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Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) is one of the country's leading providers of electricity and natural gas. The company services about one of every twenty Americans, focusing on northern and central California.
Through its Foundation, PG&E is committed to bettering the communities in which it operates. The company makes donations and grants to environmental, educational and community organizations. Within its giving, there is a strong focus on providing grants to underserved communities, including people of color, senior citizen, persons with disabilities and the LGBT community. In 2008, PG&E donated a total of $18.7 million to charitable organizations, and employees spent more than 21,750 combined hours volunteering in their communities.
Perhaps due to the nature of its business, environmental issues are a major focus of PG&E's good works. The company gives to projects that focus on sustainable communities, air, natural resources, environmental education, climate change and renewable energy. Employees also volunteer their time towards environmental projects. On Earth Day in 2009, more than 1,000 PG&E employees, retirees and friends helped restore 16 state and community parks in California.
PG&E sets high standards of environmental performance to minimize its impact on the planet. The company strives for innovative partnerships and processes that help answer the question "how can we do more with less?" One example of a measure in this arena is the CimateSmart program. A voluntary climate protection program, ClimateSmart allows PG&E customers to opt to add a tax-deductible donation to its PG&E bill each month. The donation runs about $5/month, and money raised is used to balance out greenhouse gas emissions through environmental conservation, restoration and protection projects. The program is the first of its kind, and PG&E was the first participant, leading the charge for the tens of thousands of organizations and residential customers that have since joined.
The Solar Schools Program, another successful PG&E venture, brings the latest solar technology into the classroom through a hands-on solar sciences curriculum. In addition, the Solar Habitat Program is a partnerhsip between PG&E and Habitat for Humanity, in which PG&E funds installation of solar electric systems in Habitat-built homes. Further, in partnership with the San Francisco Giants, PG&E has helped make AT&T Park the first ballpark in Major League Baseball to install a solar energy system.
PG&E background
Based in San Francisco, Pacific Gas and Electric Company was first incorporated in 1905. Today, PG&E employees approximately 20,000 people to perform its primary business function: transmission and delivery of energy. The company provides natural gas and electric power to 15 million people in northern and central California.
PG&E has a strong focus on diversity, believing that different perspectives are a valued resource and a tool for helping better understand its customers. PG&E conducts workshops to train employees on inclusiveness, and supports organizations like the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Society of Women Engineers, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Out & Equal. Diversity is also paramount for PG&E in its dealings with other companies. Since 1980, a supplier diversity program ensures that PG&E provides opportunities to people from various backgrounds and cultures. In 2008, PG&E achieved its highest-ever level of diversity spending at $754.7 million, or 23.9 percent.
highlights
- In 2006, 2007 and 2008, Black Enterprise magazine ranked PG&E as one of the 40 best companies for diversity.
- In 2008, the Human Rights Campaign awarded PG&E a perfect score on its Corporate Equality Index.
- PG&E received the Excellence in Business Award from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce in 2008.
what you can do
Logo courtesy of Pacific Gas and Electric Company.
