PG&E Corporation (PCG), NRG Energy Inc (NRG): Moving on From Erin Brockovich to Become a Solar Leader

PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) looks especially recalcitrant next to NRG, which sees developments such as rooftop solar as the wave of the future and is pushing actively into that space, partnering with the likes of SunPower Corporation (NASDAQ:SPWR). NRG Energy Inc (NYSE:NRG) CEO David Crane is willing to reconsider and rework the company’s entire business model to adapt to a changing environment. That strikes me as far more visionary than trying to fight to defend a dying paradigm.

Don’t forget Hinkley
Circle back to where we started: Erin Brockovich. While PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) has made a lot of progress on restoring health to Hinkley’s drinking water, it is now facing a second lawsuit from the same incident, as the contamination appears to have spread. The suit was only just filed on July 19, so its implications remain unclear, but it certainly can’t be good.

Foolish bottom line
While it’s impressive that PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG) is responding so aggressively to California’s RPS, the company needs to do a lot more to be prepared for our rapidly changing energy landscape. As it also continues to deal with the fallout from Hinkley’s contamination, PG&E looks to me like a company looking resolutely backward.

The article Moving on From Erin Brockovich to Become a Solar Leader originally appeared on Fool.com.

Sara Murphy has no position in any stocks mentioned. Follow her on Twitter @SMurphSmiles. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 

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