A mission to advance society

For more than 130 years, Portland General Electric (PGE) has been powering much of the state of Oregon. Never was there a more essential time to provide dependable service than this past year.  Tested by a pandemic, wildfires, and civil unrest, PGE helped lead their community through these challenges by ensuring safe, reliable, and affordable energy. Beyond providing essential services, PGE played a key role in community recovery by addressing systemic racial injustice, environmental issues, and legislative policy. They did this in large part by bringing together a complex network of government and business to help build a healthier, more sustainable Oregon.

Maria Pope, Chief executive officer of PGE, in conversation with Regina Mayor, Global Head of Energy for KPMG International Limited, highlights her company’s transition to clean energy, a modernized grid, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Ms. Pope explains her view of the future through the five goals that her company will be leaning into.

Topics discussed include:

• PGE’s plan to be 100% net zero carbon by 2040 (and 80% carbon neutral by 2030)
• Investments in renewables, including wind, solar and battery power storage
• Decarbonizing the PGE transportation fleet—including light and heavy-duty trucks, and even forklifts, along with partnerships for carbon-free transportation with the local transit authority and major transport companies such as Amazon, UPS, and FedEx
• The highly successful energy efficiency programs that encourage their customers to be proactive, self-managed, and provide significant savings
• How Ms. Pope’s varied background that includes careers in banking, forestry and software engineering, and a Stanford MBA, have provided a unique industry perspective
• The PGE good corporate citizen philosophy—and actions—behind their overarching goal of advancing society.