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“It is important that we promote and maintain our reputation as a company that manages its business in a responsible way and contributes to all the societies in which we operate.”EDWARD ASTLE, GROUP DIRECTOR
Administrative staff retraining in UK gas distribution
Two of our female administrative staff recently took up new roles as emergency gas engineers. They help to provide 24 hour cover for the country’s domestic gas infrastructure and their duties include attending emergency gas leaks reported in people’s homes.
The moves followed the closure of the Bolton office (as part of the rationalisation of office premises under the Way Ahead programme), and the centralisation of many administrative roles to Hinckley and Northampton. The two assistants have been equipped with the required personal protection equipment and vehicles and are studying for the required qualification – SNVQ Core Gas Safety.
Environmental considerations
As part of National Grid Australia’s environmental approvals for the Basslink Project and our commitment to the environmental integrity of the Gippsland region, Victoria, we took responsibility for 280 hectares of run-down agricultural property to return it to its native state.
In doing this work, National Grid, Australia will provide a minimum of 30,000 new large and medium-sized trees to replace the 1,000 native trees removed to build the overhead transmission line. The native trees selected for the project are being grown from seed collected from the nearby Mullundung Forest and nearby regions to ensure they are similar to what would have grown there originally. In the Spring (September to November) of 2005, 90 hectares of derelict agricultural land was replanted with seed and 50 hectares of scrubland was protected to assist in natural regeneration.
The remaining 140 hectares of land will be planted with 40 different species in the Spring of 2006.
Greening Australia has been contracted to National Grid Australia to undertake this work. They have more than 20 years’ experience with replanting and rehabilitation works. National Grid Australia is keen to build good working relationships with farmers and landowners alike.
National Grid has been ranked among the top 10% of UK employers for its engineering apprenticeship scheme. The Company has been awarded Grade 1 – one of the few UK energy organisations to achieve the top mark – for outstanding leadership and management of its scheme by the Adult Learning Inspectorate, the Government body that monitors the standards of industry education and training. The grade recognises National Grid’s standards in a range of areas, including attraction and recruitment, learning plans for apprentices and contractual requirements set out by the Learning and Skills Council.
National Grid’s apprentices are on a three-year scheme and receive practical on- and off-the-job training through our training centre at Eakring. They are trained in emergency and maintenance operations and in a range of electricity and gas roles, from electrical craftsperson to technician.
‘Women in Networks’ is a network for women in the UK and the US that provides an opportunity to come together for employees who share a common interest in making National Grid a great place to work. Its aim is to allow employees to share and explore some of the issues affecting women in the workplace.
Women in Networks was launched on 29 November 2005 with a live cross-Atlantic link. The UK event took place at the Heritage Motor Museum in Warwick, attended by about 200 people. The US held events at four locations – Buffalo, Albany, Syracuse and Westborough – at the same time for a similar number of people. Deputy Group Chief Executive Steve Holliday launched the UK event and Mike Jesanis, Chief Executive of National Grid in the US, did the same in the US via a link to the four American locations.
Electric and magnetic fields (EMFs) can be generated from a wide variety of sources, including our distribution and transmission power lines and wireless infrastructure. National Grid recognises that there is some scientific evidence suggesting that certain adverse health effects are linked to EMFs. We take these issues very seriously and continually assess the scientific evidence in this area, determine any implications for the way in which we conduct our business, and explain to society what the science is telling us.
In all our operations, as a minimum we comply with EMF regulations, guidelines or practices in force where we operate.
In the US, National Grid sends crews whenever possible to assist other utilities that have been hit hard by major storms that cause large-scale power outages. In Autumn 2005, National Grid sent crews to Florida in the wake of Hurricane Wilma to help restore power to 1.1 million customers. It marked the fifth time in a 13-month period that National Grid crews were dispatched to Florida and the Gulf Coast.
Nearly 550 National Grid workers logged tens of thousands of hours in those efforts. The Edison Electric Institute recognised National Grid with an Emergency Assistance Award for its contributions following Hurricane Wilma.
Our Framework for Responsible Business includes a commitment to make a contribution to minimising climate change. The Board agreed our long-term strategy, mapping out how we will achieve this as well as contributing to the UK Government’s long-term emission reduction targets.
During 2005/06, our direct and indirect emissions of greenhouse gases amounted to some 10.2 million tonnes CO2 equivalent, the same as 2004/05 if the sold networks are excluded.
Compared with our verified baseline, we have already reduced our climate change impact in the UK by 14% – achieving both the Kyoto 12.5% obligation in the UK and what would have been an 8% Kyoto obligation in the US ahead of time.
National Grid continues its leadership in the US in the area of energy efficiency. The Company’s cumulative investment in energy efficiency programmes has topped $1 billion, participating customers having saved $2.1 billion.