LOS ANGELES, Nov. 14, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- For the third time in four years, Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) earned the top ranking for customer satisfaction among the major natural gas utilities in the western United States and second nationwide, according to the research firm J.D. Power and Associates. The study was based on a random survey of residential natural gas utility customers.
"Earning top marks in the J.D. Power study reflects the dedication of all our employees to going above and beyond the call of duty to meet our customers' needs," said Anne Smith, senior vice president for customer service of The Gas Company. "The repetition of this award demonstrates our employees' continual delivery of safe, reliable energy and exceptional customer service. This award recognizes and acknowledges the valuable contributions they make every day."
The Gas Company's employees continuously update their services to meet customers' changing needs, added Smith. "Our employees are friendly, helpful and responsive, as well as being good problem-solvers. Their professionalism and commitment to excellence translates into treating our customers with care and concern as well as the utmost respect - all attributes that drive customer satisfaction. Our employees are the ones who have truly earned this award for the company."
The J.D. Power study assigned The Gas Company a customer-satisfaction score of 113, the top score among nine utilities reviewed in the region. The average score for these utilities was 104. On a nationwide basis, The Gas Company ranked second among all natural gas utilities, scoring only one point behind the top-ranked utility in the study.
The J.D. Power study ranked 56 of the country's largest natural gas utilities and interviewed more than 12,000 customers during April and June 2005. The scores for each utility were based on five factors (in order of importance): company image, price and value, billing and payment, customer service and field service. The Gas Company received the highest ratings in the region in all five factors.
The Gas Company is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providing safe and reliable energy to 19.5 million consumers through 5.5 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.