Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced that The PG&E Corporation Foundation will award more than 50 scholarships to students across Northern and Central California. The total value of the scholarships exceeds $300,000, with individual awards ranging from $2,500 to $10,000.
The Better Together STEM Scholarships are intended for students pursuing degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). This year’s recipients include Erin Virnig from Arroyo Grande and Christopher Loupeda from Sacramento. Virnig is studying biological sciences at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo and received a $10,000 scholarship. Loupeda is a civil engineering student at University of California, Los Angeles and received a $5,000 scholarship.
“Being supported by a company that leads with such ambition toward a clean energy and safer future across California is not only an immense gift, but an inspiration. As I enter my final year of undergraduate study focused on environmental stewardship in California, I feel more driven than ever to put that vision into action through the work I do. …I am honored to be a recipient of the Better Together STEM scholarship,” said Virnig.
“The PG&E scholarship is not only about monetary value, it’s a reminder that I have a whole coalition behind me, reassuring me that I can focus on and only on finishing my education,” said Loupeda.
Carla Peterman, PG&E Corporation Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Chief Sustainability Officer as well as Chair of the Board of The PG&E Corporation Foundation stated: “It is truly a privilege to recognize our 2025 PG&E Better Together STEM Scholars. For more than a decade, The PG&E Corporation Foundation has helped lessen the financial burden of college for families — our customers — by supporting incredible students as they pursue their higher education goals and dreams. There is perhaps no better investment than supporting the young doers and thinkers who will innovate and develop solutions to care for people, our planet and prosperity. We’re excited to be a part of their journeys.”
Scholarship applicants are evaluated based on academic achievement, participation in school or community activities demonstrating leadership qualities, as well as financial need. Recipients must plan full-time enrollment for the entire 2025-2026 academic year in pursuit of their first undergraduate degree at either an accredited four-year institution in California or any Historically Black College or University (HBCU) nationwide—a policy adopted three years ago after increased interest from HBCU-bound students.
Since its inception in 2012, the Better Together STEM Scholarship Program has distributed over $7.8 million to eligible students using charitable donations provided by PG&E shareholders rather than customer funds.
In addition to these scholarships offered by The PG&E Corporation Foundation, employee resource groups (ERGs) and engineering networking groups (ENGs) within PG&E have raised more than $6 million since 1989 through voluntary employee contributions—helping thousands of local students offset educational expenses.
PG&E serves more than 16 million people throughout Northern and Central California as both an electric and natural gas utility provider covering approximately 70,000 square miles. Additional information about the company can be found at www.pge.com/ and http://www.pge.com/about/newsroom/.
The PG&E Corporation Foundation operates independently as a nonprofit entity sponsored by PG&E Corporation.
