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PG&E Offers $300,000 in Grants to Habitat for Humanity Chapters

Posted on: Wednesday, 21 June 2006, 18:00 CDT

SAN FRANCISCO, June 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing its long-standing commitment to clean and renewable energy, as well as to support the communities it serves, Pacific Gas and Electric Company today announced plans to give $300,000 in grants to Habitat for Humanity chapters to cover the installation costs of solar generation systems on homes built for low-income families.

Inspired by PG&E's innovative and highly successful Solar Schools Program, the Solar Habitat Program supports low-income families in underserved and traditionally hard-to-reach communities with money-saving solar technology and energy efficiency resources.

"The Solar Habitat Program is another example of PG&E addressing the future of California's energy needs," said Ophelia Basgal, PG&E vice president of civic partnership and community initiatives. "In addition to lowering energy bills for these families, this program promotes energy literacy in underserved communities and continues the successful partnership between PG&E and Habitat for Humanity."

Habitat for Humanity chapters are encouraged to apply for "planning grants" to explore opportunities for adding solar technology to their homes. Please visit http://www.pge.com/charitable/giving/apply for more information, grant guidelines and to complete an application. Completed applications must be submitted online no later than September 1, 2006. Grantees will be announced in October of 2006.

On October 25, 2005, PG&E invited all Habitat for Humanity chapters in its service area to participate in a solar forum in San Ramon. An estimated 15 chapters participated. The purpose of this forum was to outline PG&E's Solar Habitat grant requirements and to provide technical training and details about solar installations.

PG&E is a national leader in supplying its customers with clean renewable energy. Currently, 32 percent of the power PG&E delivers to customers comes from alternative sources, including hydroelectric, wind, geothermal, biomass and waste. The company is also an industry leader in solar power integration.

-- With more than 11,000 solar customer inter-ties, PG&E has connected more solar homes than any other utility in the country. -- PG&E has provided more than $130 million in rebates to hundreds of solar customers through its Self-Generation Incentive Program. -- PG&E has brought solar power to 30 schools throughout its service area and provided curriculum training for over 400 teachers with the Solar Schools program.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has a long history of making charitable grants tailored to the wide variety of needs of the communities it serves. The company's charitable contributions program provides cash grants, in-kind contributions, and volunteers for community-based nonprofit organizations, and for schools and other governmental programs throughout Northern and Central California. All charitable contributions are entirely funded by the company's shareholders.

For more information about Pacific Gas and Electric Company's Charitable Contributions Program, please visit our website at http://www.pge.com/about_us/community/charitable/index.html.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company

CONTACT: PG&E News Department, +1-415-973-5930

Web site: http://www.pge.com/

Source: PRNewswire-FirstCall

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