LOS ANGELES, Jan. 18, 2007 – Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) has increased its funding for rebates on energy-efficient commercial food-service equipment this year to a record $330,000 – more than three times what it paid out in 2006.

        “We want more restaurants and other commercial food-service businesses to benefit from energy efficiency,” said Mark Gaines, The Gas Company’s director of customer programs.  “The rebates offer significant savings on new equipment, and participants save even more money by using less fuel.”

        The company offers the following commercial foodservice rebates on qualifying equipment:

           Double rack ovens:          $2,000
 
           Single rack ovens:           $1,000

           Combination ovens:           $750

           Pressureless steamers:     $750

           Large vat fryers:                $500

           High-efficiency fryers:        $500

           Convection ovens:            $500

           Griddles:                           $125

        Customers making multiple purchases of this equipment can receive rebates of up to $25,000 per account per year.

        The Gas Company recently made the program even more flexible by expanding the number of qualifying pieces of equipment from 30 to more than 120.  To find qualifying equipment models, visit www.socalgas.com/energyefficiency and click on “commercial food service rebates.”

        Food-service customers can also benefit from The Gas Company’s rebates on energy-efficient boilers, commercial water heaters and other equipment.  And The Gas Company is also offering 20 free energy-efficiency seminars this year at its Food Service Equipment Center in Downey.  Visit www.socalgas.com/erc to find out more.

        “The Gas Company’s rebates encouraged us to move ahead with new energy-efficiency projects,” said Cade Zimmerman, assistant director of engineering at the Hyatt Regency Orange County.   “Several months ago, we received $2,000 in rebates for new convection ovens, which will save us at least $500 a year in energy costs.  Then The Gas Company gave us another $2,750 in rebates for new water heaters.  The savings can really add up.” 

        The Gas Company has a three-year goal of saving about 58 million natural gas therms, which is enough energy to serve about 107,000 homes for a year.

        Rebates are provided on a first-come, first-served basis until program funds are no longer available.  This program is funded by California utility customers and administered by The Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.  The program is open to food-service customers of The Gas Company, and it may be modified or terminated without prior notice.

        The Gas Company is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.8 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.

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