LOS ANGELES, Nov. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) plans to add about 1,000 new natural gas-powered trucks to its fleet over the next five years, the utility announced today. The trucks are part of the utility's "green" fleet replacement program that will have residential energy service technicians driving the message that natural gas is the fuel of choice for the road.

The utility will purchase new natural gas-powered trucks from original equipment manufacturers as well as custom-built natural gas vehicles through a collaborative effort with local Southern California companies. Currently, SoCalGas has about 1,000 natural gas vehicles in its fleet.

This year, for example, the first of 50 custom-built 2011 Chevrolet Silverado trucks are in use in Southern California. Working with Torrance-based Landi Renzo USA, Royal Truck Bodies and Wondries Fleet Group, the trucks are equipped with Landi Renzo/Baytech compressed natural gas fuel systems that are approved by the California Air Resources Board.  

"Natural gas vehicles are a real transportation solution today," said Hal D. Snyder, vice president of customer solutions at SoCalGas. "Natural gas is the ideal fuel for transportation because it's abundant, affordable, clean and produced domestically, and can serve all segments of the transportation industry.  As we work to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from our fleet, we encourage the automakers and after-market companies to produce natural gas vehicles, an effort that will result in significant air quality and cost benefits to customers and the region."

Independent sources estimate the U.S. supply of natural gas will last more than a century.  Compressed natural gas currently costs about $2 per gasoline gallon equivalent, offering the public significant fuel costs savings. Another major benefit of compressed natural gas as a transportation fuel is reduced tailpipe emissions. When compared to a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle, a natural gas vehicle realizes reduced carbon dioxide, or CO2, emissions, reduced nitrogen oxides, or NOx, and carbon monoxide, or CO, emissions, and particulate matter emissions are also reduced.

"SoCalGas should be applauded for setting a good example in the use of cleaner, domestically produced, and less expensive fuel here in Southern California," said John Sledge, Landi Renzo vice president of sales and marketing. "We are pleased to have been selected as SoCalGas' partner in this effort."

Southern California currently has nearly 300 compressed natural gas fueling stations serving more than 17,000 natural gas-powered vehicles.  SoCalGas plans to expand over the next few years all of its 13 company-owned public-access compressed natural gas stations. At its Riverside refueling station, SoCalGas is field testing a new modular compressed natural gas "fueling station in a box" technology that takes 20 percent less space and can be installed faster than traditional facilities with separate components installed on the site, thereby offering the potential to significantly reduce capital cost and construction time.

SoCalGas also is a member of a national collaborative, called "Drive Natural Gas Initiative," made up of North American natural gas utilities and producers focused on advancing natural gas as a fuel for all sectors of transportation, including cars, trucks, buses, and marine and mining equipment.

About Southern California Gas Co.

Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe and reliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years.  It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing service to 20.9 million consumers connected through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company's service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE).

About Landi Renzo

Landi Renzo is the global leading supplier/installer of fuel systems to OEM projects. Landi Renzo USA will tap this depth of experience to offer final consumers the highest quality OEM grade alternative fuel systems available in the United States. Landi Renzo is the global leader in CNG and LPG fuel systems design, manufacture, installation and service with over 40% market share. Landi Renzo USA is headquartered in Torrance, Calif. Landi Renzo S.p.A. is traded on the Italian Stock Exchange Star Segment under the ticker symbol LR. For more information on Landi Renzo visit www.landiusa.com.

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Co.