Impact 2 0 19 S O C I A L I M PAC T R E P O R T
Creating Positive Change
Dear Friends, Here at IGS Energy, we’ve spent the last couple of years reflecting on why our business exists. Guided by our belief in Conscious Capitalism, this means looking beyond profits as the measurement for success and better understanding how our existence can improve the lives of our stakeholders. These include our customers, our employees, our communities, and the environment. As we’ve narrowed in on our purpose and identified the unique ways we’re positioned to create positive change in the energy industry and the world, we’ve set out on a few notable journeys. Here are some examples: • We’re going green. After studying the environmental impacts of our business, we found that changing our product offerings will result in the most meaningful reduction to our environmental footprint. We’ve made the decision to offer exclusively planet-friendly energy products for our residential consumers and have introduced energy-efficient and sustainability-focused products for our business customers.
employees and experts to inform our Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI) efforts. What began as an organizational commitment is growing into an informed plan for creating an equitable work space where everyone can bring their whole self to work and thrive. • We are continuing to strengthen our philanthropic partnerships with organizations working to create equity in the transition to renewable energy. By growing our investments in nonprofits working at the intersection of energy and the environment, we are increasing access to clean energy for those who can benefit most. We’re proud to share some of the work that’s been done within this report and we’re looking forward to the sustained positive impacts these changes will have. With gratitude,
Jen Bowden VP, Brand & Social Impact
• We’re taking a year’s worth of insights from conversations with
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contents
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Our decision to rebrand IGS Energy.
Our founder Scott White’s journey towards Conscious Capitalism.
IGS Energy’s latest green initiatives on our path to a greener future.
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A climate fellow and doctoral candidate analyzes IGS Energy’s carbon footprint.
Ways IGS Energy and our employees are contributing to areas where we work and live.
Our efforts to make renewable energy accessible.
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Our contribution to an eye-opening campaign to fight opioid abuse.
IGS Energy’s commitment to being a welcoming organization for all of our employees.
IGS Energy’s commitment to inclusion and equality.
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By the numbers, how IGS Energy is working towards our goal of a green energy future.
Discover organizations IGS Energy proudly supported in 2019.
See what lies ahead on our journey.
Brand and Product Evolution: Cultivating a Cleaner Energy Future
A Greener Way Forward
Joining the Fight Against Opioid Abuse
Making a Difference
Exploring the Power of Presence in Leadership
Community Outreach
Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion
Organizations We Support
How We’re Doing Our Part to Go Even Greener
IGS Energy and GRID: Striving for Energy Equity
Empowering the Women of IGS Energy
What’s Next
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Building a sustainable energy future for a healthier planet
BRAND AND PRODUCT EVOLUTION
Brand and Product Evolution
Consumers are growing more concerned about the climate crisis and how to change their personal carbon footprints. This is a truth bolstered by countless reputable studies and research. Not only are they concerned, consumers also have an expectation that companies will take action.
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“This effort has had a really positive impact on all areas of our business, helping us to identify greater synergies to achieve a lot more from within. Not only that, it will allow us to better address consumers’ wants and needs.” — JESSICA SPENCER Director of brand, on the benefits of developing a new brand strategy at IGS Energy
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hifting to clean energy was a direction IGS Energy had already been traveling in over the past several years. In fact, the continued success of our solar division was a big catalyst. “We had steadily been incorporating clean and energyefficient products into our offering because we see consumers asking for environmentally responsible products and we recognize the significant effects of climate change on our planet,” explained Jen Bowden, IGS Energy’s vice president of brand & social impact. “We know that refocusing our product suite to move away from fossil fuels is not an overnight process. Making sustainable energy options easy, affordable, and accessible to consumers is our ultimate goal.”
Making it happen Embracing consumers’ evolving expectations means developing products to meet those needs. It’s also critical that the company tells an impactful, genuine story in such a way that it resonates with those consumers. “Establishing a strong brand strategy is vital to ensure the authenticity of this transformation,” said Jessica Spencer, director of brand. “The brand underpins everything from how we talk, to the decisions we make, and the products we offer.”
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
In addition to a general desire to support the sustainability of our world, this push for a brand strategy was also strengthened by positive consumer engagement with a pilot program to bundle residential green electricity with carbon-neutral natural gas in Cincinnati. This reaffirmed our decision to offer exclusively planetfriendly energy products to residential customers. At the same time, several employees were running a series of focus groups through a new program called Innovation Champions. This research reinforced the notion that consumers are interested in reducing their carbon footprints and therefore green energy would be an attractive product. It was at this point that the marketing team decided to engage an outside branding agency, VENN Growth Collective. With nearly sixty years of combined expertise, they were the right choice to help us advance the IGS Energy brand. “We vetted several agencies and chose a collective of individuals that have worked with some of the largest brands in the world,” said Jessica. “This partnership has given us access to brand and consumer strategists that have helped us better define our skillsets and best practices.” The evolution into a clean energy brand has been positive for IGS Energy’s entire residential field sales team, as
it moved beyond the pilot phase. Home Energy Consultants (HECs) have been able to educate homeowners about the benefits of clean energy and how easy it is to support the environment with energy produced from renewable energy sources. “In general, consumers often don’t make the connection between their energy choices and their carbon footprints. Energy generated from fossil fuels is a pretty significant carbon producer,” said Jen. On the commercial side of our business, efforts to integrate clean and efficient energy options have been in practice for several years. From the sustained high performance of our solar solutions to green electricity and LED lighting options, IGS Energy continues to enhance our sustainable product offering for businesses and organizations across the country. “I love working with our customers to educate them on the opportunities and advantages associated with investing in sustainable energy solutions. I wake up every morning motivated to help them support renewable energy development, reduce their carbon footprint, and address climate change. It’s a very powerful feeling,” said Maha Kashani, senior regional sales manager of IGS Energy’s commercial and industrial division.
Looking to the future
“Going green changed the tone of the conversation and connected with many homeowners…this is the energy of the future.” — JEFF HOWE Regional manager of the IGS Energy residential field sales branch responsible for the all-clean energy pilot.
Efforts to evolve the IGS Energy brand will continue in the coming years, and Jen and Jessica are enthusiastic about the journey. “We’ll clearly define who IGS Energy is and what we stand for. We’ll also have a really inspiring way to tell that story and share the message with consumers,” said Jen. Jessica agreed, citing how IGS Energy’s exclusively clean residential energy products can help contribute to a sustainable energy future. “This shift allows us to take a stand against climate change and meet the needs and expectations of today’s consumers. Together with our customers’ help, switching to these products will help us to support a meaningful impact on our planet.”
Sources: 2018 Study by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication and the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication Deloitte Resources 2019 Study, Energy management: Balancing climate, cost, and choice
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Exploring the Power of Presence in Leadership IGS Energy’s President & CEO Scott White explains his journey.
When it comes to leading a company, what are some characteristics of a successful executive that come to mind? Independent? Strategic? Authoritative? Decisive? Without question, these are important traits. However, in isolation, they’re not likely to contribute to a wellrounded leader. There is a vital human element to leadership that must be part of the equation—companies shouldn’t exist solely to meet the bottom line. This is where the concept of conscious leadership comes in, a tenet popularized by the Conscious Capitalism movement.
Beginning the journey
steer their businesses in a conscious direction. “I met a lot of great people, asked questions, and realized I could benefit from even more training,” Scott said. It was at this event that Scott was connected with Rand Stagen, CEO of Stagen Leadership Academy, a Dallasbased organization offering training and accountability programs for leaders who have embraced the conscious mindset. Scott went on to participate in the yearlong Integral Leadership Program (ILP), which focuses on accountability in the form of regularly occurring workshops, coaching, and peer collaboration.
Three years ago, Scott White, president & CEO of IGS Energy, embarked on “I was so impressed with Scott and the a journey to immerse himself in the leadership team at IGS Energy. After principles of conscious leadership. He spending a couple of days onsite identified with concepts outlined in providing training for the executives, it the book, Conscious Capitalism, and was clear to me that IGS Energy has the started to think about leadership in a ingredients to become a truly exemplary, new light. In this spirit, he attended the conscious company,” Rand said. organization’s CEO Summit, to join likeminded leaders and learn how to put the Taking action philosophy into practice at IGS Energy. Upon completion of the Stagen This three-day, peer-to-peer community Leadership Academy ILP program, event is attended by CEOs who have Scott said he’s seen beneficial changes embraced the movement and provides in himself as a leader. “I’m more them with practical information to help conscious of the way I react to people’s
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SCOTT WHITE President & CEO, IGS Energy
POWER OF PRESENCE IN LEADERSHIP
“ I am driven by a sense of responsibility to the people who come in each day and work hard, because they’re counting on me to be a good leader.”
thoughts and ideas. I’m appreciative of their excitement, even if it’s something I don’t agree with, because they’ve spent a lot of time on it. I am more thoughtful about how I react,” he said. As part of the program, executives identify strengths and areas of opportunity within themselves. “I think that anything we want to do we can make work. But the truth is, sometimes you’re better off doing fewer things,” Scott said. He has learned the power of a ‘positive no,’ which means when you say no to something, you say yes to something else.
Leading with a S E L F L E S S lens
Qualities of a SELFLESS Leader
S E L F L E S S 12
STRENGTH
ENERGY & ENTHUSIASM
LONG-TERM ORIENTATION
FLEXIBILITY
LOVE & CARE
EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
SYSTEMS INTELLIGENCE
SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE
IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
also critical, as leaders must be highly adaptable to a variety of needs and situations to help achieve their goals. Perhaps surprisingly, love and care are also crucial traits of a SELFLESS leader. Empathy and a sense of peace have led many influential leaders to greatness. Emotional intelligence supports those qualities, in that conscious leaders are largely very self-aware, which helps them also understand others’ and their own needs in a more attentive manner. Systems intelligence allows a leader to see how a variety of parts work together to achieve an ultimate goal. Conscious leaders also carefully consider how all stakeholders might be affected by a decision.
The tenets of Conscious Capitalism, which are foundational to the Stagen training, also support an often-inherent Together, all of these qualities blend trait found in conscious leaders— together for a balanced, logical, and a servant mindset. “Leadership is work— thoughtful conscious leader. it’s hard work. It’s important because there’s an obligation as a leader to Looking to the future make good decisions and set the tone Most of IGS Energy’s executive team and the direction of the business and of has already participated in the Stagen the culture,” said Scott. Leadership Academy, with the remaining members attending in the spring of In an effort to continue to be a fully 2020. “Those who have gone through present, selfless leader, daily meditation it have embraced it and benefited from has been an important part of Scott’s it, and they’ve developed a lot more routine for the past three years. “When awareness. It’s a journey, it’s not like I come into the office, I should be ready, you get a certificate and you’re done,” I should be present, I should be able to Scott explained. By viewing leadership have conversations and make time for responsibility as a work in progress, he’s people if they need it,” he said of his confident that constant growth will take mindfulness practice, which fits into the place. notion of spiritual intelligence, or the final ‘s’ in SELFLESS. This supports the As for the future, Scott continues to idea that conscious leaders are led by be optimistic. “I feel the company is morality and a higher purpose. becoming more effective and confident. The right leadership mentality will allow The first ‘s’ refers to strength, the us to accomplish the right things the right notion that leaders must demonstrate way. That will have a huge impact on the courage and fortitude for success. Next people who come to work for IGS Energy, is energy and enthusiasm, which rests their families, and our customers.” on the idea that conscious leaders must draw from a well of balance in their Ultimately, Scott believes that strong lives to have stamina and be uplifting leadership and purpose set the with their teams. foundation for everyone to flourish. “We can be a role model to businesses who From there, we move to long-term want to act the right way,” he said. orientation. Conscious leaders view their time in their position as just one tick mark on the timeline of their organization, as there are important things to be accomplished. Flexibility is
“Those who have gone through it have embraced it and benefited from it, and they’ve developed a lot more awareness. It’s a journey, it’s not like you get a certificate and you’re done.” SCOTT WHITE President & CEO on his team’s participation in the Stagen Leadership Academy
“You get out what you put in.” IGS Energy’s Chief Operating Officer of Distributed Generation & CNG, Mike Gatt, completed the 12-month Integral Leadership Program (ILP) with the Stagen Leadership Academy in October 2019. He was so inspired by his experience that he then participated in a 12-week Foundational Leadership Course (FLC), designed for ILP graduates who are committed to sharing the principles with their own teams. He’s found that the benefits to his team have been immeasurable. “I think the group has never been more cohesive. They share their vulnerabilities, which produces trust,” he said. Mike has always embraced the idea of servant leadership and is pleased to take this journey with his employees. “The focus of ‘we’ rather than ‘me’ and the inspiration of a positive transformation is exactly what we’re trying to accomplish with FLC.”
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Going Greener Biophilia Heads to the Office Think about how good it feels to sit outside with the sun warming your face and the sound of trees swaying the breeze. There’s actually a name to describe that feeling— biophilia. This notion, that people want and need to have a connection to nature, has been adopted across America, so much so, that many design firms now offer biophilic office design. Allison Zofan, co-founder of ootBox, said this idea is exactly what prompted the Studies suggest that engaging with the creation of her Central Ohio company. outdoors can reduce stress and encourage ootBox offers portable, climate-controlled workspaces fully enabled with Wi-Fi more creative thinking. and large windows to offer workers both privacy and closer integration with nature while working. ootBox piloted one of the workspaces at IGS Energy’s corporate headquarters in the summer of 2019. “A survey of IGS Energy employees showed that even the short walk from the office to the ootBox provided them with a brief separation of their routine and a breath of fresh air,” she explained. “Studies suggest that engaging with the outdoors can reduce stress and encourage more creative thinking,” Allison added.
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GOING GREENER
Making Our Offices a Little Greener In an effort to drive an even more environmentally responsible IGS Energy, we began purchasing RECs (renewable energy credits) for all of our locations in 2019 to help reduce our carbon footprint. A REC, which serves as a tracking mechanism, is issued when one megawatt hour of electricity generated by a renewable energy resource (such as solar, wind, or water) is put on the electricity grid. This means that renewable sources were used to generate power for all our offices.
supplements our sustainable energy use at our Dublin headquarters, which features efficient energy sources such as solar panels on the roof and a geothermal pond.
The green electricity we purchase for our 30 facilities around the country is generated by wind and fed to the electrical grid. We also began purchasing carbon offsets to counteract our offices’ natural gas usage in 2019. For every metric ton of greenhouse gases created by our natural gas usage, an equal amount was avoided or captured from the atmosphere. This effort
IGS Energy’s 2019 Energy Usage and Environmental Impact
3,457,891
148,150
KWH ANNUAL ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION
CCF ANNUAL NATURAL GAS CONSUMPTION
3,458
RENEWABLE ENERGY CREDITS RETIRED
850
CARBON OFFSETS RETIRED
What are Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)?
FOSSIL FUEL GENERATORS
(coal, nuclear, etc.)
GREEN Electricity
CLEAN ENERGY GENERATORS (wind, solar, etc.)
BROWN Electricity
BROWN Electricity
1 Renewable Energy Credit (REC)
=
1 MW hour of electricity generated by renewable sources
WITHOUT REC PURCHASE
GREEN Electricity
WITH REC PURCHASE
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PFCS
Sustainability at IGS Energy:
A Greener Way Forward
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Tracking our emissions to take action.
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ow, more than ever, IGS Energy is embracing the opportunity to help protect our planet. “Through the decisions we make and the products we offer to our customers, we believe we can make a difference when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint,” said Jen Bowden, vice president of brand & social impact at IGS Energy.
Beginning the journey This mindset prompted IGS Energy to participate in the Environmental Defense Fund’s Climate Corps Fellowship program. In 2019, IGS Energy hosted a fellow tasked with collecting, measuring, and recording our company’s scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions (see opposite). Robert Ddamulira, PhD candidate at the University of Delaware and EDF Climate Corps fellow, joined IGS Energy for the summer and analyzed our total environmental footprint, including greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) associated with our products and operations.
On the right track Robert benchmarked IGS Energy’s environmental performance against best practices including the EPA’s ENERGY STAR standards, the Science Based Targets initiative, and the Greenhouse Gas Protocol. “IGS Energy has already installed more than 100MW in solar for commercial and industrial customers as well as serving over 5,000 residential customers. Based on my assessment,
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their solar business alone has resulted in 100,000 mTCO2e [metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent] of avoided GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions,” Robert said. While IGS Energy’s sustainability work is far from complete, Robert was struck by the tremendous enthusiasm from the IGS Energy team. “As I discussed and shared my findings with different levels of [IGS Energy’s] leadership, I came away with a high level of optimism in the deep commitment towards reducing GHG emissions associated with [their] operations.”
PURCHASED GOODS & SERVICES
CAPITAL GOODS
FUEL & ENERGY RELATED
UPSTREAM ACTIVITIES
Here are some of the areas Robert evaluated: • Employee commutes • Business travel • Electricity consumption • Products offered (electricity, natural gas, solar, renewable energy products)
Looking ahead “The work that Robert completed for IGS Energy has opened our eyes to what we can accomplish in caring for the environment. The data he gathered is helping us set bold yet realistic sustainability goals as a provider of green energy solutions. These goals will guide us with measurable action to significantly reduce the negative impact we have on the environment,” said Jen. To learn more about the Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps, visit edfclimatecorps.org.
Robert Ddamulira
IGS Energy Social Impact Fellow, PhD Candidate University of Delaware Robert has worked in the energy and environmental sustainability sector for the past 15 years. During 2019 he was selected as an Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corp fellow and worked with IGS Energy as a Social Impact Fellow.
TR &
HFCS CO2 N2O
S
CH4
SCOPE 1 SCOPE 3 SCOPE 2
DIRECT
INDIRECT
SCOPE 3 INDIRECT
INDIRECT
EMISSIONS RELEASE LEASED ASSETS
COMPANY FACILITIES
EMPLOYEE COMMUTING
COMPANY VEHICLES
Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions are released into the atmosphere, including gases such as: CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3.
ELECTRICITY, STEAM, HEATING & COOLING FOR OWN USE TRANSPORTATION & DISTRIBUTION
BUSINESS TRAVEL
RANSPORTATION & DISTRIBUTION
PROCESSING OF SOLD PRODUCTS
WASTE FROM OPERATIONS
USE OF SOLD PRODUCTS
REPORTING COMPANY (IGS Energy)
END-OF-LIFE TREATMENT OF SOLD PRODUCTS
LEASED ASSETS
FRANCHISES
INVESTMENTS
DOWNSTREAM ACTIVITIES
FOCUS AREAS FROM THE REPORT Robert’s work was focused on identifying emissions within ‘operational boundaries,’ known as scopes.
SCOPE 1
SCOPE 2
SCOPE 3
All direct emissions which occur from sources owned or controlled by IGS Energy.
All GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity which is directly consumed by IGS Energy.
All indirect GHG emissions associated with IGS Energy’s operations. These are typically the largest GHG emissions associated with most reporting entities. They occur from sources not owned or controlled by the company.
• Generator fuel consumption • Mileage reimbursements for business travel • Gas for operating pumps and kitchen at headquarters • Other business travel (train, flight, bus, taxi, etc.)
Upstream emissions • Employee commuting • Waste generation • Purchase of electricity products • Purchase of natural gas products Downstream emissions • Customer use of electricity • Customer use of natural gas
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Community Outreach Greater Columbus Arts Council Sponsor For nearly 60 years, the Greater Columbus Arts Council (GCAC) has supported and advanced creative arts and artists in Columbus, Ohio. As the sustainability sponsor, IGS Energy helps reduce the environmental impact of the festival, an event that attracts almost half a million people each summer. IN 2019, IGS ENERGY:
Provided designated trash and recycling receptacles
Collected 4 tons of recycling
Diverted nearly 25% of all festival trash from the landfill
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C O M M U N I T Y O U T R E AC H
Transforming a Community Resource With over 330,000 annual visitors and more than 1.5 million resources in circulation, the Dublin branch is one of the busiest libraries in the Columbus Metropolitan Library network, and an important resource for the city of Dublin, Ohio. However, the previous building’s resources were unable to keep up with Dublin’s rapid community growth and changing needs of its population. With a goal of creating a more equitable and accessible library to meet Dublin’s evolving needs, the Dublin Capital Campaign Committee was formed to raise $2.8 million to achieve this vision. Evan Bollie, director of C&I sales at IGS Energy (a fellow Dublin-area organization), sat on the committee with other community members and business professionals who were tasked with leveraging resources to ensure the project was well funded.
Committee, I wholeheartedly accepted,” Evan said. Evan worked closely with Vice President of Brand & Social Impact Jen Bowden and President & CEO Scott White. As a steward of the Dublin community, IGS Energy recognized the value of the library expansion and invested $100,000 in the construction of the new Dublin Branch of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in 2019. The new Dublin Library will provide visitors access to small group study rooms, a mother’s room, a teen area, a cafe, extended learning spaces, an outdoor reading area, and more. This new facility serves as a resource to many Dublin residents while working toward the library’s vision of creating “a thriving community where wisdom prevails.”
“The library has always been a place where my wife and I take our boys, and when the opportunity presented itself for me to sit on the Dublin Capital Campaign
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IGS Energy and GRID Alternatives —
Striving for Energy Equity Investing in renewable energy around the world.
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s the global need for affordable energy grows, the IGS Energy Renewable Energy Corps is doing its part to bring renewable energy to the communities that can benefit from it most.
In 2017, IGS Energy entered into a multiyear partnership with America’s largest nonprofit solar installer, GRID Alternatives. As an organization that aligns with IGS Energy’s established social impact goals, such as sustainable development and creating an equitable transition to renewable energy, GRID fit in perfectly with our ambitions of building a sustainable energy future for a healthier planet. Through the partnership, IGS Energy works with GRID’s International and Domestic Programs, providing our employees with unique volunteering opportunities in the U.S., Mexico, and Nicaragua. During these projects, employees work hands-on alongside community members to install solar systems on homes, schools, orphanages, and community centers. One of the things that separates GRID from many for-profit installers is their commitment to energy equity and communities that are on the front lines of economic, environmental, and racial injustice. GRID’s sustainable development model engages and empowers these frontline communities who pay a meaningful percentage of the installation cost, equal to about one year’s worth of
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wages in Nicaragua. Community members also complete the installation alongside GRID staff and volunteers while also receiving technical training to maintain the systems after installation. By investing $300,000 over the course of three years, IGS Energy will help train more than 4,000 individuals in solar-based jobs to help deliver solar energy to over 1,500 families. “Multi-year partnerships mean GRID can count on programmatic support for a long period of time, allowing us to try out new models, run them for longer, and therefore have a bigger and better impact on the communities we serve,” said Karolo Aparicio, director of corporate partnerships with GRID Alternatives. “This translates to significant savings on families’ electric bills and creates opportunities for people to gain hands-on experience in solar installation, opening the door to lifelong careers.
International projects IGS Energy and GRID have worked on solar projects in Jucuapa and San Isidro, Nicaragua, as well as Tijuana, Mexico. These projects include: • Solar home systems that provided Nicaraguan families with renewable power for lighting and refrigeration
9 installations 1,398 volunteer hours 96.63 kW installed
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“…wh with pow have
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I G S E N E R G Y a n d G R I D A LT E R N AT I V E S — S T R I V I N G f o r E N E R G Y E Q U I T Y
hat I came back h was much more werful than I could e imagined.” - Nathan Jovanelly, director of business development
• A solar-powered drip irrigation system to help water crops year-round. This enabled the farmer to stop purchasing fuel to run his irrigation system, which consumed about half of his annual income • A solar system that generates 100% of the electricity for Casa San José orphanage. This project also provided local Tijuana technical college students with hands-on installation experience In Mexico specifically, GRID and IGS Energy have installed solar systems at four orphanages in the Tijuana area: Door of Faith Orphanage, Esperanza Orphanage, Hacienda Orphanage, and San Jose Teen Home. The children are directly impacted by the savings in the form of additional education, better meals, and more personnel to support them.
In October, nine IGS Energy employees traveled to Casa San José Orphanage to install a solar array alongside three students from Universidad Tecnológica de Tijuana. “Being in the solar industry, this trip meant so much to me,” explained Nathan Jovanelly, director of business development with IGS Solar, an affiliate of IGS Energy. “I have a personal mission to bring solar to those who need affordable energy the most. But what I came back with was much more powerful than I could have imagined.”
Domestic projects IGS Energy and GRID have also worked on three projects in the United States; in Van Nuys and Pico Rivera, California, and Washington, D.C.
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These locations were chosen because California and Washington, D.C. have some of the highest power costs in the country. By partnering with low-income homeowners in these areas, GRID can help reduce household electricity costs by up to 90%, putting money back into families’ pockets. The installations also provide community members and job trainees with hands-on solar experience, connecting people to clean energy jobs and potentially giving them a new career path. The savings from these projects help families further their kids’ education, pay medical bills, and build resilient communities. For example, after several previous failed attempts to get solar installation for her home, one of the clients in California reached out to GRID. “We did the service panel and the no-cost solar installation, which is set to offset 84% of her energy costs,” said Jasmine Roashan, GRID outreach coordinator. “She’s planning on using the savings to support her grandchildren.
Moving forward Together, GRID and IGS Energy will continue bringing renewable energy to frontline communities. “We are grateful for the generosity of IGS Energy and their commitment to environmental and community sustainability,” said Jenean Smith, senior director of GRID international programs. “We simply could not do the work we do without partners like IGS Energy that invest in improving people’s lives.”
Students from Universidad Tecnologica de Tijuana assist IGS Energy volunteers with an installation at Casa San José Orphanage.
“We are grateful for the generosity of IGS Energy and their commitment to environmental and community sustainability.” - Jenean Smith, senior director of GRID Alternatives’ international programs
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JOINING THE FIGHT AGAINST OPIOID ABUSE Sample awareness campaign ad from Ohio Opioid Education Alliance
Joining the Fight Against Opioid Abuse IGS Energy has stepped up to fight the growing opioid crisis in Ohio by becoming a member of the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance. As one of more than 80 Ohio partners, we’re committed to raising awareness and spreading a message of prevention and education concerning the dangers of opioid addiction and abuse. While opioid addiction has become a national concern, Ohio long has been considered the epicenter of the crisis due to its high number of overdose deaths. According to the American Psychiatric Association, nearly 1 in 3 people in the U.S. have been affected or know someone who has been affected by the opioid epidemic in some way, so we know that this crisis is directly impacting our communities, our families, and our employees. We want to be sure that we’re part of the solution, and by joining the Ohio Opioid Education Alliance we can support the experts who are building awareness and helping to prevent the next generation from facing prescription and opioid abuse. The Ohio Opioid Education Alliance is focusing its efforts to raise awareness by funding the creation and advertising of the Denial, OH campaign. The multimedia campaign, which launched in June 2018, introduces viewers to the fictional town of Denial, Ohio, where parents don’t believe their kids could be affected by the state’s opioid crisis.
The ad’s goal was two-fold: get parents talking about opioid abuse and educate people about proper disposal of opioids. WE’VE MADE A DIFFERENCE • Nearly 50% of those in central Ohio recalled Denial, OH advertising, and approximately 25% of parents in other parts of the state recalled the advertising campaign. • After seeing the Denial, OH ads, 57% of parents and caregivers report discussing the danger of opioids and prescription painkillers with their children. WHAT YOU CAN DO • Properly dispose of leftover prescription drugs. • Talk to your kids about the dangers of drugs. It can cut their risk of abuse by 50%. • Educate your friends and family about prescription use, security, and disposal. • Visit DontLiveInDenial.org for more information.
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Taking a Seat at the Big Table ®
For the second year in a row, IGS Energy was proud to host a Big Table conversation. This daylong event was created by the Columbus Foundation to connect and inspire central Ohio residents through conversations about improving the community. During the fourth annual event on August 28, 2019, thousands of people in the Columbus area gathered in homes, offices, and public places all over the city to talk about topics ranging from affordable housing and homelessness, to children’s needs, and economic issues facing the community. The conversation at IGS Energy focused on ways individuals could take action through volunteerism, mentorship, and advocacy. At the end of the conversations, participants were encouraged to complete a “commitment card,” with a personal pledge outlining how they plan to help support the community cause(s) discussed. “We’re honored to be a part of this incredible event, which results in impactful dialogue designed to tackle important issues in our community,” said Lorena Gonzalez, social impact coordinator at IGS Energy.
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DI V ER SI T Y, EQUI T Y, B ELO NG I NG & I NC LUSI O N
Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Inclusion Our journey to create an equitable workplace. In January 2019, IGS Energy made a formal commitment to create an equitable workspace where everyone can bring their whole self to work and thrive. That’s where our Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI) journey begins.
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s we started on this journey, it was important for us to get guidance from an expert to make DEBI sustainable and successful. Jen Bowden, vice president of brand & social impact, had the perfect person in mind, and introduced IGS Energy to Courtnee Carrigan. Courtnee made a real impression with her experience and honesty. She was brought on to help guide DEBI and truly integrate it into the culture of IGS Energy. With 20 years of diversity inclusion and equity training, Courtnee could see a roadmap to success within IGS Energy. “I was happy to see that IGS Energy was being proactive about creating change in the workplace, rather than reactive,” Courtnee said. “Some companies don’t focus on diversity and inclusion until they get challenged for having a lack of it. And even then, a lot of them just want something to mark off a to-do list rather than make a commitment to change.”
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
Courtnee’s first task was to give DEBI some depth by defining what it would actually mean to the company and figuring out how to ingrain it into the fiber of IGS Energy. “We had to make it a priority,” Courtnee explained. “Making sure that a program like DEBI is successful means making it a part of everyday life at IGS Energy.” In order to make DEBI sustainable, Courtnee and IGS Energy’s Chief People Officer, Jenni Kovach, turned to our people. Several employee focus groups were created, and Courtnee asked open-ended questions about how the employees viewed IGS Energy’s culture when it came to equity and bias. From the focus group sessions came four main themes: • Community – Promote dialogue on DEBI topics through open and respectful conversations, while also creating and maintaining safe spaces
Step 2
Make DEBI a known priority.
Leader trainings.
Step 3 Phase 1: building awareness
The DEBI Process
DI V ER SI T Y, EQUI T Y, B ELO NG I NG & I NC LUSI O N
Step 1
Action
Employee engagement.
About Courtnee Carrigan interviews
Step 4 From awareness to action. Create a DEBI action plan.
focus groups
Courtnee is the CEO and Executive Trainer for Raising the Bar Performance Group, a Central Ohio-based training and development company focused on improving organizational operations. She has over 15 years of experience as a nonprofit leader and strategic facilitator of Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.
“Making sure that a program like DEBI is successful means making it a part of everyday life at IGS Energy.” –Courtnee Carrigan CEO, RAISING THE BAR PERFORMANCE GROUP
IGS Energy employees meet at Pittsburgh branch office to discuss DEBI initiatives.
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“DEBI is important to me because I am visible now, and I feel truly limitless here.” –Donielle Abbott MG CLAIMS SPECIALIST
within IGS Energy where employees with common beliefs or shared differences can come together to feel welcomed and supported. • Communication – Ensure all employees feel included on topics that are meaningful to them. Also focus on how we communicate with each other while appreciating how we’re different and celebrating the ways that diverse ideas, opinions, and operating styles add value to IGS Energy. • Training/Development – Help all employees and leaders understand the value of diversity, ideas, opinions and operating styles. Plan for equal opportunities for growth and advancement. • Human Resources – Ensure that recruiting, onboarding, policies and procedures, total rewards and compensation, growth and advancement, and employee engagement are equitable and bias-free. These themes are being used to create timelines and action items that will help establish DEBI as a continuous commitment to the people of IGS Energy. “One of the best things we can do is be bias interrupters,” Courtnee explained. “By doing the small things that affect
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
everyday policies or processes, you make these incremental behavioral changes that can really make a difference.” Additionally, Jenni and Courtnee made implicit bias education an essential part of HR and management training. For HR specifically, they took a close look at recruiting, onboarding, and other policies and procedures. “Sometimes, even people who consider themselves progressively-minded are still more comfortable working with people from similar cultural backgrounds,” Courtnee explained. “Nobody likes to think of themselves as biased, but there are certain behaviors that people can fall into that need to be addressed.” But what does this change actually look like inside the walls of IGS Energy? Since recognizing these potential biases, IGS Energy has been posting job openings on websites that attract more diverse candidates. And, a new talent acquisition director has been hired who will take a holistic look at IGS Energy’s hiring practices through a DEBI lens. Benefits policies for IGS Energy employees are also far more flexible and working from home is an option for an increasing number of employees. We are now viewing career development, career pathing, and onboarding processes through a DEBI
DI V ER SI T Y, EQUI T Y, B ELO NG I NG & I NC LUSI O N
lens as well, and will be conducting an in-depth review of company-wide policies and procedures in 2020, including the employee manual, onboarding process, and holiday schedule. IGS Energy also started a comprehensive review of our compensation practices to ensure there’s equity and transparency in the way we pay and reward employees. The goal being that employees are paid fairly regardless of their gender or race, for example. We created a new compensation analyst role to lead this work, and we signed The Columbus Commitment, a voluntary, employer-led initiative to close the gender wage gap in Columbus. Since the initial rollout, Jenni and other IGS Energy leaders have been having regular meetings with Courtnee to document achievements and continue focusing on the big picture. “IGS Energy has really put the work in to create a structure so they aren’t solely relying on a consultant,” Courtnee explained. “Right now, we’re checking to see how all this training translates into behavior. What we’ve seen so far has been encouraging. Leaders aren’t constantly calling back to DEBI, they’re just following through with the principles.” Donielle Abbott, MG claims specialist at IGS Energy, said she values the effects of DEBI. “DEBI is important to me because I am visible now. I feel truly limitless here,” she said. Our efforts seem to be paying off across the company, as well. In August 2019, a survey revealed that more people felt comfortable being themselves at IGS Energy compared to the previous year. Employees were happy that DEBI would be a focus moving forward and were excited about the upcoming action plan. Our commitment to DEBI will continue to take many forms, primarily driven by the feedback of our employees. And, while many projects at IGS Energy are measured by financial metrics or time, DEBI is something different altogether. “DEBI isn’t an initiative, it’s a focus.” Jenni reminds us. “Initiatives have beginnings and ends. DEBI is here to stay.”
Standing Up for What’s Right IGS Energy believes that a safe workspace where everyone can feel comfortable being themselves is important. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to make sure that employees everywhere, not just here at IGS Energy, are protected against discrimination. In May 2019 our Chief People Officer and executive sponsor of DEBI, Jenni Kovach, provided testimony at the Ohio Judiciary Committee in support of Senate Bill 11, which would amend the Ohio Fairness Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. This is important because in some places, employers are still legally able to fire people for these reasons.
“Employees everywhere in Ohio deserve the opportunity to contribute to their highest potential without fear of discrimination or punishment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity,” Jenni said. IGS Energy will continue to focus on DEBI and continue on our journey to create the most inclusive work environment for our employees.
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Encouraging Inclusive Participation Recent IGS Energy Women’s Network programs:
50 WAYS TO FIGHT BIAS PROGRAM Applying content from the Lean In organization, we discussed an important yet sometimes uncomfortable topic—gender bias in the workplace.
Empowering the Women of IGS Energy The IGS Energy Women’s Network strives to encourage inclusivity.
60 attendees, 33% participation by men
ALLY UP PROGRAM We discussed questions designed to constructively challenge our thinking on gender issues in the workplace. 44 attendees, 56% participation by men
LEADERCAST WOMEN TELECAST Employees attended telecast sessions of this annual one-day leadership event with stories from female leaders. 199 attendees, 28% participation by men
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
When Director of Human Resources, Shannon Schilling joined the steering committee for the new IGS Energy Women’s Network in 2017, she was eager for employees to get involved. The program was designed to foster a community to talk about important topics affecting women, including allyship and bias fighting, career planning, empowerment, and work-life balance. “Creating this group has allowed us to become a more inclusive company, which has been central to who we are here at IGS Energy,” Shannon explained. Fast forward two years later, and there have been nearly 20 sponsored events, attended by hundreds of IGS Energy employees. Employees participate in networking lunches, sessions led by external experts, and IGS Energy-hosted telecasts of Leadercast Women, an annual one-day leadership event with inspiring stories presented by female leaders, ranging from New York Times best-selling author Glennon Doyle, to Captain Deshauna Barber, logistics commander in the U.S. Army Reserve, to Priya Parker, a master facilitator, strategic advisor, and author. IGS Energy Women’s Network programming also naturally aligns with IGS Energy’s DEBI commitment, which stands for Diversity, Equality, Belonging, and Inclusion. The goal of DEBI is to ensure an equitable workspace where everyone can bring their whole self to work and thrive. As for the future of IGS Energy Women’s Network, Shannon says she hopes programs continue to reach even more employees. “I hope it is a catalyst for positive change and it ignites action,” she said.
NEHA SHARMA
Structuring Analyst
Learning Producer
Katie developed the first-ever Women in Clean Energy Workshop in 2019 and credits her IGS Energy Women’s Network involvement as a critical support system throughout the process. Here’s what Katie had to say:
Neha first attended a IGS Energy Women’s Network session in 2018, when she joined IGS Energy. She was so inspired by the program, that she volunteered to match up employees for monthly lunches. Here’s what Neha had to say about her role with IGS Energy Women’s Network:
“Creating the conference was a long process, but the people I met along the way at IGS Energy that were cheering me on and supportive of the mission helped keep me focused and excited about the event throughout the planning period.”
“I love the IGS Energy Women’s Network lunches because I see them as an opportunity to meet with people I may not connect with as openly.”
EVAN WILSON
ANTHONY WALLS
Business Development Manager
Technology Support Administrator
Evan has attended several IGS Energy Women’s Network events and proudly counts himself as an ally. Here’s what Evan had to say about the reasons he decided to get involved:
“I wanted to become a better ally, advocate, and friend for women at IGS Energy. This program has helped me reframe things to include perspectives beyond my own.”
EMPOWERING THE WOMEN OF IGS ENERGY
KATIE VAN HORN
Anthony attended his first IGS Energy Women’s Network event in 2019, providing technical support for a Leadercast Women telecast. Here’s what Anthony had to say about his plans to increase his involvement in IGS Energy Women’s Network in the coming year:
“This year, I would love to continue to build relationships and become more involved with the execution of events and programs.”
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Making a Difference $1,421,589 donated in 2019.
8,058 hours volunteered by employees.
DAY OF SERVICE - April 11, 2019
4,000+ HOURS
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
60 SITES
740+
EMPLOYEES
Taking Greener Steps Forward Discover the equivalent environmental impacts of our green efforts in 2019.
≈ +22,393
NEW GREEN ELECTRICITY ENROLLMENTS
212,184,988 kwh of solar energy installed in 2019 by IGS Solar
COMMERCIAL SOLAR
+10,081
NEW CARBON-NEUTRAL GAS ENROLLMENTS
RESIDENTIAL SOLAR
That’s the equivalent environmental impact of recycling 51,028 tons of waste instead of sending it to the landfill!
HOMES’ ELECTRICITY USAGE FOR A YEAR
≈
81,843,575 KWH
130,341,413 KWH
21,445
58,285
ACRES OF FOREST PLANTED
≈ 2.4 MILLION
PIECES OF PAPER SAVED BY GOING PAPERLESS
300
TREES SAVED*
*290; where 1 tree = 8,333 pieces of paper
Supporting Projects Associated with Carbon Offsets IGS Energy is proud to support sustainable projects to reduce our carbon footprint.
land
air
energy
These facilities convert over 1,800 tons of garbage per day producing enough electricity to power approximately 36,000 homes.
By protecting our forests from logging, we can contribute to cleaner air through absorption of CO2 emissions.
• Hillborough County Waste to Energy (wtE) Facility 2009 Capital Expansion Tampa, FL
• Afognak Forest Carbon Project Afognak Island, AK
By supporting renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, we can create a cleaner world while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
WASTE-TO-ENERGY
• Lee County Waste to Energy Fort Myers, FL
REDUCING CO2 EMISSIONS
• The Envira Amazonia Project Acre, Brazil
RENEWABLE GENERATION
• Solar Power Project by Mytrah Energy India • Dempsey Ridge Wind Project Oklahoma
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Organizations We Support
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
Company-Directed Contributions American Cancer Society American Heart Association Association of Indian Physicians of Northern Ohio Baker Youth Club Blackburn Chasing the Cure Columbus Council On World Affairs Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation Columbus PDM Club Community Foundation for the Alleghenies
Junior Achievement of Delaware Valley Junior Achievement of Mahoning Valley Junior Achievement of South Central Pennsylvania Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania Kosciusko Community YMCA Making Kids Count Marburn Academy Matthew 25: Ministries Miami Valley Housing Opportunities
Employee-Directed Contributions Access to Success Alpha Group of Delaware Alvis American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Foundation Autism Speaks Batten Disease Support and Research Association Better Business Bureau of Dayton/Miami Valley Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Ohio Boy Scout Troop 947
Community Shelter Board
Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Conscious Capitalism
Ohio Energy Project
Carnegie Mellon University
COSI
OhioHealth Foundation
CASAs for Kids Funds
Cradles to Crayons
Operation Warm
CBusPASS
Crayons to Classrooms
Our Hope Association
Children’s Hunger Alliance
Creative Living
Pelotonia
CHA Animal Shelter
Cristo Rey Columbus High School
Philanthropitch
Clintonville - Beechwold Community Resources Center
Dress for Success Columbus Dublin Historical Society EmpowerBus
Project Love Coalition ProMedica Foundation Recreation Unlimited
Franklin Park Conservatory
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio
Freedom a la Cart
Salvation Army
Girl Scouts of Ohio’s Heartland Council
SEA Change Incorporated
GRID Alternatives GroundWork Group Habitat for Humanity MidOhio Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati Halifax Communities That Care HandsOn Northeast Ohio Holocaust Memorial Foundation of Illinois Hope Network Foundation Human Rights Campaign IMPACT60 Indiana University Foundation
SocialVentures Star Farm Chicago The Burning River Foundation The Columbus Foundation The Foodbank The Greater Columbus Arts Council The Lou Malnati Cancer Research Fund The Ohio State University Foundation The Women’s Fund of Central Ohio Upper Arlington Education Foundation Welcome Warehouse
Junior Achievement of Central Ohio
Women’s Small Business Accelerator
Junior Achievement of Chicago
Woodland Hills School District
Cap City Collective
Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation
Mental Health America of Franklin County Mid-Ohio Foodbank NAMI Franklin County National Kidney Foundation Nationwide Children’s Hospital Foundation Ohio Alliance of YMCAs Foundation Ohio Lobbying Association Foundation Ohio University Foundation Operation Warm Pelotonia Petpromise Recreation Unlimited Ruling Our Experiences (ROX) Safe Horizon Simon Kenton Council Boy Scouts of America South Hills Pet Rescue Special Olympics PA Star House The Baylis Foundation
Columbus Pittie Committee
The EHE Foundation
Columbus Torah Academy
The Healthy Hearts and Paws Project
Community Shelter Board Corazon de Vida Foundation Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
The Ohio State University Foundation
Dublin Arts Council
Union County Humane Society
Dublin Food Pantry
The Trevor Project
Dublin Roundballers Basketball Booster Organization
Worthington Youth Boosters
Evening Street PTA Congress
WCBE-FM YMCA of Central Ohio
Final Third Foundation Franklin County Dog Shelter Franklin County Commissioners Gigi’s Harmony Project Productions Leukemia & Lymphoma Society LifeCare Alliance Lumind Foundation Lupus Foundation of America
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What’s Next?
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IGS Energy | 2019 Social Impact Report
The world is changing, the energy industry is changing, and our company is changing. As a company, we are challenging ourselves to think boldly about who we are and what we stand for. • We’ll launch a national grant program and invite nonprofits who are working on energy sustainability to apply for funds. These partnerships will focus on building awareness of energyrelated environmental issues and increasing access and equity in the transition to renewable energy. • We are taking responsibility for our environmental impact. We will adopt a bold goal for IGS Energy and create an action plan to reduce our scope 1, 2 & 3 emissions, focusing on reducing the impact of our products and supply chain (which account for 99.9% of our footprint).
groups, to provide safe spaces for employees to come together, share, and learn. • We’re creating a flexible work policy to keep up with the needs of an ever-changing workforce. These changes will create better work-life balance, boost productivity, and reduce the environmental impact of employee commuting and business travel. • We will create a reporting dashboard to measure and share out the impact of our work. Formalizing our measurement and reporting processes will center our work around transparency and accountability.
• We’re continuing engagement of IGS Energy employees in the DEBI journey. We’ll finalize and introduce our DEBI Action Plan which outlines the steps we’ll take in the next 18-24 months to create a more equitable workplace. We’ll also launch IGS Energy Communities, our employee resource
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