Protecting birds while promoting safety

Utility poles are often located on the most prominent point in a landscape. Birds perch on the poles to hunt or rest. Unfortunately, doing so can increase risks for the birds and the PG&E electric system. The PG&E Avian Protection Plan seeks to protect migratory, threatened and endangered birds from harm, while improving safety and reliability for you.

For the past 25 years, PG&E has led various initiatives to help conserve bird species. We’re working collaboratively with organizations such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to minimize the dangers that transmission lines and other electrical equipment pose to birds. In 2008, PG&E won Audubon California’s first-ever Corporate Achievement Award for significant achievements in protecting California birds and important habitat.

Learn about the PG&E Avian Protection Plan

The PG&E Avian Protection Plan sets the standard for our industry. It is one of the most comprehensive plans in the nation. Key components include:

• Employee training. We educate our employees to ensure we comply with all federal and state bird protection laws.
• “Bird-safe” poles. Since 2002, we’ve retrofitted more than 28,000 utility poles. We proactively targeted over 14,500 utility poles and an additional 13,800 poles in high-risk areas.
• Public and partner education. We promote migratory bird and habitat conservation in cooperation with federal and state agencies and non-profit organizations.