LOS ANGELES, Jan. 17, 2007– Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company) will pay up to $3.7 million in rebates this year to residential customers who buy energy-efficient natural gas appliances – an increase of $1.1 million over last year.

        “Our increased funding helps meet the state of California’s Energy Action Plan, which gives top priority to energy-efficiency and energy-saving programs for meeting the state’s increasing demand for energy,” said Mark Gaines, The Gas Company’s director of customer programs.

        The Gas Company currently offers the following rebates for qualifying energy-efficient residential natural gas appliances:

           Energy Star® furnaces:   up to $200

           Clothes washers:     $35

           Dishwashers:     $30

           Storage water heaters:    $30

           Attic/wall insulation:   $0.15 per square foot

        Last year, The Gas Company made it easier to receive rebates through its “Instant Rebate” program, which lets residential customers receive their rebates instantly at the check-out counter instead of filling out an application and waiting six to eight weeks.  Instant rebates are available again this year for qualifying clothes washers, dishwashers and water heaters sold at The Home Depot, Snyder Diamond, L & D Appliance, and South Bay Appliance.  Visit socalgas.com/residential/savemoney/instant.shtml for more information.

        “Energy efficiency has become a major issue in California and elsewhere because it helps meet a variety of critical needs,” Gaines said.  “It does more than save money for energy users – it helps meet our future energy needs by preserving precious resources, stimulates our economy and protects the environment.”

        The Gas Company’s energy-efficiency programs for business and residential customers in 2006-08 have a goal of saving about 58 million therms of natural gas – enough energy to serve about 107,000 homes for a year.

        All rebates and incentives are subject to change without notice and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available.  These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by The Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

        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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