The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes again named Entergy Corporation to its exclusive Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Dow Jones Sustainability North American Index for 2008-2009. For the third year in a row, Entergy was the only U.S. utility selected to the world index.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes follow a best-in-class approach and include sustainability leaders from each industry on a global and regional level. The annual review is based on a comprehensive analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance that assesses issues such as corporate governance, risk management, climate change mitigation, supply chain standards and labor practices. It accounts for general as well as industry-specific sustainability criteria, for each of 57 industries defined according to the Industry Classification Benchmark.
"We believe DJSI sets the standards that we must meet or exceed every day in everything we do," said J. Wayne Leonard, Entergy's chairman and chief executive officer. "Whether it's maintaining a safe work environment, stabilizing greenhouse gas emissions or assisting our low-income customers, it is important that we never make false choices of 'either-or.' Being honored in the DJSI tells us we are on the right path, but sustainability is a journey, not a destination. We will never be satisfied or complacent with where we are," said Leonard. "There is always something more to be done -- more that we can do."
The DJSI World captures the top 10 percent of the biggest 2,500 companies worldwide based on long-term economic, environmental and social criteria. The DJSI North America selects the top 20 percent in each industry sector from a pool of the 600 largest. In 2008, Entergy accompanies a group of 51 U.S. companies honored by the DJSI World and is one of only 10 U.S. utilities selected by the DJSI North America.
This year, Entergy ranked best in class for environmental policy/management system and for talent attraction and retention. Entergy also scored in the top percentile for corporate governance and climate strategy.
"Climate change is an issue that is extremely important to us, and we've made a concerted effort to articulate a clear vision for a sustainable future," Leonard said. "But the DJSI recognizes that at Entergy we do more than 'talk' about it. We have continued to voluntarily reduce our already low emission level since 2001 when we made our first greenhouse gas commitment."
Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, and it is the second-largest nuclear generator in the United States. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.7 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of more than $11 billion and approximately 14,300 employees.