SDG&E’s Environmental Initiatives

Learn About SDG&E’s Sustainable Initiatives

SDG&E understands the importance of solar energy today and in the coming years to combat extreme weather, as well as the responsibilities they have as an electric company to protect the environment and your community. That’s why SDG&E is dedicated to being an active steward of the planet’s natural resources and habitats.1 

SDG&E’s Sustainable Initiatives and Programs

1. Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

In the U.S., approximately 29% of carbon emissions come from the electricity sector, and most are linked to fossil fuels like coal and natural gas2 — a contributing factor to extreme weather events. As a provider of electricity and natural gas services to millions of customers in San Diego and Southern Orange County, SDG&E is working hard to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Today, around 45% of the electricity SDG&E delivers to homes and businesses comes from renewable sources, like solar and wind, compared to the national average of 8%. Making it clear, SDG&E is well on its track to reaching California’s 50% renewable energy goal by 20303 and 100% by 2045.4

2. EcoChoice

If you don’t own your home or can’t install solar panels on your roof, with SDG&E’s EcoChoice program, you can get up to 100% of your home energy from clean and renewable sources every month.5

How does it work? Well, SDG&E buys clean energy from generating facilities built for EcoChoice, and by enrolling in this program means you’ll support additional renewable energy facilities. The more power you purchase for your home, the more renewable generation SDG&E can continue building. Use SDG&E’s EcoChoice calculator to see your potential costs of enrolling in this program.  

3. Clean Driving

According to studies, the biggest source of carbon pollution in California is transportation. Gas-powered vehicles produce almost 40% of the state’s carbon emissions — and nearly 50% of San Diego’s — while electricity generation in California adds up to around 19%.6

For this reason, SDG&E is making significant efforts to support transportation electrification by expanding their alternative-fuel vehicle fleet and the electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the region.

Through their “Power Your Drive” program, SDG&E wants to make clean driving more accessible to people in California, and they’re also installing thousands of electric vehicle charging ports at apartments, condos, offices, and industrial and commercial areas, like the San Diego International Airport and the Port of San Diego.7

4. Conservation and Innovation Efforts8

Energy Efficiency

During the last three years, SDG&E customers have reduced their electricity use by more than 911 million kilowatt-hours, and their natural gas usage by more than 1.8 million therms. That is enough electricity to power 150,000 homes year-round or the equivalent of removing 135,000 cars from the road for an entire year.

Electronic Billing

Around 41% of SDG&E’s customer bills are sent electronically — well above the national average of 15%.

Reducing Bottled Water

Each year, SDG&E’s headquarters water filtration system avoids the use of roughly 200,000 plastic water bottles.

Land Protection

More than 11,000 acres of land have been protected as part of SDG&E’s “Sunrise Powerlink Project.” A high-voltage power transmission line that will bring 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy from the Imperial Valley to San Diego County in California.9

SDG&E’s Committed to a More Sustainable Future, Are You?

Lower your carbon emissions for the next 25 years, when you choose to go solar and save with Sunrun in San Diego. Plus, with some of our solar plans with a home solar battery, you could start your solar journey for as little as $0 down. With us Sunrunners, personalized solar quotes are always free — and we serve all SDG&E customers. But don't take our word for it, see what our customers are saying about us. 

Find Out How Sunrun Works with SDG&E. Go Solar Today!

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Sources:

1. https://www.sdge.com/more-information/environment

2. https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/public-benefits-of-...

3. https://www.sdge.com/more-information/environment/our-commitment

4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/enriquedans/2018/09/01/in-california-by-204...

5. https://www.sdge.com/residential/savings-center/solar-power-renewable-en...

6. https://www.sdge.com/residential/electric-vehicles

7. https://www.sdge.com/residential/electric-vehicles/power-your-drive

8. https://www.sdge.com/more-information/environment/about-our-initiatives

9. http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/environment/info/aspen/sunrise/toc-feir.htm