More than 300 diverse businesses benefited from contracting opportunities

SAN DIEGO, March 12, 2019 – Hundreds of diverse businesses – including those owned by women, veterans, and minorities – participated in more than $722 million worth of procurement opportunities made possible by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) in 2018.  This is the highest level of spending SDG&E has achieved with diverse businesses in the history of the company, accounting for 43.9 percent of all goods and services purchased by SDG&E last year. This far exceeds the California Public Utilities Commission’s goal of 21.5 percent.

This marks the sixth consecutive year that SDG&E’s supplier diversity spending surpassed 40 percent.

“SDG&E has a long history of fostering a diverse workplace and partnering with diverse businesses to supply the goods and services our company needs,” said Kevin Sagara, SDG&E chairman and chief executive officer. “We value diversity because it not only produces better business decisions, but it creates an inclusive culture that represents the customers, suppliers, and the communities we serve.”

Our 2018 results were driven by core business areas, such as operations support, major projects, construction services and gas operations.

Diversity is a core value at SDG&E and plays a key role in creating new opportunities for diverse businesses and enhances our ability to remain competitive while also contributing to our local economy.

SDG&E is proud of its robust and comprehensive supplier diversity program that advocates for procurement opportunities for business enterprises owned by women, minorities, service-disabled veterans, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.

To help connect diverse businesses with opportunities, SDG&E has an ambassador program that connects employees with local firms; hosts matchmaking events and informational symposiums, including a Supplier Forum; and recognizes suppliers and employees who demonstrate a commitment to diversity at an annual awards summit.

More information about SDG&E’s commitment to supplier diversity can be found in the newly released 2018 Supplier Diversity Annual Report.

SDG&E is an innovative San Diego-based energy company that provides clean, safe and reliable energy to better the lives of the people it serves in San Diego and southern Orange counties. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by providing around 45 percent of its electricity from renewable sources; modernizing natural gas pipelines; accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles; supporting numerous non-profit partners; and, investing in innovative technologies to ensure the reliable operation of the region’s infrastructure for generations to come. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information, visit SDGEnews.com or connect with SDG&E on Twitter (@SDGE), Instagram (@SDGE) and Facebook.
 

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