Southern California Gas Co. Recognized With Environmental ...

Tag : Environment Protection Product

Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) has been recognizedby the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with a 2008 ENERGY STAR"Leadership in Housing" Award for the utility's contribution toenergy-efficient and environmentally friendly home construction.
"Energy efficiency has enormous benefits for both our customers andthe environment," said Hal Snyder, vice president of customerprograms for The Gas Company. "This recognition from theEnvironmental Protection Agency underscores our commitment tohelping our customers reduce their energy costs while also beingenvironmentally responsible."
Since 2002, The Gas Company has sponsored more than 1,000 ENERGYSTAR homes. Collectively, these homes will save Gas Companycustomers approximately $450,000 on their utility bills and,according to the EPA, improve air quality by the equivalent of 500fewer motor vehicles on the road or planting 800 acres of trees.
Homes that earn the ENERGY STAR qualification must be at least15-percent more energy-efficient than homes built to the 2001International Residential Code and include features such aseffective insulation, high-performance windows, tight constructionand ducts, efficient heating and cooling equipment and ENERGYSTAR-qualified lighting and appliances.
"ENERGY STAR-qualified homes are better homes that cost less toown, protect our environment, reduce our reliance on importedenergy and improve our economy," said Sam Rashkin, nationaldirector of ENERGY STAR for Homes. "Leadership in Housing awardrecipients are making a meaningful difference at this critical timein our country's history."
ENERGY STAR is growing strong in the residential new constructionmarket, with a total of nearly 840,000 ENERGY STAR-qualified homesbuilt nationwide. Owners of these homes are saving more than $200million annually on their utility bills.
ENERGY STAR was introduced by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency in 1992 as a voluntary, market-based partnership to reducegreenhouse gas emissions through increased energy efficiency.Today, ENERGY STAR offers businesses and consumers energy-efficientsolutions to save energy, money and help protect the environmentfor future generations. More than 9,000 organizations are ENERGYSTAR partners committed to improving the energy efficiency ofproducts, homes, buildings and businesses. For more informationabout ENERGY STAR, visit www.energystar.gov .
Southern California Gas Co. has been delivering clean, safe andreliable natural gas to its customers for more than 140 years. Itis the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility, providingsafe and reliable energy to 20.3 million consumers through 5.7million meters in more than 500 communities. The company's serviceterritory encompasses approximately 20,000 square miles in diverseterrain throughout central and Southern California, from Visalia tothe Mexican border. The Gas Company is a regulated subsidiary ofSempra Energy (NYSE: SRE). Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is aFortune 500 energy services holding company.