USHCC Applauds Sempra Energy For Long-Standing Commitment To Supplier Diversity

WASHINGTON, May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Sempra Energy has once again affirmed its commitment to the minority business community, far exceeding its supplier diversity goals at both major subsidiaries, Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in 2011. Sempra Energy, based in San Diego, is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company with 2011 revenues of $10 billion. The Sempra Energy companies' 17,500 employees serve more than 31 million consumers worldwide. Sempra Energy's California utilities, SDG&E and SoCalGas serve more than 20 million consumers.

"We commend Sempra Energy for their long-standing commitment to the minority owned business community," says USHCC President & CEO Javier Palomarez. "The work done by a global energy leader like Sempra is integral to American economic development and job creation. By surpassing diversity benchmarks each year, Sempra demonstrates its understanding that supplier diversity is simply smart business."

SDG&E surpassed their diverse spending goal for the sixth year in a row. In 2011, SDG&E reported that 38.13 percent of products and services were provided by diverse business enterprises (DBEs). SDG&E spent a total of $546 million on purchases with women, minority, and service-disabled veteran-owned businesses in 2011 – a nearly 42 percent increase in spending over 2010. SDG&E's ability to infuse diverse businesses in both core business areas and capital projects has proven to show an increase in quality and service while minimizing cost.

SoCalGas contracted more than $300 million to minority businesses last year and reported that 38.12 percent of total spend was with DBEs.  SoCalGas' supplier diversity activities, which started more than 30 years ago, have evolved not only into a key business strategy, but also a core company value. Exceeding the company's internal target of 30 percent for the fourth consecutive year and surpassing the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) goal of 21.5 percent for the 19th straight year.

"At Sempra Energy, diversity is more than a goal – it's part of our corporate culture," said G. Joyce Rowland, senior vice president of human resources, diversity and inclusion at Sempra Energy. "We are proud of the positive impacts we've made on the diverse communities where we do business and will strive to raise the bar even higher."

About the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1979, the USHCC actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs and represents the interests of nearly 3 million Hispanic-owned businesses in the United States that combined generate in excess of $465 billion annually. It also serves as the umbrella organization for more than 200 local Hispanic chambers and business associations in the United States and Puerto Rico. For more information, visit www.ushcc.com.

SOURCE United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

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