Climate Change Data

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy
• Talent engagement
• Workplace health and safety
• Data security and privacy

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced energy consumed by service switches while also reducing the space needed for this equipment
• Installed smart thermostat technology to reduce electricity required for temperature control in office buildings
• Replaced incandescent lightbulbs with LED lights across operations
• Partnered with telematics companies to optimize vehicle efficiency and safety, potentially saving nearly $2 million in fuel costs and reducing fuel use by six million gallons annually
• Ordered more than 1,500 vehicles with a focus on vehicle fuel efficiency, EV options and the development of hybrid power options

Social Achievements

• Launched People Pulse All-Employee Survey, receiving over 8,000 submissions for improvement
• Launched “Dumb Policies” Program to eliminate inefficient policies, resulting in nearly 3,300 ideas with a value exceeding $50 million in savings
• Launched FUEL Digital Training Program
• Implemented a program to recognize team members’ anniversaries
• Launched a celebration campaign around inclusivity
• Launched a new-hire mentorship program and Mentoring Circles
• Decreased occupational injuries and illnesses compared to the previous year

Governance Achievements

• Increased gender and racial diversity in the board of directors and executive leadership team
• Created an all-female audit committee
• Implemented a comprehensive compliance and ethics program
• Established an Ethics Hotline for reporting potential violations

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Managing GHG emissions and meeting rising regulatory and stakeholder expectations
• Maintaining workplace safety during rapid expansion
• Protecting data security and privacy in an increasingly digital world
• Addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access to high-speed internet

Mitigation Strategies

• Implementing solutions to save energy and decarbonize, including exploring renewable energy sources and reducing business travel
• Expanding technical safety programs and providing resources to the non-technical workforce
• Investing in data security and privacy team and technology, implementing a 24-hour monitoring system for anomalies, and providing cybersecurity training for all employees
• Participating in the Affordable Connectivity Program to expand access to high-speed internet

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Working with diverse-owned businesses

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Environmental
• Social
• Governance

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced over 1,000 tons of physical waste in less than a year through the Red Loves Green program.
• Reduced 4.7 million kWh annually and saved 2,705 tons of carbon through the Switch Degrow program.
• Retired copper for approximately 348,000 addresses across its footprint.
• Rolled out first EV installation and maintenance vans in Torrance, California, saving an estimated 5,100 gallons of gasoline annually.

Social Achievements

• Launched Broadband for Good, providing high-speed broadband connectivity and computer equipment to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Brazos Valley.
• Launched Changemakers, a new employee recognition program.
• Increased parental leave from six to 10 weeks for all employees.
• Launched Employee Relief Fund to help employees recover from natural disasters.

Governance Achievements

• Appointed Kevin Beebe as the Board’s first Lead Independent Director.
• Hired a new Chief Information Security Officer and a team of experienced cybersecurity and privacy professionals.
• Achieved 100% employee participation in cybersecurity awareness exercises and training.

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Reducing GHG emissions
• Managing systemic risks from technology disruptions
• Maintaining data security and privacy

Mitigation Strategies

• Actively sourcing more renewable-energy options, exploring Virtual Power Purchase Agreements, and installing solar panels and natural gas fuel cells in key markets.
• Implementing regular system maintenance, monitoring, and incident response plans; establishing geo-redundant network POPs; replacing internet peering infrastructure.
• Following the NIST cybersecurity framework, investing in technology to identify sensitive data, and continually reviewing existing controls.

Supply Chain Management

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB

Awards & Recognition

• 2022 Best Place to Work by the Dallas Business Journal
• Four Military Friendly designations

Environmental Metrics

ESG Focus Areas

• Greenhouse gas emissions and energy
• Diversity, equity and inclusion
• Talent engagement
• Workplace health and safety
• Data security and privacy

Environmental Achievements

• Reduced electricity usage by ~4.4M kWh
• Lowered fleet’s emissions by ~9.3M kWh
• Saved nearly 320,160 gallons of fuel a year (6.243 million pounds of carbon)
• 19,290 tons of annual carbon footprint reduction through switch degrowth
• 30,789,000 kWh saved in 2023 through switch degrowth
• Recycled 1,646 tons of waste

Social Achievements

• Improved customer satisfaction to industry-leading levels with record-high improvement in Net Promoter Scores
• Launched GIGAVET, Veterans EIG
• Expanded internship program by 85 percent year-over-year; 73 percent of interns identified as non-white
• Donated high-speed fiber internet to community organizations (Malta House, Girl Scouts of Central Texas, West Virginia University’s Jackson’s Mill campus)
• 2023 was the safest year yet, with improvements on key safety measures

Governance Achievements

• Implemented annual ethics training for all team members
• Maintained a third party-managed Ethics Hotline for anonymous reporting
• Enhanced approach to data privacy with investment in One Trust tool
• Continuously review governance practices, regulatory obligations, and best practices

Climate Goals & Targets

Environmental Challenges

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Maintaining cybersecurity and data privacy
• Improving safety across the company

Mitigation Strategies

• Implementing various energy efficiency projects (replacing equipment, sealing air leaks)
• Investing in electric vehicles
• Implementing telematics in all vehicles
• Implementing a comprehensive safety training program
• Establishing a cross-functional Security Council
• Using NIST framework for cybersecurity improvements

Supply Chain Management

Responsible Procurement

• Working with diverse suppliers (women, veterans, minorities, LGBTQIA+, disabled)

Climate-Related Risks & Opportunities

Reporting Standards

Frameworks Used: GRI, SASB

Sustainable Products & Innovation

• Fiber optic technology

Awards & Recognition

• Best Places for Working Parents
• Military Friendly Employer
• Military Friendly Brand
• Military Friendly Company
• Military Friendly Supplier Diversity Program
• Military Times Best for Vets Award
• Military.com Top 25 Veteran Employer
• Ranked No. 1 in Diversity by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)