PG&E To Contribute Another $250K To Fire Relief

NAPA COUNTY, CA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced Friday that PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation will contribute $250,000 to tribal communities and organizations assisting residents affected by recent wildfires.

The charitable contributions are part of an overall pledge of $1 million for wildfire relief and recovery efforts during this fire season, PG&E officials said in a news release.

"This wildfire season continues to challenge first responders, volunteers and organizations focused on helping Californians, including members of tribal communities, as they recover from disasters," said Robert Kenney, PG&E vice president of regulatory and external affairs. "We’re grateful for their service and will continue to look for ways to support their mission of caring for those affected by these devastating wildfires."

Portions of the contribution will assist residents and communities recovering from recent wildfires in Napa, Sonoma and Shasta counties. This includes a total of $150,000 to support initial relief and recovery efforts on the Glass Fire and Zogg Fire, PG&E North Bay Spokeswoman Deanna Contreras said.

In Napa County, $50,000 will go to UpValley Family Centers, which serves low income Napa County households, including those impacted by prolonged power outages due to the 2020 wildfires. The funds will go toward immediate needs, such as safe housing, but also to those experiencing financial hardship as a result of lost wages. The organization has received over 500 inquiries for assistance to date from households impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex and Glass Fires.

"After the destruction of the fires, these funds are providing an important sense of safety and stability for Napa households as they take steps towards their recovery," said Jenny Ocón, executive director of the UpValley Family Centers. "In particular, for low-wage and seasonal workers with little to no savings to fall back on, this aid is crucial to ensuring their families’ basic needs are met."

Portions of the $250,000 will also support seven tribal communities in Butte, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Madera and Siskiyou counties. The grants will be used for food distribution programs and general relief efforts, according to Contreras.

As part of the combined PG&E and The Foundation total commitment of $1 million for wildfire relief and recovery efforts this year, PG&E in August provided $100,000 in contributions to the American Red Cross’ California Wildfire Relief Fund for shelters and community support, and $50,000 in grants to the California Association of Food Banks’ Rapid Response Fund to support food insecurity relief.

In September, PG&E contributed $250,000 to 20 community organizations responding to food insecurity in vulnerable communities already impacted this wildfire season; local Community Foundations providing immediate relief to displaced and impacted residents; and volunteer fire departments.

"These charitable contributions come either from shareholder funds or The Foundation, not PG&E customers," Contreras said.

The Foundation has committed to matching up to $50,000 in PG&E employee contributions to wildfire relief. The Foundation will match employee contributions to five featured charities supporting wildfire assistance. The employee contributions and 1:1 matching funds total up to $100,000, Contreras said.