CenterPoint Energy (CNP) is a leading energy partner with an ongoing commitment to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy, while leveraging innovative technology to continue reducing emissions and transition our communities to a clean energy future.
Climate change is a pressing global concern that requires careful analysis and reasoned responses from stakeholders. Domestic energy policy in response to climate challenges must strike a balance between:
- Responsible carbon regulation that builds on the significant emission reductions already achieved through the transition to natural gas and renewables,
- Continued support for technology and innovation, and
- Maintaining a reliable, secure and affordable supply of energy.
Natural gas plays a pivotal role in assuring the nation’s energy supply remains resilient and sustainable, while providing consumers an affordable and safe source of direct heating. More recently, natural gas has led the transition of the nation’s electric generation fleet to meet lower carbon-emission goals. Therefore, it is important to support the continued development of natural gas while seeking greater reductions in methane emissions.
CenterPoint Energy has, and will continue, to take significant steps to reduce carbon emissions. In support of this policy, the Company has established the following goals:
- Reduce carbon emissions directly attributable to its operations 70% from 2005 levels by 2035, and
- Launch a broad corporate initiative to achieve a net reduction of carbon emissions attributed to customer usage 20-30 % from 2005 levels by 2040 through, among other things:
- Continued partnerships with its customers to offer effective and affordable conservation and
- energy-efficiency programs,
- Continued development of alternative fuels programs, such as renewable natural gas, that would provide customers new energy choices, and
- Piloting and supporting research and development of new and innovative low-carbon technologies, including, but not limited to, carbon capture.
- As part of its efforts to achieve these goals, CenterPoint Energy will continue to work closely with stakeholders across its service territories in support of their communities’ climate action goals. This will include increasing consumers’ choices in alternative transportation fuels, such as compressed natural gas, and expanding and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Additionally, to ensure natural gas’ continued role in a sustainable energy future, CenterPoint Energy will partner with its natural gas suppliers to take meaningful steps to lower methane emissions across the natural gas value chain.
Carbon Policy Goals
At CenterPoint Energy, we are building on our commitment to a clean-energy future by working with partners, customers, employees and other stakeholders to reduce carbon emissions across our operations and the supply chain. We are also partnering with natural gas suppliers to take meaningful steps to lower methane emissions. With more than 7 million electric and natural gas customers across eight states, CenterPoint Energy is among the first energy delivery companies to make an emissions-reduction commitment across a multi-state footprint. Our company wide goals include:
- Reducing carbon emissions directly attributable to CenterPoint Energy’s operations by 70% from 2005 levels by 2035 through innovative programs and technologies, such as:
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Renewable natural gas and other energy technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of natural gas even further
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Picarro, a methane-leak detection technology that allows CNP to proactively make repairs that reduce emissions
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Improved leak-resistant pipelines to replace cast-iron and bare steel pipe
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ZEVAC (Zero Emission Vacuum and Compressor), an air-powered technology that avoids emissions by capturing and reusing methane during pipeline maintenance or inspection.
- Launching a broad corporate initiative to achieve a net reduction of carbon emissions attributed to natural gas usage in heating, appliances and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20-30% from 2005 levels by 2040 through:
- Continued partnerships with its customers to offer
affordable conservation and
energy-efficiency programs
- Continued development of
alternative fuels programs, such as renewable natural gas, that would provide customers new energy choices
- Collaborating with our suppliers to
lower their methane emissions
- Piloting and supporting
innovation of new low-carbon technologies, including, but not limited to, carbon capture. For example, CARBiNX™ carbon capture technology, whose revolutionary units can be installed in multi-family housing and commercial buildings, can increase energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions.
As a leading energy partner, we will continue to invest in and utilize innovative technologies to reduce emissions and expand alternative fuel programs. We will also continue our infrastructure modernization projects, as well as research and development projects to reduce emissions, including carbon capture technology, the piloting of renewable natural gas, and improved methods for identifying and eliminating methane leaks.
