At $1.6 Billion, PG&E Leads State's Utilities in Diverse Supplier Spending

Company's Effort Supports Businesses Owned by Minorities, Women, Service-Disabled Veterans

News provided by

Mar 19, 2012, 01:45 ET

SAN FRANCISCO, March 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that it achieved an all-time high of $1.61 billion in spending with diverse suppliers in 2011, accounting for 36.6 percent of its total procurement budget. According to the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), PG&E spent more on products and services from businesses owned by minorities, women and service-disabled veterans than any of the more than 30 other utilities and telecommunication companies in California.

"As we reshape our operations to deliver safe and reliable gas and electric service to our customers, we will continue to strengthen local economies and support the diverse businesses we count on to help us power Northern and Central California," said Chris Johns, President of PG&E.

For more than three decades, PG&E has been committed to diversity and inclusion. The company has developed one of the state's leading programs that support economic development and job creation in the communities it serves. PG&E partners with diverse suppliers to generate innovation and increase competition while contributing to their revenue growth. In addition, the utility has played an important role by providing small businesses with technical assistance training.

"PG&E has raised the bar for sustainable business partnerships with minority-owned business enterprises in California," said Julian Canete, President and Chief Executive Officer of California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "Our long standing relationship with PG&E is extraordinarily important in promoting and supporting the advancement and development of Hispanic and minority owned businesses. The company's track record of inclusion is a true catalyst to the growth and expansion of emerging and diverse firms."

RHA, Inc. is a certified minority owned business that implements and administrates energy efficiency programs for PG&E, including energy audits, home and business weatherization, customer energy education, energy training, and direct installation of energy efficiency measures.

Craig Smith, Chief Executive Officer of RHA, Inc., said, "RHA has grown substantially since partnering with PG&E. While employing over 330 staff, RHA has five offices throughout California, three of which are located in PG&E's territory. Our comprehensive subcontractor network of 35 employs over 1,784 employees throughout northern and central California alone and includes 10 minority and women owned businesses. Our long-standing partnership with PG&E has been pivotal in impacting and serving diverse communities and small businesses with energy efficiency measures and financial savings."

For information on PG&E's supplier diversity program or to learn how to apply to become a certified diverse supplier, visit www.pge.com/supplierdiversity/

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 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ or www.pgecurrents.com.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company