In an attempt to guide sustainability efforts, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has assembled a new external advisory council that will provide feedback and recommendations to the utility as it seeks to combat climate change and advance its clean energy, environmental stewardship, economic development and community vitality initiatives.

Along with this announcement, PG&E released their 2015 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report.  The report outlines its progress in safety, community involvement, environmental performance and customer energy solutions, among other measures.

The Sustainability Advisory Council is comprised of a diverse group of experienced leaders representing environmental and sustainability groups, community organizations, academia and policymakers. The group will work directly with PG&E’s chief sustainability officer and vice president of federal affairs and policy, Melissa Lavinson, and PG&E’s other senior executives.

Some of the council’s roles and responsibilities will include: Actively identifying issues, opportunities and challenges related to PG&E’s ability to provide safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy to Northern and Central California over the long term; Providing insights, feedback and direction on PG&E’s sustainability strategy and priorities; Sharing experiences, perspectives and best practices for improving PG&E’s sustainability performance; and Offering feedback and recommendations on PG&E’s sustainability reporting and transparency.

The council will meet twice a year, while also providing company leaders with a continuous exchange of information.

The Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report details the accomplishments PG&E achieved in 2014, notably:

• Investing nearly $5 billion to enhance its infrastructure and improve safety and reliability.

• Delivering some of the nation’s cleanest energy, with more than half of its electricity coming from resources free of greenhouse gases.

• Leading the way as the nation’s top utility for rooftop solar installations.

• Achieving industry-leading supplier diversity results, helping thousands of businesses to grow and hire.

• Helping customers save $160 million on their energy bills through energy efficiency, which also avoided more than 776,850 metric tons of CO2 emissions.

• Volunteering 75,000 hours building homes and playgrounds, cleaning state parks and mentoring students.

• Providing career opportunities for veterans and women through its PowerPathway™ workforce development program.

• Collaborating to address the impacts of California’s drought, including conserving water in its facilities and helping customers save about 1.8 billion gallons through energy efficiency.

• Extending its leadership on fleet electrification, introducing the utility industry’s first plug-in electric utility truck that can also provide power for up to 100 homes.

• Devoting more than $23 million to community investments that enrich educational opportunities, preserve the environment and support the vitality of California communities.