LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2007 – Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company) will honor actor Ed Begley Jr. with its first-ever “Energy-Efficiency Champion Award,” recognizing his years of efforts to promote the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency.

        Anne Shen Smith, The Gas Company’s senior vice president of customer services, will present the award at the company’s Energy-Efficiency Expo, April 17 in Downey, Calif., raising awareness of The Gas Company’s record $10 million in energy-efficiency rebates and incentives available to Southern California businesses this year – the highest level of funding for such programs ever. 

        “Ed Begley Jr. is someone who not only speaks out for energy efficiency but also walks the talk,” Smith said. 

        “I’ve tried to prove that energy efficiency is not only possible but practical,” Begley said about the upcoming award.  “My investments in energy-efficient appliances and other measures often pay me back many times over.”

        Known as “the greenest man in Tinseltown,” Begley has been supporting energy-efficiency and environmental issues for almost 40 years.  He arrives at Hollywood events on his bicycle, serves as chairman of the Environmental Media Association, and even produces his own line of environmentally friendly cleaning products. 

        Begley’s most recent support for energy efficiency came earlier this year through his starring role in the eco-reality TV series “Living with Ed.”  The HGTV program chronicled daily life in Begley’s energy-efficient home, which features energy-saving appliances, a wind turbine, solar panels, a solar oven and even an exercise bicycle that generates electricity. 

        The Energy-Efficiency Champion Award will be manufactured from 100 percent post-consumer recycled wood and glass.

        The Gas Company’s Energy Efficiency Expo is a forum to help businesses take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency.  Jack Kyser, senior vice president and chief economist for the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC), will be the keynote speaker.  Businesses interested in registering for the expo can call (800) 427-6584 and press Option 1 or register online at www.socalgas.com/erc.

        To learn more about The Gas Company’s energy-efficiency programs, visit www.socalgas.com/energyefficiency.

        The Gas Company is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.1 million consumers through 5.6 million meters.  The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California.  The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community.  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 with 2006 revenues of nearly $12 billion.  To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.

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