Eversource Energy establishes carbon neutrality goal

New England-based utility company Eversource Energy said it has set a goal to be carbon neutral by 2030 following its commitment to environmental sustainability.

“We are proud to partner with our states and communities to achieve regional clean energy and carbon reduction goals,” Jim Judge, Eversource chairman, president and CEO, said. “Today, we are going one step further by setting a goal for our own operations to help demonstrate that carbon neutrality is achievable.”

The utility will take a series of targeted steps across its operations to reduce carbon emissions to achieve this goal, while also continuing to support regional economic growth and maintaining safe and reliable service for its approximately four million customers.

The work involves reducing energy use by improving the efficiency of the utility’s 69 facilities and reducing fleet emissions of its 5200 vehicles, continuing to enhance the electric transmission and distribution system to minimize line losses, reducing sulfur hexafluoride in gas-insulated electric switchgear, and replacing remaining bare steel and cast-iron natural gas distribution main lines to improve safety and help prevent methane leaks.

“The business community has an important role to play as we pursue clean energy and carbon reduction goals, as environmental sustainability and economic development go hand-in-hand,” said Dan Moon, president and executive director of the Environmental Business Council of New England. “As one of the nation’s leading energy companies, it’s encouraging that Eversource is proactively setting its own goals and demonstrating its commitment to a cleaner energy future.”