Indianapolis, Ind. – Dec. 18, 2020 – CenterPoint Energy's Indiana-based gas utility, Indiana Gas Company, has filed a request with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) for recovery of investments made within its Indiana natural gas service territory.
The filing comes at the completion of the company's 7-year, $725 million gas modernization plan, which was filed in 2013 to comply with federal pipeline safety rules and continue the safe, reliable delivery of natural gas service to its 620,000 north central, central and southeastern Indiana customers. The gas system improvements resulted in upgrades to portions of CenterPoint Energy's 13,000-mile network of distribution mains and transmission pipelines serving north central, central and southeastern Indiana. The work primarily consisted of replacing bare steel and cast-iron distribution mains with new industry-grade plastic mains, as well as inspecting and upgrading natural gas transmission pipelines. This pipeline work has led to a 33% reduction in methane emissions since 2013. Since 2008, nearly 650 miles of gas mains have been replaced in the utility's territory.
Using 2013 state laws focused on federal mandates and natural gas infrastructure needs, Indiana utilities submit forward-looking capital investment plans to the IURC for review and cost recovery. The statutes provide utilities the ability for gradual investment recovery as modernization progress is made; otherwise defined as 80% of total capital expenditures and lessening the effect of a larger rate increase through traditional rate recovery. The balance of recovery must be sought through a traditional rate request at the end of the 7-year plan and is a requirement of the law. With the 2013 filing and the IURC's approval and regular review of that plan, the company seeks recovery of the remaining 20% of those investments.
"Through these infrastructure investments, CenterPoint Energy is committed to complying with federal mandates and continuing to safely and reliably deliver natural gas service to our customers," said Richard Leger, Vice President of Natural Gas Distribution, Indiana and Ohio. "While our natural gas customers may experience an increase to their bills, it will be the first time in 13 years we have pursued such recovery. As demonstrated by our commitment to expense management and continuing to offer natural gas as a cost-effective, reliable energy option due to low, stable natural gas commodity prices, we remain focused on maintaining affordability for our customers."
If the IURC approves the request, the average residential north central, central and southeastern Indiana gas customer could see an approximate increase of less than $3 per month. This represents the balance of costs not already recovered through the duration of the previous seven years and recovery of additional investments before and outside of the company's modernization plan related to public and system improvements required since 2006.
Also requested within this filing is the continuation of natural gas energy efficiency programs through 2025 and the income-eligible universal service program, which provides additional gas bill reductions during the months of December through May for eligible Indiana customers.
"Since inception of the programs, customers have saved approximately 194 million therms of natural gas, or enough energy to heat 241,000 homes for a year, which also contributed to more than 1,139,000 metric tons of CO2e emissions saved," continued Leger. "Energy efficiency programs are another way we strive to give customers the opportunity to reduce their energy usage and therefore lower their bill, while also lowering emissions."
While taking into consideration the expected bill impact for these gas infrastructure investments, bills should remain substantially lower than they were subsequent to the company's last rate case filing due to considerably lower natural gas commodity costs. Should the current recovery request be approved, total annual bills will be approximately $350 lower than they were in 2008 when current rates were approved. As is the case with other gas utilities, the company does not profit from the cost of natural gas. The utility's portfolio approach to gas purchases on behalf of customers is simply passed through dollar for dollar.
The filing now begins a comprehensive review by the IURC which will take several months to complete and will include a public hearing as part of the regulatory process. Should the request be approved, new rates may go into effect during the fourth quarter of 2021.
CenterPoint Energy's gas territory covering north central, central and southeastern Indiana delivers natural gas to approximately 620,000 customers in portions of Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Brown, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Howard, Huntington, Jackson, Jay, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Orange, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Switzerland, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Wayne, Wells and White counties.
Forward Looking Statement:
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as future regulatory filings, actions and decisions, including the timing and impact of such actions and decisions, the expected impact of the proposed rate adjustments on customer bills, forecasted natural gas commodity prices and any associated fluctuations, emissions reductions and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the impact of COVID-19; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7) changes in business plans; and (8) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2020, June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2020 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 September 30, 2020, the company owned approximately $33 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.