SAN DIEGO, Oct. 5, 2006 – San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E) Palomar Energy Center has earned “Honorable Mention” from Environmental Protection magazine, which recognizes power plants with exemplary environmental practices and records.

        In its September 2006 issue, the magazine’s “Five Facilities of the Year” list highlighted Palomar Energy Center as a “state-of-the-art power plant that produces 45 percent more electricity than older facilities that use the same amount of natural gas.”

        J. Bret Lane, vice president of environmental, safety & facilities for SDG&E, said that, “We are pleased that Palomar Energy Center has been recognized by Environmental Protection magazine. The facility, built to operate with minimal environmental impact, provided critical energy to meet our customers’ needs during this summer’s heat storm. The timing was perfect.”
 
        Palomar Energy Center is the first new large gas-fired energy center to be built in San Diego in more than 30 years. The 550-megawatt energy center supplies enough power for approximately 360,000 homes.

        San Diego Gas & Electric is a full-service energy utility that currently serves 3.4 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 825,000 natural gas meters. The utility’s service area spans 4,100 square miles and serves customers in more than 125 communities from Southern Orange County to the Mexican border.  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.  To learn more, go to www.sdge.com.

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