PG&E backs Oakland’s development agenda
with $3 million grant

By Globe Staff

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has announced its decision to award $3 million in grants to support Oakland’s environmental and economic development agenda in various programs, grants and incentives over the next three years
   Utility officials made the announcement this week at the Oakland Economic Summit where Mayor Ron Dellums was in attendance.
   “Economic development is a priority for the City of Oakland, green economies are now a reality that our city’s residents deserve and expect,” said Dellums. “I am pleased to have Pacific Gas and Electric Company as a partner in the model city agenda. This company has made a commitment to environmental leadership and continues to support and promote the communities they serve.”
    The effort, which combines and integrates new and alreadyavailable initiatives, will leverage PG&E’s expertise in clean energy, energy efficiency and economic development for the benefit of residents and businesses in Oakland.
   “Partnering with the City of Oakland to support the green economy and economic development is important to Pacific Gas and Electric Company,” said Nancy Mc- Fadden, senior vice president of public affairs, “We are honored to support Mayor Dellums’ efforts to revitalize Oakland’s economy with a greening partnership plan that will benefit all of the diverse neighborhoods of Oakland.”
    To help the city achieve its vision, PG&E is combining company-funded programs together with a number of efforts that are funded through customer utility revenues. Examples of the initiatives include job training for Oakland residents to create a work force to attract new green businesses and education and development programs to teach youth about energy efficiency and empower them to become part of a new green sustainable economy.
    PG&E will also help businesses, schools, parks and homes identify and realize energy efficiency savings and other clean energy opportunities through efforts like energy efficient lighting. Local energy-watch programs will also identify energy efficiency opportunities in city buildings helping to establish new standards for new green buildings in Oakland. PG&E will also apply its leadership in renewable energy and clean air vehicles to further reduce Oakland’s carbon footprint and reinforce the city’s already- strong position as a leader in the use of renewable energy.
    Pacific Gas and Electric Company provides its customers with some of the cleanest energy in the nation. Currently, over 50 percent of the energy delivered to its electric customers is carbon free and the company is well on its way to reaching its renewable energy portfolio of 20 percent by 2010.
    Through its leading energy efficiency programs, the company has helped prevent over 125 million tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere, while saving its customers nearly $10 billion. PG&E is reducing its own carbon footprint with one of the largest clean air utility fleets in the nation.