LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2008 – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2008 ENERGY STAR “Leadership in Housing” Award for the utility’s contribution to energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home construction.

        “Energy efficiency has enormous benefits for both our customers and the environment,” said Hal Snyder, vice president of customer programs for The Gas Company.  “This recognition from the Environmental Protection Agency underscores our commitment to helping our customers reduce their energy costs while also being environmentally responsible.”

        Since 2002, The Gas Company has sponsored more than 1,000 ENERGY STAR homes.  Collectively, these homes will save Gas Company customers approximately $450,000 on their utility bills and, according to the EPA, improve air quality by the equivalent of 500 fewer motor vehicles on the road or planting 800 acres of trees.

        Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR qualification must be at least 15-percent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2001 International Residential Code and include features such as effective insulation, high-performance windows, tight construction and ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and ENERGY STAR-qualified lighting and appliances.

        “ENERGY STAR-qualified homes are better homes that cost less to own, protect our environment, reduce our reliance on imported energy and improve our economy,” said Sam Rashkin, national director of ENERGY STAR for Homes. “Leadership in Housing award recipients are making a meaningful difference at this critical time in our country’s history.”

        ENERGY STAR is growing strong in the residential new construction market, with a total of nearly 840,000 ENERGY STAR-qualified homes built nationwide. Owners of these homes are saving more than $200 million annually on their utility bills.

        ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.  Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficient solutions to save energy, money and help protect the environment for future generations.  More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGY STAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency of products, homes, buildings and businesses. For more information about ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov.

        Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years.  It is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.3 million consumers through 5.7 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  The Gas Company 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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