Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced a gift of $100,000 to the College of Engineering, Computer Science, and Technology at California State University, Los Angeles (Cal State LA) to support research and undergraduate education in combustion engineering. The funds will be used to purchase laboratory equipment for research designed to advance energy efficiency in new gas products and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They will also support undergraduate education on natural gas combustion, senior design projects, and student research.

In Southern California, natural gas is the most affordable and reliable option for home and water heating and for cooking. More than 90 percent of residents use natural gas to heat their home and hot water. In addition, more than half of the electricity generated in California is produced using clean burning natural gas. Generating electricity locally using natural gas helps California avoid importing electricity generated with less desirable fuels like coal.  

"Whether it's the hot water you showered with this morning or the clean energy that powers manufacturers, hospitals, and universities like Cal State LA, Californians count on a dependable supply of natural gas to support almost every facet of modern life," said Lisa Alexander, vice president of customer solutions at SoCalGas.

SoCalGas is a leader in researching and developing new technologies that improve energy efficiency and reduce emissions. Since 1990, the utility's energy efficiency and rebate programs have reduced emissions equal to taking almost 700,000 cars off the road. These advances have also helped save SoCalGas customers more than $670 million in utility bill costs. In 2017, the utility invested more than $10 million in nearly 1,000 educational, environmental, and community organizations across its service territory.