LNG

Sempra Energy, the California-based utility and the newest US liquefied natural gas exporter with its liquefaction plant in Hackberry in Louisiana, said it was consistently working to strengthen its infrastructure to cope with extreme weather conditions in its home state and to supply LNG as clean energy to Asia to replace coal.

Sempra said its role includes taking a leadership position in modernizing North American natural gas pipelines and to increase safety and reliability.

It was also developing a comprehensive wildfire mitigation plan to help prevent electric equipment-related fires in California and to improve the ability of the power grid to meet extreme demand periods.

“In addition, the company expects to play a leadership role in the worldwide shift away from coal toward lower-emissions natural gas through the development of five LNG infrastructure projects in North America that should enable the delivery of LNG to consumers around the world,” stated Sempra in its corporate sustainability report.

The Cameron facility is one of three LNG export plants Sempra is developing in the region, along with Port Arthur LNG in Texas and the Costa Azul plant on the Pacific Coast of Mexico.

The five projects referred to are the expansion of Cameron and Port Arthur.

Sempra expects to become one of the largest US exporters of LNG with targeted volumes of 45 million tonnes per annum.

“Delivering energy with purpose is how we improve the lives of those we serve and is an integral part of who we are,” said Jeffrey W. Martin, Chairman and Chief Executive of Sempra.

“With a strong focus on safety, innovation and environmental stewardship, our company will deliver cleaner energy to the world - with purpose. This focus makes our company more effective and efficient,” he added.

Sempra’s main utilities in California are San Diego Gas & Electric Company and Southern California Gas Co.

San Diego-based Sempra also owns the Texas utility business Oncor and assets in Mexico through its Infraestructura Energetica Nova (IEnova) subsidiary.

“Sustainability will continue to be a key focus as we carry out our mission to be North America's premier energy infrastructure company,” noted Dennis V. Arriola, Executive Vice President.

“We recognize that we have a leadership role to play in the broader world and we're committed to doing the right thing and acting in an ethical and transparent manner in all aspects of our business,” stated Arriola.