ST. LOUIS, May 10, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Spire
published its third annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
report. The report tracks the company's environmental, social and
governance metrics and shows continued success across four key
areas: the environment, community, people and leadership.
The report reflects Spire's continued focus on their beliefs and
commitments, while adapting to the coronavirus pandemic and
consistently finding new ways to deliver value for customers and
communities.
"I'm proud of how we continue to step forward, delivering
affordable, reliable and clean energy to our customers and
communities every single day — all while working to create a
sustainable energy future," said Spire President and CEO
Suzanne Sitherwood. "As we've shown
in our commitment to our people, our community and our environment,
there's no limit to what our energy can do."
Spire's CSR performance was again recognized by Newsweek – the
natural gas company was ranked in 2020 as one of "America's Most
Responsible Companies." Highlights of the report include:
Environment. In support of Spire's commitment to become a
carbon neutral company by midcentury, Spire saw further reductions
in methane emissions from operations — in alignment with
international goals for controlling climate change — targeting a
57% reduction from 2005 levels by 2025 and a 73% total reduction by
2035, well ahead of previously established targets. In
addition:
- Spire's pipeline replacement efforts led to a 19% leak
reduction per 1,000 system miles of distribution pipelines compared
to the previous year
- Spire joined ONE Future—a natural gas industry coalition
focused on improving the management of methane emissions across the
entire natural gas value chain. The goal is to achieve an average
rate of methane emissions that is 1% or less of the total natural
gas production and delivery by 2025
- Spire maintained an annual reduction in methane emissions of
5%. An active member of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA)
Natural Gas STAR Methane Challenge program, Spire has reduced
overall methane emissions through 2020 by 43% since 2005
- Data showed that Spire customers in Missouri produced 10,682 metric tons less CO2e
in 2020 than in 2019—that's the equivalent of carbon produced from
more than 1 million gallons of gasoline. Results of this
customer-focused energy efficiency program was shared with the
EPA
Community. Spire not only provided energy to the 1.7
million homes and businesses it serves, they committed to using
energy to benefit the community, with the coronavirus pandemic
inspiring new ways to step forward.
"From the beginning of the pandemic, Spire has been committed to
ensuring our community maintains access to the energy they depend
on," said Sitherwood. "With so many people struggling to make ends
meet, we have consistently found new ways to help our customers."
In FY20, Spire:
- Totaled $5.9 million in community
support of health and human services, civic and community
development, education, environmental sustainability and disaster
relief
- Employees came together virtually or while social distancing to
help the organizations they support, with nearly 1,000 employees
logging more than 5,000 volunteer hours
- Expanded financial assistance to limited-income customers while
also creating new programs for residential and small business
customers financially impacted by coronavirus
- Helped raise $1.9 million for
families and businesses impacted by the pandemic
- Donated $250,000 to help feed
communities across its service areas
- Matched nearly $500,000 in new
and increased customer and employee donations to DollarHelp
People. With 3,600 employees dedicating their time,
talent and passion to serving customers every day, Spire considers
it a responsibility and privilege to create an inclusive
environment where every idea, background and perspective is
welcomed and embraced. FY20 saw:
- New enhancements to Spire' recruitment system that tracks and
ensures open positions are applied for by a diverse group of
candidates, finding gaps in our talent pool to pursue minority
representation for open positions
- The adoption of Spire's Human Rights Policy, valuing diversity,
ensuring fair pay and clearly defining expectations for how
employees treat one another
- A cooperative education program was piloted with Ranken Technical College with a goal to hire and
retain new and diverse talent. In 2020, four of the program's five
inaugural students completed the program and became fulltime
employees.
- Employee injury rates dropped for the sixth year in a row,
marking a 17% improvement compared to FY19
Leadership. Spire's focus on operating with integrity and
environmental sustainability to create value for employees,
customers, communities and shareholders is key. Recent initiatives
include:
- In support of Spire's carbon neutrality commitment, we
appointed our first-ever head of environmental commitment to
coordinate the company's environmental efforts
- Robust leadership and community engagement roles through
participation on numerous local, regional and national boards while
investing in key nonprofit partners
Spire's complete CSR report can be accessed at
spireenergy.com/csr.
About Spire
At Spire Inc. (NYSE: SR), we believe
energy exists to help make people's lives better. It's a simple
idea, but one that's at the heart of our company. Every day we
serve 1.7 million homes and businesses making us the fifth
largest publicly traded natural gas company in the country. We help
families and business owners fuel their daily lives through our gas
utilities serving Alabama,
Mississippi and Missouri. Our natural gas-related businesses
include Spire Marketing, Spire STL Pipeline and Spire Storage. We
are committed to transforming our business through growing
organically, investing in infrastructure, and advancing through
innovation. Learn more at SpireEnergy.com.
Media Contact:
Raegan Johnson
314-342-3300
Raegan.Johnson@SpireEnergy.com
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SOURCE Spire Inc.