Essential Utilities Earns Newsweek’s ‘America’s Most Responsible Companies’ Recognition for Fourth Consecutive Year

Rhea-AI Summary

Essential Utilities has been recognized among America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek for the fourth consecutive year, advancing to rank 165 from 401 in 2024. The company, a major water, wastewater, and natural gas provider in the U.S., has demonstrated significant achievements in environmental and social practices through its Aqua and Peoples brands.

Key accomplishments include:

• 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from 2019 baseline, targeting 60% reduction by 2035
• $5 million commitment to community initiatives in 2024
• 99.8% drinking water compliance in 2024
• Replacement of over 1,000 miles of gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and Kentucky
• Nearly 100% renewable electricity usage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois

The recognition by Newsweek and Statista Inc. evaluates the 600 most responsible companies from the largest 2,000 U.S.-based public companies, based on ESG data and surveys of 26,000 U.S. residents.

Recognition reflects company’s commitment to sustainable and ethical business operations

BRYN MAWR, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the fourth consecutive year, Essential Utilities, one of the largest water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., has earned a place among America’s Most Responsible Companies, as recognized by Newsweek. This distinction underscores Essential’s dedication to integrating meaningful environmental and social business practices.

“At Essential Utilities, we are driven by a deep responsibility to our customers, communities, and the environment. Our commitment to sustainable practices, operational excellence, and community investment defines who we are,” said Essential Chairman and CEO Christopher Franklin. “Our progress reflects our belief that operational excellence and environmental stewardship go hand in hand to best serve our communities. Being recognized by Newsweek for four consecutive years reflects our team’s dedication to delivering reliable utility services while protecting and providing the essential resources that sustain life.”

Through its Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential drives meaningful environmental and social practices by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, modernizing aged natural gas infrastructure, ensuring water quality standards, investing in community development, and promoting sustainability through renewable energy initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and measurable progress toward long-term environmental and community goals.

Essential’s recent achievements include:

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: Achieving a 25% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions from the 2019 baseline, progressing toward a 60% reduction by 2035 through pipeline upgrades, renewable energy, and methane leak detection and mitigation.
• Community Investment: Donating $5 million in 2024 to support initiatives that strengthen communities, focusing on environmental sustainability, education, human services and economic development.
• Water Quality: Consistently outperforming average United States water quality standards, achieving 99.8% of days in drinking water compliance in 2024.
• Pipeline Replacement Program: Replacing more than 1,000 miles of gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and Kentucky, ensuring safer, more reliable and more efficient systems.
• Renewable Energy Procurement: Procuring nearly 100% renewable electricity usage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois.
• Biodiversity Initiatives: Strengthening conservation efforts through enhanced policies supporting sustainability and environmental protection.

The 2025 ranking – presented by Newsweek and Statista Inc. – recognizes 600 companies from the largest 2,000 U.S.-based public companies for their positive global impact. The selection process is based on an analysis of publicly available environmental, social and governance (ESG) data from sustainability and corporate social responsibility reports, and an independent survey of 26,000 United States residents. The 2025 recognition marks an advance from Essential’s position ranking last year – improving its overall standing to 165 from 401 in 2024.

Read more about America’s Most Responsible Companies in Newsweek. Learn more about Essential’s ESG progress and corporate social responsibility initiatives at esg.essential.co.

About Essential

Essential Utilities, Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. With a focus on water, wastewater and natural gas, Essential is committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status. We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Operating as the Aqua and Peoples brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across nine states. Essential is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. Learn more at www.essential.co.

WTRGG

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250116168968/en/

Media Contact:

Dave Kralle

Communications

Media Hotline: 1.877.325.3477

Media@Essential.co

Investor Contact:

Brian Dingerdissen

Vice President, IR and Treasurer

O: 610.645.1191

BJDingerdissen@Essential.co

Source: Essential Utilities

FAQ

What improvements has WTRG made in its Newsweek ranking for 2025?

Essential Utilities (WTRG) improved its ranking to 165 in 2025 from 401 in 2024 in Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies list.

What are WTRG's greenhouse gas emission reduction targets for 2035?

WTRG aims to achieve a 60% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2035, having already achieved a 25% reduction from their 2019 baseline.

How much is WTRG investing in community initiatives in 2024?

WTRG is committing $5 million in 2024 to support community initiatives focusing on environmental sustainability, education, human services, and economic development.

What is WTRG's drinking water compliance rate in 2024?

WTRG achieved 99.8% of days in drinking water compliance in 2024, exceeding average U.S. water quality standards.

How many miles of gas pipeline has WTRG replaced in Pennsylvania and Kentucky?

WTRG has replaced more than 1,000 miles of gas pipeline in Pennsylvania and Kentucky to ensure safer and more efficient systems.

What is WTRG's renewable electricity usage in its key operating states?

WTRG has achieved nearly 100% renewable electricity usage in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and Illinois.