CenterPoint Energy announces 10-year fleet electrification goals
Company continues to take significant steps to reduce carbon emissions and use innovative technology to transition toward a cleaner energy future
2020-09-28T05:00:00Z

Houston – Sept. 28, 2020 – Leading energy partner CenterPoint Energy today announced a goal to replace 100 percent of its current electric operations light-duty fleet vehicles, such as cars, vans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs), with electric vehicles in Houston and Evansville, Ind., by 2030. The company has an ongoing commitment to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy, while leveraging innovative technology to continue reducing emissions and transition the communities it serves to a clean energy future. 

"CenterPoint Energy has continued to offset our carbon footprint and promote cleaner air by replacing fossil-fueled vehicles and equipment with alternative power choices since 2011," said Kenny Mercado, CenterPoint Energy's Senior Vice President, Electric Utility. "We strive to lead by example and have steadily increased our fleet electrification as suitable vehicles and technology have come available."

The company has a plan to replace 50 percent of current electric operations light-duty fleet vehicles by 2025 and complete the replacement by 2030. In addition, 5 percent of electric operations heavy-duty vehicles will be replaced by 2025 and 10 percent by 2030. As the market evolves, emission reduction goals for all classes of vehicles will be re-evaluated.

To reduce emissions, CenterPoint Energy continues to invest in infrastructure modernization, as well as research and development projects. At the same time, the company remains committed to support the communities where it operates with their climate action goals, focusing on driving lower emissions across the natural gas value chain to ensure its continued role in supporting the transition of the nation's power generation fleet to meet lower carbon emission goals.

This year, CenterPoint Energy introduced its Carbon Policy with a goal to reduce its operational emissions by 70 percent by 2035 and emissions attributable to natural gas usage in heating, appliances and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20 to 30 percent by 2040. The company is among the first energy delivery companies to make an emissions-reduction commitment across a multi-state footprint.

CenterPoint Energy's fleet electrification plan aligns with the City of Houston's Climate Action Plan goal to electrify 100 percent of non-emergency light-duty fleet by 2030. The company is a founding member of EVolve Houston, a coalition of sustainability-minded civic, business, and academic leaders who seek to accelerate clean transportation through electrification in the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint Energy is also collaborating with the City of Evansville on the creation and implementation of their Climate Action Plan. By 2050, Evansville will be a regional leader in addressing climate change and a zero-waste community, powered by renewable energy, where all people have access to efficient transportation alternatives, public green spaces, clean air and water, and locally sourced, fresh food.

About CenterPoint Energy

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 Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. As of June 30, 2020, the company owned approximately $32 billion in assets and also owned 53.7 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 9,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

 Recent News

 

 

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency efforts across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to Trini Mendenhall Community Center

Houston – Feb. 11, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Trini Mendenhall Community Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for 21 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit.

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing the donation of backup generation to support our partners in Harris County Precinct 3, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Keith Stephens, CenterPoint Senior Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer.

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.

Working with Community Partners on Locations
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations.

“This generator donation is a tremendous benefit to the residents of Precinct 3. Our precinct was the hardest hit during the Derecho and Beryl windstorms, particularly this area, with crews removing over one million cubic yards of vegetative debris. By placing this generator at Trini Mendenhall Community Center, one of our busiest facilities, we can ensure that we remain operational when the community needs us most. Thank you to CenterPoint for their partnership and this generous donation," said Harris County Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom S. Ramsey.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facility they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed and operational by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency actions across the 12-county region through Foundation’s donation of funds to strengthen community resiliency in Austin County

Houston – Feb. 10, 2025 – Today, during a meeting of the Austin County Commissioners Court, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of funds to support emergency response efforts to the Austin County Office of Emergency Management.

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for emergency response resources to key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the resources that will have the greatest impact and local benefit for community resiliency.

The donation is being made as part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). These donations will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing a donation to support emergency response efforts to our partners in Austin County, and we look forward to sharing similar donations with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These funds will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Brad Tutunjian, CenterPoint Vice President, Texas Gas.

Working with Community Partners
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal applications for the donated funds to strengthen community resiliency, with local officials ultimately deciding how to utilize the donations.

“Emergency Management and Response is a critical part of what county government provides. We have recently purchased a command vehicle for response within our county and surrounding areas. We currently move the vehicle in and out of the wash rack at the bus barn in Bellville to keep it out of the elements. A dedicated facility to house this vehicle is vitally important to maintain reliability and longevity of the electronics aboard this vehicle. We appreciate the support to bring this project to fruition and appreciate CenterPoint's dedication to the community," said Tim Lapham, Austin County Judge.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the donations to strengthen resiliency meet their specific needs. CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.

 

Photo: From L to R: Nethaniel Gjesdal, District Director for Texas House Representative Stan Kitzman; Leroy Cerny, Austin County Precinct 3 Commissioner; Olivia Chriss, CenterPoint Local Relations Manager; Chip Reed, Austin County Precinct 4 Commissioner; Brad Tutunjian, CenterPoint Vice President of Texas Gas; Paula Gibson, District Director for Texas State Senator Lois Kolkhorst; Tim Lapham, Austin County Judge; June Deadrick, CenterPoint Vice President of Community Relations; Roy Mercer, Austin County Emergency Management Coordinator; Aaron Coronis, CenterPoint Katy Service Area Manager; Greg Mikel, Austin County Precinct 1 Commissioner; and Robert “Bobby" Rinn, Austin County Precinct 2 Commissioner
 
More photos: CNP Digital Asset Mgmt

 
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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. 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. ​


With below zero temperatures and several inches of snow expected over the coming week, CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help customers manage their energy use while staying safe and warm

Minneapolis – Feb. 7, 2025 – During this weekend and throughout next week, Minnesota is expected to experience heavy snow and frigid weather conditions, with many of the communities CenterPoint Energy serves forecasted to experience temperatures below zero. CenterPoint wants to remind customers it has a cold weather action plan in place and urges customers to have a cold weather plan in place as well to stay safe and warm.

Colder weather conditions may require customers to use more energy to keep their homes comfortable, so CenterPoint is reminding customers of tips, tools and programs to manage heating bills, while keeping safe and warm.

Winter Energy Guide
CenterPoint recently launched its Winter Energy Guide, a comprehensive online resource hub that helps customers throughout the winter heating season. The guide features practical and important safety, energy savings and bill management tips to help customers stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. The Winter Energy Guide can help customers:

  • Prepare a winter emergency supply kit. A winter emergency supply kit should have various supplies including water, non-perishable food for customers, their loved ones and pets, first aid kit, cold weather supplies such as blankets and supplies to have on hand in case of an outage.
  • Track energy usage. By managing their accounts online, customers can access an interactive chart that displays their energy usage trends and gives them insights into ways to save energy.

  • Take easy actions to reduce energy use. CenterPoint offers a variety of free energy-saving tips that can make a difference in the amount of energy used such as adjusting thermostats, opening blinds during the daytime to take advantage of the sun's warmth and sealing air leaks.

  • Implement vital safety tips: CenterPoint offers tips for customers and their loved ones to stay safe throughout the winter heating season including by using space heaters appropriately, testing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and by knowing how to identify and report a suspected natural gas leak.

Payment Assistance Resources Are Available for Customers
CenterPoint encourages those facing hardship to call the company to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available to them.

Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, residential customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills are required to set up a payment plan with their utility to prevent disconnection of their service between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The Cold Weather Rule applies to both homeowners and renters. To arrange a payment plan, CenterPoint customers can call 800-245-2377 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

Customers can also enroll in an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to help manage periods of peak usage such as the winter heating season, at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving the energy needs of more than 920,000 residential and business customers.​

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency actions across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center

Houston – Feb. 7, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for 21 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit.

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing the donation of backup generation to support our partners in Harris County, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Richard Leger, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Gas Operations.

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.

Working with Community Partners on Locations
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations.

“On behalf of Precinct 2 and the Aldine community, particularly those living near Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center, I am very grateful for our partnership with CenterPoint. With weather-related catastrophes becoming more frequent, having backup generation available at a center that serves so many people, this partnership is vital for the wellbeing and resiliency of the community. I am thrilled that we now have backup power ready to be deployed next time Mother Nature hands us our next emergency," said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facility they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed and operational by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.​

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. 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. ​



Groundhog Day serves as seasonal energy efficiency reminder for CenterPoint Energy customers of tips and tools available to manage energy use

Houston – Feb. 3, 2025 – On Groundhog Day yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of cooler temperatures. CenterPoint Energy is reminding customers that the company offers tips, tools and programs that can help them increase the energy efficiency of their homes and save money on heating or cooling costs, no matter the season.

CenterPoint customers have enjoyed significant savings by participating in the company's energy efficiency programs, including installing more efficient appliances for heating, cooling and cooking and weatherproofing with air sealing and insulation. For customers who need additional assistance, CenterPoint offers payment arrangements and billing programs to meet customers' needs and budgets and can refer them to agencies that offer energy assistance to eligible households.

“At CenterPoint, we have tips, tools and programs to help you stay comfortable inside your home at any time of the year. We know the colder temperatures we've seen this winter can mean higher heating costs, and with six more weeks of cold weather ahead we want to make sure customers are prepared," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at CenterPoint. “By taking some small and easy actions to increase your homes' efficiency, you can save energy and money all year round."

CenterPoint wants to remind customers of some actions they can take to reduce their energy use:

  • Regularly perform furnace maintenance: Service your furnace annually and check the air filters monthly to increase the efficiency of your equipment.
     
  • Adjust your temperature: Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust your cooling or heating temperature when you're asleep or away from home to maximize potential savings.
     
  • Seal air leaks: Use caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors to seal air leaks to reduce drafts inside your home for more efficient heating and cooling.

  • Use the sun: When it's hot outside, keep window coverings closed to keep a cooler indoor temperature. When it's cold outside, open your window coverings to capture warmth from the sun during the day, and close your coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
     
  • Choose energy smart appliances: When upgrading appliances, look for ENERGY STAR®-certified products for optimal efficiency. Energy efficiency rebates may be available for qualifying appliances.

Customers can learn more about energy-saving tips and ways to manage their energy use and monthly bills at CenterPointEnergy.com/SavingsTips.