PG&E Corporation reports news centered on its role as the holding company for Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a regulated combined natural gas and electric utility serving customers across Northern and Central California. Recurring updates cover quarterly results, customer rates, grid reliability, wildfire mitigation, safety programs, and regulatory developments affecting the utility’s electric and gas systems.
Company news also tracks Diablo Canyon Power Plant license matters, renewable natural gas interconnections, electric-vehicle and vehicle-to-grid programs, home electrification initiatives, customer bill credits, and operational technologies such as continuous grid monitoring, sensors, machine learning, undergrounding, covered powerlines, and emergency-response programs.
PG&E's meteorology team is monitoring an upcoming weather system affecting Northern and Central California, which is expected to bring rainfall and mountain snow starting Saturday. The company emphasizes the potential for weather-related power outages and reminds customers to prepare for safety. They have developed a Storm Outage Prediction Model using real-time weather data to enhance their response to outages. Customers are urged to follow safety tips during outages, including avoiding downed wires, using flashlights instead of candles, and preparing backup phone systems.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) announced a reduction in residential customer bills this month due to the California Climate Credit. Customers receiving both gas and electric services will benefit from a credit of $41.82, while gas-only customers will see a credit of $24.62 and electric-only customers will receive $17.20. This credit reflects customer contributions to California's carbon pollution permit auctions. Amid ongoing financial struggles due to the pandemic, PG&E encourages customers with past-due balances to utilize various financial assistance programs before emergency protections expire.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has launched enhanced resources to assist customers during Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) due to severe weather, which can lead to wildfires. Key initiatives include improved customer notifications in 16 languages, Address Alerts, expanded Community Resource Centers, and partnerships for meal replacements. Additionally, PG&E is supporting vulnerable populations with portable batteries and expanding community partnerships. The company is also committed to improving grid safety and reducing PSPS incidents through vegetation management, grid upgrades, and new technologies.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been recognized on the 2021 Utility Transformation Leaderboard by the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA) for its commitment to a carbon-free electric system. The assessment reviewed over 100 U.S. utilities, highlighting PG&E's initiatives such as delivering 88% of its electricity from greenhouse gas-free resources and exceeding California's renewable energy goals. SEPA commended PG&E's comprehensive approach to transitioning its business and energy systems to meet climate goals while acknowledging the ongoing challenges ahead.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) appointed Wade Smith as Senior Vice President, Electric Operations, effective May 3, 2021. Smith, who has over 30 years of experience in the energy sector, previously held senior roles at American Electric Power (AEP), overseeing a $20 billion transmission capital investment program. His responsibilities at PG&E will include managing electric transmission, distribution operations, and emergency preparedness. The company continues to strengthen its leadership with experienced professionals to enhance operational excellence and service reliability for its customers.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is conducting a series of regional wildfire safety webinars to share its wildfire prevention plans and gather customer feedback. These webinars, scheduled every Thursday, will cover topics such as PG&E’s safety technology, resources for customers regarding Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events, and ongoing wildfire prevention efforts. The next events will occur on April 15, 22, and 29, focusing on specific counties in California. Closed captioning will be available in multiple languages.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) launched the Community Microgrid Enablement Program (CMEP) to assist communities in developing microgrids that enhance energy resilience and reliability. Approved by the California Public Utilities Commission, the program prioritizes funding for projects in disadvantaged areas, supporting critical facilities like hospitals. The first project, the Redwood Coast Airport Renewable Energy Microgrid, aims for operation by December 2021, providing energy for 18 customer meters. PG&E seeks to partner with communities to address local electricity needs.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) has paid over $406 million in property taxes and franchise fees this spring to California's local governments. This payment includes more than $268 million in property taxes covering the first half of 2021 and franchise fees totaling over $138 million. These contributions support essential public services and reflect PG&E's ongoing investments in infrastructure safety and wildfire mitigation, amounting to $7 billion in 2020. PG&E aims to enhance community support and economic development through these financial commitments.
The California Restaurant Foundation is offering $3,500 grants to assist small restaurants in six Northern and Central California counties affected by COVID-19. Applications are open from April 11-18, 2021, with PG&E contributing $500,000 to the fund. Eligible restaurants must have 50 or fewer employees and report a revenue loss of over 20% from 2019 to 2020. The fund aims to provide not only financial support for businesses but also aid for individual restaurant workers facing hardships.
April is designated as National Safe Digging Month, supported by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PCG) and over 1,000 utilities. The initiative aims to educate Californians on the importance of calling 811 to mark underground utility lines before any digging. Recent surveys indicate that 20% of homeowners are engaging in DIY projects involving digging during the pandemic, yet 37% risk damaging utilities by not calling 811. In 2020, PG&E recorded over 1,400 third-party dig-ins, nearly 800 of which were due to failure in contacting 811. PG&E emphasizes safety with its tips for digging.