LOS ANGELES, April 16, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) will honor four of its business customers for saving money and helping the environment through energy efficiency with the Energy-Efficiency Excellence Award to Vertis Communications, Carl's Jr., the County of Orange, and Park's Cleaners Service.
The Gas Company will present the awards at its second annual Energy-Efficiency Expo on April 17, raising awareness of the utility's record $10 million in energy-efficiency rebates and incentives available to business customers this year.
Vertis Communications was the first participant in The Gas Company's new Energy-Efficiency Grant program, which offers incentives of up to $300,000 per customer per year.
"The Gas Company's incentive reduced the cost our new energy-efficient equipment by about 20 percent," said Ken Kowal, engineering projects manager at Vertis.
Carl's Jr. won recognition for receiving more than $27,000 in rebates from The Gas Company last year for energy-efficient food-service equipment.
"We welcome the rebates, but because the energy-efficient equipment uses less energy, we'll save even more in lower energy costs," said Juliann Rogers, energy manager for Carl's Jr.
The County of Orange took advantage of a $25,000 incentive from The Gas Company's Process Equipment Replacement Program.
"The money we save makes it easier to buy even more new equipment," said Keith David Geiger, the county's chief of plant operations.
Park's Cleaners Service was the leading participant in The Gas Company's innovative Vendor Participation Program, which has reduced energy costs for businesses by more than $2.5 million by promoting the installation of energy-efficient steam traps and other equipment.
"The cost of doing business in California keeps rising, and The Gas Company's energy- efficiency programs can help keep those costs under control," said Jack Kyser, senior vice president of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation.
The Gas Company offers a wide range of energy-efficiency programs that can benefit companies of virtually every size. To learn how to qualify, businesses can log on to www.socalgas.com/business, contact their account representatives from The Gas Company, or call (800) GAS-2000.
All rebates and incentives are subject to change without notice and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis as long as funding is available. These programs are funded by California utility customers and administered by The Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 20.1 million consumers through 5.6 million meters. The company's service territory encompasses 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 with 2006 revenues of nearly $12 billion.