SAN DIEGO, Feb. 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, San Diego
Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced the establishment of a
$2 million endowment fund benefiting
the Living Coast Discovery Center (Living Coast). The SDG&E
Living Coast Discovery Center South Bay Enhancement Fund (Fund)
will support the continued operation of Living Coast, environmental
education programs, and the public's access and enjoyment of the
San Diego Bay.
The establishment of this Fund was a condition of the California
Coastal Commission's approval of the relocation of SDG&E's
South Bay Substation. SDG&E proposed the Fund as a part of the
substation's relocation from its current Chula Vista bayfront site, making new
waterfront land available to the Chula Vista Bayfront Master Plan.
The Fund will be managed by The San Diego Foundation.
"This is an exciting day for Living Coast and the communities of
South Bay San Diego," said Frank
Urtasun, SDG&E's regional vice president of external
relations. "Living Coast is a unique place where families can learn
about our coastal species in the middle of a protected wetland.
Today, SDG&E is again pleased to support it."
"The Living Coast Discovery Center is one of the crown jewels of
Chula Vista's Bayfront, where
children and their families can visit and appreciate our special
coastal environment," said County Supervisor and California Coastal
Commissioner Greg Cox. "Thanks to
SDG&E's generous support, we will be able to keep the Center
open and thriving for future generations to enjoy."
"Though the Living Coast faced financial hardship, over the last
14 months we have made significant progress toward financial
sustainability much in thanks to strong community partners like
SDG&E, our largest corporate supporter," said Ben Vallejos, executive director of Living
Coast. "We have a long road ahead of us, but are especially
grateful to SDG&E, the Coastal Commission, Supervisor Cox,
former Mayor Cox, Mayor Salas, and the city council for enabling us
to continue our mission of environmental education through this
endowment."
The long term endowment fund, managed by The San Diego
Foundation, is expected to provide nearly $90,000 a year, subject to market conditions, to
Living Coast.
"The San Diego Foundation is pleased to manage this Fund on
behalf of SDG&E in support of the Living Coast Discovery
Center," said Kathlyn Mead,
President and CEO of The San Diego Foundation. "The Foundation is
dedicated to improving the quality of life for all communities in
the San Diego region, and Living
Coast's mission and values are closely aligned with our own."
SDG&E is a regulated public utility that provides safe and
reliable energy service to 3.4 million consumers through 1.4
million electric meters and 878,000 natural gas meters in
San Diego and southern
Orange counties. The utility's
area spans 4,100 square miles. SDG&E is committed to
creating ways to help customers save energy and money every
day. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a
Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San
Diego. Connect with SDG&E's Customer Contact Center at
800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
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SOURCE San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E)