SAN DIEGO, June 25, 2008 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is encouraging customers to prepare for the summer by trading in their old incandescent light bulbs for new energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs at the utility’s upcoming light bulb exchange events.  Guests can see a free movie in a park or receive two-for-one tickets to Birch Aquarium’s “Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge” exhibit.

        “Compact fluorescent bulbs produce 75-percent less heat and use 75-percent less energy, but last 10 times longer,” said Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for SDG&E.  “This means our customers will save money and energy and help the environment.”  

        Customers each can exchange up to five light bulbs per event.  SDG&E will safely dispose of the old light bulbs.

        The summer light bulb exchange event schedule is:

        Thursday, June 26
        6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (movie begins at 8:30 p.m.)  
        San Diego Movies in the Park:  “Horton Hears a Who”
        Spring Valley Park, 8735 Jamacha Blvd., Spring Valley

        Saturday, June 28
        6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  (movie begins at 8:30 p.m.)  
        San Diego Movies in the Park: “Shark Tale”
        Las Posas Park, 1287 W. Borden Rd., San Marcos


        Saturday, July 19
        light bulb and torchiere lamp exchange (two lamps per family per year)
        11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
        Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

        Friday, Aug. 1
        6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (movie begins at 8:30 p.m.)   
        San Diego Movies in the Park: “E.T.”
        Kimball Park, 12th Street at D Avenue, National City

        Saturday, Aug. 16
        light bulb and torchiere lamp exchange (two lamps per family per year)
        11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
        Birch Aquarium at Scripps, 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla

        More information on “San Diego Movies in the Park” is available at www.sdmoviesinthepark.com;  on SDG&E light bulb exchanges, at www.sdge.com/residential; on Birch Aquarium light-bulb exchange events, at http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Exhibits/Feeling_the_Heat/Light_Bulb_Exchanges/

        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 subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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