Some PG&E Business Customers to Get Energy Checkup

California's booming economy increasingly strains the state's vital electric grid and many large businesses that consume hundreds – or thousands – of kilowatts a day are rethinking their energy management programs. To help customers get a handle on what they are doing right and where they need to make changes, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that it will offer its large commercial and industrial business customers a top-to-bottom review of their energy management practices.

"Top executives don't always understand how much an effective energy management program can affect their bottom line," said Beverly Alexander, vice president of rates and account services for PG&E. "Most of the time, executives are focused on business issues – cutting costs, expanding, improving quality or complying with regulations. We want to show them that a lot of the solutions to their business problems can be financed by the cost savings from improved energy efficiency."

The diagnostic offered by PG&E targets top management and financial executives. This helps ensure that sound energy management policies are a top-down process, and that everyone in the company can implement appropriate practices. The utility encourages CEOs and CFOs to adopt an energy strategy that makes energy management and energy efficiency top priorities for their companies.

"Every executive seeks out competitive advantages for his or her company. As the utility that serves Northern and Central California, we're trying to get energy management on the agenda," said Gordon R. Smith, president and CEO of PG&E. "With an effective energy management program, businesses can not only save on their monthly utility bill, they can improve product quality and employee productivity through an improved working environment."

PG&E plans to offer up to 400 large business customers the opportunity to have their energy management programs and practices assessed – something like an energy management checkup. Representatives from the Chicago-based consulting firm, One-2-Five Corp., and local PG&E staff will help businesses embrace a comprehensive, companywide approach to energy management. The energy management diagnostic – the first tool of its kind – will examine all business-critical elements of a company, and systematically identify, plan and prioritize key actions needed for improvement. The process generates a star rating (from one to five stars) and compares a company's performance and practices against ideal energy management programs.

Today's announcement is part of PG&E's conservation awareness campaign, launched in May to encourage customers to reduce their energy usage during hot days. Information on the company's conservation and demand relief programs, such as E-Bid and the Home Energy Survey are available on their web site.

Edited by Stephen Heiser