules of the
Company incorporated by reference in this Prospectus have been audited by Arthur
Andersen LLP, independent public accountants, as indicated in their reports with
respect thereto,  and are included herein in reliance upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing in giving said reports.

                                       16
<PAGE>

                           VALIDITY OF DEBT SECURITIES

      The validity of the Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by
Bryant C. Danner,  Executive Vice President and General  Counsel,  or Kenneth S.
Stewart,  Assistant General Counsel, of the Company, and for any underwriters by
Gibson,  Dunn & Crutcher  LLP, 333 South Grand Avenue,  Los Angeles,  California
90071.  As to matters  governed  by  Arizona,  Nevada and New Mexico  law,  such
counsel may rely,  as necessary,  upon  opinions of Snell & Wilmer,  One Arizona
Center,   Phoenix,   Arizona  85004,   Jeppson  &  Lee,  a  Nevada  professional
corporation,  100 West Liberty Street, Suite 990, Reno, Nevada 89501, and Rodey,
Dickason,  Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A., a New Mexico professional  corporation,  20
First Plaza, Suite 700, Albuquerque,  New Mexico 87103, respectively.  As to all
matters  governed by New York law, Mr. Danner or Mr.  Stewart will rely upon the
opinion of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP.

      The statements of law and legal conclusions under the caption "Regulation"
in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  December
31, 1994,  which is  incorporated  by reference  in this  Prospectus,  have been
reviewed by Mr. Danner and Mr. Stewart and have been  incorporated  by reference
in this Prospectus upon the authority of such counsel.

      Mr. Danner and Mr. Stewart are salaried employees of the Company and share
in the benefits accruing to such employees.  As of December 31, 1995, Mr. Danner
and Mr. Stewart had a direct or indirect  interest in 102,435 and 12,982 shares,
respectively,  of the common stock of the Company's parent  corporation,  Edison
International. These shares include those credited and conditionally credited to
their accounts as of such date with the trustees of the Company's Employee Stock
Ownership  and Stock  Savings  Plus  Plans and with the agent for the  Company's
Dividend Reinvestment and Stock Purchase Plan.

      From time to time, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP performs legal services for
the Company and its affiliates relating to special matters.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The  Company may sell Debt  Securities  to or through  underwriters  or
dealers  and also may sell  Debt  Securities  directly  to other  purchasers  or
through agents.

         The  distribution  of the Debt  Securities may be effected from time to
time in one or more  transactions  at a fixed  price  or  prices,  which  may be
changed,  or at market prices  prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related
to such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

         In  connection  with  the  sale of Debt  Securities,  underwriters  may
receive  compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Debt Securities for
whom  they  may  act  as  agents  in  the  form  of  discounts,  concessions  or
commissions.   Underwriters,   dealers  and  agents  that   participate  in  the
distribution  of Debt  Securities  may be  deemed  to be  underwriters,  and any
discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on the
resale of Debt Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and
commissions under the Securities Act. Any such person who may be deemed to be an
underwriter  will be  identified,  and any such  compensation  received from the
Company will be described, in the Prospectus Supplement.

         The Debt  Securities may or may not be listed on a national  securities
exchange.  There can be no  assurance  that  there will be a market for the Debt
Securities.

                                       17
<PAGE>

         Under   agreements   which  may  be  entered   into  by  the   Company,
underwriters,  dealers and agents who  participate in the  distribution  of Debt
Securities may be entitled to  indemnification  by the Company  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

         Each underwriter, dealer and agent participating in the distribution of
any Offered Debt Securities which are issuable in bearer form will agree that it
will not offer,  sell or deliver  Offered Debt  Securities in bearer form within
the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons
(other  than  qualifying  financial  institutions,  (i) until 40 days  after the
settlement  date  or (ii) at any  time if the  obligation  is held as part of an
unsold allotment or subscription (the "Restricted Period").

         If  so  indicated  in  the  Prospectus  Supplement,  the  Company  will
authorize  underwriters  or other  persons  acting  as the  Company's  agents to
solicit  offers by certain  institutions  to purchase Debt  Securities  from the
Company  pursuant to  contracts  providing  for payment and delivery on a future
date.  Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and
savings  banks,  insurance  companies,   pension  funds,  investment  companies,
educational  and  charitable  institutions  and  others,  but in all cases  such
institutions  must be approved by the Company.  The obligations of any purchaser
under any such contract  will be subject to the  condition  that the purchase of
the Offered  Debt  Securities  shall not at the time of  delivery be  prohibited
under the laws of the  jurisdiction  to which such  purchaser  is  subject.  The
underwriters and such other agents will not have any  responsibility  in respect
of the validity or performance of such contracts.

<PAGE>


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                       SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON COMPANY





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