SoCalGas Introduces Contactless Enrollment Option for Energy Savings Assistance Program in Response to COVID-19 Social Distancing Guidelines

Rhea-AI Summary

SoCalGas has launched a virtual enrollment option for its Energy Savings Assistance Program, enabling customers to receive an average of $705 in energy-efficient home upgrades at no cost. This initiative, aimed at improving safety and comfort, aligns with social distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The program has assisted over one million customers to date. Eligible participants must be enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program or meet income qualifications. SoCalGas reports significant energy savings, reducing natural gas use by 208 million therms from 2015 to 2019.

Positive

• Launch of virtual enrollment increases accessibility for customers.
• Energy Savings Assistance Program provides an average of $705 in home upgrades.
• Over 1 million customers assisted, promoting safety and comfort.
• Significant energy savings achieved: 208 million therms saved (2015-2019).
• Positive community impact through COVID-19 initiatives.

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• None.

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 1, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) today announced a virtual enrollment option for the Energy Savings Assistance Program, which continues to provide eligible customers with an average of $705 worth of energy-efficiency home upgrades at no cost to help improve the safety and comfort of customers' homes.  

"The safety of our customers, employees and contractors is of the utmost importance and, keeping in mind that social distancing is a very important component of helping to stop the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are pleased to offer a virtual enrollment option for our Energy Savings Assistance Program" said Jeff Walker, vice president of customer solutions at SoCalGas. "During this challenging time, it's critical that we continue to support our customers and communities by providing reliable and affordable energy, while also maintaining the health and safety of our customers, employees and contractors."

"Quality Conservation Services (QCS) is pleased to join with SoCalGas to have customers virtually enroll in the Energy Savings Assistance customer assistance program," said Allan Rago, President at QCS. "Customer and contractor safety is always of the utmost importance and especially now, during these unprecedented times. We are pleased to be able to offer this easy virtual option and encourage customers to enroll."  

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides eligible customers with professionally installed home improvements, at no cost to the renter or homeowner, that help conserve energy, reduce natural gas use and enhance safety, health, and comfort. Improvements may include installation of high efficiency washers, water heater replacement, furnace replacement, attic insulation, door weather-stripping and more. SoCalGas has helped over one million of its customers save on their energy bills through energy efficient upgrades.

To qualify for the program, the customer or someone in the customer's household must be enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program or meet income qualifications. Please see here for more information.

Customers interested in applying can visit the Energy Savings Assistance Program webpage on socalgas.com or call (800) 331-7593. Qualifying customers will then be contacted by a SoCalGas contractor who will conduct their virtual enrollment via phone or video call.

In addition to the Energy Savings Assistance Program, SoCalGas offers a wide range of other programs and services. To learn more about these programs and services, or for more information on how to  more efficiently manage natural gas usage and possibly reduce monthly natural gas bills, please visit SoCalGas' website at socalgas.com  or call (800) 427-2200.

Between 2015 and 2019, SoCalGas energy efficiency programs delivered more than 208 million therms in energy savings, enough natural gas usage for 127,000 households a year, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) by over 1,100,000 metric tons, the equivalent of removing nearly 238,000 cars from the road annually. These advances have also helped save SoCalGas customers over $229 million in utility bill costs. In 2019 alone, SoCalGas' energy efficiency programs saved customers $55.6 million.

The Energy Savings Assistance Program is funded by California investor-owned-utility customers and administered by Southern California Gas Company under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission.

SoCalGas COVID-19 Pandemic Response

Since March, SoCalGas has donated more than $2.9 million to nonprofit organizations for COVID-19 recovery efforts, including supporting the region's workforce, feeding the hungry, providing bill assistance to customers, and more.

For more information on SoCalGas's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please visit www.socalgas.com/coronavirus.

About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States. SoCalGas delivers affordable, reliable, clean and increasingly renewable gas service to 21.8 million customers across 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California, where more than 90 percent of residents use natural gas for heating, hot water, cooking, drying clothes or other uses. Gas delivered through the company's pipelines also plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians— about 45 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.

SoCalGas' vision is to be the cleanest gas utility in North America, delivering affordable and increasingly renewable energy to its customers. In support of that vision, SoCalGas is committed to replacing 20 percent of its traditional natural gas supply with renewable gas by 2030. Renewable natural gas is made from waste created by dairy farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is also committed to investing in its gas delivery infrastructure while keeping bills affordable for our customers. From 2014 through 2018, the company invested nearly $6.5 billion to upgrade and modernize its pipeline system to enhance safety and reliability. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), an energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.  

 

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

FAQ

What is the Energy Savings Assistance Program by SoCalGas?

The Energy Savings Assistance Program provides eligible customers with no-cost energy-efficient home upgrades and improvements, helping to conserve energy and reduce natural gas use.

How can customers enroll in the Energy Savings Assistance Program?

Customers can enroll virtually by visiting the Energy Savings Assistance Program webpage on socalgas.com or by calling (800) 331-7593.

What are the eligibility requirements for the Energy Savings Assistance Program?

Customers or household members must be enrolled in a qualifying public assistance program or meet specific income qualifications to be eligible.

How much energy has SoCalGas saved through its programs?

From 2015 to 2019, SoCalGas energy efficiency programs saved over 208 million therms, enough to support 127,000 households annually.

What is the average benefit amount provided by the Energy Savings Assistance Program?

Eligible customers receive an average of $705 worth of energy-efficient home upgrades at no cost.