LOS ANGELES, May 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) has successfully certified its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions inventory with the California Climate Action Registry, earning the status of "Climate Action Leader." In doing so, The Gas Company has joined a distinguished group of organizations demonstrating leadership by publicly and voluntarily reporting its GHG emissions from the distribution of natural gas under this rigorous registry program.
"Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an important environmental protection objective for The Gas Company," said Bret Lane, vice president of environmental, safety and facilities for The Gas Company. "We are striving to meet our customers' energy needs in the most environmentally responsible manner."
In 2003, The Gas Company voluntarily joined the non-profit California Climate Action Registry. The goal of the Registry is to establish a statewide inventory of emissions of the six greenhouse gases considered to impact global warming. The inventory and certification process is complex. Data must be gathered from, among other things, every company operation, most vehicles, every engine and every building. All the data must be verifiable.
Over the years, The Gas Company has earned a number of honors for environmental stewardship. The utility garnered U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awards for its outstanding contribution to energy efficiency and environmental education. Over the last 15-years, The Gas Company has invested $494 million in energy efficiency -- over $42 million last year. During the 15 year period, its energy-efficiency programs have helped customers save more than 312 million therms of natural gas -- enough to supply some 567,000 homes for a year.
As California benefits from the environmental advantages of natural gas the utility has helped the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority create the largest fleet of natural gas-fueled buses in the world. The natural gas vehicle (NGV) fleet grew from 200 NGV buses in 1994 to more than 1,500 NGV buses today. In just six years, the use of NGV buses in the Los Angeles area brought about a 7,200-ton reduction in nitrogen-oxide emissions, which are a component of smog.
The Gas Company's certified GHG emissions report is available through the Climate Action Registry's Web site at www.climateregistry.org/CARROT/Public/.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.8 million consumers through 5.6 million meters. The company's service territory covers approximately 20,000 square miles in most of central and Southern California. The Gas Company strives to provide exceptional customer service to enhance the quality of life in the community. The Gas Company 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.