PG&E Gives 1 Million Masks To CA, $1M To Nonprofits: Coronavirus

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced it is donating nearly 1 million masks — 480,000 N95 masks and 470,000 surgical masks — to the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services for distribution to California hospitals and first-responder agencies. Because of the growing number of coronavirus cases in the state and beyond, there is a critical shortage of the masks and other Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE, that health-care workers and first responders need to wear.

PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation further announced a $1-million donation to nonprofits who are focused on supporting families facing food insecurity, as well as small businesses to help with the uncertainty and economic impacts of the public health emergency.

These donations come from shareholder funds, not customers, PG&E officials said in a news release Monday.

"As a company and as individuals, we recognize the need to support the medical community and all they’re doing to help safeguard the health and safety of our fellow Californians," PG&E CEO and President Andy Vesey said.

"This crisis is unprecedented, but we know that our path forward requires us working together and helping medical professionals and first responders on the front lines of the pandemic," Vesey said. "Helping our state and local communities is part of who we are at PG&E. It’s the right thing to do."

Don't miss updates about coronavirus precautions as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

PG&E maintains a supply of several types of masks to protect utility crews working in construction zones or responding to wildfires, according to Vesey.

In addition to the 1 million masks for Cal OES, PG&E says it has already delivered 20,000 N95 masks and 20,000 surgical masks directly to the Kaiser Permanente Livermore receiving center, as Kaiser has an immediate and critical need for the protective masks for its medical professionals.

On Saturday, California OES said the state received a shipment of the following PPE supplies from the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile: 358,381 N95 masks, 853,730 surgical masks, 162,565 face shields, 132,544 surgical gowns, 678 coveralls and 471,941 gloves.

WATCH: Masks, Other Medical PPE Supplies Unloaded at Cal OES Warehouse

Cal OES said on Saturday, the state requested the following additional PPE supplies from the Strategic National Stockpile: 20 million N95 masks, 10 million surgical masks, 600,000 surgical gowns, 600,000 face shields, 600,000 gloves, 300,000 goggles, 100,000 coveralls.

PG&E says it is donating as many masks as possible to Cal OES, while maintaining enough to ensure the safety of its field workers during this coronavirus crisis and the upcoming fire season.

Vesey said the donations mirror the mutual aid among utility companies provide to each other during emergency response for storms, earthquakes or fires.

The company says it will continue to evaluate opportunities for additional donations of masks and other equipment, and that PG&E employees are collecting masks and other equipment from their personal emergency kits to donate to hospitals and emergency services responders in their local areas.

PG&E and The PG&E Corporation Foundation are also making a combined $1 million in charitable contributions to nonprofits supporting people experiencing food insecurity, small businesses, as well as regional community foundations’ COVID-19 relief funds, food banks, senior meal programs and others.

"In addition to providing safe and reliable energy service to our customers every day, we’re dedicated to supporting our communities during times of crisis," The PG&E Corporation Foundation Chairman Robert Kenney said.

"We know that many of our customers may face uncertainty and financial instability due to school and childcare closures, job loss, and other economic impacts," Kenney said. "That’s why we’re working with our nonprofit partners to help with immediate needs."