PG&E Donates $250,000 to Central Coast New Tech High School

-Ground Breaking & Building Dedication-

  Beth Curran, President, Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation (left) Chris Johns, President, PG&E (right)

The Lucia Mar Unified School District will be the beneficiary of a $250,000 donation from Pacific Gas and Electric Company. The donation was presented to the Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation today at a groundbreaking and building dedication ceremony. The $250,000 donation will be used to support Lucia Mar's newest school, Central Coast New Tech High School, and to further Lucia Mar's vision of 21^st century education. To honor PG&E's generous donation, the Lucia Mar Board of Education Trustees approved the naming of the PG&E Center for Learning, a building on the Central Coast New Tech High School campus. Numerous local dignitaries were on hand for the check presentation and building dedication that took place at the future site of Central Coast New Tech High School, which will be located in Nipomo, CA.

Today's announcement represents another example of an already strong partnership between Lucia Mar and PG&E. Prior to today, PG&E's charitable contributions to Lucia Mar totaled more than $150,000. After today's donation, the amount is more than $400,000. PG&E has donated grants to schools in Lucia Mar to help support energy conservation and efficiency within the district, to develop its robotics teams, increase innovative educational programs and more.

"Through this unique program, the students of today will be prepared to be the technological leaders of tomorrow," said Chris Johns, President of PG&E.  "PG&E is proud to partner with the Lucia Mar Unified School District and the Lucia Mar Foundation for Innovation in support of Central Coast New Tech High School.  As the largest private employer in the county, we welcome the opportunity to contribute to the growth and vitality of the communities we serve and where our employees live. 

  Chris Johns, President, PG&E

"This donation from PG&E is a great gift to our school, our district, and entire community. We are truly grateful and very appreciative of the tremendous support PG&E has given us throughout the years. This gift will have a direct impact on the success and growth of our students now, and long into their futures," said Jim Hogeboom, Superintendent Lucia Mar Unified School District.

  Jim Hogeboom, Superintendent, Lucia Mar Unified School District

PG&E, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), strives to power strong communities throughout Northern and Central California. Over the last decade, PG&E has given nearly $40 million toward youth educational initiatives, supporting innovative programs that provide students and teachers opportunities to learn and prepare for their future, the future of California and the future of the energy industry. Community investments are funded entirely by shareholders. For more information, visit www.pge.com/community .

The Central Coast New Tech High School model integrates high-tech teaching methods with project based learning, similar to Cal Poly's "Learn by Doing" philosophy. Upon graduation, New Tech students will have completed college courses, given more than 200 multimedia presentations, completed internships, performed community service, worked on real-world projects, and developed a digital resume portfolio. Central Coast New Tech High School will open its doors to its first freshman class on August 16, 2012. More information at www.CentralCoastNewTech.org .