GREENVILLE, S.C., Sept. 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), today announced that it has established a new regional headquarters in Greenville, S.C. 

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The office will support existing natural gas operations, as well as lead new business development throughout the Southeast region with a focus on energy infrastructure and services. Approximately 40 employees are expected to be based in Greenville.

"It's a great day in South Carolina when we can welcome a world-class energy company like Sempra U.S. Gas & Power to the Palmetto State. We celebrate the company's decision to open a regional headquarters in Greenville and create 40 new jobs. Announcements like this one show we are on the right track with our economic development efforts," said Gov. Nikki Haley.

"Expanding our natural gas business in the Southeast is a strategic priority as consumer and industrial demand for this clean, reliable fuel continues to rapidly grow," said Mike Gallagher, regional president of natural gas for Sempra U.S. Gas & Power.  "Basing our natural gas operations in Greenville brings us closer to our existing customers and positions the company to take better advantage of the evolving market opportunities in the region."

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power companies currently operate two natural gas distribution utilities in Alabama and Mississippi, along with natural gas pipelines and more than 30 billion cubic feet of underground natural gas storage throughout the Gulf Coast.  It has more than 2,100 megawatts of natural gas, solar and wind generation operating or under construction in the U.S.  Sempra subsidiaries also operate a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and are permitting a new liquefaction facility in Louisiana with a total export capability of 12 million tons per annum of LNG, or approximately 1.7 Bcf per day.

"South Carolina has a growing and diverse energy sector and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's decision to locate operations in Greenville builds on that. Every one of these new jobs will have impact in Greenville and we look forward to Sempra's success here in the Palmetto State," said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt.

"Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's decision to establish a regional headquarters here is further evidence of the quality economic environment provided to organizations seeking to locate or expand in this area," said Greenville Area Development Corporation Chairman Chris Riley. "This is a progressive and respected company known across America for its innovation and technology. Their selection of Greenville County validates that we continue on the right path in our corporate recruiting initiatives."

"The decision by Sempra U.S. Gas & Power to locate in the heart of downtown Greenville proves that quality companies will seek out the right environment in which to grow and thrive," said City of Greenville Mayor Knox White. "Sempra will be a valued and appreciated member of our community, and we're pleased to welcome them here."

About Sempra U.S. Gas & Power

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC is a leading developer of renewable energy and natural gas solutions.  The company operates solar, wind and natural gas power plants that generate enough electricity for nearly 1 million homes, along with natural gas storage and pipelines, and distribution utilities. Sempra U.S. Gas & Power is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2011 revenues of $10 billion.  The Sempra Energy companies' nearly 17,500 employees serve about 31 million consumers worldwide.  For more information, visit www.SempraUSGP.com.

This press release contains statements that are not historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements can be identified by words like "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "potential," "target," "outlook", "depends," "pursue" or similar expressions, or discussions of guidance, strategies, plans, goals, initiatives, objectives or intentions.  Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance.  They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions.  Future results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon various assumptions involving judgments with respect to the future and other risks, including, among others: local, regional, national and international economic, competitive, political, legislative and regulatory conditions and developments; actions by the California Public Utilities Commission, California State Legislature, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Department of Energy, Nuclear Regulatory Commission, California Energy Commission, California Air Resources Board, and other regulatory, governmental and environmental bodies in the United States and other countries where the company does business; capital market conditions, including the availability of credit and the liquidity of investments; inflation, interest and exchange rates; the impact of benchmark interest rates, generally the U.S. Treasury bond and Moody's A-rated utility bond yields, on the California utilities' cost of capital; the timing and success of business development efforts and construction, maintenance and capital projects, including risks inherent in the ability to obtain, and the timing of the granting of, permits, licenses, certificates and other authorizations; energy markets, including the timing and extent of changes and volatility in commodity prices; the availability of electric power, natural gas and liquefied natural gas, including disruptions caused by failures in the North American transmission grid, pipeline explosions and equipment failures; weather conditions, natural disasters, catastrophic accidents, and conservation efforts; risks inherent in nuclear power generation and radioactive materials storage, including catastrophic release of such materials; risks posed by decisions and actions of third parties who control the operations of investments in which the company does not have a controlling interest; wars, terrorist attacks and cyber security threats; business, regulatory, environmental and legal decisions and requirements; expropriation of assets by foreign governments and title and other property disputes; the status of deregulation of retail natural gas and electricity delivery; the inability or determination not to enter into long-term supply and sales agreements or long-term firm capacity agreements; the resolution of litigation; and other uncertainties, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the company.  These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that Sempra Energy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on the company's website at www.sempra.com.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forecasts or projections or other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC is not the same company as the utility, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission.

SOURCE Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC