PG&E's Diablo Canyon Power Plant recognized by California breastfeeding coalition for mother-baby friendly workplace

May 11, 2016


AVILA BEACH, Calif.— At a ceremony at the State Capitol in Sacramento, Pacific Gas and Electric's Diablo Canyon Power Plant was recognized by the California Breastfeeding Coalition for exemplary support of and accommodations for breastfeeding employees.


This marks the first time that PG&E has been recognized for its leadership in supporting breastfeeding employees who work at Diablo Canyon, which employs more than 1,500 women and men.


"Diversity and inclusion are a priority for PG&E, and providing breastfeeding mothers with the necessary support and accommodations not only supports that priority but also is the right thing to do. We share the coalition’s mission to improve the health and well-being of Californians by working collaboratively to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding," said Jim Welsch, PG&E's Vice President of Nuclear Generation.


PG&E made a number of enhancements over the last several years to make it more accommodating and comfortable for breastfeeding mothers to express milk as a result of feedback received from employees like PG&E Senior Consulting Engineer, Kristin Zaitz, who led the effort.


These enhancements include features such as:


  • A policy for support of breastfeeding mothers
  • Three private milk-expression rooms, two of which can be used by multiple users.  All the rooms have:
    • Refrigerators and freezers for milk storage
    • Hospital-grade breast pumps and individual accessory kits
    • Storage bins
    • Running water
    • Comfortable chairs
    • Privacy screens (in the dual user rooms)
    • Serene decorations

"This was a collaborative effort among many people and work groups, including the plant's leadership team, which helped to make Diablo Canyon more mother-baby friendly," said Zaitz. "I am proud of our efforts and I'm looking forward to continuing to partner with the Central Coast Breastfeeding Coalition to support women who are returning to the workplace."


About Diablo Canyon Power Plant


Diablo Canyon Power Plant is a nuclear power facility owned and operated by PG&E. Its two units together produce approximately 2,300 net megawatts of carbon-free power. It provides nearly 10 percent of all electricity generated in California, enough energy to meet the needs of more than three million Northern and Central Californians. Diablo Canyon has a $920 million annual local economic impact and is the largest private employer in San Luis Obispo County.


About PG&E


Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.