Power companies play pivotal clean energy transition role, says Apple exec

Electric companies will continue to play a major role in the years ahead as demand for renewables continues to increase, according to Lisa Jackson, Apple’s vice president for Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives.

“The power sector has a pivotal role to play in ensuring a climate transition that is both rapid and just,” said Jackson during the Jan. 10 Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Board of Directors and CEO meeting.

Jackson joined EEI Chair Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, to discuss how companies can advance clean energy and set strong climate goals. 

For its part, Apple has sourced 100-percent renewable energy for its worldwide facilities since 2018 and is committed to matching all of the energy customers use to charge their Apple devices with clean electricity by the end of this decade, according to Jackson.

“Electric companies have helped spur major growth in wind and solar — now is the time to supercharge that progress with more renewable capacity, greater grid flexibility, and better data, all while meeting the needs of communities on the frontlines of climate change,” she said. 

During the discussion, Jackson also outlined Apple’s commitment to being carbon neutral across its entire supply chain and the lifetime use of every product by 2030, according to EEI. 

Jackson and Pizarro also said it’s important for electric companies to understand their corporate customers’ five- to 10-year planning cycles, including long-term demand for clean energy.

Such coordination, said the corporate leaders, requires customers to take a more proactive role to ensure that electric companies have a clear understanding of future energy needs. 

“The future of electricity is clean — let’s work together to get there,” said Jackson.

“The electric power industry is working hard to help ensure that more corporate leaders like Apple can reduce their carbon footprint and completely electrify operations,” added Pizarro. “Coordinating our efforts with Apple and other major corporations is vital for meeting our shared climate goals.”

Additionally, the executives discussed other topics, such as the need for policy that ensures infrastructure needs are met affordably and reliably, and that there is equity in the energy transition and communities are included in decision-making processes, according to EEI.

Jackson also co-chairs America Is All In, a coalition of leaders supporting climate action in the United States. The group includes thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and institutions of faith, health, and culture, and promotes an all-of-society approach to climate action and the vital role that businesses can play in these efforts.