SAN DIEGO, Dec. 18, 2008 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) took a major step toward realizing its vision for a greener and more reliable energy future in San Diego with final approval today by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for the Sunrise Powerlink electric-transmission line.

        In a 4-1 vote, the CPUC identified the Sunrise Powerlink as the key solution to ensuring the region’s electric reliability and for providing access to a new market of potentially rich renewable energy supplies being developed east of San Diego in the Imperial Valley.

        “The CPUC’s approval of the Sunrise Powerlink today will help pave the way toward achieving the state’s aggressive environmental and energy policy goals,” said Debra L. Reed, president and chief executive officer of SDG&E.   “Reliable transmission infrastructure is critically needed to reinforce the region’s electric system and to open up new avenues for delivering green energy to our customers.” 

        The permitting process for the Sunrise Powerlink project was the most comprehensive ever completed for a power line in California history.

        SDG&E now will finalize engineering and design on the project, procure equipment and then commence construction on the 120-mile Sunrise Powerlink.  With completion expected in 2012, the $1.9 billion power line will be able to deliver as many as 1,000 megawatts of clean, green energy. 

        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 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region’s quality of life.  SDG&E is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).  Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company. 

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