We can't make energy without water. But we can reduce the amount of water we use and commit to returning that water to its original source.

We're also reducing water use by shifting power generation from conventional to renewable sources that don't require water for cooling. And we're using low-water technologies like air-cooled condensers when we have to rely on fossil fuels. 

Water Treatment

In 2018, we installed a water treatment system that will allow an estimated 15 million gallons of produced water -- water that is brought to the surface during the production of natural gas -- to be reused over the next five years at Canyon Creek and other operations in Wyoming.

Coal Ash Pond Closures

As we increase the clean energy in our mix, we burn less coal. As of year-end 2019, coal accounted for only 12 percent of our electricity as we use more solar energy backed by natural gas and nuclear power.

In the meantime, we're safely and permanently closing old coal ash ponds and landfills that store the byproduct of coal burning power production.

Climate change is one of the most significant energy and environmental challenges. Dominion Energy is committed to doing our part by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions from our electric-generating fleet and our natural gas businesses.

Methane Emissions

Over the last two decades we've dramatically lowered emissions across our electric and natural gas infrastructure fleets, and we've vastly expanded renewable energy across the country. Over the next two decades, our goal is to go even further. We are committed to reducing methane emissions from our natural gas infrastructure 55 percent by 2030.

The Green Fleet

Alternative fuels power more than one in three of the vehicles in our on-road fleet – about 9,000 cars and trucks. Our green fleet includes electric, natural gas and biodiesel vehicles that are helping us to:

• Lower greenhouse gas emissions
• Improve conditions in the field
• Reduce worksite noise levels

Protecting Pollinators

Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants and 35% of the world's food crops depend on insect pollinators to reproduce, but habitat loss has contributed to a decline in the population of butterflies, bees and birds. Our Wings at Work program combats this problem by creating and fostering pollinator habitats. Here's what we've done recently:

• Converted 43,000 acres of open space to pollinator habitat
• Modified our mowing practices to encourage growth of native plants
• Helped landowners along the Atlantic Coast Pipeline create pollinator sanctuaries
• Awarded $50,000 in grants to seven pollinator projects through the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation

Sheltering Birdlife & Supporting Marine Habitats

We have a long history of protecting birds from adverse power line impacts. To create new fish habitats, we've recycled concrete to expand two artificial reefs. In 2017, we enhanced four acres of natural oyster bars in the Chesapeake Bay. We also worked with local groups to protect freshwater marshes by planting 6,000 plants to reestablish beach grasses.

We're finding ways to reuse and recycle waste from coal ash and oil, paper and IT equipment. When we started construction of our new corporate headquarters, 600 Canal Place, we even recycled more than 50% of the demolition material from the old on-site building.

We can now use unmanned serial vehicles or drones to inspect electric transmission lines and structures. Drone inspections help us reduce our carbon footprint, improve safety and save money and time--which is especially important when we're assessing storm damage.

Our annual Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility Report describes how we serve customers and communities, our commitment to environmental stewardship, our culture, and our business for the future. We also invite you to read our Corporate Environmental Policy.