SAN DIEGO, March 8, 2007 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is beginning its second year of greatly expanded rebates for food-service equipment.  New this year are rebates for natural gas and electric large vat fryers as well as gas single- and double-rack ovens.  SDG&E is working to add more qualifying equipment to its existing rebate categories for commercial food-service equipment. 

        "We want more restaurants and other commercial food-service businesses to benefit from energy efficiency," said Mark Gaines, director of customer programs for SDG&E.  "The rebates offer significant savings on new equipment, and participants save even more money by using less energy."

        SDG&E offers the following commercial food-service rebates on qualifying equipment:

            Gas rack ovens, single or double:                    $1,000 - $2,000
            Gas and electric large vat fryers:                     $200 - $750 
            Gas and electric fryers:                                    $200 - $750           
            Gas and electric griddles:                                 $125 - $600
            Gas and electric combination ovens:                $750 - $2,000
            Gas and electric convection ovens:                  $350 - $700
            Gas and electric steamer cookers:                   $750 - $1,500
            Ice machines:                                                  $300 - $1,000
            Solid and glass door reach-in refrigerators:     $75 - $400
            Solid door freezers:                                         $100 - $300
            Holding cabinets:                                             $200 - $600

        SDG&E’s list of qualifying products includes more than 300 models from about 50 different manufacturers.  For details, visit www.sdge.com/foodservice and click on the "list of qualifying equipment" link.

        Food-service customers also can benefit from SDG&E’s rebates on more than 100 other energy-efficient measures including compact and linear fluorescent lamps and fixtures, refrigeration door gaskets, and commercial water heaters.

        Additionally, SDG&E is offering several free energy-efficiency seminars this year at the San Diego Energy Resource Center.  Topics include food-service, lighting, heating and air conditioning, and new technologies.  Visit www.sdge.com/training to find out more.  SDG&E also offers free energy audits for commercial customers that provide an in-depth look at their energy consumption and steps they can take to save energy, including applicable rebates.   Customers can call (800)-644-6133 to schedule an audit appointment.

        More information on SDG&E’s food-service programs, services and rebates, is available by contacting an Energy Information Center representative at (800) 644-6133, by visiting www.sdge.com/foodservice, or by sending an e-mail with general inquiries to Foodservice@SempraUtilities.com.

        Rebates are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available.  These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by SDG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.  The programs are open to customers on a valid commercial and industrial rate and the programs may be modified or terminated without prior notice.

        SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 825,000 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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