SAN DIEGO, June 5, 2005 – Sempra Energy today announced it has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to 33 children of its employees.  The annual scholarship program is part of the company’s commitment to furthering education in the communities in which it does business.

        “The Sempra Energy scholarship program recognizes academic achievement and character,” said Joyce Rowland, senior vice president of human resources at Sempra Energy.  “We’re awarding scholarships again this year as a way of partnering with our communities and improving the quality of life for young people with high potential.”

        From 132 applicants this year, Sempra Energy awarded the scholarships based on both academic and non-academic criteria.  The company considered grade point average, rank in class and test scores, as well as leadership, community involvement, work experience, extra-curricular activities, educational aspirations, career goals and educators’ appraisals.

        Including this year’s winners, more than $1.2 million has been awarded to 240 employees’ children since the program began in 1999.

        The students who received the awards will use scholarship funds for tuition and fees, room and board, books and required equipment at a college or university.  They also may use the funds to pursue a trade such as computer programming, auto mechanics, welding, pipe-fitting or any other profession at an accredited vocational or technical school. 

        The winners of the grand prize scholarship of $16,000 include: James Dolezal of Sugarland, Texas; Jenna McDermitt of Ramona, Calif.; Christopher Mumford of Castaic, Calif.; Emma Strong of La Jolla, Calif.; Jessica Tsai and Nathan Whitaker, both of San Diego; and Rachelpenina Whitmore-Bard of Chicago.

        Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2005 revenues of $11.7 billion.  The Sempra Energy companies’ 14,000 employees serve more than 29 million consumers in the United States, Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and Asia.

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