CenterPoint Energy Proposes Bipartisan Clean Energy Legislation
Natural Gas Innovation Act seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance Minnesota’s clean energy future
2020-02-06T15:00:00Z

Minneapolis – Feb. 6, 2020 – CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota’s largest natural gas utility serving more than 860,000 residential and business customers, is proposing state legislation promoting innovative clean energy resources and technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance Minnesota’s clean energy future.

The Natural Gas Innovation Act would establish a state regulatory policy allowing a natural gas utility to add alternative fuels, such as renewable natural gas and hydrogen gas, to its distribution system. A utility could also deploy new energy-efficiency and carbon-capture technologies to reduce or avoid greenhouse gas emissions from natural gas use.

Renewable natural gas is produced from organic materials such as agricultural manure, landfill waste, wastewater, food waste and agricultural or forest waste. Renewable hydrogen gas is produced from water through electrolysis using renewable electricity such as solar. Renewable natural gas is interchangeable with conventional natural gas, while hydrogen gas can be blended with natural gas.

In addition to helping Minnesota meet its renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals, the legislation’s other potential benefits include diversifying the state’s energy sources, encouraging technological innovation, improving waste management and supporting rural economic development. 

“As our cold winters always remind us, natural gas plays an essential role in meeting Minnesota’s energy needs,” said Brad Tutunjian, CenterPoint Energy Vice President-Minnesota Region. “At CenterPoint Energy, we are committed to delivering reliable, affordable energy while also pursuing innovative solutions to help our customers limit the climate impact of their energy use. We see many great opportunities for clean energy innovation with natural gas, and this legislation will help Minnesota continue its clean energy leadership.”

The bipartisan legislation will be introduced when the 2020 Minnesota Legislature convenes on Feb. 11, with Rep. Zack Stephenson (DFL-District 36A) and Sen. Bill Weber (R-District 22) as authors.

“The Natural Gas Innovation Act is a major opportunity for Minnesota to build on the important clean energy success we have already achieved,” said Rep. Stephenson, who is vice chair of the House Commerce Committee and a member of the House Energy and Climate Finance and Policy Committee. “This legislation creates a forward-looking framework that will help our natural gas utilities innovate and invest in renewable resources to address climate change and continue Minnesota’s clean energy transition.”

Sen. Weber, who chairs the Senate Agriculture, Rural Development and Housing Policy Committee said, “The Natural Gas Innovation Act provides a responsible pathway for our state’s energy future by prioritizing new technology and homegrown, made-in-Minnesota resources. In particular, renewable natural gas made from agricultural waste holds great economic potential for Minnesota’s farmers and rural communities, while also protecting the environment and helping Minnesota meet its energy needs.”

While several states have passed recent laws specifically to promote renewable natural gas, the Minnesota legislation encompasses a broader range of potential clean energy resources and technologies that a natural gas utility could use.

Under the proposed legislation, a natural gas utility could submit an “alternative resource plan” to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, seeking approval to provide its customers with access to new clean energy options.

To limit the financial impact on customers, the cost of the alternative resource plan must be no more than five percent of the utility’s total annual revenue requirement approved by the Public Utilities Commission. The actual cost for any specific customer would depend on actual gas usage and the details of the plan as reviewed and approved by the Commission. For a typical CenterPoint Energy residential customer, the maximum expected cost could be about one dollar extra on their monthly bill, based on current rates and the specific plan approved by the Commission.

The Minnesota Commerce Department would also prepare a statewide inventory of Minnesota’s potential renewable natural gas resources, including a list of all potential sources and estimated energy from each source.

“The Natural Gas Innovation Act is entirely consistent with the stakeholder-based process we are doing with the Great Plains Institute to explore options to decarbonize natural gas end uses in Minnesota,” said Mike Bull, Director of Policy and External Affairs at the Center for Energy and Environment.  “We truly appreciate CenterPoint Energy’s leadership in proposing this policy for deploying low- and no-carbon alternatives to conventional natural gas, including enhanced energy efficiency initiatives.”

Shannon Schlecht, Executive Director of the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) said, “Minnesota agriculture has always been a leader in innovation. With the Natural Gas Innovation Act, farmers and rural entrepreneurs will have an exciting opportunity to take that leadership to a new level by transforming agricultural waste into a sustainable, Minnesota-produced clean energy alternative to conventional natural gas.”

Hennepin County Commissioner Debbie Goettel, Chair of the Partnership on Waste and Energy, which includes Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington counties, said, “By promoting renewable natural gas made from organic waste, the Natural Gas Innovation Act will help the state and counties achieve waste management and recycling goals that protect our air, land, water and public health. Organic waste, including food waste, represents an enormous, untapped clean energy resource that is widely available in Minnesota. Converting this resource into a biofuel like renewable natural gas substantially reduces the carbon impacts of waste and is an important step in supporting recycling of organic waste.”

About CenterPoint Energy

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an energy delivery company with regulated utility businesses in eight states and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. CenterPoint Energy’s competitive energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns 53.8 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 14,000 employees and nearly $34 billion in assets, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

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CenterPoint Energy Earns 2024 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence

Houston – March 28, 2024 — CenterPoint Energy is proud to announce that it has received the 2024 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year Award for Sustained Excellence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

“We are proud to receive this honor for the 19th consecutive year," said Rina Harris, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President of Strategic Business Growth and Engagement. “This award highlights the tireless efforts of our teams across our service territory to deliver innovative and effective energy efficiency programs that deliver value to our customers."

Each year, the ENERGY STAR program honors a select group of businesses and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to energy efficiency and the transition to a clean energy economy. ENERGY STAR award winners lead their industries in the production, sale and adoption of energy-efficient products, homes, buildings, services and strategies. These efforts have saved more than 5 trillion kilowatt-hours of electricity over the past 30 years.

“I congratulate this year's ENERGY STAR award winners for their innovation and leadership, in delivering cost-effective energy efficient solutions that create jobs, address climate change, and contribute to a healthier environment for all," said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

Winners are selected from a network of thousands of ENERGY STAR partners. For a complete list of 2024 winners and more information about ENERGY STAR's awards program, visit energystar.gov/awardwinners.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

About ENERGY STAR

ENERGY STAR® is the government-backed symbol for energy efficiency, providing simple, credible, and unbiased information that consumers and businesses rely on to make well-informed decisions. Since 1992, ENERGY STAR and its partners helped American families and businesses avoid more than $500 billion in energy costs and achieve more than 4 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions. More background information about ENERGY STAR's impacts can be found at www.energystar.gov/impacts

CenterPoint Energy completes natural gas service restoration in Ohio

Dayton, Ohio – March 25, 2024 – Following a devastating F3 tornado that severely impacted customers in Lakeview and Russells Point, Ohio, CenterPoint Energy has restored natural gas service to all customers who have provided the company access to perform safety checks and relight pilots.

Customers who received a door hanger and are still without service can call the phone number listed on the door tag. The relighting process requires CenterPoint Energy employees to have access to each location to light pilots and verify it is safe to resume service.

CenterPoint Energy recognizes the significant impact on customers whose homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. The company continues to work closely with local emergency services to provide support and timely updates. Additionally, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has donated $50,000 to the United Way of Logan County Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. The utility remains dedicated to supporting the community throughout the restoration effort.

If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once you are safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint Energy at 1-800-227-1376.

For updates, follow CenterPoint Energy on X, formerly known as Twitter: @CenterPoint and Facebook: Facebook.com/CenterPointEnergy.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and natural gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of

December 31, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.



CenterPoint Energy begins relighting process for impacted customers in Lakeview and Russells Point, Ohio

Dayton, Ohio – March 21, 2024 – Following the devastating impact of an F3 tornado and severe weather last week, CenterPoint Energy has begun the relighting process for customers in Lakeview and Russells Point, Ohio.

"Last week, we temporarily shut off natural gas service at a single delivery point ahead of Orchard Island and Wolf Island to allow emergency personnel and electric utility crews to perform their essential work," said Ashley Babcock, Vice President of Gas Operations, Indiana and Ohio. “Additionally, we completed the process of turning off each customer's natural gas meter. Our service technicians performed a series of safety checks to verify that it is safe to restore natural gas service. With that done, and with safety as our top priority, we are moving forward with the relighting process to restore service to our customers as soon as possible."

At this time, no action is required on the part of the customer. If an adult over the age of 18 is not at the service address when a technician arrives, the company will leave a door hanger with instructions. All CenterPoint Energy technicians and contractors wear badges and will gladly show them to customers upon request before entering a home or business. The utility expects most service to be restored by the end of the day.

CenterPoint Energy recognizes the significant impact on customers whose homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. The company continues to work closely with local emergency services to provide support and timely updates. Additionally, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has donated $50,000 to the United Way of Logan County Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. The utility remains dedicated to supporting the community throughout the restoration effort.

If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once you are safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint Energy at 1-800-227-1376.

For updates, follow CenterPoint Energy on X, formerly known as Twitter: @CenterPoint and Facebook: Facebook.com/CenterPointEnergy.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and natural gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of

December 31, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

 

CenterPoint Energy initiates natural gas service restoration in Ohio

​​Dayton, Ohio. March 19, 2024 In response to the devastating impact of an F3 tornado and severe weather last Thursday, CenterPoint Energy is actively working to restore natural gas service in Lakeview and Russells Point, Ohio. This effort follows a service interruption that has affected more than 460 customers.

Natural gas service to the Orchard Island and Wolf Island areas has been temporarily shut off. Following essential work over the weekend by emergency personnel and electric utility crews, CenterPoint Energy teams have isolated the natural gas system and are assessing which areas can be quickly restored. The current estimate for completing the restoration of service is by March 27, 2024.

“Safety is our number-one priority as we work to restore natural gas service," said Ashley Babcock, Vice President of Gas Operations, Indiana and Ohio. “We appreciate our customers' patience as our teams work to ensure that service is restored as quickly as possible."

More than 70 company employees, contractors and mutual assistance crews have been called to help support the restoration process.

Qualified service technicians are in the process of visiting customers' homes or businesses to turn off the service at the meter before gas can be systematically restored. Following this, technicians will conduct a safety check before turning the natural gas service back on for each customer. If an adult over 18 is not at the service address when a technician arrives, the company will leave a door hanger with instructions. All CenterPoint Energy technicians and contractors wear badges and will gladly show them to customers upon request before entering a home or business.

CenterPoint Energy urges customers for safety reasons not to turn any valves or tamper with the natural gas meter. Opening or turning any valves could allow air to enter the natural gas lines, which would hinder the restoration process. Additionally, customers are advised to exercise caution when clearing debris around their natural gas meter and above-ground piping.

CenterPoint Energy recognizes the significant impact on customers whose homes have been severely damaged or destroyed. The company is coordinating closely with local emergency services to provide support and timely updates. Additionally, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has donated $50,000 to the United Way of Logan County Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. The utility remains dedicated to supporting the community throughout the restoration effort.

If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once you are safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint Energy at 1-800-227-1376.

For updates, follow CenterPoint Energy on X, formerly known as Twitter: @CenterPoint and Facebook: Facebook.com/CenterPointEnergy.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and natural gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com. ​


CenterPoint Energy Announces 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Meeting to be held Friday, April 26 at 9 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, March 15, 2024 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today announced its 2024 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, at 9 a.m. CT in the CenterPoint Energy Tower auditorium, 1111 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas. Shareholders who hold shares of CenterPoint Energy Common Stock at the close of business on March 1, 2024, will receive notice of the meeting and will be eligible to vote.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and natural gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

For more information contact
Media:
Media Relations
Media.Relations@centerpointenergy.com

Investors:
Jackie Richert/Ben Vallejo
Phone 713.207.6500

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc