Natural Gas: America’s superpower fuels tech and growth – Williams Companies

Report on Williams’ Contribution to Sustainable Development Goals via Energy Infrastructure

Executive Summary

A review of recent statements by Williams President and CEO, Chad Zamarin, indicates the company’s strategic focus on leveraging natural gas infrastructure to support national innovation, economic growth, and energy affordability. These initiatives align directly with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning energy, infrastructure, economic growth, and climate action. Mr. Zamarin identifies natural gas as a critical and scalable energy source for powering next-generation technology, including artificial intelligence and data centers, thereby unlocking significant opportunities for sustainable development.

Advancing SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Williams’ strategy emphasizes the role of natural gas in ensuring access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for all. Mr. Zamarin described natural gas as “America’s affordability superpower,” highlighting its capacity to provide the most affordable and dispatchable energy at scale. The company’s projects aim to address energy poverty and price volatility, directly contributing to SDG 7.

• The Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) Project: This initiative is designed to deliver affordable natural gas to New York City, a region where residents can pay up to three times the national average for this resource.
• Lowering Consumer Costs: By increasing supply and reliability, the project aims to reduce energy costs for both families and businesses.
• Cleaner Energy Transition: The project facilitates the displacement of higher-emission energy sources, supporting the transition to cleaner energy systems within a major metropolitan area.

Bolstering SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

The company’s core mission involves building resilient infrastructure to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Mr. Zamarin stressed the urgent need for renewed investment in energy infrastructure, noting that U.S. electricity production has seen minimal growth over the past 25 years. This investment is positioned as essential for supporting the nation’s evolving technological and economic demands.

1. Powering Technological Growth: Natural gas infrastructure is presented as the key to powering the next generation of technology, including the significant energy demands of data centers and artificial intelligence.
2. Scalable and Rapid Deployment: Natural gas is highlighted for its ability to scale quickly to meet market needs, making it a crucial component for building the energy infrastructure required for future economic and technological expansion.
3. Unlocking National Potential: Investment in this infrastructure is framed as the “key to unlocking our nation’s full potential” for innovation and industrial growth.

Supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The development of energy infrastructure is directly linked to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth (SDG 8) and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (SDG 11). By ensuring a stable and affordable energy supply, Williams aims to create a foundational platform for economic activity and improve the quality of life in urban centers. The NESE project, for example, directly addresses the energy security and affordability challenges faced by New York City, enhancing its sustainability and resilience.

Contribution to SDG 13: Climate Action

Williams’ activities are also framed in the context of taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Mr. Zamarin noted that over 60% of emissions reductions in the United States have been achieved through the replacement of higher-emission fuels with natural gas. This positions natural gas as a critical transitional fuel in the national strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance climate action goals.

Summary of Recent Strategic Developments

Recent corporate achievements underscore the company’s commitment to expanding infrastructure to meet energy needs and drive sustainable growth. The following projects were highlighted as key accomplishments:

• Placed Transco’s Texas to Louisiana Energy Pathway and Southeast Energy Connector expansion projects into service.
• Accelerated the timeline for Transco’s Southeast Supply Enhancement project.
• Signed a precedent agreement for Transco’s Northeast Supply Enhancement project.
• Achieved all-time records for summer natural gas volumes via Transco and Gulfstream.
• Placed deepwater Ballymore and Shenandoah expansions into service.
• Placed the Louisiana Energy Gateway into service and completed the Haynesville West expansion.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: The article’s central theme is the provision of affordable energy through natural gas. It repeatedly emphasizes natural gas as “America’s affordability superpower” and discusses projects aimed at lowering energy costs for consumers. It also frames natural gas as a cleaner alternative to other fuels, contributing to the “clean energy” aspect by displacing “higher-emission energy sources.”
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth: The article connects energy production directly to economic growth and innovation. It states that natural gas is “fueling the next wave of technology and data centers, unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth” and is “the key to unlocking our nation’s full potential.”
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: A primary focus of the article is the urgent need for investment in and construction of energy infrastructure. The CEO states, “we have to get back to building infrastructure and energy production,” and the text lists numerous infrastructure projects like the Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) and others placed into service. This directly relates to building resilient infrastructure to support economic development.
• SDG 13: Climate Action: The article addresses climate action by presenting natural gas as a tool for reducing emissions. It makes the specific claim that “more than 60% of U.S. emissions reductions have come from natural gas replacing higher-emission fuels,” positioning its use as a strategy to combat climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 7.1: By 2030, ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services. The article directly addresses this by highlighting the Williams Northeast Supply Enhancement (NESE) project, which “is poised to deliver reliable, affordable natural gas to New York City, helping to… lower costs for families and businesses.” The mention of New Yorkers paying “up to three times the national average for natural gas” underscores the focus on affordability.
• Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article is centered on the need for “renewed investment in critical infrastructure.” It lists several completed and ongoing projects, such as the “Texas to Louisiana Energy Pathway” and “Southeast Supply Enhancement,” which are tangible examples of investment in energy infrastructure.
• Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation. The article links natural gas to technological advancement, stating it powers “this next generation of technology and artificial intelligence” and “unlocking new opportunities for innovation and growth.” This aligns with achieving economic productivity through technological upgrading.
• Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… to support economic development and human well-being. The CEO’s call to “get back to building infrastructure” and the company’s pride in building “the infrastructure that is essential to meeting energy needs” directly reflect this target. The projects mentioned are examples of developing this infrastructure.
• Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article presents the use of natural gas as a strategic measure for climate action. The statement that natural gas helps “displace higher-emission energy sources” and is responsible for a majority of U.S. emissions reductions is an example of an energy strategy aimed at addressing climate change.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Price of Energy: The article implies the price of natural gas as a key indicator of affordability (Target 7.1). It explicitly states that “New York City residents still pay up to three times the national average for natural gas, and in winter, sometimes 30 times more.” A reduction in this price differential would be a measure of progress.
• Investment in Infrastructure: The article implies that the number and scale of new infrastructure projects are indicators of progress (Targets 7.a and 9.1). It lists several specific achievements, such as placing the “Texas to Louisiana Energy Pathway” and “Louisiana Energy Gateway” into service, which serve as quantifiable measures of investment and development.
• Emissions Reductions: A direct indicator for climate action (Target 13.2) is mentioned. The article quantifies the impact of its strategy by stating, “more than 60% of U.S. emissions reductions have come from natural gas replacing higher-emission fuels.” This percentage serves as a direct metric for measuring progress.
• Energy Delivery Volume: The article implies that the volume of energy delivered is an indicator of infrastructure reliability and capacity (Target 9.1). It notes that “Transco and Gulfstream achieved all-time records for summer natural gas volumes,” which measures the operational success and capacity of the infrastructure.

Summary of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: williams.com