In Our Facilities & Daily Operations

Taking steps to protect the environment is part of our daily routine at our facilities and in our operations as well as how we plan and build facilities.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

In 2008, The Gas Company recycled nearly nine million pounds of scrap metal, meters, cardboard, plastic and paper. We also print our bills, envelopes and brochures on recycled paper stock. We "reduce and reuse" by rebuilding thousands of gas meters per year. Some of these meters are no longer manufactured and many are retired from service and then rebuilt and redeployed back into service. We also redeploy hundreds of PCs and laptops, to extend their lives. And we've reduce the number of printers saving electricity.

Build and Maintain Energy-Efficient Facilities.

Hands holding 2007 LEED awardThe Gas Company's efforts to renovate its operational facilities in the most energy-efficient and environmentally responsible way have earned us “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) Certification” for four of our facilities.

Through our Green Building Initiative, we are on the path to reduce energy use by 20% at our facilities by 2012, three years ahead of the State's target year.

Our Green Building Initiative:

A sunlit hallway in Monterey Park after renovations.Renovations at Monterey Park brought daylight to 90% of our employee workspace.

In 2004, The Gas Company began office renovations at its Montery Park facility to transform a nearly 50-year-old workpace into a world-class environment that combines operational efficiency with organization effectiveness.

During the project, more than 75-percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills and back into manufacturing processes, recycling, and/or reuse programs. The building products employed contained at least 20-percent recycled content.

More than 20-percent of the products were manufactured regionally and, by incorporating the use of renewable materials, the project reduced its impact on the environment.

Greening Our Fleet.

Open highway with hills in background

Supporting California's goals for reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, both Sempra utilities, The Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) have committed to reduce the greenhouse-gas emissions of our fleet by approximately 15 percent by 2012. Compared to 2005 levels, this is the same as removing about 1,600 gasoline-fueled passenger sedans from the road.

To reach this goal, we're replacing passenger sedan vehicles with hybrid-electric and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, and implementing a fleet- optimization program to improve fuel efficiency and driving habits.

Our fleet already includes nearly 1,150 alternative-fueled vehicles. And we're considering the use of other clean-fuel alternatives, such as bio-gas. Additionally, The Gas Company and SDG&E will provide employees with eco-driving training on how to maximize fuel efficiency both on and off the job.

In 2008, The Gas Company and SDG&E increased usage of CNG vehicles by 30% and reduced fuel usage by 6.2%.

Protecting our wildlife and habitat.

The Gas Company's service area covers most of central and southern California and is home to more than 100 endangered and threatened species. Our environmental staff identifies protected species and habitats that our operations could affect. For example, before constructing a new pipeline, our biologists check for nesting birds and rare, threatened or endangered animals and plants that the construction could affect. After the assessment we establish plans to avoid or minimize the impacts. In all cases we meet or exceed the laws protecting endangered species and the environment.

Herons in water at sunset

In addition, The Gas Company helps ensure the continued survival of sensitive species by restoring their habitats. We also make contributions to federal, state and private conservation agencies to acquire and manage habitats of protected species.

Case study: Giant Kangaroo Rat Habitat Acquisition in the San Joaquin Valley

In 2008, The Gas Company helped fund the acquisition of an additional 11 acres of land in the San Joaquin Valley that is home to significant numbers of endangered species. This acquisition is located in western Kern County within the Lokern Natural Area which includes over 40,000 acres of land that is home to various sensitive plant and wildlife species, including the giant kangaroo rat. This 11 acre parcel provides for additional conservation for the very fragmented habitat of the giant kangaroo rat. The conservation lands will be managed in perpetuity by the Center for Natural Lands Management (CNLM).

Additional information on the Lokern Natural Areas and CNLM preserve activities can be found at the Center for Natural Lands Management's* website.

Protecting our water supply and air quality.

We follow steps to prevent harmful vehicle oils, dirt and debris from entering waterways. We conserve water by using low-flow fixtures and low-flow landscaping at our facilities.

We also work with local air quality districts to help develop consumer choices that are cost effective, more energy efficient, and reduce emissions to achieve healthful air standards.