Essential Utilities Inc. (NYSE: WTRG) today announced upgraded ESG ratings by three prominent rating agencies: ISS QualityScore, MSCI and Sustainalytics. These agencies, among many others, utilize varying methodologies to score companies on their commitment to corporate social responsibility. Essential consistently ranks among the best in the global utilities industry for ISS QualityScore ratings, and recently received upgraded scores from both MSCI and Sustainalytics.
“We are pleased to receive these scores from several highly regarded organizations, validating the progress, commitment and strong performance of our ESG goals,” said Christopher Franklin, chairman and CEO of Essential Utilities. “We have set strong targets and published extensive reporting of our efforts, and I am proud that Essential has become a leader among our peer group.”
ISS QualityScore methodology assigns E, S, and G scores from 1 to 10, with each representing a decile of relative performance against their peer set, with low numbers being favorable. Essential scores E-1, S-3, G-2 – among the strongest in the utilities industry.
Essential was recently upgraded by MSCI from BBB to A. Sustainalytics assigns overall numerical scores, and very recently upgraded Essential to 23.3, which puts the company in the top quartile of utility peers.
Essential remains committed to aggressive ESG targets and has identified key areas of opportunity within these ratings, such as the Company’s ongoing focus on renewable energy and reducing scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gases.
About Essential
Essential is one of the largest publicly traded water, wastewater and natural gas providers in the U.S., serving approximately 5 million people across 10 states under the Aqua and Peoples brands. Essential is committed to excellence in proactive infrastructure investment, regulatory expertise, operational efficiency and environmental stewardship. The company recognizes the importance water and natural gas play in everyday life and is proud to deliver safe, reliable services that contribute to the quality of life in the communities it serves. For more information, visit http://www.essential.co.
Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements including: general economic business conditions; the successful integration of the customers and the facility; and other factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information regarding risks and uncertainties associated with Essential Utilities’ business, please refer to Essential Utilities’ annual, quarterly and other SEC filings. Essential Utilities is not under any obligation — and expressly disclaims any such obligation — to update or alter its forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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