Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation, today released its annual Corporate Sustainability Report. Accordingly, this document reviews the Company’s performance through a “triple bottom line” lens; thus, it focuses on serving people, the planet, and California’s prosperity.
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Reception and about the report
In this regard, Patti Poppe, CEO of PG&E Corporation, said in a media release; “Indeed, I am proud to say that in 2020, we continued to move forward on our sustainability goals; particularly, despite the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and some of the most extreme weather and wildfire conditions California has ever seen.”
Therefore, “we are working every day to shrink our company’s carbon footprint and help customers reduce their own energy use,” continued Poppe. Also, “to adapt our gas and electric system to changing climate conditions.”
In this way, and using statistics and stories, PG&E noted in the release that the online report brings its sustainability commitment to life. Furthermore, the report’s contents detail the accomplishments PG&E achieved in 2020. Notably, the Company delivered some of the nation’s cleanest energy; particularly, with about 85 percent of our electricity coming from greenhouse-gas free resources.
PG&E also invested $7.6 billion to enhance and upgrade our infrastructure for safety, reliability, and wildfire mitigation. Similarly, it completed substantial work to strengthen the U.S. natural gas system; for instance, including industry-leading gains in process safety, asset management, and technology innovation.
Moreover, the company said it worked to keep its customers, communities, and coworkers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, PG&E provided financial assistance programs and support for customers. Also, over $1 million to nonprofits to help address food insecurity and safety precautions and policies for coworkers.
The results for PG&E and its customers
Together, these initiatives helped customers avoid more than 769,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide; specifically through its energy efficiency programs, thus accounting for roughly $308 million in energy bill savings.
On the ESG side, the Company said it issued a Human Rights Statement in furtherance of its commitment to conduct its business in a manner that respects all human rights. Pg&E also launched a multi-year Climate Vulnerability Assessment.
Lastly, it contributed $17.5 million to charitable organizations through its Better Together Giving Program and The PG&E Corporation Foundation. Similarly, the Company acknowledged how it continues to benefit from a Sustainability Advisory Council; which indeed comprises a diverse group of experienced leaders representing environmental and sustainability groups; also, community organizations, academia, and policymakers.
Accordingly, Rose McKinney-James, Managing Principal of Energy Works, former Nevada PSC Commissioner and a member of PG&E’s Sustainability Advisory Council, said in the release; “In fact, tackling the challenges of climate change―and doing so with an increasing focus on vulnerable communities―can only be met through collaboration and partnerships.”
Thus, “from clean energy and transportation to system affordability and resilience, the most sustainable solutions will be the ones we create by working together,” McKinney-James concluded.
