SCHEDULE 14C INFORMATION Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Check the appropriate box: [_] Preliminary Information Statement [_] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2)) [X] Definitive Information Statement Southern California Gas - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant As Specified In Charter) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [X] No fee required. [_] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- [_] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [_] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Notes:
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY ---------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ---------------- The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Southern California Gas Company will be held on May 11, 2000 at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of Sempra Energy, 101 Ash Street, San Diego, California, for the following purposes: (1) To elect directors for the ensuing year. (2) To transact any other business that may properly come before the meeting. Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2000 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting is a business-only meeting. It will not include any presentations by management. ONLY SHAREHOLDERS OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY ARE ENTITLED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING. SHAREHOLDERS WHO OWN SHARES REGISTERED IN THEIR NAMES WILL BE ADMITTED TO THE MEETING UPON VERIFICATION OF RECORD SHARE OWNERSHIP. SHAREHOLDERS WHO OWN SHARES THROUGH BANKS, BROKERAGE FIRMS, NOMINEES OR OTHER ACCOUNT CUSTODIANS MUST PRESENT PROOF OF BENEFICIAL SHARE OWNERSHIP (SUCH AS A BROKERAGE ACCOUNT STATEMENT) TO BE ADMITTED. By Order of the Board of Directors Los Angeles, California March 22, 2000
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY ---------------- INFORMATION STATEMENT FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS ---------------- WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY. Southern California Gas Company ("SoCalGas" or the "Gas Company") is providing this Information Statement in connection with its Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 11, 2000. It is being mailed to shareholders commencing April 5, 2000. SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY SoCalGas is a direct subsidiary of Pacific Enterprises and an indirect subsidiary of Sempra Energy. It is a public utility supplying natural gas throughout most of Southern and portions of Central California. It is the nation's largest natural gas distribution utility. SoCalGas became an indirect subsidiary of Sempra Energy upon the June 26, 1998 completion of a business combination of Pacific Enterprises (the direct parent corporation of SoCalGas) and Enova Corporation (the direct parent corporation of San Diego Gas & Electric Company). In the combination, Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corporation became separate subsidiaries of Sempra Energy, a newly formed holding company, and Pacific Enterprises Common Stock and Enova Corporation Common Stock were converted into Sempra Energy Common Stock. Shares of SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric Company ("SDG&E") were unaffected by the business combination and remain outstanding. SoCalGas' principal executive offices are located at The Gas Company Tower, 555 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, California. Its telephone number is (213) 244-1200. OUTSTANDING SHARES AND VOTING RIGHTS Shareholders who are present at the Annual Meeting will be entitled to one vote for each of the Gas Company's shares which they held of record at the close of business on March 22, 2000. At that date, the outstanding shares consisted of 91,300,000 shares of Common Stock and 862,043 shares of Preferred Stock. All of the shares of Common Stock and 50,877 shares of Preferred Stock (together representing over 99% of the outstanding shares) are owned by Pacific Enterprises. In electing directors, shareholders will be entitled to cumulate votes if any shareholder gives notice at the meeting and, prior to the voting, of an intention to cumulate votes. If that notice is given, all shareholders will be entitled to thirteen votes (the number of directors to be elected) for each of their shares and may cast all of their votes for any one director candidate whose name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting or distribute their votes among two or more such candidates in such proportions as they may determine. In voting upon other matters properly presented to the Annual Meeting, each shareholder will be entitled to one vote for each share of SoCalGas Common or Preferred Stock. 1
GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY BOARD OF DIRECTORS The business and affairs of the Gas Company are managed under the direction of the Board of Directors in accordance with the California General Corporation Law as implemented by the Company's Articles of Incorporation and By-laws. Members of the board are kept informed through various reports routinely sent to them as well as by operating and financial presentations made at board and committee meetings by officers and others. Shareholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates for consideration by the Corporate Governance Committee as directors of the Gas Company should write to: Corporate Secretary, Southern California Gas Company, The Gas Company Tower, 555 West Fifth Street, Los Angeles, California, 90013, stating in detail the qualifications of the suggested candidates. During 1999, the Board of Directors held nine meetings. The standing committees listed below assisted the board in carrying out its duties. COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD AUDIT COMPENSATION CORPORATE GOVERNANCE EXECUTIVE FINANCE PUBLIC POLICY ----- ---------------------- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- ------------------ Richard A. Richard J. Stegemeier, Hyla H. Bertea, Warren I. Mitchell, Daniel W. Derbes, Herbert L. Carter, Collato, Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Chair Ann L. Burr Hyla H. Bertea Ann L. Burr Herbert L. Carter Richard A. Collato William D. Jones Wilford D. Ignacio E. Lozano, Jr. Daniel W. Derbes Ignacio E. Lozano, Jr. Wilford D. Godbold, Jr. Ralph R. Ocampo Godbold, Jr. Robert H. Ralph R. Ocampo Robert H. Goldsmith Thomas C. Stickel William D. Jones William G. Ouchi Goldsmith William G. Ouchi Thomas C. Stickel Richard J. Stegemeier Diana L. Walker Diana L. Walker Audit Committee The Audit Committee met five times in 1999. Its duties and responsibilities include: . Providing oversight of the financial reporting process and management's responsibility for the integrity, accuracy and objectivity of financial reports and accounting and financial reporting practices. . Recommending to the board the selection of independent auditors. Compensation Committee The Compensation Committee met five times in 1999. Its duties and responsibilities include: . Establishing overall strategy with respect to compensation for directors and senior officers. . Evaluating the performance of the Chairman and the President for compensation purposes. . Reviewing and approving individual salary adjustments and awards under incentive plans for senior officers. . Overseeing the executive succession plans. Corporate Governance Committee The Corporate Governance Committee met three times in 1999. Its duties and responsibilities include: . Reviewing and recommending nominees for election as directors. 2
. Assessing the performance of the Board of Directors. . Developing guidelines for board composition. . Reviewing and considering issues relating to corporate governance. Executive Committee The Executive Committee did not meet in 1999. The committee meets on call during the intervals between board meetings and, subject to the limitations imposed by law, has all the authority of the board. Finance Committee The Finance Committee met two times in 1999. Its duties and responsibilities include: . Reviewing long term and short term financial requirements and financing plans. . Reviewing trading operations, financial guarantees and derivatives positions and exposure. . Reviewing pension plan investment results and insurance coverages. Public Policy Committee The Public Policy Committee met three times in 1999. Its duties and responsibilities include: . Reviewing public policy issues affecting the Gas Company, including ethnic, social and political trends. . Reviewing employment and contracting policies, consumer issues and community relations. . Reviewing charitable and political contributions and programs. DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION All of the directors of the Gas Company are also directors or officers of Sempra Energy. They are not separately compensated for services as directors of the Gas Company. Directors of Sempra Energy who are not also employees receive the following retainer and fees for services as directors of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries: Annual retainer..................................................... $26,000 Attendance fee for each Board meeting............................... $ 1,000 Attendance fee for each Committee meeting........................... $ 1,000 Additional meeting fee for each Committee meeting chaired........... $ 1,000 Directors may elect to receive their annual fees in Sempra Energy Common Stock instead of cash or to defer their annual fees into an interest-bearing account or a phantom share account in which the fees are deemed invested in Sempra Energy Common Stock. Each non-employee director of Sempra Energy is granted upon becoming a director a ten-year option to purchase 15,000 shares of Sempra Energy Common. Each non-employee director is also granted an additional ten-year option to purchase 5,000 shares at each annual meeting of Sempra Energy (other than the annual meeting that coincides with or first follows the director's election to the board) following which the director continues to serve as a non-employee director. Each option is granted at an option exercise price equal to the fair market value of the option shares at the date the option is granted and becomes fully exercisable commencing with the first annual meeting of Sempra Energy following the date of the grant or the director's earlier death, disability, retirement or involuntary termination of board service other than for cause. 3
Non-employee directors of Sempra Energy who were directors of Pacific Enterprises or Enova Corporation at the time of the business combination of the two companies (currently all of the non-employee directors) continue to accrue retirement benefits (subject to certain maximum years of service credit) for service as non-employee directors of Sempra Energy. Benefits commence upon the later of retirement as a director or attaining age 65 and continue for a maximum period equal to the director's combined years of service as a director of Sempra Energy and Pacific Enterprises or Enova Corporation. The annual benefit is the sum of Sempra Energy's then current annual retainer and ten times the then current board meeting fee. 4
SHARE OWNERSHIP OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS All of the outstanding SoCalGas Common Stock is owned by Pacific Enterprises and none of the Gas Company's directors or officers owns any SoCalGas Preferred Stock. The following table sets forth the number of shares of Sempra Energy Common Stock beneficially owned by each director, by each of the five most highly compensated executive officers of the Gas Company and by all directors and executive officers of the Gas Company as a group, as of February 15, 2000. These shares, in the aggregate, represent less than one percent of Sempra Energy's outstanding shares. SEMPRA ENERGY COMMON STOCK SHARES CURRENT SUBJECT TO BENEFICIAL EXERCISABLE PHANTOM HOLDINGS OPTIONS(A) SHARES(B) TOTAL ---------- ----------- --------- ------- Hyla H. Bertea....................... 9,630 20,000 -0- 29,630 Ann L. Burr.......................... 2,200 20,000 -0- 22,200 Herbert L. Carter.................... 1,551 20,000 -0- 21,551 Richard A. Collato................... 4,222 20,000 -0- 24,222 Daniel W. Derbes..................... 5,828 20,000 -0- 25,828 Wilford D. Godbold, Jr. ............ 3,006 20,000 -0- 23,006 Robert H. Goldsmith (C).............. 2,659 20,000 -0- 22,659 William D. Jones..................... 2,174 20,000 -0- 22,174 Ignacio E. Lozano, Jr. (C)........... 2,352 20,000 -0- 22,352 Warren I. Mitchell................... 22,565 145,446 36,991 205,002 Richard M. Morrow.................... 13,056 36,888 372 50,316 Ralph R. Ocampo...................... 14,621 20,000 -0- 34,621 William G. Ouchi..................... 10,000 20,000 -0- 30,000 Roy M. Rawlings...................... 6,986 55,252 905 63,143 Debra L. Reed........................ 11,411 103,913 1,538 116,862 Richard J. Stegemeier................ 1,503 20,000 -0- 21,503 Lee M. Stewart....................... 13,085 102,406 1,180 116,671 Thomas C. Stickel.................... 2,037 20,000 -0- 22,037 Diana L. Walker...................... 936 20,000 -0- 20,936 Directors and Executive Officers as a group (20 persons).................. 134,551 792,009 42,066 968,626 - -------- (A) Shares which may be acquired through the exercise of stock options that are exercisable on or before May 15, 2000. (B) Represents deferred compensation deemed invested in shares of Sempra Energy Common Stock. These phantom shares cannot be voted or transferred but track the performance of Sempra Energy Common Stock. (C) Messrs. Goldsmith and Lozano will retire as directors before the Annual Meeting and the authorized number of directors will be reduced to reflect their retirements. 5
Share ownership guidelines have been established for directors and officers to further strengthen the link between performance and compensation. For non- employee directors the guideline is ownership of a number of shares having a market value equal to four times the annual retainer. For officers, the guidelines are: SOCALGAS EXECUTIVE SHARE OWNERSHIP LEVEL GUIDELINES ------------------ --------------- Chairman and President 3 X Base Salary Presidents of Divisions 2 X Base Salary Vice Presidents 1 X Base Salary In setting the guidelines the board considered then current share ownership levels and the desirability of encouraging further share ownership. The officer guidelines were established in 1998 and the director guidelines in 2000. They are expected to be met or exceeded within five years from adoption. For purposes of the guidelines, shares owned include phantom shares into which compensation is deferred and the vested portion of certain in-the-money stock options as well as shares owned directly or through benefit plans. 6
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Gas Company's Board of Directors will consist of thirteen directors upon giving effect to the retirement of two directors who will retire before the Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a corresponding reduction in the authorized number of directors. At the Annual Meeting, thirteen directors (comprising the entire authorized number of directors) will be elected to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified. The thirteen director candidates receiving the greatest number of votes will be elected as directors. Warren I. Mitchell has announced that he will retire on July 1, 2000. The board anticipates that it will at that time further reduce the authorized number of directors to twelve. The names of the Board of Directors' thirteen nominees for election as directors and biographical information regarding each nominee are set forth below. Each nominee is currently a director of the Gas Company and also of SDG&E. Each nominee (other than Mr. Mitchell) is also a director of Pacific Enterprises and Sempra Energy. Unless otherwise noted, each nominee has held the position set forth beneath his or her name or various positions with the same or predecessor organizations for at least the last five years. HYLA H. BERTEA, 59, has been a director since 1993. She is a realtor with Prudential California, a real estate sales company. She is a trustee of Lewis & Clark College, a director of Orange County Community Foundation, and a former commissioner of the California Horse Racing Board. For a number of years she has been involved in leadership positions with various other cultural, educational and health organizations in the Orange County and Los Angeles areas. Mrs. Bertea was a co-commissioner of gymnastics and a member of the executive staff for the 1984 Olympics. [Photo of Hyla Berta] ANN L. BURR, 53, has been a director since 1998. She is an Executive Vice President of Time Warner Cable. She is the former President of Time Warner Communications in Rochester, New York and Time Warner Cable in San Diego. Ms. Burr is a trustee of the Rochester Institute of Technology. She served as Chair of the Board of Directors of the California Cable Television Association and chaired its Telecommunications Policy Committee. She is a former Chair of the Greater San Diego Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the founder and former Chair of the Chamber's Business Roundtable for Education and the San Diego Communications Council. [Photo of Ann Burr] HERBERT L. CARTER, DPA, 66, has been a director since 1993. He has served as President of California State University, Dominguez Hills, and Executive Vice Chancellor Emeritus and Trustee Professor of Public Administration of the California State University System. He was President and Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Greater Los Angeles from 1992 until 1995, and Executive Vice Chancellor of the California State University System from 1987 until 1992. Dr. Carter is a director of Golden State Mutual Insurance Company, and has served as a member of the Board of Councilors of the School of Public Administration, University of Southern California and the Board of Regents of Loyola Marymount University. [Photo of Herbert Carter] RICHARD A. COLLATO, 56, has been a director since 1998. He is President and Chief Executive Officer of the YMCA of San Diego County. He is a former director of Y-Mutual Ltd., a reinsurance company, and The Bank of San Diego. Mr. Collato is a former trustee of Springfield College, and currently is a trustee of the YMCA Retirement Fund and Bauce Foundation, and a director of Project Design Consultants. [Photo of Richard Collato] 7
DANIEL W. DERBES, 69, has been a director since 1998. He is President of Signal Ventures. From 1985 until 1988, he was President of Allied-Signal International Inc. and Executive Vice President of Allied-Signal Inc., a multi-national advanced technologies company. Mr. Derbes is a director of WD-40 Company and a trustee of the University of San Diego. [Photo of Daniel Derbes] WILFORD D. GODBOLD, JR., 61, has been a director since 1993. He is the retired President and Chief Executive Officer of ZERO Corporation, an international manufacturer primarily of enclosures and thermal management equipment for the electronics market. He is a director of K2, Inc. Mr. Godbold is a trustee of the Wellness Community, a member of the Council on California Competitiveness, a past President of the Board of Trustees of Marlborough School and a past Chairman of the Board of the California Chamber of Commerce and The Employers Group. [Photo of Wilford Godbold] WILLIAM D. JONES, 44, has been a director since 1998. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer and a director of CityLink Investment Corporation. From 1989 to 1993, he served as General Manager/Senior Asset Manager and Investment Manager with certain real estate subsidiaries of The Prudential. Prior to joining The Prudential, he served as a San Diego Council member from 1982 to 1987. Mr. Jones is a director of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Los Angeles Branch, and a trustee of the University of San Diego. He is a former director of The Price Real Estate Investment Trust. [Photo of William Jones] WARREN I. MITCHELL, 62, has been a director since 1997. He is Chairman of the Board and President of the Gas Company, Chairman of SDG&E and Group President-Regulated Business Operations of Sempra Energy. He is a director of the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, Gas Research Institute and Chairman, director and trustee of the Institute of Gas Technology. [Photo of Warren Mitchell] RALPH R. OCAMPO, M.D., F.A.C.S., 68, has been a director since 1998. He is a practicing surgeon, Governor of the American College of Surgeons, past President of the California Medical Association and a Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Diego. [Photo of Ralph Ocampo] WILLIAM G. OUCHI, PH.D., 56, has been a director since 1998. He is a Vice Dean and Faculty Director of Executive Education Programs and Sanford and Betty Sigoloff Professor in Corporate Renewal in the Anderson Graduate School of Management at UCLA. Dr. Ouchi is a director of Allegheny Technologies, FirstFed Financial Corp., and Water-Pik Technologies. He is a trustee of Williams College and a director of KCET Public Service Television. [Photo William Ouchi] RICHARD J. STEGEMEIER, 71, has been a director since 1995. He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Unocal Corporation. He is a director of Foundation Health Systems, Inc., Halliburton Company, Montgomery Watson, Inc., and Northrop Grumman Corporation. [Photo of Richard J. Stegemeier] 8
THOMAS C. STICKEL, 50, has been a director since 1998. He is the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and founder of University Ventures Network. He is the founder of Americana Partners Capital Group, Inc. He previously was the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of TCS Enterprises, Inc. and the Bank of Southern California, both of which he founded. Mr. Stickel is Chairman of the Board of Onyx Acceptance Corporation, a director of Blue Shield of California and Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Vice Chairman of the California Chamber of Commerce. [Photo of Thomas C. Stickel DIANA L. WALKER, 58, has been a director since 1993. Mrs. Walker is a partner and General Counsel of the law firm of O'Melveny & Myers LLP. She is a former director of United Way of Greater Los Angeles, and Emeritus Governor and former Chair of the Board of Governors of the Institute for Corporate Counsel, a former trustee of Marlborough School and a member of various professional organizations. O'Melveny & Myers LLP provides legal services to Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries. [Photo of Diana L. Walker] 9
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Gas Company became an indirect subsidiary of Sempra Energy in connection with a business combination of Pacific Enterprises (the direct parent of the Gas Company) and Enova Corporation (the direct parent of San Diego Gas & Electric Company) that was completed on June 26, 1998. The Boards of Directors of the Gas Company, SDG&E and Sempra Energy each maintain a Compensation Committee comprised of independent directors. The directors comprising the three committees are identical and the committees typically meet in joint session. The Compensation Committees have the responsibility for establishing compensation principles and strategies, as well as designing a compensation program for executive officers. Their responsibilities also include administering a base salary program, executive annual and long term incentive plans, and executive benefit and perquisite programs. During 1999, the Compensation Committees conducted a review of the executive compensation programs and policies of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries that were originally developed in 1998 in connection with the business combination of Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corporation. The committees sought the assistance of nationally recognized compensation and benefit consultants to assist with the review of executive compensation principles and practices designed to assist the companies in realizing the key objective of creating superior shareholder value in a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive business environment. The committees, with the assistance of a nationally recognized compensation firm, also reviewed board compensation during 1999. COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES AND STRATEGIES In developing compensation principles and strategies, the Compensation Committees considered the current and prospective business environment for Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries and took into account numerous factors, including: . The rapidly changing and increasingly competitive environment in which Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries operate. . The need to retain experienced executives of outstanding ability and to motivate them to achieve superior performance. . The need to attract executive talent from broader markets as the utility and energy industries continue to rapidly evolve. . The need to strongly link executive compensation to both annual and long term corporate, business unit and individual performance. . The need to strongly align the interests of executives with those of shareholders. As a result of this review, the Compensation Committees approved the continuation of the compensation program developed in 1998 and designed to meet these objectives and encourage executives to achieve superior shareholder returns. The program includes the following elements. . An emphasis on "pay-for-performance" with a substantial portion of total compensation reflecting corporate, business unit and individual performance. . An emphasis on stock incentives closely aligning the interests of executives with those of shareholders. . An emphasis on total compensation with base salaries generally targeted at or near median general industry levels for comparable sized companies and with the annual cash and long term equity incentives providing opportunities to earn total compensation at significantly higher levels for superior corporate, business unit and individual performance. 10
. An appropriate balance of short term and long term compensation to retain talented executives, reward effective long term strategic results and encourage share ownership. . An emphasis on placing at risk, through equity and other performance- based incentives, a greater portion of an executive's total compensation as levels of responsibility increase. The Compensation Committees also considered provisions of the Internal Revenue Code limiting to $1 million the annual amount of compensation that does not qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" that publicly held corporations may deduct for federal income tax purposes as compensation expense for each of certain executive officers. The committees consider tax deductibility to be an important factor but only one factor to be considered in evaluating any executive officer compensation program. Accordingly, the committees intend to design programs that will maximize federal income tax deductions for compensation expense to the extent that doing so is consistent with the compensation principles and strategies of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries. The committees believe, however, that there are circumstances in which the interests of its shareholders may be best served by providing compensation that is not fully tax deductible, and may exercise discretion to provide compensation (including incentive awards under the Sempra Energy Long Term Incentive Plan) that will not qualify as a tax deductible compensation expense. COMPENSATION PROGRAM The primary components of the compensation program of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries are base salaries, annual cash incentive opportunities and long term equity and equity-based incentive opportunities. Base Salaries Base salaries for executives are reviewed annually and, in general, are targeted at the median of salaries for general industry companies of similar size to Sempra Energy. This strategy, along with annual and long term incentive opportunities at general industry levels, is intended to allow Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries to retain and attract top quality executive talent. However, the committees will continue to monitor this strategy as the markets for executive talent change. In determining base salary adjustments, the committees will also take into account individual performance, executive responsibilities, market characteristics and other factors. Survey data for assessing base salaries are based upon companies in the Fortune 1000 and size-adjusted based upon Sempra Energy's revenues using regression analysis. This group is broader than the peer group used for assessing performance for long-term incentive plan purposes. The Compensation Committees believe that the most direct competitors of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries for executive talent will not be limited to companies in this peer group and the Fortune 1000 appropriately reflects a broader group with which Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries compete to retain and attract highly skilled and talented executives. Annual base salaries for executive officers of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries have been set at the approximate mid-point of these salary data. For 1999, an annual base salary of $475,000 was established for Mr. Mitchell, and $300,000 for Debra R. Reed and $289,900 for Lee M. Stewart, the Gas Company's Presidents of Energy Distribution Services and Energy Transportation Services, respectively Annual Incentives Annual cash bonus performance-based incentive opportunities are provided to executive officers through the Sempra Energy Executive Incentive Plan. This plan permits the payment of bonuses based upon the attainment of objective financial performance goals. Bonus opportunities vary with the individual officer's position and prospective contribution to the attainment of these goals and no bonuses are paid unless a threshold performance level is attained for the related performance period. Bonus opportunities increase for performance above the threshold level. Performance at targeted levels is intended to compensate executive officers with bonuses at the mid-point for bonuses for comparable levels of responsibility at Fortune 1000 companies. 11
For 1999, Executive Incentive Plan award levels were based on attainment of earnings per share goals with target award levels of 70% of base salary for Mr. Mitchell, 50% base salary for Ms. Reed and Mr. Stewart, and 45% of base salary for Vice Presidents, with maximum award levels ranging from 140% to 90% of base salary. Performance for the year was at 150% of targeted performance and resulted in cash bonuses of $498,750 for Mr. Mitchell, and $243,750 for Ms. Reed and $235,544 for Mr. Stewart with corresponding lesser amounts to other executive officers. Long Term Incentives Long term incentive opportunities are provided by equity and equity-based awards under Sempra Energy's 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan. The plan permits a wide variety of equity and equity-based incentive awards to respond to changes in the market conditions and compensation practices. The committees expect, however, that most awards under the plan will be in the form of non-qualified stock options and, to a lesser and declining extent, restricted stock. During 1999, Sempra Energy granted to executives and other employees of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries non-qualified stock options to purchase Sempra Energy Common Stock under the Long Term Incentive Plan. These option grants to executive officers of the Gas Company are described in this Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation--Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights." During 1999, Sempra Energy also awarded grants of performance-based restricted shares under the Long Term Incentive Plan to executives of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries. These awards and related total shareholder return vesting standards are discussed in this Proxy Statement under the caption "Executive Compensation--Restricted Stock Grants." SHARE OWNERSHIP GUIDELINES The Compensation Committees believe that a commitment to increased share ownership by executives of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries is an important element in aligning the interests of executives with those of shareholders. This belief has influenced the design of compensation plans and, in addition, stock ownership guidelines have been established to further strengthen the link between corporate performance and compensation. These guidelines are summarized under the caption "Share Ownership of Directors and Executive Officers." COMPENSATION COMMITTEE Richard J. Stegemeier, Chairman Hyla H. Bertea Ignacio E. Lozano, Jr. Ralph R. Ocampo Thomas C. Stickel March 7, 2000 12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION SUMMARY OF CASH AND OTHER COMPENSATION The table below summarizes, for the last three years, the compensation paid or accrued by Sempra Energy and its predecessors and subsidiaries to each of the executive officers of the Gas Company named in the table. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE LONG TERM COMPENSATION -------------------------- ANNUAL AWARDS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION ------------------ ------- ----------------- SECURITIES LTIP NAME AND PRINCIPAL UNDERLYING PAYOUTS ALL OTHER POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS OPTIONS / SARS (#) (A) (B) COMPENSATION (C) - ------------------ ---- -------- -------- ------------------ ------- ---------------- Warren I. Mitchell...... 1999 $474,769 $498,750 128,700 $-0- $ 61,368 Chairman and President 1998 $437,409 $506,230 140,296 $-0- $816,659 1997 $337,947 $280,000 40,602 $-0- $ 27,446 Debra L. Reed........... 1999 $298,732 $243,750 52,300 $-0- $ 38,432 President of Energy 1998 $282,646 $237,526 66,355 $-0- $326,134 Distribution Services 1997 $250,526 $182,000 31,579 $-0- $ 19,153 Lee M. Stewart.......... 1999 $288,659 $235,544 50,500 $-0- $ 40,855 President of Energy 1998 $264,813 $222,951 65,135 $-0- $316,488 Transportation Services 1997 $237,024 $171,500 31,579 $-0- $ 18,637 Roy M. Rawlings......... 1999 $216,895 $177,795 25,500 $-0- $ 33,417 Vice President 1998 $204,099 $166,635 28,138 $-0- $177,295 1997 $186,067 $ 93,900 9,925 $-0- $ 22,175 Richard M. Morrow....... 1999 $195,415 $160,380 23,000 $-0- $ 26,920 Vice President 1998 $181,664 $143,474 26,354 $-0- $ 89,225 1997 $159,923 $ 77,235 9,925 $-0- $ 11,162 - -------- (A) Restricted stock awarded in 1998 under the Sempra Energy Long Term Incentive Plan is reported below under the caption "Restricted Stock Grants." (B) The aggregate holdings/value of restricted stock held on December 31, 1999 by the individuals listed in the table are: 13,256 shares/$230,389 for Mr. Mitchell; 5,212 Shares/$90,585 for Ms. Reed; 4,908 Shares/$85,301 for Mr. Stewart; 2,656 Shares/$46,161for Mr. Rawlings; and 2,304 Shares/$40,044 for Mr. Morrow. Regular quarterly dividends are paid on restricted stock held by these individuals. (C) All other compensation includes amounts paid as (i) interest on deferred compensation above 120% of the applicable federal rate, (ii) life insurance premiums, (iii) financial and estate planning services, (iv) contributions to defined benefit plans and related supplemental plans, and (v) car allowances. The respective amounts paid in 1999 were $4,523, $7,109, $13,126, $29,610 and $7,000 for Mr. Mitchell; $527, $574, $14,063, $16,268 and $7,000 for Ms. Reed; $1,457, $1,870, $15,000, $15,528, and $7,000 for Mr. Stewart; $2,693, $1,538, $10,500, $11,686, and $7,000 for Mr. Rawlings; and $0, $2,077, $7,500, $10,343, and $7,000 for Mr. Morrow. Amounts for 1998 for Mr. Mitchell also include an incentive/retention bonus accrual under an agreement with Pacific Enterprises entered into in 1997 in connection with the business combination of Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corporation. Under the agreement, a deferral account was established for Mr. Mitchell upon the completion of the business combination and credited with an incentive/retention bonus amount of $782,000 which was deemed invested in shares (together with reinvestment of dividend equivalents) of Sempra Energy Common Stock. Mr. Mitchell will become entitled to his incentive/retention 13
bonus upon continued employment with Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries through June 16, 2000 and will be paid in cash an amount equal to the then fair market value of number of shares of Sempra Energy Common Stock equal to the number of phantom shares then credited to his deferral account. Amounts for 1998 for Ms. Reed and Messrs. Stewart, Rawlings and Morrow also include $303,750, $292,500, $152,250 and $72,065, respectively, paid by Pacific Enterprises as incentive/retention bonuses upon the completion of six to twelve months of service following the completion of the business combination of Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corporation. STOCK OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock options during 1999 to the executive officers of the Gas Company named in the Summary Compensation Table. All options are to purchase Sempra Energy Common Stock, were granted at an exercise price of 100% of the fair market value of the option shares on the date of the grant and are for a ten-year term subject to earlier expiration following termination of employment. OPTION / SAR GRANTS IN 1999 NUMBER OF % OF TOTAL SHARES OPTIONS / SARS UNDERLYING GRANTED TO OPTIONS / SARS EMPLOYEES EXERCISE EXPIRATION GRANT DATE NAME GRANTED (#) IN 1999 PRICE ($/SH) DATE PRESENT VALUE - ---- -------------- -------------- ----------- ---------- ------------- Warren I. Mitchell...... 36,700(A) 2.53% $21.00 5/4/09 $265,708 92, 000(B) 4.79% $21.00 5/4/09 $265,880 Debra L. Reed........... 14,900(A) 1.03% $21.00 5/4/09 $107,876 37,400(B) 1.95% $21.00 5/4/09 $108,086 Lee M. Stewart.......... 14,400(A) 0.99% $21.00 5/4/09 $104,256 36,100(B) 1.88% $21.00 5/4/09 $104,329 Roy A. Rawlings......... 7,300(A) 0.50% $21.00 5/4/09 $ 52,852 18,200(B) 0.95% $21.00 5/4/09 $ 52,598 Richard M. Morrow....... 6,600(A) 0.45% $21.00 5/4/09 $ 47,784 16,400(B) 0.85% $21.00 5/4/09 $ 47,396 - -------- (A) Exercisable in cumulative installments of one-fourth of the shares initially subject to the option on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Granted with performance-based dividend equivalents on unexercised shares for the four-year period ending December 31, 2003. No dividend equivalents will be paid unless Sempra Energy meets annual or four-year threshold performance goals based on total return to shareholders ranking within a peer group of companies or the Standard & Poor's 500 and the percentage of dividends paid as dividend equivalents (to a maximum of all dividends that would have been paid on the shares for the four-year period) will depend upon the extent to which the threshold goals are exceeded. (B) Exercisable in cumulative annual installments of one-fourth of the shares initially subject to the option on each of the first four anniversaries of the grant date. Granted without dividend equivalents. Sempra Energy used a modified Black-Scholes option pricing model to develop the theoretical values set forth under the "Grant Date Present Value" column, but the executive will realize value from the stock options only to the extent that the price of Sempra Energy Common Stock on the exercise date exceeds the price of the stock on the grant date. Consequently, there is no assurance the value realized by an executive will be at or near the theoretical value, and these amounts should not be used to predict stock performance. Grant date present values were based on an option value of $2.89 and, for options granted with dividend equivalents, a dividend equivalent value of $4.35. These are based on the following assumptions: share volatility-17.9%; dividend yield-5.49%; risk-free rate of return-5.66%; and outstanding term-10 years. 14
The following table contains information with respect to the executive officers of the Gas Company named in the Summary Compensation Table concerning the exercise of options and stock appreciation rights during 1999 and unexercised options and stock appreciation rights held on December 31, 1999. OPTION / SAR EXERCISES AND HOLDINGS NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED IN- OPTIONS / SARS AT THE-MONEY OPTIONS / SARS YEAR END (#)(A) AT YEAR END ($)(A) SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE ------------------------- ------------------------- NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE - ---- --------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- Warren I. Mitchell...... 31,579 $160,349 92,970 242,944 $ -0- $-0- Debra L. Reed........... -0- $ -0- 69,034 109,772 $ -0- $-0- Lee M. Stewart.......... -0- $ -0- 67,977 107,057 $14,154 $-0- Roy A. Rawlings......... -0- $ -0- 41,810 48,971 $ -0- $-0- Richard M. Morrow....... -0- $ -0- 24,071 45,133 $ -0- $-0- - -------- (A) The exercise price of outstanding options ranges from $12.80 to $31.00. RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS The following table contains information concerning restricted shares of Sempra Energy Common Stock granted during 1998 to the executive officers of the Gas Company named in the Summary Compensation Table. RESTRICTED STOCK GRANTS IN 1999 ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER NUMBER OF NON-STOCK RESTRICTED PERFORMANCE PERIOD PRICE-BASED NAME SHARES UNTIL PAYOUT PLANS (A) - ---- ---------- ------------------- ---------------- Warren I. Mitchell.............. 5,800 Four Annual Periods $132,472 Debra L. Reed................... 2,400 Four Annual Periods $ 54,816 Lee M. Stewart.................. 2,200 Four Annual Periods $ 50,248 Roy A. Rawlings................. 1,200 Four Annual Periods $ 27,408 Richard M. Morrow............... 1,000 Four Annual Periods $ 22,840 - -------- (A) The payout amount represents the fair market value on the May 4, 1999 grant date of the restricted shares that will become vested upon the achievement of all performance goals. The actual payout (if any) will depend upon the achievement of performance goals and upon the then fair market value of Sempra Energy Common Stock. Restricted shares are subject to forfeiture and transfer restrictions that terminate upon the satisfaction of long term objective corporate performance criteria. During the performance period, the executive receives dividends on the restricted shares and is entitled to vote them but the shares cannot be sold or otherwise transferred. If the performance criteria are not satisfied or the executive's employment is terminated during the performance period, the shares are forfeited to Sempra Energy and canceled. The forfeiture and transfer restrictions on one-quarter of the shares initially subject to each of the awards shown in the table will terminate at the end of years 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003 if the executive is then employed by Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries and Sempra Energy has achieved a total return to shareholders for the year that places it among the top 25% of a peer group comprised of Sempra Energy and other energy and energy services companies. If these annual performance criteria are not met, the forfeiture and transfer restrictions on all or a portion of the shares remaining subject to these restrictions may be terminated based upon the satisfaction of cumulative shareholder return performance criteria for the four years ending December 31, 2003. 15
The restrictions on all remaining shares will terminate at the end of the year 2003 if the executive is then employed by Sempra Energy or its subsidiaries and Sempra Energy has achieved a four-year cumulative total return to shareholders that either places it among the top 50% of the peer group companies or equals or exceeds the four-year cumulative return of the companies then comprising the Standard & Poor's 500 Corporate Stock Price Index. If neither of these performance criteria is satisfied, the restrictions may be terminated as to a portion of the shares if Sempra Energy's four-year cumulative total shareholder return is among the top 70% of the peer group. Restrictions will terminate as to 80% of the shares for performance among the top 55% of the peer group with the percentage of shares as to which the restrictions may terminate declining ratably to 20% for performance among the top 70% of the peer group. Any restricted shares for which forfeiture and transfer restrictions are not terminated by or as of the end of year 2003 will be forfeited to Sempra Energy and canceled. PENSION PLANS The following table shows the estimated single life annual pension annuity benefit provided to the executive officers of the Gas Company named in the Summary Compensation Table under the Sempra Energy Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (combined with benefits payable under the other pension plans of the Gas Company and its affiliates in which the officers also participate) based on the specified compensation levels and years of credited service and retirement at age 65. PENSION PLAN TABLE ($000'S) YEARS OF SERVICE PENSION PLAN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ COMPENSATION 5 10 20 30 40 ------------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- $ 200 $ 40 $ 80 $120 $125 $130 $ 400 $ 80 $160 $240 $250 $260 $ 600 $120 $240 $360 $375 $390 $ 800 $160 $320 $480 $500 $520 $1,000 $200 $400 $600 $625 $650 Pension benefits are based on average salary for the highest two years of service and the average of the three highest annual bonuses during the last ten years of service. Years of service includes service with subsidiaries and number 41 years for Mr. Mitchell, 21 years for Ms. Reed, 32 years for Mr. Stewart, 26 years for Mr. Rawlings and 25 years for Mr. Morrow. EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYMENT-RELATED AGREEMENTS Employment Agreements In connection with the business combination of Pacific Enterprises and Enova Corporation, Sempra Energy entered into an employment agreement with Warren I. Mitchell. Mr. Mitchell's agreement provides for an initial employment term of five years (subject to earlier mandatory retirement at age 65) which commenced on the June 26, 1998 completion of the business combination. The term of the agreement is automatically extended by one year on June 26, 2002 and on each June 26 thereafter unless he or Sempra Energy elects not to extend the term. The agreement provides that Mr. Mitchell will serve as the President and principal executive officer of the businesses of Sempra Energy that are economically regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. For these services, he will receive an annual base salary of not less than $440,000 and will be entitled to participate in (i) annual incentive compensation plans and long term compensation plans and awards providing him with an annual bonus opportunity at least equal (in terms of target, maximum and minimum awards, expressed as a percentage of annual base salary) to his opportunities in effect at Pacific Enterprises prior to the completion of the business combination and (ii) all retirement and welfare benefit plans applicable to employees or senior executives of Sempra Energy. 16
The agreement also provides that if Sempra Energy terminates Mr. Mitchell's employment (other than for cause, death or disability) or Mr. Mitchell terminates his employment for good reason, he will be entitled to receive an amount equal to (i) the sum of his annual base salary and annual incentive compensation (equal to the greater of his target bonus for the year of termination or the average of the three years' highest gross bonus awards in the five years preceding termination) multiplied by two, provided that in the event of termination following a change in control such multiplier will be three; (ii) a pro rata portion of the target amount payable under any annual incentive compensation awards for the year or, if greater, the average of the three years' highest gross bonus awards paid to him in the five years preceding the year of termination; and (iii) an additional retirement benefit equal to the present value of the benefits to which he would be entitled under Sempra Energy's defined benefit pension and retirement plans if he continued working for an additional two years and had increased his age by two years as of termination (in each case three years in the event of a termination following a change of control), but not beyond mandatory retirement age of 65. The agreement also provides for immediate vesting and exercisability of all equity-based long term incentive compensation awards; pro rata payment of cash-based long term incentive awards at target performance; continued participation in welfare benefit plans for three years; payment of compensation previously deferred; and financial planning and outplacement services. The agreement also provides for a gross-up payment to offset the effects of any excise taxes imposed on Mr. Mitchell under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue code. Good reason is defined in the employment agreements to include an adverse change in Mr. Mitchell's title, authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting lines; a reduction in his base salary or aggregate annualized compensation and benefit opportunities; the relocation of his principal place of employment; and a substantial increase in his business travel obligations. A change in control is defined to include the acquisition by one person or group of 20% or more of the voting power of Sempra Energy's shares; the election of a new majority of the board of Sempra Energy comprised of individuals who are not recommended for election by two-thirds of the current directors or successors to the current directors who were so recommended for election; certain mergers, consolidations or sales of assets that result in the shareholders of Sempra Energy owning less than 60% of the voting power of Sempra Energy or of the surviving entity or its parent; and shareholder approval of the liquidation or dissolution of Sempra Energy. Mr. Mitchell has announced that he will retire on July 1, 2000. Upon his retirement he will receive a cash payment of approximately $1.8 million, reflective of amounts he would be entitled to under his employment agreement. In addition, the forfeiture and transfer restrictions on his shares of restricted stock will immediately terminate and his stock options will become immediately and fully exercisable. Severance Agreements Sempra Energy has entered into a severance agreement with each of the Gas Company's executive officers, other than Mr. Mitchell for whom severance arrangements are contained in his employment agreement summarized above. The severance agreements provide for the payment of benefits in the event Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries terminate the executive's employment (other than for cause, death or disability) or the executive terminates his or her employment for good reason. The benefits payable under the severance agreements include (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to the executive's annual base salary and average annual bonus for the two years prior to termination multiplied, in certain cases depending upon the officer's position, by as much as 150%; (ii) continuation of health benefits for a period of two years; and (iii) financial planning and outplacement services. In addition, if the termination occurs within two years after a change in control of Sempra Energy, (i) the lump sum cash payment multiple is increased to as much as two; (ii) all equity-based incentive awards immediately vest and become exercisable or payable and all restrictions on such awards immediately lapse; (iii) all deferred compensation is paid out in a lump sum; (iv) a lump sum cash payment is made equal to the present value of the executive's benefits under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan calculated as if the executive had attained age 62 (or, if the executive is older than 62, based on the executive's actual age) and applying certain early retirement factors; and 17
(v) continued life, disability, accident and health insurance for two years. The agreements also provide for a gross up payment to offset the effects of any excise tax imposed on the executive under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. Good reason is defined in the severance agreements to include the assignment to the executive of duties materially inconsistent with those appropriate for an executive of Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries, a material reduction in the executive's overall standing and responsibilities within Sempra Energy and its subsidiaries and a material reduction in the executive's annualized compensation and benefit opportunities other than across-the-board reductions affecting all similarly situated executives of comparable rank. In addition, following a change in control of Sempra Energy, good reason also includes an adverse change in the executive's title, authority, duties, responsibilities or reporting lines, a 10% or greater reduction in the executive's annualized compensation and benefit opportunities, relocation of the executive's principal place of employment by more than 30 miles, and a substantial increase in business travel obligations. A change in control is defined in the same manner as in Mr. Mitchell's employment agreement summarized above. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Shareholders intending to bring any business before an Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Gas Company, including nominations of persons for election as directors, must give written notice to the Secretary of SoCalGas of the business to be presented. The notice must be received at the Gas Company's offices within the periods and must be accompanied by the information required by the By-laws. A copy of these By-law requirements will be provided upon request in writing to the Secretary of the Gas Company. The period for notice of business to be brought by shareholders before the 2000 Annual Meeting of Shareholders has expired. The period for the receipt by SoCalGas of notice of business to be brought by shareholders before the 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will commence on January 11, 2001 and end on March 12, 2001. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors for the Gas Company, are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders. ANNUAL REPORTS The Gas Company's Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K is being mailed to shareholders together with this Information Statement. ---------------- 18