8-K
00010322080000092108false 0000092108 2022-03-14 2022-03-14 0000092108 socgp:SempraEnergyMember 2022-03-14 2022-03-14 0000092108 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-03-14 2022-03-14 0000092108 socgp:SempraEnergy575JuniorSubordinatedNotesDue2079Member 2022-03-14 2022-03-14
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
 
FORM
8-K
 
 
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 14, 2022
 
Commission
File Number
 
Exact Name of Registrants as Specified in their Charters, State
of Incorporation,
Address and Telephone Number
 
I.R.S. Employer
Identification
Number
1-14201
 
SEMPRA ENERGY
(A California Corporation)
488 8th Avenue
San Diego, California 92101
(619)
696-2000
 
33-0732627
     
1-01402
 
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY
(A California Corporation)
555 West Fifth Street
Los Angeles, California 90013
(213)
244-1200
 
95-1240705
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)
 
 
Check the appropriate box below if the Form
8-K
filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrants under any of the following provisions:
 
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule
14a-12
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
14d-2(b)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14d-2(b))
 
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule
13e-4(c)
under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.13e-4(c))
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
Title of Each Class
 
Trading
Symbol
 
Name of Each Exchange
on Which Registered
Sempra Energy:
Sempra Energy Common Stock, without par value
 
SRE
 
NYSE
Sempra Energy 5.75% Junior Subordinated Notes Due 2079, $25 par value
 
SREA
 
NYSE
Southern California Gas Company:
None
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR 230.405) or Rule
12b-2
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR
240.12b-2).
 
   
Emerging growth
        company        
Sempra Energy
 
Southern California Gas Company
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.
 
Sempra Energy
            ☐          
Southern California Gas Company
 
 
 
 

Item 8.01 Other Events.
On March 14, 2022, Southern California Gas Company (the “Company”), an indirect subsidiary of Sempra Energy, closed its previously announced public offering and sale of $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 2.950% Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) with proceeds to the Company (after deducting the underwriting discount but before deducting the Company’s other offering expenses estimated at approximately $1,200,000) of 98.925% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes. The sale of the Notes was registered under the Company’s Registration Statement on Form
S-3
(File
No. 333-237770).
The Notes were issued pursuant to a Senior Indenture dated as of September 21, 2020 (the “Senior Indenture”), which was filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2020, and an Officers’ Certificate of the Company dated as of March 14, 2022, which is filed herewith as Exhibit 4.1 and includes the form of Note. The Notes will bear interest at the rate of 2.950% per year and mature on April 15, 2027. Interest on the Notes will accrue from March 14, 2022 and is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2022. The Notes will be redeemable prior to maturity at the redemption prices described in the form of Note, which is included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto.
The foregoing description of some of the terms of the Notes is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by the form of Note and the Officer’s Certificate of the Company, filed as an exhibit herewith, and the Senior Indenture referred to above. Further information regarding the sale of the Notes is contained in the Underwriting Agreement, dated March 8, 2022, which was filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form
8-K
filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 9, 2022.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits
 
Exhibit
Number
  
Description of Exhibit
4.1
  
5.1
  
23.1
  
104
  
Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrants have duly caused this report to be signed on their behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
        SEMPRA ENERGY
       
Date: March 14, 2022       By:  
/s/ Peter R. Wall
           
Peter R. Wall
Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
 
        SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY
       
Date: March 14, 2022       By:  
/s/ Mia L. DeMontigny
           
Mia L. DeMontigny
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller and Treasurer
EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

Southern California Gas Company

OFFICERS’ CERTIFICATE

(Pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 of the Indenture)

March 14, 2022

The undersigned, Mia L. DeMontigny, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller and Treasurer, and Sara P. Mijares, Vice President – Accounting and Finance and Assistant Controller, respectively, of Southern California Gas Company, a California corporation (the “Company”), hereby certify as follows:

The undersigned, having read the appropriate provisions of the Indenture dated as of September 21, 2020 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), including Sections 201, 301 and 303 thereof and the definitions in such Indenture relating thereto, and certain other corporate documents and records, and having made such examination and investigation as, in the opinion of the undersigned, each considers necessary to enable the undersigned to express an informed opinion as to whether or not the conditions set forth in the Indenture relating to the establishment of the terms of $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 2.950% Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) and the form of certificate evidencing the Notes have been complied with, and whether the conditions in the Indenture relating to the authentication and delivery by the Trustee of the Notes have been complied with, certify that (1) the terms of the Notes were established by the undersigned pursuant to authority delegated to them by resolutions duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company at a meeting held on April 14, 2020 (collectively, the “Resolutions”) and such terms are as set forth in and incorporated by reference into Annex I hereto, (2) the form of certificate evidencing the Notes was established by the undersigned pursuant to authority delegated to them by the Resolutions and shall be in substantially the form attached as Annex II hereto, (3) true, complete and correct copies of the Resolutions, which were duly adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company and are in full force and effect on the date hereof, are attached as exhibits to the Certificate of the Secretary of the Company of even date herewith, and (4) the form and terms of the Notes have been established pursuant to Sections 201 and 301 of the Indenture and comply with the Indenture and, in the opinion of the undersigned, all conditions provided for in the Indenture (including, without limitation, those set forth in Sections 201, 301 and 303 of the Indenture) relating to the establishment of the terms of the Notes and the form of certificate evidencing the Notes, and relating to the execution, authentication and delivery of the Notes, have been complied with.

This certificate may be executed by the parties hereto in counterparts, each of which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were on the same instrument, but all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

(Signature Page Follows)


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have hereunto set our hands as of the date first written above.

 

/s/ Mia L. DeMontigny

Mia L. DeMontigny
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Controller and Treasurer

/s/ Sara P. Mijares

Sara P. Mijares
Vice President – Accounting and Financing and Assistant Controller

[Officers’ Certificate — Indenture]

 


ANNEX I

Capitalized terms used in this Annex I and not otherwise defined herein have the same definitions as in the Indenture referred to in the Officers’ Certificate of which this Annex I constitutes a part.

(1) One series of debt securities is established hereby and shall be known and designated as the “2.950% Notes due 2027” (hereinafter referred to as the “Securities,” “Securities of such series” or the “Notes”).

(2) The aggregate principal amount of the Securities of such series which may be authenticated and delivered under the Indenture is limited to $700,000,000, except for Securities of such series authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the same series pursuant to Sections 304, 305, 306, 906 or 1106 of the Indenture and except for any Securities of such series which, pursuant to Section 303 of the Indenture, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered under the Indenture. However, such series of Securities may be re-opened by the Corporation for the issuance of additional Securities of the same series (so long as any such additional Securities of such series have the same form and terms (other than offering price, the date of original issuance and, if applicable, the date from which interest thereon shall begin to accrue and the first interest payment date), and carry the same right to receive accrued and unpaid interest, as the Securities of such series theretofore issued) and such additional Securities of such series shall form a single series under the Indenture with the Securities of such series theretofore issued; provided that such additional Securities of such series are fungible with the Securities of such series theretofore issued for United States Federal income tax purposes; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing, such series of Securities may not be re-opened if the Corporation has effected defeasance or covenant defeasance with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303, as applicable, of the Indenture or has effected satisfaction and discharge with respect to the Securities of such series pursuant to Section 401 of the Indenture.

(3) The Securities of such series are to be issued only as registered securities without coupons. The Securities of such series shall be issued in book-entry form and represented by one or more global Securities (the “Global Securities”) of such series, the initial depositary (the “Depositary”) for the Global Securities of such series shall be The Depository Trust Company and the depositary arrangements shall be those employed by whoever shall be the Depositary with respect to the Global Securities of such series from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certificated Securities of such series in definitive form may be issued in exchange for Global Securities of such series under the circumstances contemplated by Section 305 of the Indenture.

(4) The Securities of such series shall be sold by the Corporation to the several underwriters (the “Underwriters”) named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement dated March 8, 2022, among the Corporation and Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as representatives of the Underwriters (the “Underwriting Agreement”), at a price equal to 98.925% of the principal amount of the Securities of such series, and the initial price to the public of the Securities of such series shall be 99.525% of the principal amount of the Securities of such series (plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any), and underwriting discounts and commissions shall be 0.600% of the principal amount of the Securities of such series.

 

Annex I-1


(5) The Securities of such series shall not be repayable or redeemable at the option of the Holders prior to the Stated Maturity of the principal of the Securities of such series (except as provided in Article V of the Indenture) and shall not be subject to a sinking fund or analogous provision.

(6) The Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York is hereby designated as a Place of Payment for the Securities of such series.

(7) The Corporation hereby appoints the Trustee, acting through its Corporate Trust Office in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, as the Corporation’s agent for the purposes specified in Section 1002 of the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series; provided, however, subject to Section 1002 of the Indenture, the Corporation may at any time remove the Trustee as its office or agency in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York designated for such purposes with respect to the Securities of such series and may from time to time designate one or more other offices or agencies for such purposes and one or more other Places of Payment with respect to the Securities of such series and may from time to time rescind such designation, so long as the Corporation shall at all times maintain an office or agency for such purposes with respect to the Securities of such series in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York.

(8) The Securities of such series shall be issued in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof.

(9) The principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Securities of such series shall be payable in U.S. dollars.

(10) The Securities of such series shall not be convertible into or exchangeable for other securities.

(11) Anything in the Indenture or the Securities of such series to the contrary notwithstanding, payments of the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Global Securities of such series shall be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Depositary or its nominee or to any successor Depositary or nominee, whichever shall be the registered Holder of such Global Securities of such series.

(12) To the extent that any provision of the Indenture or the Securities of such series provides for the payment of interest on overdue principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, the Securities of such series, then, to the extent permitted by law, interest on such overdue principal, premium, if any, and interest shall accrue at the rate of interest borne by the Securities of such series.

(13) The Securities of such series shall have such other terms and provisions as are set forth in the form of certificate evidencing the Securities of such series attached as Annex II to the Officers’ Certificate of which this Annex I constitutes a part, all of which terms and provisions are incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Annex I as if set forth in full herein.

 

Annex I-2


(14) As used in the Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series and in the certificates evidencing the Securities of such series, all references to “premium” on the Securities of such series shall mean any amounts (other than accrued interest) payable upon the redemption of any Securities of such series in excess of 100% of the principal amount of such Securities.

(15) Notice of redemption of any Securities of such series shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid, mailed not less than 10 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities of such series to be redeemed at such Holder’s address appearing in the Security Register; and, without limitation to the foregoing provisions of this sentence, the phrase “not less than 30” appearing in Section 1104 of the Indenture is hereby replaced, but solely insofar as relates to the Securities of such series, with the phrase “not less than 10”.

 

Annex I-3


ANNEX II

Form of Certificate Evidencing the 2.950% Notes due 2027

 

Annex II-1


THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.

UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE CORPORATION OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITARY), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY

2.950% Notes due 2027

 

   $[  ]
No. [  ]    CUSIP No. 842434 CW0
   ISIN No. US842434CW01

Southern California Gas Company, a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of California (herein called the “Corporation,” which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value received, hereby promises to pay to [  ], or registered assigns, the principal sum of [  ] Dollars ($[  ]) on April 15, 2027 (the “Final Maturity Date”), and to pay interest thereon from March 14, 2022 (the “Original Issue Date”) or from the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for on the Securities (as defined on the reverse hereof) of this series, semi-annually in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year (each, an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning on October 15, 2022, and on the Final Maturity Date at the rate of 2.950% per annum, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, provided that any principal hereof or (to the extent that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable) premium, if any, or interest hereon which is not paid when due shall bear interest at the rate of 2.950% per annum from the respective dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.

Interest on this Security shall be calculated on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in the Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the April 1 or October 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for on any Interest Payment Date will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made at the office or agency of the Corporation maintained for that purpose in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and

 

Annex II-2


private debts; provided, however, that at the option of the Corporation payment of interest may be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or by wire transfer at such place and to such account at a banking institution in the United States as may be designated in writing to the Trustee at least 15 days before the applicable Interest Payment Date by the Person entitled thereto. Notwithstanding the foregoing, so long as the Holder of this Security is the Depositary or its nominee, payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on this Security will be made by wire transfer of immediately available funds.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

[Signature Page Follows]

 

Annex II-3


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

 

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAS COMPANY
By:  

                          

Name:  
Title:  

 

Attest:  
By:  

                          

Name:  
Title:  

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

 

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
By:  

                          

  Authorized Signatory

Dated:

 

Annex II-4


(REVERSE OF SECURITY)

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Corporation (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2020 (herein called the “Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the Indenture for a statement of the respective rights, limitation of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Corporation, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof and is sometimes referred to as “this Security”.

Prior to March 15, 2027 (the “Par Call Date”), the Corporation may redeem the Securities of this series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of:

(1) (a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Securities of this series matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and

(2) 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series to be redeemed,

plus, in either case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

On and after the Par Call Date, the Corporation may redeem the Securities of this series at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Securities of this series being redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Redemption Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, installments of interest on Securities of this series that are due and payable on any Interest Payment Date falling on or prior to a Redemption Date will be payable on that Interest Payment Date to the Holders thereof as of the close of business on the Regular Record Date immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date, according to the terms of the Securities of this series and the Indenture.

Notice of any redemption will be mailed at least 10 days but not more than 60 days before the Redemption Date to each Holder of the Securities of this series to be redeemed. Once notice of redemption is mailed, the Securities of this series called for redemption will become due and payable on the Redemption Date at the applicable Redemption Price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date, and will be paid upon surrender thereof for redemption. In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor in an aggregate principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the principal hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof. If the Corporation elects to redeem all or a portion of the Securities of this series, the redemption will not be conditional upon receipt by any Paying Agent or the Trustee of monies sufficient to pay the Redemption Price.

Unless the Corporation defaults in the payment of the Redemption Price of any Securities of this series or portions thereof called for redemption, on and after the Redemption Date interest will cease to accrue on the Securities of this series or portions thereof called for redemption.

If less than all of the Outstanding Securities of this series are to be redeemed on any Redemption Date, the particular Securities of this series (or portions thereof) to be redeemed shall be selected by the Trustee by such method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate or, in the case of Securities of this series represented by one or more Global Securities of this series registered in the name of a Depositary or its nominee, by such method of selection as may be required or permitted by the procedures of the Depositary. In the case of any Security of this series redeemed in part, the principal amount redeemed must be an integral multiple of $1,000 and the remaining principal amount of such Security of this series must be an authorized denomination.

Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Corporation in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

 

Annex II-5


The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Corporation after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third business day (as defined below) preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15” (or any successor designation or publication) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Corporation shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the “Remaining Life”); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date. As used in this paragraph and the immediately succeeding paragraph, the term “business day” means any day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which banking institutions in The City of New York are not authorized or obligated by law or executive order to remain closed.

If on the third business day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM is no longer published, the Corporation shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second business day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Corporation shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Corporation shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Corporation’s actions and determinations in determining the Redemption Price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Corporation will notify the Trustee of the Redemption Price promptly after the calculation thereof and the Trustee shall have no duty or obligation with respect to the calculation of the Redemption Price.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance of the entire indebtedness of the Securities of this series and covenant defeasance with respect to the Securities of this series, in each case at any time upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of and accrued and unpaid interest on the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Corporation and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series affected under the Indenture at any time by the Corporation and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding affected thereby. The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding with respect to which a default under the Indenture shall have occurred and be continuing, on

 

Annex II-6


behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive, with certain exceptions, such past default with respect to such series and its consequences. The Indenture also permits the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the Securities of any series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Corporation with certain provisions of the Indenture. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee, such Holder or Holders shall have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request, the Trustee, for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity, has failed to institute any such proceeding, and no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Corporation, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Corporation in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable. If this Security is presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange, it shall (if so required by the Corporation or the Trustee) be duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Corporation and the Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Corporation may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Corporation, the Trustee and any agent of the Corporation or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Corporation, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

This Security shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of law principles thereof.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture and not defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

[End of Reverse of Security]

 

Annex II-7


ASSIGNMENT

For value received _____________________ hereby sell(s) assign(s) and transfer(s) unto _________________ (Please insert social security or other Taxpayer Identification Number of assignee) the within Security, and hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints ____________________ attorney to transfer said Security on the books of the Corporation, with full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:

 

 

 

Signature(s)
Signature(s) must be guaranteed by an “eligible guarantor institution” meeting the requirements of the Security Registrar, which requirements include membership or participation in the Security Transfer Agent Medallion Program (“STAMP”) or such other “signature guarantee program” as may be determined by the Security Registrar in addition to, or in substitution for, STAMP, all in accordance with the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

Signature Guarantee

NOTICE: The signature on this Assignment must correspond with the name as written upon the face of the Security in every particular without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever.

 

Annex II-8

EX-5.1

Exhibit 5.1

 

    12670 High Bluff Drive
    San Diego, California 92130
    Tel: +1.858.523.5400 Fax: +1.858.523.5450
    www.lw.com
    FIRM / AFFILIATE OFFICES
    Austin    Moscow
    Beijing    Munich
    Boston    New York
    Brussels    Orange County
    Century City    Paris
    Chicago    Riyadh
    Dubai    San Diego
    Düsseldorf    San Francisco
March 14, 2022     Frankfurt    Seoul
    Hamburg    Shanghai
    Hong Kong    Silicon Valley
    Houston    Singapore
    London    Tel Aviv
    Los Angeles    Tokyo
    Madrid    Washington, D.C.
    Milan   

Southern California Gas Company

555 West Fifth Street

Los Angeles, California 90113

Re:         Registration Statement No. 333-237770; Issuance of $700,000,000

              Aggregate Principal Amount of 2.950% Notes due 2027

To the addressee set forth above:

We have acted as special counsel to Southern California Gas Company, a California corporation (the “Company”), in connection with the Company’s issuance of $700,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 2.950% Notes due 2027 (the “Notes”) under an indenture, dated September 21, 2020 (the “Indenture”) between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (the “Trustee”), setting forth the terms of the Notes, and pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) on April 21, 2020 (Registration No. 333-237770) (the “Registration Statement”), and an underwriting agreement, dated March 8, 2022, between the underwriters named therein and the Company.

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement or related prospectus, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Notes.

As such counsel, we have examined such matters of fact and questions of law as we have considered appropriate for purposes of this letter. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company and others as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We are opining herein as to the internal laws of the State of California and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction, or as to any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.


March 14, 2022

Page 2

 

Subject to the foregoing and the other matters set forth herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof, the Notes have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action of the Company and are the legally valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms.

Our opinion is subject to: (i) the effects of bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, preference, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting the rights or remedies of creditors; (ii) the effects of general principles of equity, whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law (including the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief), concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith, fair dealing and the discretion of the court before which a proceeding is brought; (iii) the invalidity under certain circumstances under law or court decisions of provisions for the indemnification or exculpation of, or contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification, exculpation or contribution is contrary to public policy; and (iv) we express no opinion with respect to (a) consents to, or restrictions upon, governing law, jurisdiction, venue, service of process, arbitration, remedies or judicial relief; (b) advance waivers of claims, defenses, rights granted by law, or notice, opportunity for hearing, evidentiary requirements, statutes of limitation, trial by jury or at law, or other procedural rights; (c) waivers of rights or defenses contained in Section 515 of the Indenture; and waivers of broadly or vaguely stated rights; (d) provisions for exclusivity, election or cumulation of rights or remedies; (e) provisions authorizing or validating conclusive or discretionary determinations; (f) provisions for the payment of attorneys’ fees where such payment is contrary to law or public policy and we call to your attention the provisions of Sections 1717 and 1717.5 of the California Civil Code, which limit and create obligations for the payment of attorneys’ fees; (g) provisions prohibiting, restricting, or requiring consent to assignment or transfer of any agreement, right or property, or the effect thereon of California Civil Code Section 711; (h) provisions for liquidated damages, default interest, late charges, monetary penalties, prepayment or make-whole premiums or other economic remedies to the extent such provisions are deemed to constitute a penalty; (i) provisions permitting, upon acceleration of any indebtedness (including the Notes), collection of that portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to constitute unearned interest thereon; and (j) the severability, if invalid, of provisions to the foregoing effect. We do not render any opinion herein with respect to the creation, validity, perfection or priority of any security interest.

With your consent, except to the extent we have expressly opined as to such matters with respect to the Company herein we have assumed (a) that the Indenture and the Notes (collectively, the “Documents”) have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, (b) that the Documents constitute legally valid and binding obligations of the parties thereto, enforceable against each of them in accordance with their respective terms, and (c) that the status of the Documents as legally valid and binding obligations of the parties is not affected by any (i) breaches of, or defaults under, agreements or instruments, (ii) violations of statutes, rules, regulations or court or governmental orders, or (iii) failures to obtain required consents, approvals or authorizations from, or make required registrations, declarations or filings with, governmental authorities.


March 14, 2022

Page 3

 

This opinion is for your benefit in connection with the Registration Statement and may be relied upon by you and by persons entitled to rely upon it pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Act. We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Company’s Form 8-K dated March 14, 2022 and to the reference to our firm contained in the prospectus for the offering of the Notes under the heading “Legal Matters.” In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Sincerely,

/s/ Latham & Watkins LLP