SAN DIEGO, Sept. 7, 2010 – Starting today, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) customers will receive new bills that are designed to be easier to read and understand.
 
        “Our goal with this redesign effort is to help our customers better understand the charges on their SDG&E bill, so they can more effectively manage their energy usage on a monthly basis,” said Caroline A. Winn, vice president of customer services for SDG&E.

        The re-designed bills were developed based on input from a broad range of stakeholders, including SDG&E customers, the California Public Utilities Commission’s Consumer Services and Information Division and the Division of Ratepayer Advocates, as well as consumer advocacy groups, such as Disability Rights Advocates and the Utility Consumers’ Action Network.
 
        The new SDG&E bill design includes a number of enhancements:
        • Improved appearance and larger paper size for reading ease;
        • Easier-to-find account information, including account number, bill amount, payment due date, and receipt of previous month’s payment;
        • Enhanced graphics for easy comparison of energy usage for a 13-month period;
        • More prominent contact information for SDG&E;
        • A clearer and more detailed breakdown of charges;
        • And, new front-page message section highlighting key billing details and information.
 
        Bills will continue to be printed on recycled paper stock and billing envelopes are made with recycled paper.  The new bills will not affect customers’ current billing cycle, payment due date or rates.

        Customers enrolled in paperless billing also will see the new bill design online, starting today.

        To help smooth the transition to the new format, SDG&E is including new reference fact sheets in this month’s bill for residential and business customers.  More information is available at www.sdge.com/yourbill.  Additionally, residential customers can call SDG&E at (800) 411-7343 and business customers can call (800)-336-7343 with any questions about the new bill.

        SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 840,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties.  The utility’s area spans 4,100 square miles.  SDG&E is committed to creating ways to help our customers save energy and money every day.  SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego.

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