Governor Schwarzenegger invited executives of California's investor-owned utilities, energy industry agencies and representatives of business groups to Sacramento today for a roundtable discussion of ways to encourage electricity conservation. At the same time, a new statewide alert system called Flex Your Power Now! was announced. It will be used when a rapid reduction in power use is needed most. In response, SDG&E issued the following statement.
SAN DIEGO, July 27, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- "For years, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has been a strong supporter of the state's Flex Your Power conservation campaign. Today, we are pleased to join this new coalition of utilities, government, and business to offer the public important early-warning information should power supply or delivery emergencies occur this summer.
"One goal of the new Flex Your Power Now! partnership is to ask consumers and businesses to reduce energy use right away during critical peak summer hours - noon to 7 p.m. - when the power grid is being pushed to its maximum capacity and an unexpected generation or delivery problem could cause the most significant problems.
"SDG&E already has reached out proactively to city managers and every city council in our service territory to outline our summer preparedness plan and how the cities can assist us during power emergencies. These efforts focus on close and coordinated communication between the utility and the cities, so each municipality can deploy and implement energy savings and demand-reduction programs, as well as help in the outreach to its communities.
"Every consumer and business in San Diego and southern Orange counties can do something to help with energy conservation this summer and help ease the strain on the power grid. Homeowners can make a quick $35 just for inviting SDG&E to pick up their older, second refrigerator. In addition, SDG&E still has rebate incentives available for small- and medium-sized businesses."
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and reliable energy service to 3 million consumers through 1.3 million electric meters and more than 800,000 natural gas meters in San Diego and southern Orange counties. Exceptional customer service is a priority of SDG&E as it seeks to enhance the region's quality of life. 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.