Being the Neighbor to Have means, both as a company and as individuals, we strive to make a
difference in the well-being of the communities we touch. We engage in constructive dialogue to
encourage the development of sound public policy and embrace environmental stewardship as a
way of doing business. In 2010, we made progress on all these fronts, continuing to build a legacy
of responsibility in our communities and to the environment.
Our comprehensive giving strategy guides our commitment to the communities where we live and
work, and the generosity of our employees helps put that strategy into action. In 2010, the average
Team El Paso participant in our annual giving campaign contributed more than $955 and logged
approximately 12.8 volunteer hours, which is an increase over 2009 when contributions averaged
more than $900 and volunteer hours averaged 11.5 per participant.
El Paso’s Giving Strategy
El Paso Corporation’s charitable giving and employee volunteerism are guided by our responsibility
to address fundamental needs in the communities where we operate, and by the desire to focus our
giving on key areas where we can have a meaningful impact. Currently, our focus is on education
and environmental priorities as we support the company’s vision of being the Place to Work, the
Neighbor to Have, and the Company to Own.
El Paso’s corporate contributions are governed by our Giving Steering Committee, which consists of
a president and 10 employees representing diverse areas, locations, and levels of the organization.
The committee meets quarterly to review qualified requests for grants of $50,000 or larger that align
with our stated giving strategy. Grants recommended by the Steering Committee are sent to
El Paso’s Executive Committee for approval.
In order to more effectively evaluate contribution requests across our operations, a portion of
our corporate contributions budget is allocated to regional steering committees in Birmingham and
Colorado Springs. Most contributions recommended by these regional committees are approved by
local senior management, according to El Paso’s delegation of authority.
We address fundamental needs by supporting initiatives led by qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations
and entities that provide basic needs, such as food and housing, and support efforts to rebuild lives
after disasters.
We also focus our resources of time and money on the following areas.
Education
We are committed to cultivating a skilled workforce required for the future by supporting district- and
regionally endorsed programs, executed by qualifying organizations and entities that educate youth
in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Our Pre-K-12 initiatives focus on developmental needs of children, college preparation for
underserved populations, teacher development and support across STEM curriculum, and youth
programs that promote awareness of the free enterprise marketplace. Examples of primary
education programs we support include the Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP), Junior
Achievement, Teach for America, and science fairs at schools across our operations.
We also support accredited four-year university and college programs that increase the pool of
graduates from which we recruit our workforce and concentrate on STEM, accounting, and business
disciplines. Our accredited trade school and two-year college support concentrates on technical
skills training such as plant operations, controls, welding, and gas measurement.
Environment
El Paso is dedicated to preparing and educating youth to be effective stewards of our environment
for the future. We aim to promote environmentally responsible behaviors through increased access
to environmental education and experiences. We work to protect and preserve our natural resources
and support activities that educate and equip youth to understand and address environmental
issues through hands-on service.
Conservation
Through strategic partnerships with effective and respected organizations, such as the National
Forest Foundation (NFF), our conservation projects focus on protecting and preserving critical
habitats in areas along or near our operations. Since El Paso created its partnership with the NFF
in 2009, our relationship has become one of our flagship environmental platforms. El Paso-NFF
activities are currently underway in New Jersey, California, Colorado, and Pennsylvania.
New Jersey
In 2010, El Paso contributed to a significant restoration and reforestation project in the New Jersey
Highlands and celebrated the completion of the first phase of the South Branch Restoration Project,
an area integral to the state’s natural resources and drinking water supply. Our partnership with the
NFF and the New Jersey Land Conservancy helped ensure that New Jersey residents can depend
upon the clean drinking water supplied by the Highlands, while restoring vegetation on the property.
California
In California, we developed a plan with the NFF to reforest 561 acres of the Plumas National
Forest that was devastated by wildfire in 2007. The reforest will offset more than 183,000 metric
tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). In addition to making a lasting and positive impact on the Plumas
National Forest, the plan was an important part of our commitment to make Ruby Pipeline the first
carbon-neutral interstate pipeline in U.S. history.
Colorado
The NFF’s Friends of the Forest program helps build awareness of the issues and values
surrounding our national forests through outreach and volunteer opportunities. In 2010,
approximately 100 Team El Paso members in Colorado Springs and their friends and family members
participated in a company-sponsored Friends of the Forest Day at Pike National Forest.
Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, we’re working with the NFF to restore 20,000 acres of prime wildlife habitat in the
Allegheny National Forest.
In addition to these activities, Jim Yardley, president of our Pipeline Group, serves on the NFF’s
board of directors.
Youth Education
Working with organizations such as the Student Conservation Association and through
sponsorships with the Houston Museum of Natural Science’s Wildlife on Wheels exhibit, we
support efforts to educate young people about the importance of environmental stewardship and
conservation. From hands-on conservation work, such as removing invasive species, maintaining
trails, and monitoring ecosystems, to conservation education, we want to help create tomorrow’s
conservation leaders.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
case studies in sustainability
2010 El Paso Corporate Sustainability Report