Corporate Philanthropy

Education

Over the last decade, PG&E has donated nearly $40 million toward a wide variety of educational initiatives. By providing funding for innovative programs that give students and teachers more opportunities to learn and prepare for their future, PG&E aims to improve the future of California and the energy industry. Here’s an important highlight from 2010:

PG&E’s Solar Schools Program

Recognizing that public schools are facing hard economic times, our Solar Schools Program continues to give teachers and schools financial support and resources to help save money, energy and the environment. Last year, this included more than $250,000 in “Bright Ideas” grants to “green” school campuses and provide unique environmental learning opportunities for students.

For example, Discovery Charter School, a K-8 grade school in San Jose with 570 students, received a $10,000 Bright Ideas grant from PG&E. The school purchased devices that allow students to measure the instantaneous and average power usage of computers, refrigerators, microwave ovens and other items. The 8th graders conducted home energy audits using the devices—and also discovered the school could save about $5,000 each year by simply enabling “sleep mode” in the computers.

Since creating the program in 2004, PG&E has contributed more than $11.3 million in shareholder funding to create 125 Solar Schools and train more than 3,000 teachers, benefiting nearly 200,000 students.

Learn more about the Solar Schools Program.

Environmental Stewardship

We understand the importance of supporting programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, protect natural resources and educate students and others about how they can make a difference. Our support ranges from partnerships focused on renewable energy to local Earth Day projects that benefit our neighborhoods, parks and recreation areas. Examples from 2010 included:

PG&E’s Solar Habitat Program

Through our partnership with Habitat for Humanity, we have funded the full cost of solar electric systems on 360 Habitat-built homes in northern and central California since 2005, including 94 Habitat-built homes just last year. Since the program’s inception, PG&E has provided more than $5.5 million dollars to fund solar installations for families with limited incomes. PG&E employees strongly support the partnership, volunteering more than 10,000 hours since 2006, with roughly 2,700 volunteer hours just last year to help construct homes and install solar panels.

Learn more about the Solar Habitat Program.

Nature Restoration Trust

In 2010, PG&E completed a $1 million, three-year collaboration with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Over the last decade, PG&E has contributed more than $1.5 million to support the Nature Restoration Trust, which enables community-based habitat restoration projects involving students, community volunteers and tribal organizations. The projects restore and enhance wetlands, banks of rivers and streams, coastal fish habitats and rural and urban environments for wildlife.

For example, leveraging a $25,000 grant, students from Bayview Elementary, along with their family members, restored habitat at the Point Pinole Regional Shoreline and learned about the many migrating bird species there. This was offered through Golden Gate Audubon’s Eco-Richmond Project, which brings students to nearby community parklands and open spaces to introduce field science concepts and engage families as community stewards protecting parklands and wildlife.

Learn more about the Nature Restoration Trust.

Community Vitality

PG&E is committed to invigorating the neighborhoods where we live and work. We focus on projects where we can leverage our expertise. These efforts include providing assistance to low-income families with their utility bills, partnering with local organizations to support emergency preparedness efforts and investing in local economic and energy-related workforce development initiatives. Examples from 2010 included:

2-1-1 Services

For the fourth year in a row, PG&E helped fund a number of regional and county-wide 2-1-1 telephone information and referral services, a helpline that connects callers with local social service organizations and resources. Among other services, the 2-1-1 programs offer information about PG&E’s payment assistance programs such as REACH and CARE for customers having difficulty paying their utility bills. With increased call volumes during the past year, 2-1-1 services have become vital links to local and regional assistance programs for individuals and families. Since the program began in 2007, PG&E has contributed more than $1 million to 2-1-1 services.

Learn more about 2-1-1.

REACH

For more than 25 years, the REACH Program has provided emergency energy assistance to low-income families within the PG&E service area who are in jeopardy of losing their electricity services. Using charitable funding, REACH is a one-time energy-assistance program sponsored by PG&E and administered through the Salvation Army from 170 offices in northern and central California. Those who have experienced an uncontrollable or unforeseen hardship may receive an energy credit up to $200, with the credit amount based on the past due amount of the bill. REACH assistance may be available once within an 18 month period, but exceptions can be made for seniors, the physically challenged and the terminally ill.