PGE Wins Inaugural EEI Corporate Citizenship Award

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Portland General Electric (PGE) was recently named the winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s (EEI’s) inaugural Corporate Citizenship Award for its Project Zero initiative.

Project Zero represents PGE’s commitment to expanding learning pathways that inspire the next generation to learn, solve, and act on clean energy challenges and solutions. It involves partnerships with more than 43 community organizations to address gaps in clean energy education through hands-on classroom activities, out-of-school experiences, and internship opportunities.

The initiative was created to empower young people to be active in shaping a sustainable energy future—particularly in underserved communities. Funded in part by the PGE Foundation, it is designed to introduce young adults to the opportunities available to them in the energy industry, potentially helping to bridge skills gaps and recruit promising young talent to the industry.

Since its launch in 2020, Project Zero has reached more than 175,000 K-12 students with learning and engagement opportunities related to climate, sustainability, and clean energy. More than half of the program’s interns secured full-time positions in energy- or environment-related fields upon completion of the program.

“This program creates vital pathways for young people from all walks of life to engage with climate solutions, develop problem-solving skills, and envision themselves as key players in the clean energy transition,” said Kregg Arntson, PGE’s Senior Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility. “We are honored to receive EEI’s Corporate Citizenship Award. This recognition would not be possible without our community partners who have supported PGE’s commitment to empowering the next generation of clean energy leaders.”

The EEI Corporate Citizenship Award was launched last year to recognize member companies’ commitments to supporting the growth, development, and well-being of the communities they are proud to serve. PGE was selected by a panel of executives as the inaugural winner from a group of more than 10 innovative projects.

“PGE is demonstrating its dedication to positively impacting the communities it serves through Project Zero,” said EEI interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. “This initiative is an investment in the future energy workforce of America and is helping push our industry forward. EEI applauds the PGE team for its leadership and congratulates them for winning this inaugural award.”

The award was presented during EEI’s Powering Engagement Conference in the fall. Applications for the 2025 award will open on May 1. For more information about the Corporate Citizenship Award and other EEI programs designed to recognize outstanding leadership and service in the electric power industry, visit eei.org/awards.