LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Recognizing not only the business advantages of energy efficiency but also its favorable impact on the environment, energy prices and energy security, Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company) presented Energy-Efficiency Excellence Awards today to the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel and Spa, the Los Angeles Community College District, Montebello Unified School District and Coast Heat Treat.
"These customers have discovered that energy efficiency is more than a business goal. It benefits all of us, and we believe it's worthy of recognition," said Michelle Mueller, The Gas Company's vice president of customer services-mass markets.
Mueller presented the awards at The Gas Company's first Business Energy-Efficiency Expo in Downey, which promoted the utility's energy-efficiency programs to 300 business leaders.
Marriott replaced water boilers, tank insulation and other equipment with energy-efficient models as part of a major remodeling effort. The hotel received more than $30,000 in rebates through the new equipment, which will save an estimated $18,000 per year in energy costs.
Montebello Unified School District received more than $50,000 in rebates by replacing food-service appliances and other equipment, which will also reduce its annual energy bill by about $110,000.
Los Angeles-based Coast Heat Treat, a heat-treating facility, replaced several large furnaces and other industrial equipment over the past seven years, amassing more than $58,000 in incentives and saving an estimated $64,000 per year in energy costs.
The Los Angeles Community College District regularly participates in The Gas Company's Savings By Design program, which offers design assistance and financial incentives for energy-efficient designs. The district has designed buildings that already have earned more than $870,000 in incentives.
"These business customers have improved much more than their own bottom lines," Mueller said.
She explained that the State of California identified energy efficiency as a key strategy in controlling growth in the state's demand for energy. Additionally, a reduction in energy demand through greater efficiency can help reduce energy prices.
Energy efficiency also helps reduce the country's dependence on foreign oil by stretching supplies from other sources. And, on the environmental front, energy efficiency is "the cleanest energy of all," Mueller said.
Mueller said that The Gas Company's efficiency programs offer more for business customers than ever before. The company has added new programs and expanded existing programs so that all its commercial and industrial customers are eligible. The Gas Company also has increased the size of some key rebates.
The full portfolio of The Gas Company's rebates and incentives offers up to $525,000 per business customer per year, Mueller said.
The Gas Company's energy-efficiency programs in 2006-2008 have a goal of saving about 58 million therms of natural gas, which is enough energy to serve about 107,000 homes for a year.
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.
For more information on these programs, businesses can log on to www.socalgas.com/energyefficiency, contact their representatives from The Gas Company, or call toll-free (800) GAS-2000.
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 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.