Peter Darbee
Peter Darbee | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 19, 1953 |
| Occupation | Corporate executive |
| Known for | CEO of PG&E, climate change initiatives, advocacy for carbon legislation |
Peter Darbee (born January 19, 1953) is a corporate leader recognized for his contributions to climate change initiatives and advocacy for carbon legislation.
Education
Darbee completed his studies at Buckley Country Day School in 1967 and graduated from Friends Academy in 1971. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics and an M.B.A. from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College. Additionally, he participated in the Nuclear Reactor Technology Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
PG&E
In 1999, Darbee joined PG&E as senior vice president and chief financial officer, where he managed the company’s financial restructuring process. On January 1, 2005, he was appointed CEO with the goal of advancing climate change mitigation and fostering clean energy solutions. Although identifying as “a self-professed conservative,” he advocated environmental stewardship, stating: “The Earth is warming. Mankind appears to be responsible. The need to take action is now.”
During his leadership, PG&E entered into agreements for wind, solar, and geothermal energy projects to comply with California’s renewable portfolio standards. He also brought in executives from companies such as Intel. Darbee served as CEO until 2011. His period in charge included significant challenges like implementing millions of wireless SmartMeters and responding to the San Bruno gas pipeline explosion, which caused fatalities and extensive property damage due to infrastructure failures and safety lapses.
Other executive roles
Beyond his role at PG&E, Darbee held positions as senior vice president, CFO, director, and treasurer at Pacific Venture Capital I, L.P. and Pacific Venture Capital L.L.C. His earlier executive experience includes serving as VP and CFO at Advance Fibre Communications Inc., as well as VP, CFO, and controller roles at Pacific Bell. He has also been a board member of PG&E National Energy Group Inc., Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Gas Transmission Northwest LLC. Furthermore, Darbee was VP and co-general manager of Goldman Sachs’ Energy & Telecom Group, with previous employment at Salomon Brothers and AT&T.
After PG&E
After stepping down from PG&E, Darbee joined Reel Solar’s board during a phase when the company obtained $4 million in fresh capital.
Board memberships
Darbee is associated with Friends for Harry Reid, the National Republican Congressional Committee, California Business Roundtable, and the California Commission for Jobs and Economic Growth.