Dominion Energy sets out carbon reduction goals
Dominion Energy has announced a suite of carbon-reduction goals that will transform its fleet of more than 8,600 vehicles serving millions of customers across 16 US states.
The Green Fleet initiative will help Dominion Energy achieve its goal of net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions, while showing the way for clean-energy progress in the transportation sector, the largest contributor of greenhouse gas emissions in the US. Among Dominion Energy's commitments:
- 75% of passenger vehicles, including sedans and SUVs, will be converted to electric power by 2030
- 50% of work vehicles – from full-size pickups and bucket trucks to forklifts and ATVs – will be converted by 2030 to plug-ins, battery electric vehicles, or vehicles fueled by cleaner-burning alternatives, such as hydrogen, renewable natural gas, and compressed natural gas. In the transition, the company will make use of trucks equipped with emissions-reducing ePTO (Electric Power Takeoff) systems
- 100% of all new vehicles – from sedans to heavy-duty vehicles – purchased will be powered either by electricity or alternative fuels, after 2030
"Dominion Energy is proud to make these commitments to help lower our greenhouse gas footprint," said Diane Leopold, Dominion Energy's Chief Operating Officer. "Over the years we have made significant progress cutting carbon and methane emissions in our operations to help us reach our goal of net zero. But we wanted to go even further by slashing emissions from our vehicle fleets, too, while simultaneously developing the infrastructure needed to support EV charging access more broadly."
Dominion Energy is a member of the Electric Highway Coalition, an alliance which recently grew to 14 members and is working to ensure the US has the infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs on America's roadways. The company is piloting an autonomous electric shuttle serving local retail, # deploying 50 electric school buses and investing in increased EV charging capabilities for single and multifamily homes, workplaces and a variety of public charging options, including transit locations such as airports.
In support of the goals announced today, the company will expand infrastructure supporting EV charging and alternative fuels at local offices and other facilities.
"We know our customers and shareholders have heightened expectations about our role in society," said Wendy Wellener, Dominion Energy's vice president of shared services. "They are telling us that they want a company that is mindful of its impact on the world around us. They want a company that leads on clean energy. But they also want safe, reliable and affordable service. We are listening. And we believe this initiative, which drives change across the states where we do business, meets those expectations."
The company is committed to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energy and to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Since 2013, it has helped bring 2,200MW of solar into operation in 10 states.
Operating earnings for the three months ending June 30 were $628 million ($0.76 per share), compared with $630 million ($0.73 per share) for the same period in 2020.
President Biden wants the US to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030, and is targeting 100 percent carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035.
The US can reduce carbon pollution from the transportation sector by reducing tailpipe emissions and boosting the efficiency of cars and trucks; providing funding for charging infrastructure; and spurring research, development, demonstration, and deployment efforts that drive forward very low carbon new-generation renewable fuels for applications like aviation, and other cutting-edge transportation technologies across modes, according to a White House document.
