Code of Ethics for PG&E

Code of Ethics for PG&E
Company Description
The Pacific Gas and Electricity (PG&E) company is a holding energy company that is involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. PG&E uses fuel, hydro, fuel cell, nuclear, and fossil fuel sources in the production of electricity. In addition, PG&E is also involved in the procurement, storage, and transport of natural gas. Its international operations include electric power systems in the Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, some parts of Mexico, and the Western Electricity Coordination Council. As the largest energy company in the region, PG&E serves commercial, residential, agricultural, and industrial customers in northern and central California. Today, the company employs approximately 23000 employees, who are involved in the company’s primary business (Reference for Business, n.d.). Having its headquarters in California, PG&E is regulated by the California Public Utilities Commission, created in 1911 by the state legislature.
In terms of the company’s history, PG&E was established in 1905 by Eugene de Sabla, Jr. and John Martin. Their goal was to acquire and merge power companies in central California. Between 1900 and 1960, the company was involved in multiple acquisitions. By 1914, it owned the largest integrated regional system on the Pacific Coast making it one of the five largest utilities in the country. By 1973, the company was the second largest as it owned 65 hydroelectric plants and 12 steam plants. It converted seven of its 12 steam plants to oil in the 1970s amid environmental and other controversies the company faced. Today, PG&E remains one of the largest utility management companies in the country.
Code of Ethics
PG&E has developed a code of conduct that guides ethics and compliance for the employees, directors, contractors, consultants, and suppliers. There are also ethical considerations for the company's political engagements. However, the overall objective of the company's ethical commitments is to ensure that all stakeholders comply with applicable laws, the company's code, and other regulations. The company's code of conduct recognizes the role of its leaders, including building trust and establishing an environment that allows workers to speak up and share concerns and ideas (PG&E, 2022). The rationale for this requirement is that the company's code of conduct advocates questioning and raising concerns in case of possible violations of regulations, the code, and applicable laws. The company believes that a strong commitment to ethics and compliance is the foundation of a successful business. As a result, PG&E claims to conduct its business guided by the commitment to operate with ethical standards.
PG&E has developed a compliance and ethics program, which serves several purposes. Most importantly, the program annual compliance and ethics training to its employees to remind them of the company's commitment to ethics and conduct that complies with laws and regulations. Additionally, the training reinforces the company's ethical values and helps allocate the necessary resources to help workers make correct decisions. A compliance and ethics helpline i...