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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Docket #: A.05-03-015

Media Contact: Terrie Prosper, 415.703.1366, news@cpuc.ca.gov

PUC APPROVES SDG&E'S SMART METER PROJECT

SAN FRANCISCO, April 12, 2007 - The California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) today approved San Diego Gas and Electric Company's (SDG&E) "Smart Meter" project, a vital step in transforming California's investor-owned utility distribution network into an intelligent, integrated network enabled by modern information and control system technologies.

Today's decision on SDG&E's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) Project is the result of a settlement among SDG&E, the PUC's Division of Ratepayer Advocates, and Utility Consumer's Action Network. The settlement approved $572 million for the AMI project from 2007 through 2011. The Commission determined that there are between $40 million and $51 million in net benefits for the Settlement Agreement.

SDG&E's deployment is scheduled to begin in mid-2008. From 2008 through 2010, SDG&E will install approximately 1.4 million new, AMI-enabled, solid state electric meters and 900,000 AMI enabled gas modules that can, among other things, measure energy usage on a time-differentiated basis.

"These smart meters are part of our program to replace 20th century utility hardware with 21st century technology. The meters save money, boost energy conservation, and assist in emergencies. They will improve customer service by providing customer premise endpoint information, allow SDG&E to better manage gas leaks and electric systems outages, improve the meter reading process, and provide real near-term usage information to customers," said PUC Commissioner Dian M. Grueneich. "Moreover, this project will support technological advances such as in-house messaging displays and smart thermostat controls."

The PUC previously approved Pacific Gas and Electric Company's AMI plan and PG&E is deploying advanced meters throughout its service territory over the next five years.

The PUC's efforts on demand response programs such as AMI will moderate peak demand growth and allow the state to reduce infrastructure investments that would otherwise have to be made.

For more information on the PUC, please visit www.cpuc.ca.gov.

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