Since becoming CEO of Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E) in January 2021, Patti Poppe has focused on fostering a culture of care and safety while humanizing the company. Amid criticism for its role in catastrophic wildfires and increasing rates, Poppe emphasizes a unique approach by incorporating "love" into the workplace. She advocates for a supportive environment where employees speak up about safety concerns and misunderstandings, thus protecting each other and their customers. Poppe defends recent rate increases, explaining that the additional funds are used for wildfire risk reduction projects, new business connections, and climate resiliency goals. Despite the 12.8% hike in residential bills this month, she highlights efforts to keep increases below inflation rates by making internal cuts.
PG&E, Northern California's largest utility, has made significant strides in wildfire prevention under Poppe's leadership, including reducing CPUC-reportable ignitions by 27% from the previous year and 67% since 2017. The utility has implemented enhanced power line safety settings and a 10,000-mile undergrounding project to minimize fire risks. PG&E’s commitment to renewable energy is evident, with 95% of its electricity already sourced from greenhouse-gas-free resources, and continued investment in renewable energy and innovative climate solutions.