SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its ongoing commitment to renewable energy education and powering California's future, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced 39 recipients who will receive Bright Ideas Grants totaling $250,000.

The Bright Ideas Grants program helps to support the understanding of renewable energy in public schools throughout Northern and Central California. Grants of up to $10,000 have been awarded to credentialed teachers, professors, instructors, principals, deans, department heads, district administrators and facilities managers within five major categories listed below:

• Educational Solar Projects
• Youth Energy and Environmental Programs
• Renewable Energy or Science Related Field Trips
• Green Your School Projects
• Professional Development/Service Learning Projects/ Workforce Development Programs

"PG&E is pleased to support innovative educational programs that teach local students in our communities about renewable energy," said PG&E President Chris Johns. "The Bright Ideas Grant program is dedicated to teachers throughout Northern and Central California who are inspiring young people to dream up the next big ideas in sustainable energy."

Since 2005, the PG&E Bright Ideas Grants Program has contributed more than $2.5 million to 409 schools throughout PG&E's service area. K-12 public schools located in Northern and Central California are eligible to apply for PG&E Bright Ideas Grants through November 1, 2014. For a complete list of this year's winners and to apply, visit www.pge.com/brightideas.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), and the PG&E Corporation Foundation strive to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. In 2013, PG&E contributed more than $23 million to more than 1,300 charitable organizations, including matching the generosity of employees who donated more than $6.5 million and volunteered more than 48,000 hours to company-supported events. Community investments are funded entirely by the company's shareholders. For more information, visit  http://www.pge.com/en/about/community/index.page.

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)