Our Communities
At NextEra Energy, we're passionate about making a positive impact on the communities we serve.
Lending a helping hand
As part of the Power to Care volunteer program, NextEra Energy employees contributed 32,800 hours in 2020 to their local communities through company-sponsored projects and personal volunteer time.
Investing in tomorrow's leaders
In order to help foster students' interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, we sponsor over 100 robotics teams and clubs at all grade levels, as well as support science shows, solar education stations and other programs that use real-life application to motivate the future workforce. In 2020, we provided FIRST Robotics, a leading, not-for-profit STEM engagement program for kids worldwide, $100,000 to support local robotics programs and teams. Each year a $20,000 college scholarship is awarded to an alumnus of the FIRST robotics program. We are especially committed to breaking down barriers to opportunities in STEM for girls and underserved communities.
Supporting community well-being
As part of the Power to Care volunteer program, NextEra Energy employees contributed 32,800 hours in 2020 to their local communities through company-sponsored projects and personal volunteer time. Despite restrictions surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, employees found ways to volunteer safely.
Engaging with our Communities
We strive to improve community engagement and foster strong ties to the communities in which we operate, which can lead to benefits for everyone. Since the founding of our company in 1925, we've been passionate about ensuring that our investments and operations have a positive impact on the communities we serve. That's why we're committed to:
- Strengthening our communities by volunteering our time.
- Supporting education at all levels to create and sustain a well-equipped workforce.
- Driving economic development by investing billions in our nation's energy infrastructure, creating jobs and generating enough affordable, reliable and clean energy to power millions of homes and businesses.
- Contributing to public safety by educating the public about our operations.
- Engaging and partnering with our communities on issues of mutual concern.
- Giving financially to important community causes.
Volunteer Work
By contributing thousands of hours of volunteer work each year, our employees are making a difference in the communities we serve.
Supporting Education
We're investing in the next generation of leaders by empowering students and supporting education initiatives at all grade levels.
Economic Development
By stimulating infrastructure investment, job creation and community development, we're doing our part to strengthen local economies.
Donations and Sponsorships
We're committed to supporting the initiatives our communities care about most through charitable donations and community sponsorships.
Public Safety
Safety always comes first, and we work every day to ensure the safety of our operations and the public's involvement in them.
Advocating for Good Public Policy
We believe that good government benefits not only our company, but also our communities and our stakeholders.
In 2020...
We raised more than $5.2 million for the community.
In 2020...
We donated more than $133,575 worth of Dollars for Doers grants.
In 2020...
We volunteered 32,800 hours of service.
In 2020...
We donated more than $285,000 in education matching gifts.
In 2020...
128 employees achieved CEO Volunteer Circle status.
Tribal Relations
Our focus on the communities where we live and work includes building relationships with those who may have an interest in or be impacted by our projects, including federally recognized Native American tribes and Canadian indigenous communities. Our tribal/indigenous relations staff works with these communities in several ways:
- Issue avoidance and resolution: We actively work with tribal/indigenous communities in close proximity to projects throughout project development, construction and operation to identify, avoid and/or resolve potential issues that may arise, including cultural resource concerns.
- Internal education: We provide education and training on cultural awareness and consultation regulations to enhance our employees' and contractors' knowledge of, and sensitivity to, Native American and indigenous practices, culture and traditions.
- Local, regional and national tribal/indigenous community support: We support key organizations and facilitate Native American and indigenous vendor and personnel opportunities in an effort to positively impact those communities near our projects.
- Business development: We work with a number of tribes/indigenous communities that wish to develop energy projects on their lands, or invest in energy infrastructure projects, which have the potential to provide economic benefits for these communities.
In late 2019, our tribal/indigenous relations staff collaborated successfully with multiple tribes on all aspects of the 200 MW Emmons Logan Wind Farm in North Dakota. With seven participating tribes involved in micrositing, joint archeological and tribal surveys, and construction monitoring, NextEra Energy’s proactive approach has become a model in the energy industry and has been widely recognized as one of the most effective in the country.
*All metrics in this section are as of year-end 2020 unless otherwise noted.