Crisis Response

In addition to our regular giving programs, NRG also works to respond to
help our fellow citizens during times of crisis. Read about how NRG responds
during times of crisis such as the Asian tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and California wildfires.

Tsunami Response
In late 2004, a massive earthquake triggered devastating tsunamis along the coasts of several Asian countries, killing more than 225,000 people in 11 countries. NRG quickly rallied forces to help those in need.

For the first time in NRG history, we supplemented our existing Matching Gifts program by implementing a special Tsunami Matching Gifts Program (TMG) and tripling our regular dollar-for-dollar matching gift.

We held a Tsunami Benefit Raffle, raffling off gifts received by senior management during the holidays. NRG tripled the money raised—helping bring essential medical and relief supplies to the region. Finally, we launched a three-to-one matching gift program to benefit 11 international relief agencies.

Responding to Katrina and Rita
In the summer of 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita caused devastation and the need for ongoing disaster relief in affected areas. NRG rallied quickly to assist victims.

We were lucky that none of our NRG colleagues or their family members were harmed physically by Katrina. Three of our customers east and south of New Orleans sustained major damage to distribution systems. But we were fortunate and experienced no meaningful damage to our generating facilities. To help customers during this crisis, we loaned satellite phones and provided portable generators.

We also amplified our employee gifts—as we did in the wake of the tsunami disaster in Asia in 2005—by supplementing our existing Matching Gifts program with a special Hurricane Katrina Matching Gifts Program. The result? We tripled our dollar-for-dollar matching gifts to help various hurricane relief organizations.

We also raised funds for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and the Baton Rouge Foundation—all to help victims of Katrina and Rita.

California Wildfires Response
One Monday morning in October 2007, NRG West employees headed to work—not sure if their homes or their neighbors' homes would be there when they returned. It was the start of a deadly week of wildfires in San Diego County, a week when our company responded proactively to the crisis.

NRG West employees rallied to help neighbors respond to the crisis in many small but effective ways. Employees worked long hours to cover for those evacuated by the fires and keep our Encina plant at full capacity. Other notable donations:

• Employees headed to Costco to personally buy and deliver diapers, cat litter and other products requested by emergency shelters.
  
  
• One employee put out a coffee can at a Halloween potluck. The can was filled with money toward relief efforts, and NRG matched the donations 10:1.

When the fires began, we approved a Company donation, plus a triple match program for employee donations. The donations helped at least four groups: the San Diego Food Bank, the San Diego Fire Fighters Fund, The Salvation Army and The San Diego Foundation.