Our annual Sustainability Report uses both qualitative descriptions and quantitative measures to describe our policies, programs, practices, and performance in environmental, social and governance areas.
With the energy challenge immediately upon us, we should waste no time in leveraging what we have today for the benefit of tomorrow. Williams has the expertise, assets and strategy to deliver sustainable, long-term solutions.
Alan Armstrong, Williams President and Chief Executive Officer
2023 Highlights
> 33,000
miles of pipeline in 24 states
35
natural gas processing facilities
405
Bcf natural gas storage capacity
9
NGL fractionation facilities
25
million barrels of NGL storage capacity
>5,300
Permanent employees
Corporate Governance
We are responsible stewards, running our business with integrity and openness – the heart of our Core Values & Beliefs. Our policies are designed to provide our shareholders with company information that is accurate, timely and meaningful.
Williams determined the ESG topics discussed in this report through a materiality assessment completed in March 2023. Please note that materiality, as discussed in this section, is used for the purposes of this report and is not synonymous with the definition of materiality applied by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Partnerships are how we lead and learn from conservation around the future of energy. Williams collaborates with peer companies, technology enablers and trade associations to uncover and innovate best practices in GHG emissions reduction. Our government and regulatory affairs team oversees Williams’ external partnerships and participation.
Natural gas plays an essential role in the transition to a low-carbon economy. With 116 years of experience serving the world’s growing demand for natural gas, we are well positioned to invest in emerging energy opportunities that leverage our expansive natural gas network while accelerating our contributions to a sustainable future.
Investing in Decarbonization
Our New Energy Ventures business development group focuses on advancing innovative technologies, markets and business models that grow our clean energy investments and promote emissions reductions while complementing our core natural gas business.
By boosting operational efficiencies and expanding our safe transmission network, Williams’ infrastructure can deliver natural gas to the largest energy demand centers, meeting rapidly rising demand for natural gas brought on by electrification, the data center boom and the international LNG market.
Natural gas is the reliable source to power your life
Imagine a night at home without a reliable source of power. The lights don’t turn on, your electric vehicle won’t start, and you are missing your favorite Netflix show. Americans expect grid reliability day and night, and thanks to natural gas-powered electricity, we can enjoy uninterrupted power, even when renewables fall short.
We understand the direct link between sustainable operations, corporate stewardship and long-term business success. Our tracking and reporting initiatives continue to hold us accountable to our updated GHG emissions reduction goal, earning recognition from S&P Global, CDP, Sustainalytics, MSCI and GRESB for our transparency and performance.
Sustainability Through Growth
Since 2018, expansion projects and acquisitions have increased Williams’ energy throughput by 47%, while our emissions intensity decreased by 26%, indicating a strong ability to gather, treat, process, transport and store natural gas with increasing efficiency as we grow.
Saving Pennsylvania’s Miller Mountain
Known locally as Miller Mountain, the 2,500-acre forested property was purchased with Williams’ help to ensure its permanent protection and public access.
Our people form the foundation of Williams and are the reason we can continue to transport clean, affordable and reliable energy across the country. Ensuring a safe and secure operating environment is our utmost priority because we care about each other, our families and the communities where we live, work and serve our customers.
Our Approach to Health and Safety
Williams makes safety and security the top priority across our network of over 33,000 miles of pipelines. We pursue the highest standards of integrity for our assets to protect the well-being of our employees, contractors and communities.
Calling 811 before starting any digging project is important whether you are planting a tree in the city or plowing …
Building an Empowered Workforce
Williams’ excellence over 116 years is driven by our people. Remaining an industry leader means hiring the best employees, helping them grow within Williams and promoting an inclusive culture where they want to contribute their best every day.
Our Employee Resource Groups (ERG) enable a culture of understanding, respect and inclusion across field and office geographies. From 2022 to 2023, overall ERG membership increased by 23%.
Williams fosters our reputation as a strong and dependable business by supporting the communities in which we live and work. Stakeholder relations, community investment, diverse supplier relationships and responsible supply chain management all contribute to our positive impact across our 24-state footprint.
Charitable Giving
Williams has contributed more than $60 million over the past five years to support local communities across our footprint.
Williams’ dedication to diversity goes beyond our commitment to an inclusive workplace for employees. We also evaluate ways to support suppliers from underrepresented groups. One such supplier is Steel Forgings in Shreveport, Louisiana. The company’s CEO, Alex Souter, is the fourth generation in her family – and the first woman – to lead the company. …
Williams is committed to meaningful community engagement that observes environmental justice principles. We engage early and often to promote community well-being, facilitate healthy environments, create value for our stakeholders and expand the projects driving the energy transition.
Ensuring the protection of human rights for indigenous groups is especially important to Williams. We prioritize opportunities for tribal consultation & engagement, underscored by our ongoing commitment to respecting human rights and avoiding complicity in any abuses.
Read our response to CDP, an international organization that works with shareholders and corporations to disclose the carbon emissions of participating companies. Read more
Williams was recognized across several key rankings for our leadership and commitment to transparency and governance around sustainability and other key measures.
