PHOENIX, Jan. 10, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) today honored Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) with the association's 2012 Emergency Assistance Award for the utility's efforts to help other electric utilities restore power following Hurricane Sandy in November.

The electric power industry's Emergency Assistance Award has been presented each year to EEI member electric utility companies since 1998. The award recognizes extraordinary efforts undertaken in restoring electric service to another utility company that has been impacted by severe weather conditions or other natural events. PG&E was chosen following an international nomination process, and the award was presented today during EEI's Winter CEO meeting in Phoenix.

"PG&E's restoration assistance following Hurricane Sandy was truly remarkable," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "Getting the lights back on quickly and safely following a major storm is never easy. Working through the industry's mutual assistance program, PG&E's crews were essential in helping their fellow utility companies restore service in affected neighborhoods. Importantly, PG&E's assistance also shows their compassion in helping others in their time of need. I congratulate them."

In the days following Hurricane Sandy, PG&E sent more than 250 employees and 100 pieces of equipment to assist Con Edison and the Long Island Power Authority with restoration efforts in New York. Over two weeks, PG&E employees worked 16-hour days helping to restore power to thousands of customers in Queens, Brooklyn, Manhattan and Long Island.

"The electric utility industry, through EEI, has a long tradition of providing essential assistance to impacted utilities following natural disasters," said Tony Earley, Chairman, CEO and President of PG&E Corporation. "I'm proud of the incredible effort that PG&E employees put in to restoring power to thousands of New Yorkers in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.  This award is a tribute to the men and women of PG&E."

About EEI
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) is the association of U.S. shareholder-owned electric companies. Our members serve 95 percent of the ultimate customers in the shareholder-owned segment of the industry, and represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. electric power industry. We also have more than 65 International electric companies as Affiliate members, and more than 170 industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate members.

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 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation's cleanest energy to 15 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/about/newsroom/ and www.pgecurrents.com.

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E)