SAN DIEGO, March 23, 2010 – For the second consecutive year, Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) has earned recognition in the Energy & Utilities sector for the company’s ethical business practices and initiatives on the Ethisphere Institute’s 2010 “World’s Most Ethical Companies” list.

        Ethisphere Institute – an international think-tank on business ethics – conducted a rigorous evaluation of more than 10,000 companies in 36 industries, reviewing numerous criteria, including: organizational health and culture; ethics and compliance programs and initiatives; corporate governance systems; corporate citizenship and social responsibility initiatives; environmental performance; legal and regulatory track record; and third-party perception, among others. 

        “We are pleased to be recognized for our ethical practices by the Ethisphere Institute for the second consecutive year,” said G. Joyce Rowland, senior vice president of human resources and chief ethics officer for Sempra Energy.  “At Sempra Energy, being an ethical, respectful and responsible partner is part of our core values.  These values define who we are and how we do business, wherever we operate.”

        “Sempra Energy’s promotion of a sound ethical environment shines within its industry and shows a clear understanding that operating under the highest standards for business behavior goes beyond goodwill and lip-service and is closely linked to performance and profitability,” said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute.  “This year’s World’s Most Ethical Companies award was more competitive than ever because companies realize that making ethics a priority is critical amidst a tough economic environment.”

        Other companies worldwide that have been recognized on the list include: Google, Nike, T-Mobile USA, Whole Foods Market, American Express, General Electric, Xerox, Pepsico and Starbucks.

        A full list of the World’s Most Ethical Companies is available at www.ethisphere.org and will be published in the next quarterly issue of Ethisphere magazine, scheduled for release March 29.

        The research-based Ethisphere Institute is a leading international think-tank dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, anti-corruption, and sustainability.  Ethisphere magazine, which publishes the globally recognized World’s Most Ethical Companies Ranking, is the quarterly publication of the Institute.

        Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2009 revenues of more than $8 billion.  The Sempra Energy companies’ 13,800 employees serve more than 29 million consumers worldwide.

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