Name: PG&E Wants to Lead the Charge in Energy Evolution
Uploaded: 2017-11-30
Duration: 4 min 40 s
Description: CEO Geisha Williams is pushing the company to be early adopters in all facets of new energy technology.

Geisha, there is so much change coming to your industry, new technologies, electric vehicles, clean energy. And now that you're the CEO of one of California's biggest utilities, what are your plans for PG & E? My goal is to really make sure that our company really transforms itself. From not just a provider of gas and electric, we need to start thinking about ourselves as an energy solutions company, as a climate solutions company. And I gotta tell you, I've never been more excited about being in this industry as I am And right now. Well one of the things that's gonna push you along is that California has been very forceful and very clear about its clean energy goals. The law says 50 % of the utilities power has to be generated by renewable sources by 2030. How far along is PG in meeting this goal? We're making great progress. As I sit here today, We are at 33 % renewable, which is way ahead. As a matter of fact, almost three years ahead of our clients. Because of this mandate what are you doing differently now? So it is really about looking at our wind and solar and biomass, and geothermal resources. In California we are really lucky that we have such a diversity of renewables available to us. So we look for the best options to meet the needs of our system And then it's really, the secret is about integrating them in a thoughtful and deliberate way so that you can ensure that the system continues to be reliable. The other big thing that you're facing are electric vehicles. There are so many more coming out and then, again, California Law is saying 4 million, 4 million electric vehicles on the road By 2030. Now, that just to me, sounds like a huge job. Have you figured out how you're going to get electricity and sockets in places that you never had to provided electricity before? It is so exciting. Right now, we have, today we have 20 % of all the electric vehicles in the country, are in our service area. We are first adapters. Our customers like to try new things and so we have more solar rooftops than anyone else, more electric vehicles than anyone else so no, we don't have it all figured out but we're going to and we've got time. So in order for our state to really achieve that's bold goals of reducing carbon, It has to electrify the transportation sector. And again, we're all in and we're going to do everything on our part to make sure that there's charging stations available everywhere. But our customers are not worried about running out of juice. It sounds like you are really on top of this whole issue but to speed up the process have you thought about doing any acquisitions. There you are in you know California next to the tech world Roles to do any kinda acquisitions of a startup tech company or partnering with one of these auto makers. We do partner. That's truely our stragtegy because we're in the heart of Silicone Valley. Snd so many of our customers are right in Silicone Valley, our view is to partner and learn. And try different things with different companies. So for example, we've recently did a pilot with BMW on electric vehicle charging. And it's really a demand- response program to see if we could influence the charging patterns. If we can incent when customers decide to charge, when not to charge Incredibly successful, I think that's part of the new PG & E it's all about collaborating, partnering, and really forming coalitions with others who have great perspectives. So we intend on doing a lot of pilots and working with a lot of these great tech companeis that are in our back yard. Well you certainly have a strong belief in renewable, and you have a great track record in that area. Given that President Trump has pulled away from the Paris Climate Agreement, he's also in favor of easing up regulations for clean energy, how does that impact what you're doing at PG & E? Well, I'm disappointed, personally, and our company has certianly been really behind, been supportive of the clean power plan, we've been supportive of the Paris Accord, Paris Agreement. We're disappointed, That the federal government is pulling away from that. In California it's go for it. More and faster. And we're ready to really help the state achieve its goals. So let's say the president calls on you and wanted your advice on all of this. What would you say to him that might just change his mind? I would say, take a look at what we've done. Look at the fact that we've improved reliability, improved the air quality, have higher levels of renewables than we did ten years ago, created jobs, have a strong economy. And our customer bills are still 20 to 30 % below the national average. I would say look at us as a case study for how to do it properly. And I would love the opportunity to see if I can convince him. [ BLANK_AUDIO ]

PG&E Wants to Lead the Charge in Energy Evolution

Energy

CEO Geisha Williams is pushing the company to be early adopters in all facets of new energy technology.