Sempra Energy

Sempra Energy is an American natural gas utilities holding company based in San Diego, California. It divides its interests into two broad categories: Sempra Utilities, including Pacific Enterprises/Southern California Gas Company and San Diego Gas & Electric; and Sempra Global, a holding company for businesses not subject to California utilities regulation, chiefly Sempra International and Sempra US Gas & Power.

For 2014, Sempra Energy reported $11 billion in revenue and 17,000 employees, serving more than 32 million customers worldwide. It is the largest natural gas utility in the United States in terms of coverage area and population served, and is a major force in international natural gas markets.

History

Sempra Energy was created through the 1998 merger of Los Angeles-based Pacific Enterprises, the parent company of Southern California Gas, and Enova Corporation, the parent company of San Diego Gas & Electric.

Sempra was sued over claims it manipulated natural gas supplies and electricity contracts during the 2001 California electricity crisis. In 2006 the company agreed to pay $377 million to settle gas supply claims, and in 2010 another $410 million to settle claims on electricity price gouging, but has never admitted wrongdoing.