SoCalGas
1801 S. Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, California, United States

As the nations largest natural gas distribution utility, we deliver clean, safe and reliable energy to 21.8 million consumers through 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities.  Our service territory encompasses approximately 24,000 square miles in diverse terrain throughout Central and Southern California, from Visalia to the Mexican border.  SoCalGas is a regulated subsidiary of Sempra Energy  (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. For additional information, please visit the Investor Relations section.

For 150 years, SoCalGas has served Central and Southern California as a responsible and engaged environmental leader, employer and neighbor.  With safe, clean, affordable, reliable and abundant domestic sources of natural gas, SoCalGas innovation is fueling new possibilities in California.  Southern California is our home, too. We strive to improve the quality of life in our communities by maintaining a diverse workforce, working with suppliers  that represent and reflect the communities we serve and giving back through our charitable contributions and employee volunteer activities . Like other investor-owned utilities in the state, SoCalGas operations are regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission  and other state and federal agencies.

Early Beginnings

SoCalGas roots trace back to 1867 when the Los Angeles Gas Co., the forerunner of SoCalGas, installed 43 new manufactured gas lamps in downtown Los Angeles. At that time, natural gas was still unknown and the company sold manufactured gas made initially from asphaltum, a tar-like substance, and later from oil. The gas lighting business was enjoying modest success until Thomas Edison introduced his new electric light in 1879. To offset declining lighting revenues, the company began aggressively promoting stoves and heaters.

Meanwhile, Pacific Lighting, a predecessor of SoCalGas parent company, Sempra Energy, was interested in expanding its gas business. Founded in San Francisco in 1886, Pacific Lighting bought several small gas manufacturing and distribution companies in 1889, including the Los Angeles Gas Co. and two other Los Angeles-based gas and electric firms.  By the early 20th century, natural gas – a colorless, odorless gas found in association with oil underground – was starting to gain attention. A huge field of natural gas was discovered near Taft, Calif., in 1909. Since natural gas had twice the heating value of manufactured gas, Pacific Lighting took the bold step to convert its system to natural gas and build pipelines throughout the state.  As natural gas became more widely available in California, Pacific Lighting acquired control of the natural gas distribution systems of Southern Counties Gas Company in 1925, Santa Maria Gas Company in 1928 and Southern California Gas in 1929. Fueled by Los Angeles rapid growth and new uses for natural gas, such as space and water heating, these companies – which would become Southern California Gas – made Pacific Lightings system the largest in the country.

Growth Through the Years

Natural gas was soon found throughout the U.S. and demand for the fuel was rapidly growing. To meet customer needs, SoCalGas began storing natural gas in large holding tanks in the 1920s. In 1941, the company introduced a new system to the Southwest – underground storage of natural gas in depleted oil and gas fields. Over the next 30 years, we established five underground storage facilities.

Demand for natural gas continued to grow before and after World War II. In the 1940s, Pacific Lighting pushed for the creation of a 30-inch diameter pipeline to carry natural gas to the southland from Texas. Built in 1948 by El Paso Natural Gas Co., the 1,200-mile pipeline was the largest of its kind at the time, capable of delivering 175 million cubic feet of natural gas to Southern California each day. Soon, other interstate pipelines would be built and eventually, more than 90 percent of all natural gas sold in the region came from outside the states borders.  By the end of the 1950s, 90 percent of all cooking ranges and 98 percent of water heaters and home heating systems in Southern California were fueled by natural gas. SoCalGas offered industrial customers low rates in exchange for using other energy sources when usage peaked on cold winter days.  The years between 1950 and 1965 saw the natural gas business in Southern California grow more than it had in the prior 83 years. Our sales representatives aggressively promoted natural gas with architects, builders, homeowners and restaurant operators. We offered incentives to real estate developers to install natural gas mains when new subdivisions were built.

SoCalGas Today and Tomorrow

As the nations largest natural gas distribution utility, safely serving more than 21 million consumers through nearly 5.9 million meters in more than 500 communities, SoCalGas is uniquely positioned to help drive Californias emerging energy economy.  Whether its pioneering new ways to help customers put this clean, low-cost energy source to good use in transportation, construction and agriculture; converting Los Angeles rails and ports; decarbonizing the pipeline; or working to advance sound and responsible energy policy on behalf of its customers, SoCalGas is bringing forward game-changing innovations that will improve Southern Californias air quality, economy and way of life.  Our leadership stems from a true desire to serve: We work tirelessly to challenge conventional thinking, evolve our business and stay ahead of customerschanging needs. Years of industry-leading customer satisfaction is testament to that. SoCalGas has and will continue to invest in Southern California.

Powering the Future

Natural gas provides the source of more electricity generation than any energy source in California. According to the California Energy Commission, data gathered as of September 10, 2015 indicates that 60 percent of all electric generation in California comes from natural gas. Read more*.  Moreover, natural gas continues to support the expanded use of renewable energy resources. When the wind doesnt blow or the sun doesnt shine, natural gas fuels electric generators that provide power to resident customers and businesses for heating, cooking, and operating.  More than 101,000 miles of transmission and distribution pipes and four natural gas storage facilities make up the natural gas infrastructure needed to provide natural gas throughout the SoCalGas service territory.  The Aliso Canyon storage facility, which is the largest such facility in the western United States, supports natural gas deliveries to homes and businesses throughout the Los Angeles Basin and directly supports 17 natural gas-powered electric plants needed to provide reliable generation and delivery of electricity.

Our Energy-Efficient Facilities

We take steps daily to protect the environment in our facilities and operations, and in how we plan and construct new facilities.  We pursue Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) certification for all remodels and new construction greater than 10,000 square feet. We have earned LEED certifications for nine of our facilities.  Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council® in 2000, LEED is the most recognizable and widely used green building program across the globe. LEED is a certification program that guides the design, construction, operations and maintenance for buildings, homes and communities.