SAN DIEGO, June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its 2012 Environmental Champions Initiative, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it will contribute $1 million to local environmental non-profit organizations in San Diego County and south Orange County.

SDG&E is welcoming proposals from non-profit environmental organizations for programs that engage and educate young people in the community as stewards of the environment in the areas of ecosystem awareness, environmental conservation, and energy and water efficiency.

Winning organizations can receive up to $25,000 for individual projects and up to $50,000 for collaborative projects with partner environmental non-profit organizations. This initiative is limited to environmental education and community engagement programs administered in SDG&E's territory.

"The San Diego region is home to hundreds of non-profit organizations whose programs engage kids and communities in our local environment. SDG&E is proud to partner with many of these non-profits in support of our shared commitment to the environment and environmental stewardship," said Pedro Villegas, director of community relations for SDG&E. "Through support of our partner non-profit organizations, we also seek to provide underserved communities with access to environmental education and engagement programs, access that may not be available otherwise."

Organizations will have an opportunity to submit their applications until July 27. Preference will be given to environmental programs that target one or more of the following areas: natural resource conservation and protection, habitat preservation and restoration, energy efficiency, and waste/recycling. SDG&E plans to announce the winners in September.

SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 850,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The utility's area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help our customers save energy and money every day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. 

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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric