PG&E Convenes New External Advisory Council on Sustainability, Releases Sustainability Report

10/16/2015

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has convened a new external advisory council to help guide the company’s sustainability efforts. The council will provide input and recommendations to the utility as it seeks to combat climate change and advance its clean energy, environmental stewardship, economic development and community vitality initiatives.

The announcement of the council’s formation accompanies the release of PG&E’s 2015 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report, outlining its progress in safety, community involvement, environmental performance and customer energy solutions, among other measures.

“Sustainability issues have never been more crucial to our customers and the future of our state. This advisory council will be invaluable in helping us understand our stakeholders’ perspectives on these issues and finding opportunities to advance our shared goals,” said Tony Earley, chairman, CEO and president of PG&E Corporation.

The Sustainability Advisory Council brings together a diverse group of experienced leaders representing environmental and sustainability groups, community organizations, academia and policymakers. The group will work directly with PG&E’s chief sustainability officer and vice president of federal affairs and policy, Melissa Lavinson, and PG&E’s other senior executives.

The council’s roles and responsibilities will include:

Actively identifying issues, opportunities and challenges related to PG&E’s ability to provide safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy to Northern and Central California over the long term;
Providing insights, feedback and direction on PG&E’s sustainability strategy and priorities;
Sharing experiences, perspectives and best practices for improving PG&E’s sustainability performance; and
Offering feedback and recommendations on PG&E’s sustainability reporting and transparency.

The council will meet twice a year, while also engaging company leaders in a continuous exchange of information. Its members are:

Robert King Fong, Former Councilmember for Sacramento’s 4th Council District and President, RKF Consulting
David Hayes, Distinguished Visiting Lecturer in Law at the Stanford Law School and a Visiting Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress
Roland Hwang, Director, Energy and Transportation Program, Natural Resources Defense Council
Mindy Lubber, President, Ceres
Rose McKinney-James, Managing Principal, Energy Works LLC and McKinney-James & Associates
Michelle Moore, CEO, Groundswell
Wayne Nastri, Co-President, E4 Strategic Solutions
Susan Tierney, Senior Advisor, Analysis Group
Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund
Heather Zichal, President of Zichal, Inc. and former climate advisor to President Obama

“Providing solutions to combat climate change and managing its impacts, creating pathways for economic opportunity, and advancing technology innovation are all critical to ensuring a sustainable and vibrant future?both in the U.S. and globally. PG&E has long been an industry leader in terms of sustainability efforts, and by bringing together this Advisory Council, PG&E is demonstrating it is serious about tackling these challenges and doing so in a way that brings in multiple perspectives and experiences. I am honored to participate as part of this group and excited about the possibility of working with a company that has a track record of stepping out and stepping up on these issues,” said Heather Zichal, President of Zichal, Inc., a domestic and international energy advisory consultancy, and former climate advisor to President Obama.

“I commend PG&E for establishing a Council that reflects the diverse issues and interests affecting both the company and its communities?as well as the broader population. PG&E has rightly noted that sustainability is but one aspect of our future. It’s also about multiple elements, sometimes competing, and how we balance them?or don’t. I look forward to participating in the Council and helping PG&E set a course for the future that brings the promise and benefits of a clean energy economy to all of its communities and customers,” said Arturo Vargas, Executive Director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund.

The Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report details the accomplishments PG&E achieved in 2014, notably:

Investing nearly $5 billion to enhance its infrastructure and improve safety and reliability.
Delivering some of the nation’s cleanest energy, with more than half of its electricity coming from resources free of greenhouse gases.
Leading the way as the nation’s top utility for rooftop solar installations.
Achieving industry-leading supplier diversity results, helping thousands of businesses to grow and hire.
Helping customers save $160 million on their energy bills through energy efficiency, which also avoided more than 776,850 metric tons of CO₂ emissions.
Volunteering 75,000 hours building homes and playgrounds, cleaning state parks and mentoring students.
Providing career opportunities for veterans and women through its PowerPathway™ workforce development program.
Collaborating to address the impacts of California’s drought, including conserving water in its facilities and helping customers save about 1.8 billion gallons through energy efficiency.
Extending its leadership on fleet electrification, introducing the utility industry’s first plug-in electric utility truck that can also provide power for up to 100 homes.
Devoting more than $23 million to community investments that enrich educational opportunities, preserve the environment and support the vitality of California communities.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

http://www.pgecurrents.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pacificgasandelectric

https://twitter.com/pge4me

http://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-gas-and-electric-company

http://www.youtube.com/user/pgevideo