$1 million slated for energy efficiency institute

As part of its bankruptcy settlement, Pacific Gas and Electric will donate $1 million towards a university energy efficiency institute in Northern California:

The grant will be awarded to a university in Northern California for the development of energy efficiency technologies and the removal of barriers to their rapid commercialization, the fund says.

"Increasing energy efficiency is the single most important step California can take to minimize the long-term cost of reliable energy services," says Michael Peevey, chairman of CalCEF and president of the California Public Utilities Commission, in a written statement. "Establishing a university center on energy efficiency is a natural way to meet the state's goals by tapping into a wealth of academic expertise in developing and bringing innovative technologies to market."