Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has distributed $400,000 in grants to seven community organizations through its Resilience Hubs Grant program. Over the past five years, the initiative has awarded a total of $2 million to 35 recipients across Northern and Central California.
The grant program targets local or tribal governments, as well as educational and nonprofit groups. Its purpose is to help communities prepare for and respond to extreme weather events such as flooding, heat waves, wildfires, and severe storms. The funding supports the development of “resilience hubs,” which are physical spaces or resources that provide power, shelter, and information for residents during emergencies or safety-driven power shutoffs.
A previous recipient, the city of Richmond, used its grant to create a renewable energy-powered community space offering shade, electricity, and other resources for vulnerable residents during adverse weather conditions.
Carla Peterman, Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer for PG&E Corporation stated: “We are proud that our Resilience Hubs grant program has helped organizations taking the lead on building community-based climate resilience. Working together, these innovative and sustainable solutions will benefit our hometowns for years to come.”
This year’s round includes four $25,000 feasibility project grants—intended for assessments or conceptual planning—and three $100,000 grants aimed at designing or building resilience hubs. Priority was given to projects serving disadvantaged or vulnerable populations. All strategies developed with grant support will be shared publicly to encourage further collaboration among communities.
Little Manila Rising in Stockton is one of this year’s recipients. Irene Calimlim, the organization’s community development director said: “This opportunity will allow us to plan for extreme weather scenarios and coordinate with other CBOs (community-based organizations) and public agencies to both prepare residents for and to mobilize for times of emergency.”
Funding for these grants comes from PG&E Corporation shareholders as part of statewide wildfire resiliency investments mandated by the California Public Utilities Commission. This marks the conclusion of the five-year grant program.
PG&E serves over 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. More details about the company can be found at https://www.pge.com/ and https://www.pge.com/news/. Additional information about this announcement is available at https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pge-provides-400-000-in-resilience-hubs-grants-to-help-communities-address-climate-and-disaster-needs-302517600.html.
