PG&E Kicks Off Opening of New California Academy of Sciences
Company awards Academy of Sciences $1.5 million to launch climate change education campaign
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is proud to have embarked on an historic $1.5 million partnership with the California Academy of Sciences located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. Under one roof, the new California Academy of Sciences building houses the Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium and the Kimball Natural History Museum. Topped with a 2.5-acre living roof and employing a wide range of energy-saving materials and technologies, including PG&E rebated solar, the building will also serve as an exhibit in and of itself. PG&E will help kick off the opening of the new Academy during a weekend-long celebration, Sept. 27-28 (PDF, 107 KB), which includes entertainment, educational booths and free admission on opening day.
As the lead corporate sponsor of the Academy, PG&E will collaborate over the next four years with the Academy on the topics of environmental impact and sustainability, with the goal of educating Californians about how they can take action on climate change. It is a part of PG&E’s balanced approach to environmental solutions by showcasing the bigger efforts that the company is making for the future, as well as the steps consumers can take to do their part in environmental leadership.
Through PG&E’s direct sponsorship of engaging exhibits such as Altered State: Climate Change in California (PDF, 115 KB) , visitors are introduced to the most recent advances in the science of climate change, and are invited to explore the possible consequences in California, and around the world. PG&E will also provide energy-related content for the ongoing “Science in Action” exhibit and incorporate PG&E subject experts into the Academy’s renown programming calendar.
“The need for science and climate change education is one of the most critical issues of our time,” said Greg Farrington, executive director at the California Academy of Sciences. “PG&E, which continues to demonstrate environmental leadership within California and nationwide, is an ideal partner for the new Academy as we seek to serve as a leading resource for science education in the 21st century.”
PG&E has a long history of making charitable grants tailored to the wide variety of needs of the communities it serves. The company’s broader program of support to communities includes cash grants, in-kind contributions, and volunteers for community-based nonprofit organizations, and for schools and other governmental programs throughout northern and central California. All charitable contributions are entirely funded by PG&E Corporation shareholders and the level of charitable giving does not affect gas and electric rates.
