American Electric Power is among nine companies/securities recently added to the Nasdaq CRD Global Sustainability Index – an equity index that serves as a benchmark for companies taking a leadership role in disclosing their sustainability performance, strategic vision and the shared value impact of environmental, social, governance (ESG) and financial performance.
The results were announced by Nasdaq, CRD Analytics and The Analyst Desk at the semi-annual Performance Review of the Nasdaq CRD Global Sustainability. The Index evaluates more than 4,000 companies traded on a major global stock exchange – selecting a total of 400 securities to be listed. It provides a platform for mainstream quantitative and qualitative ESG information to be analyzed by shareholders, investment analysts, and other stakeholders to meet the growing demand for disclosure.
“AEP is honored to be selected for inclusion in the Nasdaq CRD Global Sustainability Index,” said Sandy Nessing, Managing Director of Corporate Sustainability at AEP. “It is truly a reflection of our efforts to transform our business model to support the development of innovative customer solutions, grid modernization and technology exploration to meet the flexible and clean energy options our customer’s expect. It is also a reflection of our commitment to investing in cleaner energy, setting new sustainability goals, and our strategic approach to integrating sustainability into our business strategy,” Nessing continued. “Being included in this Index reaffirms the importance of our efforts, adding a competitive advantage for AEP’s business strategy and for our shareholders.”
In 2018, AEP launched new sustainability goals, including carbon reduction goals. The goals are aligned with AEP’s corporate strategy and business initiatives – reflecting our commitment to the environment; efficient use of energy; safety and health of our workforce and the public; diversity and inclusion; community building; the customer experience and economic development. In addition, the goals are aligned with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“We are confident that AEP’s business strategy and new sustainability goals will help us remain on course as we continue our transition towards a clean energy future,” Nessing stated. “We believe a sustainable future begins with the social and economic benefits and we are committed to working with our customers and communities to build a brighter further together.”
Launched in 2009, the Index uses a transparent, rules-based methodology powered by the SmartViewTM 360 analytics platform. The platform integrates ESG indicators that align with the Global Reporting Initiative G4 sustainability reporting guidelines, the U.N. SDGs and other leading indicators that measure growth, efficiency and risk management.
AEP’s 2018 Corporate Accountability Report, as well as more details about AEP’s sustainable development strategy, can be found at www.aepsustainability.com.
American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is focused on building a smarter energy infrastructure and delivering new technologies and custom energy solutions to our customers. AEP’s more than 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to efficiently deliver safe, reliable power to nearly 5.4 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 33,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including 4,200 megawatts of renewable energy. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana and east Texas). AEP also owns AEP Energy, AEP Energy Partners, AEP OnSite Partners and AEP Renewables, which provide innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide.