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Keeping community leaders informed |
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In your Community
New natural gas safety education program During American Education Week (Nov. 15 – 21), CenterPoint Energy’s Corporate Community Relations group is launching a K-12 natural gas safety education program, which includes a Web site designed to increase awareness of natural gas safety for students of all ages. Energy Underground features age-appropriate resources. Students will learn valuable natural gas safety information, such as how to detect a gas leak, have the opportunity to write their own TV commercial and conduct experiments such as making fossils or conducting earthquakes. The site, which is funded by CenterPoint Energy, also contains energy conservation information, lesson plans, resources and education links for teachers, and games and activities for students. “The program allows for consistent and regular natural gas safety communications to public and private schools throughout CenterPoint Energy’s service areas,” said Jean Krause, director of Corporate Community Relations. K-12 schools in your community will be receiving information regarding CenterPoint.EnergyUnderground.com.
CenterPoint Energy provides free furnace tune-ups for customers in need For a second year, Home Service Plus® technicians and others will be donating time to perform free 15-point furnace tune-ups, safety checks and emergency repairs for low-income CenterPoint Energy customers. Corporate Community Relations is working with Community Action Agencies in Anoka County, Minneapolis and Suburban Hennepin counties to identify eligible recipients for the free furnace tune-up which will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14. The volunteer event is a collaboration between CenterPoint Energy’s Home Service Plus and its local unions: the Gasworkers Local 340, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers 949 and Office Professional Employees International Union 12 along with other local community action programs.
Home Energy Audits wrap a home in comfort and energy savings. CenterPoint Energy’s low-cost Home Energy Audits are a great tool to learn more about ways to improve the efficiency and comfort of your home. Our state-certified energy auditor will visit the home to conduct a Standard Audit for $25 (for some income levels, the audit is free) and leave a complete report with specific actions you can take to get ready for winter. Participants also get up to $25 in free weatherization materials. Or, select a more in-depth Home Performance Audit for $100. Implementing our auditor’s energy-saving recommendations is one of the best ways to wrap your home in energy savings. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/energyaudit or call 612-321-5011 (1-800-234-5800, ext. 5011). CenterPoint Energy rebates offset the purchase costs of high-efficiency natural gas heating equipment and water heaters. You must submit your application during the year the equipment is installed, so contact the dealer, plumber or retailer of your choice now. You also may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,500 when you install qualifying heating systems. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/rebates and submit rebate applications by Dec. 31. Energy Saving Ideas for business Custom Energy Analysis – Request one today and cut energy costs. Find savings you can bank on by requesting a Custom Energy Analysis for your commercial building from CenterPoint Energy today to help you manage your energy costs. If you’re looking for ways to reduce the energy use and costs in your facility, turn to the experts. A certified energy auditor will thoroughly inspect your facility’s natural gas use and provide a detailed written report, including:
is free! CenterPoint Energy wants to help customers use energy wisely. Our Custom Energy Analysis is valued at $1,200, but is provided to CenterPoint Energy customers for only $200. Plus, we’ll fully reimburse your $200 if you make at least one energy improvement that qualifies for a CenterPoint Energy rebate within one calendar year of the analysis date. Act today and find your energy-savings. Contact your account manager or call the Business Customer Hotline at 612-321-4939 (1-877-809-3803). Natural gas prices remain low due to economy and ample supplies Natural gas prices are currently lower than last heating season, thanks to several factors ranging from the recessionary economy and increased supply resulting in storage levels well-above average. “With the economic situation dramatically curtailing many manufacturing and production operations, there has been a significant decrease in natural gas demand in the last year,” said Doug Peterson, director of Marketing and Sales at CenterPoint Energy. “Based in part on this reduction in demand, natural gas storage levels are up 17 percent over last year and up 18 percent over the five-year average.” In addition to a slower economy, a relatively cool summer resulted in less natural gas demand for electric generation, further increasing storage levels. In addition, “unconventional” production of natural gas through shale fields is up substantially, further increasing supplies and pushing prices down. “This shale field production is called ‘unconventional’ because it uses a different type of drilling technology. It is projected to increase domestic natural gas supplies by 43 percent by 2030, and is expected to have a positive, long-term impact on natural gas pricing,” added Peterson. When the economy begins to recover and natural gas demand increases, prices are expected to increase. However, CenterPoint Energy proactively works to minimize price volatility by managing a diversified natural gas supply portfolio designed to provide a reliable supply of gas at a reasonable cost. With the lower price of natural gas, an average residential bill in Minnesota that was $137 per month last winter could average $110 this coming winter, excluding taxes. The actual difference will vary depending on the amount of natural gas used and actual prices. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/gasprices to receive the latest pricing information and our monthly natural gas pricing update. Contact us
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