SAN DIEGO, Feb. 9, 2006 – With warmer-than-normal weather in January dampening demand nationwide and resulting in reduced commodity costs, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today said customers will see lower energy bills in coming months than previously projected.

        Last fall, SDG&E had advised customers that, due to the increased cost of natural gas nationwide, combined energy bills would be about 20 percent to 30 percent higher than the previous year.  Warmer weather has driven down the cost of natural gas reducing winter energy bills from earlier estimates.

        The typical SDG&E residential monthly energy bill for a single-family home using 50 therms of natural gas and 500 kWh is expected to average between $145 and $157 this winter as compared with $126 last year.  Small to medium-sized businesses should also expect to pay about 15 percent to 20 percent more for natural gas this winter as compared with last year.
 
        Although gas prices are not as high as previously predicted, the utility warned that the costs are still higher than last year.  If there’s a cold snap in February or March, prices could rise again.

        SDG&E offers a number of energy-efficiency rebates on qualifying appliances and home improvements to help reduce natural gas consumption in the home and business.  Assistance programs also are available for qualifying limited-income customers.  For more information on these and bill-assistance programs, visit SDG&E’s Website at www.sdge.com or by call SDG&E at (800) 411-SDGE (7343).

        SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region’s quality of life.  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.

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