Under the agreement, the San Diego chapter of the Building Owners and Managers Association will recommend that its members usePittsburgh-based Strategic Energy's energy management system to conserve electricity and lower costs.

Strategic Energy specializes in helping commercial and industrial end-users manage their electricity and natural gas costs in deregulated markets by helping them navigate through the maze of different energy suppliers to choose one that meets their needs.

The potential market is vast: currently, BOMA members represent more than 15 million sf of commercial office space in San Diego County and consume nearly 200-million kilowatt hours annually, Strategic Energy officials say.

"We are pleased to be endorsed by BOMA San Diego and add our dynamic energy management services to BOMA's value-added programs and solutions for commercial property owners and managers," says Rick Zomnir, president/CEO of the energy firm.

"We believe that Strategic Energy's objective, real-time approach to energy management will bring tremendous value to BOMA San Diego members in this highly volatile electricity market," adds Ted Kimball, chairman of BOMA's Energy Deregulation Task Force in San Diego.

Shortages in generating capacity have more than doubled San Diego Gas & Electric power rates and led to the spectre of rolling brownouts over the last several months.