SoCalGas Program Provides More Than $10 Million in Energy Efficiency Upgrades to Schools and Local Governments

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Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), reported that in 2025 its Public Direct Install Program (PDIP) delivered more than $10 million in no-cost energy efficiency upgrades to schools, local governments and other public facilities, with an estimated $32 million in lifetime utility bill savings.

According to SoCalGas, PDIP installed over 2,000 efficiency measures across 845 projects, cutting about 16.3 million net therms of energy use over the equipment’s lifetime. Colton Joint Unified School District completed 150 measures, including 84 tankless water heaters, reducing natural gas consumption by about 20% and receiving more than $800,000 in incentives.

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LOS ANGELES, Aug. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), announced today that schools, local governments, and other public-sector facilities received more than $10 million in no-cost energy efficiency upgrades through the Public Direct Install Program (PDIP) in 2025, with an additional $32 million in utility bill savings expected over the lifetime of the equipment. The program helps eligible participants identify and implement energy-saving improvements, including high-efficiency water heating technologies such as tankless water heaters, hot water pipe insulation and tank insulation.

The Colton Joint Unified School District is one participant seeing benefits from the PDIP, having completed more than 150 energy efficiency measures through the program across its district facilities over the last three years, including 84 high-efficiency tankless water heaters. By replacing aging equipment through the program, the district reduced natural gas consumption by approximately 20% and saved more than $800,000 through incentives.

"Typically, replacing a traditional water heater with a tankless unit costs anywhere from $8,000 to $12,000," said Energy Programs, Grants, and Sustainability Officer Jay Kim at Colton Joint Unified School District. "This frees up maintenance budgets and allows funding to be redirected back into the classroom for things like art projects, science kits, and musical instruments. That's a win-win for the district and the community we serve."

In 2025, the program installed more than 2,000 energy-efficiency measures across 845 projects and helped reduce energy use by approximately 16.3 million net therms over the lifetime of the installed equipment, the equivalent of serving about 11,500 residential homes for one year¹.

"Managing energy costs is an important part of helping schools, local governments and other public-serving organizations make the most of their budgets," said Andrew Steinberg, director of customer programs and assistance at SoCalGas. "This program helps participants make energy efficiency improvements that can reduce their operating expenses, allowing them to direct more resources toward other important services and programs their communities rely on."

Energy efficiency is one of several ways SoCalGas helps customers manage their energy costs and support long-term affordability. As highlighted in The Affordable Way for California, combining energy efficiency with investments in system reliability and underground storage helps support customer energy needs and underscores the value of a flexible, resilient energy system.

The PDIP is part of more than 70 energy efficiency programs administered by SoCalGas that help customers reduce energy use and better manage energy costs through rebates, assessments, direct installation services and other energy-saving solutions.

Eligible public agencies, federal facilities and K-12 schools interested in participating can learn more about available energy efficiency programs at www.socalgas.com/savings.

About SoCalGas

SoCalGas is the largest gas distribution utility in the United States, serving more than 21 million consumers across approximately 24,000 square miles of Central and Southern California. Our mission is: Safe, Reliable, and Affordable energy delivery today. Ready for tomorrow. SoCalGas is a recognized leader in the energy industry and has been named Corporate Member of the Year by the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce for its volunteer leadership in the communities it serves. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra (NYSE: SRE), a leading U.S. utility growth business.  For more information, visit SoCalGas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on social media @SoCalGas.

¹ "Estimate of equivalent avoided carbon dioxide emissions from homes' energy use for one year is converted from therms using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies calculator. This figure represents an estimate as of a point in time and future changes or updates to the EPA calculator may impact the result."

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SOURCE Southern California Gas Company

FAQ

What is SoCalGas's Public Direct Install Program (PDIP) mentioned in the 2025 update for Sempra (NYSE: SRE)?

The Public Direct Install Program (PDIP) is a SoCalGas initiative providing no-cost energy efficiency upgrades to eligible public-sector customers. According to SoCalGas, PDIP helps schools, local governments and federal facilities identify and install high-efficiency equipment, including tankless water heaters and insulation, to reduce energy use and utility bills.

How much funding did SoCalGas provide through PDIP in 2025 for public agencies and schools?

SoCalGas reports that more than $10 million in no-cost energy efficiency upgrades were delivered through PDIP in 2025. According to SoCalGas, these upgrades are expected to generate about $32 million in utility bill savings over the lifetime of the installed equipment for participating public-sector facilities.

What energy savings did SoCalGas’s PDIP achieve in 2025 for Sempra (SRE) customers?

According to SoCalGas, PDIP installations in 2025 are expected to reduce energy use by about 16.3 million net therms over the equipment’s lifetime. This reduction is described as roughly equivalent to serving around 11,500 residential homes with natural gas for one year, based on SoCalGas estimates.

How did Colton Joint Unified School District benefit from SoCalGas’s PDIP program?

Colton Joint Unified School District reduced natural gas use by about 20% through PDIP participation. According to SoCalGas, the district implemented more than 150 measures, including 84 high-efficiency tankless water heaters, and received over $800,000 in incentives, helping free maintenance budget for classroom-related needs.

How many projects and measures did SoCalGas complete under PDIP in 2025?

SoCalGas states that in 2025 PDIP installed more than 2,000 energy-efficiency measures across 845 projects. According to SoCalGas, these measures included technologies like high-efficiency water heating and insulation, supporting long-term energy savings for schools, local governments and other public-serving organizations in its service area.

How does SoCalGas’s PDIP fit into Sempra (SRE) and SOCGP’s broader energy efficiency efforts?

PDIP is one of more than 70 energy efficiency programs SoCalGas administers for its customers. According to SoCalGas, these programs, combined with investments in system reliability and underground storage, are intended to help manage energy costs and support a flexible, resilient energy system for its service territory.

How can eligible schools and public agencies participate in SoCalGas’s PDIP and other efficiency programs?

Eligible public agencies, federal facilities and K-12 schools can learn about PDIP and other programs via the SoCalGas website. According to SoCalGas, customers can visit www.socalgas.com/savings to review available rebates, assessments, direct installation services and additional energy-saving solutions tailored to their facilities.