A New Chapter for PG&E, And What It Means For the Future of Powering The East Bay

What I Learned from PG&E CEO Patti Poppe About Energy, Safety & Savings in the East Bay

By Moya Robinson – East Bay Real Estate Expert

PG&E has earned plenty of criticism over the years rightfully so from the tragic San Bruno gas explosion to the devastating Paradise Fire, sky high bills & layer upon layer of scandal left many Californians, myself included, wary of any promises of reform.

After hearing the new CEO of 4 years and 6 months, Patti Poppe speak in person, I left not just surprised but inspired. In a role with enormous responsibility, she brings integrity, empathy, and bold action. She’s not just a strong executive. She’s a clear-eyed, compassionate leader who’s been quietly transforming one of the most controversial companies in California.

I left with a renewed sense of hope for the future of energy in California. As someone who advises buyers and sellers daily, I know that questions around wildfire risk, rising utility bills, and grid stability are top-of-mind especially in the East Bay. what I heard from Patti gave me real reasons to believe that progress is not only possible, it’s already underway.

A Safer, More Resilient Company

Patti began her speech with a powerful milestone: under her leadership, PG&E has gone from experiencing an on the job fatality every 90 days to 895 days without one. That shift speaks volumes, especially considering the company’s tragic history including the devastating Paradise Fire. Over the past four years, she has taken on the enormous task of rebuilding public trust and safety and it shows.

Undergrounding & Tree Work: What Your Energy Bill Really Covers

One of the most eye-opening takeaways for me was how PG&E is actively undergrounding power lines a huge step in preventing fires and improving long-term safety. According to Patti, approximately $1 of your energy bill goes toward undergrounding and approximately $20 goes to tree trimming. That means as PG&E makes progress with undergrounding, the long-term cost of fire prevention will actually go down with fewer trees needing to be cut and fewer emergency responses needed in fire zones. That’s good news for all of us and especially for insurance companies, who track these safety improvements closely when calculating wildfire risk premiums.

A New Kind of Customer: The Rise of EVs

In what she called a historic shift, Patti talked about California’s new customer on the power grid electric vehicles. For decades, energy usage across PG&E’s customer base remained flat. But now, with EV adoption accelerating, that’s changing fast.

The surprise? More demand doesn’t necessarily mean higher prices. In fact, Patti explained how the increasing number of EVs helps lower energy costs across the board. With more people using the grid—especially during off-peak hours—costs are spread out, not concentrated. It’s a shared system, and the more people who join, the more affordable and resilient it becomes.

What This Means for East Bay Homeowners

If you own a home or are thinking about buying or selling this is more than just an infrastructure update.

• Lower risk = better insurance premiums

• EV readiness = higher resale appeal

• Stable energy costs = more predictable household budgets

We’re right next door to Silicon Valley, and PG&E powers it all. With strong leadership finally in place, I believe East Bay homeowners can look forward to a future of smarter, safer, and more affordable energy.

A Final Thought: Leadership Matters

Patti Poppe is more than just a CEO she’s a powerhouse leader California needed. Originally from Michigan and formerly she served as President and CEO of CMS Energy & Consumers Energy from July 2016 to December 2020, leading safety, renewable energy, and customer‑focused initiatives. She brings compassion, clarity, and bold action to a role that affects millions of lives. I left her talk inspired not just as a real estate professional, but as a Californian who cares deeply about this community.