Environment
We are committed to continue integrating sound environmental practices into our business to minimize the environmental impact of our business operations. From utilizing solar power to recycling and conserving our natural resources, we have implemented many initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint.
Investing in Renewable Energy
In February 2020, RLI’s 1.8-megawatt solar field on our corporate headquarters campus in Peoria, Illinois became operational. Located on six and a half acres, the 4,752-panel solar field, representing an investment of $5 million, is capable of producing annual electrical power equal to or exceeding our annual electrical needs for all office buildings in Peoria, which houses over 40 percent of our total workforce.
RLI participates in the Illinois Power Agency’s Adjustable Block Program established by the Future Energy Jobs Act to support the development of new photovoltaic distributed generation and community solar projects in Illinois.
Reducing our Footprint and Environmental Impact
RLI has a long history of environmental stewardship through the recycling of paper, cardboard, metals, plastics, light bulbs, batteries and other waste. We also recycle or donate excess furniture and office equipment to community organizations, such as United Way and its agency partners. Since 2007, our recycling programs have helped us divert nearly 1,000 tons of waste from landfills.
Over the past ten years, RLI has made capital investments to improve the sustainability of our office buildings and reduce our carbon-based energy consumption. We’ve incorporated more recycled and sustainable materials into our offices and are reducing our energy consumption by utilizing environmental system scheduling; LED and motion-based lighting controls; and energy-efficient cooling systems and boilers. Significant investments have also been made to enhance building and work environment quality and expand exterior green space to reduce water runoff.
RLI’s investment in corporate campus building improvements has resulted in a 167% improvement in our Energy Star® Score, as established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. In our field office locations, we emphasize leasing quality work environments that have recycling programs and are Energy Star® efficient and/or LEED certified. More than 90% of RLI’s corporate and branch office buildings are Energy Star® rated or LEED certified.
Environmental Policy
As an active member of the American Property Casualty Insurers Association (APCIA), RLI subscribes to and supports the Environmental Core Principles that APCIA has adopted to advance industry efforts to reduce and manage climate risk.
