Sempra U.S. Gas & Power Solar Plant First in U.S. to Receive Prestigious Safety Recognition

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May 21, 2015, 11:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, May 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility in Boulder City, Nev. has been recognized as the first solar power plant in the U.S. to receive the "Voluntary Protection Programs Star" work site designation from the State of Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA). The award is the organization's highest recognition for exemplary safety performance.

Representatives from the State of Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Nevada OSHA) presented Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's Copper Mountain Solar 1 facility with a Voluntary Protection Programs Star flag and a plaque at a ceremony held at the facility on May 20.

"The State of Nevada Occupational Safety and Health Administration is honored to welcome Copper Mountain Solar 1 into its Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) as a 'Star' VPP site," said Jess Lankford, Nevada OSHA Chief Administrative Officer. "Nevada OSHA welcomes the opportunity to continue working cooperatively with Sempra U.S Gas & Power for the betterment of employee safety."

Representatives from Nevada OSHA presented Copper Mountain Solar 1 with a Voluntary Protection Programs Star flag and a plaque at a ceremony held at the facility on May 20. Located in Boulder City, Nev., the 58-megawatt (MW) solar plant is the tenth Nevada work site to receive the Star designation since the first one was awarded in 2001.

"We are honored to be recognized by Nevada OSHA for our strong commitment to the health and safety of our employees as well as the local community," said Kevin Gillespie, senior director of construction & operations for Sempra U.S. Gas & Power. "This recognition is a testament to our strong safety culture and programs. I am proud of each and every team member who contributed to this remarkable outcome."

Copper Mountain Solar 1 was completed in December 2010. It is the first phase of Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's Copper Mountain Solar complex, among the largest photovoltaic (PV) solar facilities in the U.S. The 58-MW second phase of Copper Mountain Solar 2 and the 250-MW Copper Mountain Solar 3, jointly-owned with Consolidated Edison Development, were completed in 2015. The solar complex collectively generates 458 MW, enough energy to power approximately 142,000 homes.

Nevada OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs promote effective worksite-based safety and health activities. Acceptance into the organization's programs reflects and recognizes the outstanding occupational safety and health efforts of employers and employees.

Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's jointly-owned 150-MW Mesquite Solar 1 facility in Arizona has applied for the prestigious Voluntary Protection Programs Star designation from the State of Arizona's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

About Sempra U.S. Gas & Power
Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC is a leading developer of renewable energy and natural gas solutions with power plants that generate enough electricity for nearly 600,000 homes. Sempra U.S. Gas & Power companies also operate natural gas storage facilities, pipelines and distribution utilities. The company is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2014 revenues of $11 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' 17,000 employees serve more than 32 million consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.SempraUSGP.com.

This press release contains statements that are not historical fact and constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by words like "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "plans," "estimates," "projects," "forecasts," "contemplates," "intends," "depends," "should," "could," "would," "will," "confident," "may," "potential," "target," "pursue," "goals," "outlook," "maintain" or similar expressions, or discussions of guidance, strategies, plans, goals, opportunities, projections, initiatives, objectives or intentions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance. They involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Future results may differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. 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These risks and uncertainties are further discussed in the reports that Sempra Energy has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These reports are available through the EDGAR system free-of-charge on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, and on the company's website at www.sempra.com. Investors should not rely unduly on any forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forecasts or projections or other forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Sempra International, LLC, and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC, are not the same companies as the California utilities, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) or Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas), and Sempra International, LLC, and Sempra U.S. Gas & Power, LLC, are not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Sempra International's underlying entities include Sempra Mexico and Sempra South American Utilities. Sempra U.S. Gas & Power's underlying entities include Sempra Renewables and Sempra Natural Gas.

Media Contact:	Steve Schooff
	Sempra U.S. Gas & Power
	(619) 696-2066
	www.semprausgp.com

Financial Contact:	Kendall Helm
	Sempra Energy
	(877) 696-2461
	[email protected]