Sempra gets high ranking on clean energy

San Diego-based Sempra Energy ranks among the top U.S. investor-owned utilities when it comes to deploying clean energy resources, according to an analysis from a nonprofit advocate for sustainable business practices.

The report, released Thursday from Boston-based Ceres and energy consultancy Clean Edge, takes stock of sales for renewable energy, such as wind and solar, and conservation through energy efficiency at 32 of the largest investor-owned utility holding companies, overseeing 68 percent of U.S. retail electricity sales. It assembled information submitted by the utilities to U.S. financial regulators and state utility commissions.

Sempra, which oversees San Diego Gas & Electric ranked fourth both in the deployment of renewable energy and cumulative annual savings from energy efficiency as a percentage of sales.

California’s two other major investor-owned utilities, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Edison International, also ranked in the top 5 for both categories. California is requiring electricity providers to produce one-third of their electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

Las Vegas-based NV Energy ranked first for renewable energy, while PG&E led in the energy efficiency category.

The Ceres report calls for better and more up-to-date data to help gauge progress nationwide. More about the study can be found at www.ceres.org.