Home heating accounts for the largest natural gas use in most homes; here’s how to keep the thermostat low while you work or study from home due to Coronavirus concerns

LOS ANGELES – March 17, 2020 – With thousands of its customers working or doing schoolwork from home due to Coronavirus precautions, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today offered tips for staying safe and keeping utility bills low while still keeping comfortably warm during this late-winter cold snap.

SoCalGas offers customers the following tips to regulate their natural gas usage and keep energy costs low during this time:

Home Heating:

• Remember that lowering your furnace thermostat by three to five degrees, health permitting, can save up to 10 percent on heating costs.
• Set your thermostat to 68 degrees or lower and dress in layers. If you do go out, take the opportunity to set your thermostat even lower.
• Keep blinds open to let in natural light which can serve as a supplement to your home heating system.
• For safety and efficiency keep all heating vents and furnace registers free of dirt lint and obstructions. 
Laundry:
• Launder items as appropriate in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. If possible, 
launder items using the warmest appropriate water setting for the items and dry items 
completely, per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation.
• Dry full loads, but don’t overload or over dry. Separate lightweight and heavy clothes for more 
energy-efficient drying.
• Dry two or more loads in a row to take advantage of the heat still in the dryer. 
Water Heating:
• Turn down the temperature on your water heater.
• Take shorter showers to reduce your natural gas use. Cooking:

• Don’t open the oven door while food is cooking. You can lose up to 50 degrees in temperature and waste energy.
• Cover pots when cooking and cook by time and temperature guides.
• Cook several meals at the same time.
• Never use the natural gas range for room heating. It is not designed for this purpose and can 
create a hazardous situation. 
Staying Safe The health, safety and wellness of its customers and employees is foundational to SoCalGas, and staying safe is more important than ever during the Coronavirus pandemic. SoCalGas technicians remain available to respond promptly to customers if they smell natural gas or think they might have a leak. As always, customers should call 800-427-2200 in the event they suspect a gas leak. SoCalGas customer service representatives will be asking customers a few health-based questions before SoCalGas technicians enter the home. Technicians will take precautionary measures such as wearing eye protection and gloves in homes to protect our employees and limit any potential spread of the virus. 
More energy saving and safety tips can be found at socalgas.com as well as additional information about SoCalGas’ response to COVID-19. Customers can call 800-427-2200 for any questions related to their natural gas bills. 
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 natural gas (RNG) 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.

SoCalGas Donates $1 Million to Help Those in Need During Coronavirus Pandemic

Funding to assist laid-off workers, provide food and bill payment assistance to those in need

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced it will donate $1 million to nonprofit organizations throughout its service area to support the region’s workforce, feed the hungry, and provide bill assistance to customers most affected by the coronavirus.

“All of us at SoCalGas want to do everything we can to support our community during this crisis—especially workers who might be laid off, people going hungry, and those who just won’t be able to pay their gas bills without help,” said Bret Lane, SoCalGas Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “By providing funding to several outstanding nonprofit organizations, we’re helping deliver critical services to help our neighbors who need it most.”

The $1 million in donations will include:

• A gift to the American Red Cross Los Angeles Region to support serving meals to L.A. Unified School District students affected by school closures due to coronavirus concerns.

• Monies designated to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified SoCalGas customers pay their natural gas bill. Seniors and those who have been laid off as a result of the coronavirus crisis will be prioritized.

• A donation to the Mayor’s Fund for Los Angeles COVID-19 fund, which is supporting families, healthcare workers, unhoused neighbors and providing equipment needs of first responders.

• A gift to the Orange County United Way to assist in support local non-profits who provide essential services to those who are food and housing insure.

• A donation to Proteus, Inc., to provide education, job training, job placement, and other support services to farm working families and others in need in the San Joaquin Valley.

“Here in Los Angeles, we are responding to the COVID-19 crisis with a full heart and a firm commitment to keeping all Angelenos healthy and safe,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “Like so many right now, SoCalGas is stepping up to the plate and showing what it means to lead with L.A. love — doing its part to deliver essential assistance to the folks hit hardest by this pandemic.”

“Thousands of children who are not getting their usual school meals during this crisis will receive meals thanks to this generous gift from SoCalGas,” said Jarrett Barrios, CEO American Red Cross, Los Angeles Region. “School closures can create extreme food insecurity for many children. These funds will ensure the Red Cross continues its work feeding LA Unified students at risk of hunger. SoCalGas continues to be a true community partner.”

The health, safety and wellness of SoCalGas customer and employees is foundational to the company. SoCalGas continues to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation with local, state and federal health agencies, as well as monitoring and implementing guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In addition to the temporary suspension of service disconnections and waiving of late fees for small businesses, SoCalGas is taking precautionary measures including:

• Reminding employees to stay home if they are sick and encouraging work from home and other social distancing practices
• Implementing company travel, visitor, meeting and event restrictions
• Enhanced cleaning of SoCalGas facilities and personal hygiene practices

Additional information about SoCalGas’ response to COVID-19 is available here.

SoCalGas’s Operations Identified as Critical Infrastructure Under State Executive Order

In response to inquiries from customers and the media, SoCalGas Chief Operating Officer, Jimmie Cho today issued the following statement about the reliability of natural gas service in Southern California:

“Over the last several days we’ve seen families and businesses across California come together like never before to reorganize our lives and work in support of local, state and federal efforts to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“We want you to know that the natural gas you count on to cook for your family, heat your home, warm your water or run your business will continue to be there when you need it.

“As a critical part of California’s energy system we are prepared for events like this. Natural gas is safely and reliably being delivered to our 22 million customers across southern and central California, just as it does on a typical day. There is no shortage of supply of natural gas for homes or businesses or to power plants that generate electricity.

“We are also in constant contact with state and local authorities and they have done a tremendous job coordinating with energy providers across California. We want to commend Governor Newsom, Mayor Garcetti, and every one of our state, county and local leaders for taking the precautions needed for California to get ahead of this.

“Your safety and the safety of our teams are of the utmost importance. If there is an emergency at your home or business our crews will continue to respond. Our crews will be wearing protective gear for everyone’s safety, and consistent with CDC guidelines.

“We are also working to make things a little easier for our customers. During this period, no customer will have their natural gas turned off due to non-payment. As always, SoCalGas will not charge any late fees to residential customers, or for small businesses. We are also committed to helping customers experiencing hardships, including from the coronavirus. If in need of assistance, we encourage customers to call us at 1-800-427-2200.

“We know that millions of you are working or doing schoolwork from home due to coronavirus precautions. To help keep you up to date, SoCalGas has a new website full of helpful resources including tips on staying safe and keeping utility bills low while still keeping comfortable at home.

“On behalf of everyone at SoCalGas, it is our honor to serve Southern and Central California every day, but especially at a time like this. Be safe and know we are here to continue supporting you.”

Most of you have posted our informational newsletters such as no closure of services due to unpaid natural gas bills.

If it is possible and appropriate, can you add our link as a resources link -https://www.socalgas.com/coronavirus

It gives good information about what we are doing at SoCalGas to support the community.  Topics include:

-What to Expect for your Natural Gas Service

-Bill Payment Options & Services During COVID-19

CUSTOMER INFORMATION

Bill Payment Options & Services During COVID-19 WHERE AND HOW TO MAKE A PAYMENT

Beginning Monday March 23, 2020 SoCalGas branch payment offices will also be closed to the public. Some Authorized Payment Locations may close or provide intermittent service. But, don’t worry. There are many other ways to pay your bill. They include:

• Drop off payment at depository boxes at our existing branch offices (include bill stub or account number with payment).

• At any one of our Authorized Payment Locations socalgas.com/pay-bill/ways-to-pay/payment-locations • Online at socalgas.com/pay-bill • By phone, to pay by credit, debit card or e-check, call 1-800-427-2200. • By mail, send bill stub with check or money order to:

SoCalGas
P.O. Box C
Monterey Park, CA 91756-0000

WHAT WE ARE DOING TO HELP CUSTOMERS

• As a reminder, we also suspended service disconnections until further notice. This means no customer will have their natural gas turned off due to non-payment.

• We are committed to helping customers experiencing hardships, including from COVID-19. Customer service representatives continue to be available 24-hours a day, 7 days a week to answer your questions, help you select a payment option, or determine if the service you’re calling about needs our attention right away. If in need of assistance, we encourage customers to call us at 1-800-427-2200.

• For our Small Business Customers, we are waiving late payment fees.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR YOUR NATURAL GAS SERVICE

• Rest assured, your natural gas service will still be there for you.

• We are committed to providing safe and reliable natural gas service to our customers.

• We are making some temporary changes to some of our customer service operations, consistent with guidance from public health officials.

• We will continue to make essential and emergency service appointments, including reports of suspected natural gas leaks, carbon monoxide checks, gas meter turn-ons, natural gas outage and pilot re-lights.

• For now, some appliance check-ups and non-essential service calls – things like inoperative pool heaters, barbecues, and fire pits are being suspended.

• During emergency service visits, SoCalGas technicians may ask homeowners to move to another room to maintain a 6-foot distance, per CDC guidelines.

Visit socalgas.com/Coronavirus for additional information and updates.

On March 27 SoCalGas reminded customers to be on alert for potential scams targeting utility customers during the COVID-19 outbreak. One common scam involves telling customers they must pay their gas bill immediately or their natural gas service will be disconnected.  SoCalGas does not call customers seeking payment.

SoCalGas is providing the following tips on how to recognize and respond to these scams:

• Recognizing common scam tactics such as caller ID spoofing, phishing emails and texts, and utility imposters appearing at your place of residence or business demanding payment
• Never provide your personal information such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, bank account numbers, or share names and passwords with anyone claiming to be a utility representative.
• Always ask to see a SoCalGas photo ID badge before letting someone inside your home. All SoCalGas employees on company business are required to carry a badge.
• Customers are encouraged to verify the employee’s uniform and identification. Most of our authorized employees will always be in a uniform with our company logo, carry an official employee badge, and drive a company car. SoCalGas employees will always be happy to wait while the customer confirms their identity.

Please see below and attached for more information. You can also visit @SoCalGasNews on Twitter and socalgas.com/newsroom.

On April 6 SoCalGas announced the company will launch a campaign titled, “SoCalGas CAREs” for customers whose income may have recently changed due to COVID-19 or other reasons. The campaign aims to let customers know of their eligibility to qualify for SoCalGas’ assistance program, California Alternate Rates for Energy or CARE, saving them 20 percent on their monthly natural gas bills. Over the next several weeks, SoCalGas will begin running both social media and television ads promoting the “SoCalGas CAREs” campaign.

The CARE program aids people in paying their utility bills by providing a 20 percent discount on monthly natural gas bills. Customers who have become recently unemployed or who are currently facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic or for other reasons are encouraged to visit socalgas.com/care, complete the quick online application and find out instantly if they qualify. The CARE online application is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese.

Please see below and attached for more information. You can also visit @SoCalGasNews on Twitter and socalgas.com/newsroom.