LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24, 2010 -- For the 16th consecutive year, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) has been awarded the “Outstanding Environmental Lease Maintenance Award” for its Playa del Rey gas storage facility by the California Department of Conservation’s Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources.

        The annual award recognizes gas- and oil-field lease operators for outstanding maintenance of wells, compliance with regulations and good corporate citizenship.  Sites are nominated for the award by Department of Conservation field inspectors.

        The Gas Company also received the award for its operations at three other underground gas storage fields located throughout Southern California.

        Based on its experience with more than 550 operators of oil and gas leases in California, the Department of Conservation gave out 38 Outstanding Environmental Lease Maintenance Awards statewide.  The Gas Company was the only lease operator to receive more than three of these awards.

        “This award is a testament to the hard work and commitment of our employees to ensure that our underground storage operations are safe and efficient,” said Michael P. Gallagher, senior vice president of operations for The Gas Company.

         The Playa del Rey site has been in operation since 1942.  Storage operations began there under the direction of the U.S. government as part of the effort to ensure there were adequate gas supplies for the war effort.  The Gas Company assumed ownership and took over the operation of the field in the early 1950s.

        In addition to the California Public Utilities Commission, the Department of Conservation oversees operations at The Gas Company storage fields.  The state agency ensures the safe exploration and development of oil, gas and geothermal resources.  This includes oversight of the construction, operation and closure of wells used to tap energy resources.  This is important for conservation of natural resources and in guarding drinking and agricultural waters.

        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 safe and reliable energy to 20.7 million consumers through nearly 5.8 million meters in more than 500 communities.  The company’s service territory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  Southern California Gas Co. is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company.  To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.