Renewable energy initiatives plan to protect biod

Our Biodiversity Policy is designed to ensure we preserve ecosystems and biological diversity as we work to create a more sustainable energy model. Before we begin any major project, we assess its potential environmental impact. This assessment includes evaluating if sensitive species, native habitats, wetlands, or other natural resources are in the project’s area or its vicinity. Once we have the project-specific understanding, our team works collaboratively to determine the best path forward to avoid or minimize potential impacts.

We also consider biodiversity when we plan to decommission a site. For example, depending on the site, we would plan reclamation procedures which could include restoring soil, restoring the site to its original natural contours, and revegetating any disturbed areas with native plant seed mixes or agricultural crops, as appropriate, based on the use of surrounding lands and the needs of the landowners.

We recognize that loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems are rapidly taking place in the world, creating significant environmental, economic, and social risks. As a renewable energy leader, we have a responsibility to protect biodiversity as we create a clean energy future.

Reducing Outages while Protecting Habitats

The most common causes of power outages are when an animal or vegetation contacts network equipment. We work to prevent such outages while protecting biodiversity. We do so by installing animal guards – plastic guards on transformers that prevent contact with equipment- across our power distribution networks. These guards help to significantly reduce outages and wildlife injuries and fatalities. In 2022 alone, we installed nearly 11,000 animal guards across our network.

Additionally, to minimize interruptions to electrical service we prune trees and vegetation near our power lines using standards endorsed by the Tree Care Industry Association.

Minimizing the Effect of Our Operations on Biodiversity

We’re committed to protecting biodiversity and minimizing environmental impacts on habitats that may be impacted by work across all our operations. For example, we have initiatives in place to protect biodiversity near our renewable energy facilities, on land, and in marine environments. This includes adjusting construction schedules to avoid impacting endangered species, creating new wetlands, buffering construction to help protect and restore biodiversity near our facilities, and selecting alternative routes or project designs to protect biodiversity.

Protecting Offshore Biodiversity and Ocean Resources

In 2022, Avangrid signed on to the United Nations Global Compact Sustainable Ocean Principles. In doing so, we affirmed our commitment to advance sustainable and responsible ocean energy projects that accelerate the transformation to a cleaner energy future while protecting the marine environment and biodiversity. As a company with several offshore wind facilities either in permitting or under construction and a project pipeline of approximately 6 GW, we do our best to take meaningful action to promote the well-being of the ocean for current and future generations.