Calling it a record-setting amount, Sempra Energy’s Southern California Gas Co. announced Friday it has a $10 million pot for energy efficiency rebates and incentives for its business customers. This amounts to the most money ever offered by the gas utility to encourage businesses to save energy through new and retrofit programs.

Funding is at an all-time high because of the heightened role California is giving to energy efficiency in meeting future energy needs in the state, according to SoCalGas’ Mark Gaines, customer programs director. The utility has set a goal for its 2006-08 program of saving 58 million therms, or enough natural gas to serve about 107,000 homes for a year.

The $10 million in funding will be divided among six program groups:

“The rebates and incentives are only the beginning; participating businesses save much more money by using less fuel,” Gaines said.

Customers can get more information on the incentive programs through the utility’s website (www.socalgas.com) under “Energy Efficiency,” or by calling 1-800-GAS-2000.

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