Williams believes that its focus on safe, reliable development and delivery of clean-burning natural gas can be a part of our nation’s solution to addressing climate change.
Williams recognizes that global climate change is a significant business issue. The complexity of the science and the uncertainty of regulatory direction and business opportunity support the following major principles in formulating our approach to address climate change.
- Consistent with Williams’ environmental, health and safety policy, the company will engage in regulatory, industry and other stakeholder discussions and activities to help address or identify responsible standards and practices in the absence of laws and regulations.
- Williams will continue work in developing an inventory of our greenhouse gas emissions for environmental stewardship, operation improvement and efficiency, and seek related business opportunities that could lead to long-term competitive advantages.
Accomplishing our business goals and addressing issues such as climate change are not necessarily mutually exclusive. Our response to global climate change will align with the way we manage, process and conserve resources, as well as how we protect ourselves, our communities and the environment. We simply believe it’s about running the company the right way.
FAQs
Has the company taken any other actions regarding climate change?
Yes. There are several efforts underway in the company, in addition to developing an overall strategy. For instance, various groups within the company continue to monitor climate change initiatives from regulatory and industry peer perspectives to evaluate possible strategies for Williams. Business unit Environmental, Health and Safety professionals are participating in the American Petroleum Institute’s climate change steering committee efforts to stay informed on the topic. Our regulated gas pipeline business is participating with Interstate Natural Gas Association of America in its efforts to develop a consistent methodology for calculating baseline emissions. Our exploration and production group in the Piceance Basin implemented a best management practice from the Environmental Protection Agency Natural Gas Star program involving the recovery of natural gas that would otherwise be vented, or flared, into the atmosphere. These are just a few examples.
When will Williams have an initial enterprise GHG inventory?
Williams Environmental, Health and Safety professionals are building inventory-management plans that are targeting the end of 2007 for having an enterprise-wide greenhouse gas inventory of such quality that the resulting information can be verified by third-paraties. Being able to measure emissions as accurately as possible is the key component of any emissions program.
What are the issues involved in developing a program to inventory emissions?
Deciding on the measurement criteria, collecting data and verifying the data are all large, complex processes. Certainly, it is doable and Williams is committed to developing those processes, but it does take some time to achieve our goal and do it in a way that is practical and economically conservative.
Does Williams engage in trading greenhouse gas emissions credits?
Williams is not currently engaged in greenhouse gas emissions trading. When our strategy is more evolved, we may look at the possibility.
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FAQs
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