EDITORS: Please do not use "Pacific Gas and Electric" or "PG&E" when referring to PG&E Corporation or its National Energy Group. The PG&E National Energy Group is not the same company as Pacific Gas and Electric Company, the utility, and is not regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission. Customers of Pacific Gas and Electric Company do not have to buy products or services from the National Energy Group in order to continue to receive quality regulated services from Pacific Gas and Electric Company.

PACIFIC GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY ISSUES STATEMENT

San Francisco, CA -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company issued the following statement, in response to the Governor's comments on its employee compensation:

"Instead of focusing all his attention on solving the state's year-long and ever worsening energy crisis, the Governor has launched a campaign-style attack on our company.

"Unfortunately, he has chosen to aim at the thousands of men and women who have worked tirelessly and professionally through this crisis to deliver gas and electric service to our millions of customers. These employees have suffered for months due to a crisis not of their making. California would be far better served if the Governor turned his attention to the crisis at hand."