SAN DIEGO, Sept. 20, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) welcomed a bold plan adopted today unanimously by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that solidifies California's leadership position in energy efficiency and reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions.
The ruling bolsters California's energy-conservation efforts by allowing the utilities to share in the consumer benefits of reducing energy use through utility programs.
"The commission's decision is another clear demonstration of its commitment to energy conservation, and we applaud this groundbreaking move," said Anne S. Smith, SDG&E's senior vice president for customer service. "Our energy-efficiency programs will save our customers billions of dollars in energy costs over time, while also cutting greenhouse-gas emissions, so putting extra force behind these efforts benefits all of us."
Well-known for its progressive energy-efficiency policies, California's per-capita energy use has remained relatively flat over the past three decades, while nationwide per-capita use has increased by nearly 50 percent, according to the California Energy Commission's 2005 Integrated Energy Policy Report.
Over the past 15 years, SDG&E has invested $485 million in energy-efficiency programs to help customers save more than 2.9 million megawatt-hours of electricity -- or approximately the energy produced over a year's time by two power plants.
"We continue to believe energy efficiency is the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible means to meet our long-term energy needs," Smith said.
SDG&E has dozens of programs, with incentives and rebates totaling more than $180 million, to help business and residential customers reduce their energy use and costs. These customer programs have garnered numerous national recognitions.
The utility also is expanding its procurement of environmentally friendly power generated from solar, wind, hydro, biomass and biogas sources in alignment with California's goal of meeting 20 percent of customers' electric demand with renewable power by 2010.
SDG&E currently serves 3.4 million consumers through 1.4 million electric meters and more than 830,000 natural gas meters. The utility's service area spans 4,100 square miles and serves customers in more than 125 communities from Southern Orange County to the Mexican border. SDG&E 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.sdge.com.