Equitrans Midstream Releases 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report
July 29 2021 - 6:30AM
Business Wire
Equitrans Midstream Corporation (NYSE: ETRN) released its annual
corporate sustainability report, which was produced in accordance
with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Core option and also
incorporated the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB)
Oil & Gas – Midstream Standards. The report content reflects
materiality assessment results, which identify the Environmental,
Social, and Governance (ESG) topics most significant to the
Company’s business and stakeholders. The report can be viewed
online: Equitrans' 2021 Corporate Sustainability Report.
“Since our launch as a standalone company in late 2018, we have
been working to position Equitrans to be resilient in any
environment, including that related to climate change,” said Diana
M. Charletta, Equitrans’ president and chief operating officer. “As
we continue our journey toward building and improving our
sustainability initiatives, our 2021 report expands our range of
material ESG topics, outlining the progress we have made and our
direction for the future.”
“In the transition to a lower-carbon economy, our new Climate
Policy details targets for reducing our methane and total
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the coming years. We must balance
the immediate and increasing need for reliable, cost-effective
energy in our country with sustainable climate and environmental
goals necessary for future generations. As an essential business,
we are proud to sustainably pursue energy solutions that serve our
customers, create value for our shareholders, and support our many
stakeholders.”
Highlights of Equitrans Midstream’s 2021 Corporate
Sustainability Report:
Safety Leadership
Zero Is Possible – Today
- Equitrans’ Zero Is Possible – Today platform is the
manifestation of our overriding belief that success is only
realized when every contributor is safe and unharmed.
- By expanding the ZIP program to include our commitment to
Environmental Stewardship, the concept of Zero Is Possible also
applies to Equitrans’ environmental efforts, such as minimizing
methane releases, preventing spills, and working in compliance with
permits.
Leading Indicators
- As a result of efforts related to Equitrans’ Incidents with
Serious Potential; Observations with Serious Potential; and
Corrected Safety Observations initiatives, there was a 181%
increase in total reported safety observations during 2020, as
compared 2019, resulting in opportunities to reduce risk and
enhance the safety of our work environments.
Pipeline Safety & Integrity
- During 2020, Equitrans proactively invested approximately $1.6
million in pipeline safety initiatives, as well as more than
$400,000 in corrosion prevention activities. We also replaced
21,880 feet of bare steel with coated steel to complete our Bare
Steel Replacement Program.
- We enhanced information regarding the ‘lifecycle phases of
pipeline construction and included an in-depth analysis of our slip
prevention plan, from identification through prioritization.
Emergency Response
- We enhanced our disclosure regarding Equitrans’ Crisis
Management Plan, which provides an enterprise-wide management
process and structure to enable appropriate levels of
communications and response to major events or potential crisis
situations.
Environmental
Biodiversity and Land Stewardship
- We refined our management approach and expanded reporting on
the topics of biodiversity, ecosystems, and environmental
resources. Equitrans’ primary operations include roughly 110,000
acres that are near or within environmentally sensitive or
protected areas.
Air Emissions
- For 2020, Equitrans reported total air emissions of 2,851.5
metric tons, a 12.5% reduction versus the previous year, primarily
due to lower engine nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide stack test
measurements.
- Equitrans incorporates Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) at all
federally regulated sites to reduce volatile organic compound and
hazardous air pollutant emissions. At sites that do not have a
federal mandate, we are voluntarily performing LDAR surveys
annually.
Climate Change
- The report includes Scope 1, 2, and 3 GHG emissions for 2020,
with a decrease in total Scope 1 methane emissions, as compared to
2019, due to fewer pipeline and compressor blowdown events, which
primarily emit methane.
- For 2020, Equitrans’ overall methane intensity rate decreased
17% year-over year.
- As outlined in our Climate Policy, Equitrans understands that
our natural gas operations are necessary to meet our nation’s
growing demand for reliable energy, and we are committed to taking
the necessary steps to reduce our carbon footprint.
- Equitrans is a member of the Interstate Natural Gas Association
of America’s Methane Commitment; the American Petroleum Institute’s
Environmental Partnership; and the ONE Future Coalition, a group of
natural gas companies committed to limiting methane emissions to 1%
across the value chain by 2025.
Social
Community Engagement
- Our Stakeholder Engagement and Community Investment Policy
captures our efforts to build collaboration and trust with our
communities and other key stakeholders.
- Through our corporate giving and sponsorship program, we
donated a total of $265,500 to support local organizations,
non-profit groups, first responders, and municipalities seeking
assistance for community projects during 2020.
- In 2020, the Equitrans Midstream Foundation made $460,000 in
donations, with a special focus on COVID-19 relief grants and
initiatives. Through its employee match program, which matches
contributions dollar-for-dollar from $100 to $50,000, the
Foundation made an additional $385,000 in employee matching
donations.
Workforce Culture
- Through our E-Train On-Track committee, Equitrans supports its
employees engaging in community service initiatives and
company-sponsored social/recreational activities that align with
our Core Values of Safety, Integrity, Collaboration, Transparency,
and Excellence. During 2020, in line with CDC pandemic protocols,
E-Train On-Track coordinated eight events to promote employee
volunteerism and community service.
- Equitrans offers a “Volunteer Paid-Time Off” program, allowing
employees to use two business days of paid volunteer time annually
to engage with their community. Our employees logged a total of 458
volunteer hours during 2020.
Diversity and Inclusion
- In July 2020, Equitrans formally launched a new Inclusion
Program with the commitment of cultivating an inclusive, respectful
work environment that values differing perspectives and encourages
the power of teamwork and accountability. The Program is being used
to advance our recruitment processes, leadership education,
employee engagement, facility accessibility, and inclusion-related
policies.
- In early 2021, Tom Karam, Equitrans’ chairman and chief
executive officer, signed the Action for Diversity and Inclusion
Coalition’s CEO Pledge, reiterating our dedication to
inclusiveness.
Economic Impact
- In 2020, Equitrans contributed $1.15 billion in value-added
contributions to the United States Gross Domestic Product; and our
business generated $169 million in state and local tax revenues,
and $192 million in federal tax revenue.
- In addition to our 777 regular, full-time employees at year-end
2020, our business activities supported nearly 13,500 ancillary
jobs during the year.
Governance
Board Composition and Diversity
- In 2020, ETRN expanded its Board of Directors to nine directors
from seven in 2019, including augmenting its Board of Directors
with two additional female directors, bringing the total number of
female directors to four, all of whom are independent. Overall,
eight of ETRN’s board members are independent, relative to five in
2019.
- All of Equitrans’ directors are experienced in relevant
sectors, including energy, regulatory, utility and/or government,
as well as have experience in relevant disciplines including
finance, accounting and/or audit and control.
Sustainability Governance
- In 2020, Equitrans appointed its first Vice President, Chief
Sustainability Officer to oversee its sustainability program. In
2021, we established an ESG Committee and six ESG Working Groups to
implement and manage the day-to-day efforts and actions related to
our most material ESG and sustainability topics.
- Equitrans’ Board of Directors and, as applicable, its
committees, review key ESG policies and commitments, and regularly
receive updates regarding our sustainability program, corporate
sustainability report, and pertinent ESG topics.
Security and Cybersecurity
- Equitrans’ security program is intended to reduce the risk of
both major and minor incidents, and we expect to standardize
companywide security measures in accordance with the U.S.
Transportation Safety Administration regulations during 2021.
- Equitrans considers cybersecurity a Tier 1 Enterprise Risk, and
we routinely participate in third-party reviews to sustain and
enhance the resiliency of our systems, maintaining a continuous
improvement approach to cyber protection. Our Board of Directors
and its relevant committees receive routine updates on cyber risk
and best management practices.
Human Rights
- Equitrans believes upholding human rights is critical for
creating sustainable value for our Company and the communities in
which we operate. We are committed to safeguarding dignity and
respect for all people throughout our value chain, and our Human
Rights Policy, released in early 2021, details our commitment.
About Equitrans Midstream Corporation
Equitrans Midstream Corporation (ETRN) has a premier asset
footprint in the Appalachian Basin and, as the parent company of
EQM Midstream Partners, is one of the largest natural gas gatherers
in the United States. Through its strategically located assets in
the Marcellus and Utica regions, ETRN has an operational focus on
gas transmission and storage systems, gas gathering systems, and
water services that support natural gas development and production
across the Basin. With a rich 135-year history in the energy
industry, ETRN was launched as a standalone company in 2018 with
the vision to be the premier midstream services provider in North
America. ETRN is helping to meet America’s growing need for
clean-burning energy, while also providing a rewarding workplace
and enriching the communities where its employees live and
work.
Visit equitransmidstream.com for additional information; and to
learn more about our environmental, social, and governance
practices visit ETRN Sustainability Reporting.
Source: Equitrans Midstream Corporation
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210729005159/en/
Media inquiries: Natalie A. Cox — Communications and
Corporate Affairs ncox@equitransmidstream.com Analyst
inquiries: Nate Tetlow – Vice President, Corporate Development
and Investor Relations ntetlow@equitransmidstream.com
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