LOS ANGELES, March 14, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- More than 300 people attended today's Business Energy-Efficiency Expo, hosted by Southern California Gas Company (The Gas Company), to learn how its expanded rebates and incentives for energy efficiency can help businesses and the region's economy.
"Energy costs are a tough challenge for businesses, and The Gas Company's energy efficiency programs can help keep those costs under control," said Jack Kyser, senior vice president, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, who delivered the Expo's keynote address.
"Our energy-efficiency programs offer more for business customers than ever before," said Anne Smith, The Gas Company's senior vice president, customer services. "We have added new programs and expanded existing programs so that all our commercial and industrial customers are eligible. We've also increased the size of some of our key rebates."
The full portfolio of The Gas Company's rebates and incentives offers up to $525,000 per business customer per year, Smith said.
The Expo was held in Downey at The Gas Company's Energy Resource Center, which offers free energy-efficiency seminars and demonstrations of new commercial foodservice equipment.
The Expo also included testimonials from customers who have already benefited from The Gas Company's energy-efficiency programs.
"We've received more than $30,000 in rebates from The Gas Company for buying energy-efficient equipment," said Gary Embrey, director of engineering for the Marriott Newport Beach Hotel and Spa. "Frankly, we didn't expect to receive as much as we did."
The half-day expo featured presentations and break-out sessions covering these programs:
-- The Energy Efficiency Grant Program, which provides up to $300,000
per customer per year for eligible large business customers that
complete custom energy-efficiency projects saving at least 250,000
therms of natural gas -- enough energy to serve about 500 homes for a
year.
-- The Savings By Design Program, which offers design assistance and
incentives for integrating energy efficiency into the designs of new
buildings and major renovation projects. The incentives can be up to
$150,000 per building for eligible owners and up to $50,000 per
building for eligible design teams.
-- The Express Efficiency Program, which offers rebates on commercial
water heaters, boilers, greenhouse curtains and infrared film, pool
heaters, pipe and tank insulation, steam traps and residential washers
for commercial use.
-- The Commercial Food Service Equipment Program, which offers rebates of
up to $750 on energy-efficient pressureless steamers, fryers,
combination ovens, convection ovens and griddles.
Also at the Expo, The Gas Company announced a new Energy-Efficiency Excellence Awards program to recognize outstanding business achievements in energy efficiency throughout the year.
"We want our commercial and industrial customers to think of energy efficiency as a critical business issue and to look to The Gas Company for help in finding valuable solutions," Smith said. "Our rebates reduce the initial cost of energy-efficient equipment, and customers save even more through reduced operating expenses year after year."
The Gas Company's energy-efficiency programs in 2006-2008 have a goal of saving about 58 million therms of natural gas, enough to meet the annual needs of about 16,000 typical small businesses that use 300 therms a month.
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/business, 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. To learn more, go to www.socalgas.com.