The Texas company heavily targeted by Native Americans and environmentalists over its Dakota Access pipeline has turned more of its focus on creating a better environment.
Energy Transfer announced Thursday the creation of a new group within its Partnership to develop alternative energy projects “aimed at continuing to reduce its environmental footprint throughout its operations.”
The Alternative Energy Group will be led by Tom Mason who spent at least 14 years as Energy Transfer’s General Counsel.
The company said that under Mason’s leadership, the group will focus on renewable energy projects such as solar and wind farms either as a power purchaser or in partnership with third party developers.
The group will also look to develop renewable diesel and renewable natural gas opportunities. Energy Transfer’s announcement stated that the projects could involve using existing pipelines in the company system, one that consists of more than 90,000 miles of lines crossing 38 states.
Energy Transfer recently announced the results of one of the initiatives by supporting construction of the Maplewood 2 Solar Project in West Texas with Recurrent Energy. It is the partnership’s first-ever dedicated solar power purchase contract.