PG&E Awarded $34.5 Million in Federal Grants for 19 Hydroelectric Projects

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E has been awarded $34.5 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office to support 19 hydroelectric projects across its system. The grants, part of the DOE's Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive program, will fund work that enhances grid resiliency, improves dam safety, and reduces environmental impacts.

PG&E operates the second largest privately owned hydroelectric system in the United States, generating about 3,867 megawatts of power via 61 conventional hydro powerhouses, a pumped storage facility, 98 reservoirs, 168 dams, and over 400 miles of water infrastructure. The projects benefiting from these grants are primarily located in Mendocino, Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, Tuolumne, Butte, Amador, Calaveras, and Shasta counties.

Positive

• Received $34.5 million in federal grants for hydroelectric projects
• Grants to fund grid resiliency, dam safety, and environmental impact reduction
• Second largest privately owned hydroelectric system in the U.S.
• Generates 3,867 megawatts of carbon-free electricity

Negative

• None.

Funding to be used for enhanced grid resiliency, improved dam safety and reduced environmental impacts

OAKLAND, Calif., Sept. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- PG&E has been awarded $34.5 million in grant awards from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Deployment Office to support 19 hydroelectric projects across its system.

The grant awards are part of the DOE's Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity Incentive program, and will fund work that provides grid resiliency, improves dam safety, and reduces environmental impacts associated with ongoing operations.

"Hydroelectric power is one of the most reliable, affordable, and efficient forms of carbon-free electricity in our portfolio," said Dave Gabbard, Vice President, Power Generation. "The federal funds will directly benefit PG&E customers by way of performance and capacity enhancements to hydroelectric projects that will continue to provide reliable, sustainable, and cost-effective renewable energy for decades to come."

PG&E operates and maintains the second largest privately owned hydroelectric system in the United States, generating roughly 3,867 megawatts (MW) of power via 61 conventional hydro powerhouses, a pumped storage facility, 98 reservoirs, 168 dams, and more than 400 miles of canals, flumes, tunnels, penstocks, siphons and natural waterways. The grants enable PG&E to cost effectively make critical system improvements for safety and reliability.

The utility's hydro projects that will benefit from the federal incentive program are primarily located in Mendocino, Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, Tuolumne, Butte, Amador, Calaveras, and Shasta counties. Major projects are planned for Potter Valley, Lake Fordyce, Lower Bucks Spillway, Lower Blue Lake, Rock Creek and Cresta Cofferdam, Lake Almanor Dam, Courtright Dam, Strawberry Dam, DeSabla, Tiger Creek, Salt Springs, Iron Canyon, Pit 7 Dam, Poe Dam, and Pit 1.

"These funds will enable us to continue advancing hydroelectricity and environmental sustainability in a cost-effective manner and will further propel us toward a future where clean energy is accessible and dependable for all," said Gabbard.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.

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SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

How much federal grant money did PG&E (PCG) receive for hydroelectric projects?

PG&E (PCG) received $34.5 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy's Grid Deployment Office for 19 hydroelectric projects.

What will PG&E (PCG) use the federal grant money for in their hydroelectric projects?

PG&E (PCG) will use the federal grant money to enhance grid resiliency, improve dam safety, and reduce environmental impacts associated with their hydroelectric operations.

How many megawatts of power does PG&E's (PCG) hydroelectric system generate?

PG&E's (PCG) hydroelectric system generates approximately 3,867 megawatts of power.

In which counties are PG&E's (PCG) hydroelectric projects that will benefit from the federal grants located?

The hydroelectric projects benefiting from the federal grants are primarily located in Mendocino, Nevada, Plumas, Fresno, Tuolumne, Butte, Amador, Calaveras, and Shasta counties.