SAN FRANCISCO -- (Business Wire)

As part of its ongoing dedication to help foster education, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced the launch of its fourth annual PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarship program. The program awards a total of $1 million in scholarships to local high school, community college and “non-traditional” students pursuing higher education in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM). Scholarship winners will receive up to $20,000 per year for up to five years; program finalists will receive $2,000 toward their studies.

“PG&E is investing in promising students today because they are the leaders, dreamers and innovators of tomorrow. The energy industry needs them, our communities need them and California needs them. Our Better Together STEM Scholarships are creating opportunities for today’s students to reach their full potential,” said Helen Burt, senior vice president of external affairs and public policy for PG&E.

Students pursuing a STEM-related degree are eligible, and must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school for the duration of the 2016-2017 academic year.

The deadline to apply for the PG&E Better Together STEM Scholarships is Feb. 29. Scholarship winners will be announced this spring. For more information and to apply, visit scholarshipamerica.org/pge.

PG&E has a long history of supporting local educational initiatives, providing more than $75 million over the last decade. Since 2012, PG&E’s Better Together STEM Scholarship Program, formerly known as Bright Minds, has awarded nearly $3.5 million to accomplished students based on a combined demonstration of community leadership, personal triumph, financial need and academic achievement.

In addition to the STEM Scholarship Program, PG&E’s 10 employee resource groups (ERGs) voluntarily raise funds for scholarships to help offset the cost of higher education. In 2015 alone, the ERGs awarded a record $429,000 in scholarships. Since 1989, more than $4 million in ERG scholarships have been received by thousands of recipients. Visit http://www.pge.com/en/about/community/education/ergscholarships/index.page.

PG&E’s broader Better Together Giving Program further demonstrates the company’s commitment to building a better future together. With a focus on education, economic vitality, the environment and emergency preparedness, PG&E is aligning charitable resources with the company’s values. Working closely with local community organizations, PG&E is helping to create a strong, resilient and sustainable California. Community investments are funded entirely by the company’s shareholders.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), and the PG&E Corporation Foundation strive to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. Through the 2015 Better Together Giving Program, PG&E contributed more than $25 million to nearly 1,600 charitable organizations, including matching the generosity of employees who donated more than $7.9 million and volunteered more than 85,000 hours to company-supported events. Community investments are funded entirely by the company’s shareholders. For more information, visit www.pge.com/community.

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Contacts:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company
Nicole Liebelt, 415-973-5930

Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company