PG&E sets aside $1M in grants for local climate change planning

A California forest fire. ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN FRANCISCO — More than 5,700 wildfires burned across California last year alone, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

And despite record rain this winter, climate change is expected to increase the number of large wildfires as well as the length of the wildfire season in California.

To help Californian communities meet this challenge, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) launched its Better Together Resilient Communities grant program recently.

Through the program, PG&E will invest $1 million over five years – or $200,000 per year – in shareholder-funded grants to help communities better prepare for, withstand, and recover from extreme events and other risks related to climate change.

This year, the company is calling for proposals that will build healthy and resilient forests and watersheds to help communities prevent and prepare for increasing wildfire risk.

“At PG&E, we believe adapting to the reality of climate change must include helping our communities to become more resilient to its many potential effects, such as the risk of wildfires,” said Geisha Williams, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation.

PG&E will award two grants of $100,000 through a competitive process. A panel of community and sustainability leaders, including the League of California Cities and members of PG&E’s Sustainability Advisory Council will play an advisory role with the program.

Strategies and solutions resulting from the grants will be made publicly available to help all communities, and encourage local and regional partnership

“We’re delighted to see PG&E taking this leadership role in helping protect California’s communities from wildfire,” said Lou Paulson, president, California Professional Firefighters.

“Extreme weather and climate change are threatening the safety of communities across central and northern California. We applaud PG&E for offering a program that focuses on these risks and encourages the collaboration needed to keep our communities safe now and in the years to come,” said Tom Trott, general manager of Twain Harte Community Services District.

Grant Criteria and Eligibility

Grant proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Partnerships: the extent to which the proposal reflects a collaborative effort among multiple organizations

• Replicability: the extent to which the proposal identifies how others can learn from and adopt the resulting strategies and solutions

• Assistance to disadvantaged communities: the extent to which the proposal addresses the identified needs of disadvantaged communities

• Measurable impact: the extent to which the proposal includes practical, measurable and innovative ways to address community needs and climate risks

To be eligible, applicants must be a governmental organization, educational institution or 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. All applicants must include a local government within PG&E’s service area as a partner.

Learn more about the grants and how to apply at pge.com/resiliencegrants.