SAN DIEGO, June 7, 2006 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today hosted the inaugural Energy Showcase 2006 to provide business leaders information on new and expanded energy rebate and incentive programs, showcase energy-saving technology advancements and recognize local businesses with the first-ever Excellence in Energy Savings awards. 

        “Our energy-efficiency programs offer more for business customers than ever before and the Energy Showcase 2006 is the perfect forum to communicate these benefits,” said Anne Smith, SDG&E’s senior vice president, customer services.  “We have added new programs like the Small Business Super Saver program, which will help businesses afford new, energy-efficient equipment that lowers operating costs, enhances comfort and contributes to a cleaner environment.  We also have extended eligibility for our existing programs to all of our commercial and industrial customers and increased some of our key rebates.”

        In addition to presentations from experts about how their businesses might benefit from the rebates and incentives offered, more than 300 attendees browsed through an exhibitor pavilion to see energy-efficient lighting and refrigeration equipment, solar applications and other energy-saving technology at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel. 

        The keynote speaker of the half-day expo, San Diego Daily Transcript executive editor and media personality George Chamberlin, discussed how companies can gain the competitive advantage in the marketplace through assessing their energy infrastructure and outlays, then utilizing the appropriate programs to control costs.

        The highlight of the event was the recognition of customers who have made energy management a priority with the first-ever Excellence in Energy Savings awards.  University of California, San Diego (UCSD), The U.S. Navy, Siemens Building Technologies, Westfield Shoppingtown and Windmill Farms were recognized as Excellence in Energy Savings Champions.

        “We want our commercial and industrial customers to think of energy efficiency as a critical business issue and to look to SDG&E for help in finding valuable solutions,” said Smith.  “Our rebates reduce the initial cost of energy-efficient equipment and customers save even more through reduced operating expenses year after year. 

        “We’re pleased to acknowledge the Excellence in Energy Savings award winners for utilizing our programs in their efforts to save energy, benefiting not only their bottom line but everyone in the region.”

        Here are some examples of the honorees’ energy-saving accomplishments:

           • UCSD has completed more than 30 new construction and major renovation projects through the Savings by Design program, qualifying for more than $1.4 million in incentives resulting in more than $650,000 in annual energy savings.

           • The U.S. Navy utilizes several energy-efficiency programs like Energy Savings Bid, Standard Performance Contract and Savings by Design to help implement tremendous cost savings and reach their goal of 35 percent reduction in energy usage.

           • Siemens Building Technologies helps customers improve energy costs, reliability and performance while minimizing the impact to the environment.  Siemens participates in SDG&E’s Energy Savings Bid and Standard Performance Contract programs helping save San Diego customers approximately $750,000 while saving 7 million kilowatt hours of electricity. 

           • Westfield Shoppingtown completed lighting retrofits at six shopping centers, replacing inefficient incandescent and sodium lighting with ceramic metal halides, saving 5.6 million kilowatt hours of electricity and resulting in a 565.2 kilowatt demand reduction.

           •   Windmill Farms is a leader in energy efficiency having installed compact fluorescent lights, night curtains for refrigerated display cases, strip curtains at entrances of walk-in refrigerators and freezers and multiplex compressor systems.  They have cut total electricity use by 30 percent, saving more than $40,000 per year.

 Companies recognized as Excellence in Energy Savings Honorees were Anderson Travel, Camp Pendleton and American Lighting Supply.

        The companies honored utilized many of the rebates and incentives administered by SDG&E, including:  

           • The Small Business Super Saver rebate program – a retrofit program administered by SDG&E to help business customers off-set the cost of making energy-efficiency improvements that help reduce operating costs. 

           • Express Efficiency – a program where businesses can earn cash back, up to $350,000, for making energy-efficiency improvements that help reduce operating costs.

           • Standard Performance Contract – a statewide program offering incentives for documented energy savings achieved by installing specific energy-efficiency measures. 

           • Energy Savings Bid – provides financial incentives for customers who install qualifying new, high-efficiency equipment at their business.

           •  Peak Day 20/20 and Critical Peak Pricing – provide rebates and incentives for reducing electricity use on critical days, which helps to lessen the overall demand for energy and lowers the potential for outages.

        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 SDG&E under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

        For more information on these programs, businesses can log on to www.sdge.com/business, contact their SDG&E representative, or call toll-free (800) 644-6143 (7343).

        SDG&E 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.

###