LOS ANGELES, CA--(Marketwire - January 29, 2009) - Solar energy will play an important role in President Obama's plan promoting renewable technologies to spur economic growth and reduce greenhouse gases. Southern California Gas Co. (The Gas Company) and its sister utility, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), will help accelerate the commercialization of new solar technologies by inviting five of the world's leading solar companies to install their latest solar innovations at utility sites, in a race for the brightest and best.

WHAT:       Large cranes will delicately maneuver highly sensitive solar
            equipment at the first of five sites.  The technology uses
            mirrors to track the sun to intensify the sunlight for
            increased efficiencies.  The resulting solar energy will be
            used to heat water that runs an air-conditioning system at The
            Gas Company's Energy Resource Center in Downey.  The Energy
            Resource Center is a 45,000-square-feet facility offering a
            one-stop "idea shop" for customers to learn about the most
            energy-efficient, cost-effective and environmentally sensitive
            solutions to their energy needs.

WHEN:       Friday, Jan. 30, 2009, at 10 a.m.

WHERE:      9240 E. Firestone Blvd.
            Downey, Calif.

WHO:        Hal Snyder, vice president of customer solutions, The Gas
            Company
            Anders Jepsen, CEO, HelioDynamics
            Officials from Sopogy

HOW:        --  The new units will be the first of five unique solar
                technologies to be tested as part of an 18-month
                demonstration program being sponsored by The Gas Company
                and SDG&E.
            --  The new solar collectors at the Energy Resource Center will
                produce 10 tons of cooling, or enough air conditioning to
                cool two to three average-sized homes.
            --  The five technology companies are from Southern California,
                Hawaii and the United Kingdom.

DIRECTIONS: Take the 5 Fwy. South to Rosemead Blvd./Lakewood Blvd. exit, go
            south to Firestone Blvd, turn left (east).  Proceed to 9240 E.
            Firestone Blvd.  The building is on the right (south side);
            pull into the driveway and park in the back parking lot.