Pacific Gas and Electric Company

01/08/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/08/2024 18:36

PG&E’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report: A Year of Progress, Focused on Safety, Climate Resilience and a Decarbonized Future

By Tracy Correa Lopez

PG&E shares significant progress made last year - from reducing wildfire risk through undergrounding power lines and adding new remote grids to exceeding annual greenhouse gas emission reduction goals - all detailed in its newly published 2024 Corporate Sustainability Report.

The report shares statistics and stories on how the company is making good on its commitments to safety, including wildfire safety, and improving operations. It also shows how PG&E is delivering a safer, cleaner and more innovative energy system benefitting the 16 million customers it serves throughout Northern and Central California.

"We're focused on rebuilding trust with the customers and hometowns we're privileged to serve and everyone we work with as we deliver on our triple bottom line approach of serving People, the Planet, and California's Prosperity," said Patti Poppe, CEO of PG&E Corporation.

Poppe stressed PG&E's commitment to safety and a clean energy future: "We've become one of the top utilities in the West for wildfire mitigation, according to the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Our natural gas system and our nuclear power plant - Diablo Canyon - continue their exemplary performance. As we continue our safety progress, we're firmly committed to California's decarbonized future and remain on track for our 2040 net zero goal."

Among the report's highlights are how the company has:

  • Reduced the risk of wildfires by undergrounding 364 miles of powerlines (in addition to 180 miles the prior year) and adding its first 100% renewable remote grid at Pepperwood Preserve in Sonoma County - our fifth operational remote grid in high fire-threat areas since 2021.

  • Supplied 100% greenhouse gas-free electricity to residential and business customers to whom PG&E directly sells power.

  • Inspired and invited innovative solutions to help bridge the gap between today's energy system and California's decarbonized future by hosting its first Innovation Summit with more than 3,000 people.

  • Provided weatherization, energy efficiency solutions and appliances to more than 65,000 income-qualified households through our Energy Savings Assistance Program. Additionally, provided 1.4 million income-qualified customers with a monthly discount on their bill through the CARE program.

  • Spent $4.2 billion - or more than 36% of the company's total procurement - with diverse suppliers.

  • Reflected racial and gender diversity in its workforce with 50% ethnic minorities among the company's coworkers, including 39% in middle management and 50% among executive officers (50% of whom are women).

  • Contributed $22.6 million to charitable organizations to help address critical social, educational and environmental challenges in the communities it serves and dedicated more than 35,350 coworker volunteer hours.

Additionally, PG&E remains committed to longer-term climate goals established in its Climate Strategy Report, helping to transition California to a decarbonized and more climate-resilient economy.

"Every day, we're working to add more safe and affordable clean energy with a spirit of innovation as we build the energy system of the future. … We're focused on building an energy system that can withstand future climate impacts," said Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer of PG&E Corporation.

"We're excited about the progress we're making and welcome your feedback and partnership in co-creating a more sustainable future together," she added.

To view the report in its entirety, go to www.pgecorp.com/sustainability