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CenterPoint Energy innovation plan approved for implementation to help advance decarbonization efforts in Minnesota

Wide-ranging plan approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission expected to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote job creation and leverage federal funding

2024-07-25T05:00:00Z

Minneapolis – July 25, 2024 – Today, CenterPoint Energy, Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, received approval from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to implement a diverse set of innovative pilot projects that aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance decarbonization efforts in Minnesota. The approved plan includes investments in made-in-Minnesota low- and zero-carbon gases like renewable natural gas and green hydrogen, as well as emerging technologies such as networked geothermal systems and onsite carbon capture.

The projects are part of a five-year innovation plan submitted under a landmark state energy law: the Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA). Passed with bipartisan support in 2021, the NGIA created a new regulatory framework for natural gas utilities to invest in renewable energy resources and innovative technologies to help reduce Minnesota's greenhouse gas emissions. CenterPoint is the first utility in Minnesota to file and have an innovation plan approved.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than two-thirds of Minnesota households, or 1.5 million households, depend on natural gas for heating, in addition to natural gas supporting the operations of many businesses and industries in the state. CenterPoint provides natural gas service to more than 920,000 home and business customers in Minnesota.

“CenterPoint looks forward to implementing our innovation plan as part of our efforts to advance Minnesota's energy future," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President, Minnesota Gas. “Being in a cold climate state, we understand the need for readily available, cost-effective, safe and reliable energy solutions that keep us warm on winter's coldest days. We know that there is not one solution alone to meet our state's decarbonization goals, but we are excited to work to accelerate technologies that show promise for a cleaner tomorrow."

CenterPoint's innovation plan is expected to deliver significant benefits to Minnesota, including:

Reducing or avoiding an estimated 1.2 million tons of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the projects – equivalent to the annual energy use of approximately 150,000 homes or 14% of total emissions from natural gas supplied to CenterPoint customers in Minnesota each year.
Creating an estimated 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs over the pilot projects' lifetimes.
Leveraging an estimated approximately $17 million or more in federal clean energy incentives (as applicable).

The total estimated budget to implement this plan is approximately $106 million over five years. The plan adds an estimated $1.50 per month to a standard residential monthly utility bill.

The plan includes 17 pilot projects and seven research-and-development projects. These projects will evaluate and deploy a wide variety of innovative resources and technologies. Key pilot projects include:

Made-in-Minnesota gas alternatives
Under NGIA, at least 50% of an innovation plan's total investments are required to be dedicated toward generating, purchasing or distributing natural gas alternatives. CenterPoint's innovation plan will invest in low-carbon, zero-carbon and even carbon-negative energy resources that can supplement or replace conventional natural gas, including:

Renewable natural gas (RNG) is developed by recycling organic waste materials from farms, food waste, wastewater treatment facilities and other sources to produce pipeline-quality gas. CenterPoint plans to purchase RNG to help offset greenhouse gas emissions attributed to energy used by customers.
Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into oxygen and hydrogen using renewable electricity. It can be blended into the utility's natural gas supply or used directly in a dedicated system with industrial or large commercial customers. CenterPoint has a green hydrogen production facility pilot project that's been in operation in Minneapolis since 2022. The plan includes developing a second green-hydrogen production facility, which will use onsite solar panels and include a hydrogen storage system at a CenterPoint-owned property near Mankato, Minnesota.

Networked geothermal systems
CenterPoint plans to develop a networked geothermal system, also known as a thermal energy network, to provide building heating and cooling to a neighborhood currently served by the utility. A geothermal system uses a network of wells, water, pipes and pumps to pull heat out of the ground, delivering warmth to buildings in winter and pumping heat from those buildings back into the ground to provide cooling in summer. Additionally, CenterPoint will offer incentives available for large customers to partially offset costs to install and operate their own networked geothermal system.

Hybrid heating
The plan includes incentives for home and business customers to install hybrid heating systems that use electric heat pumps with supplemental natural gas heating for the coldest days with the goal of reducing customer energy costs and maintaining energy efficiency.

Industrial decarbonization
Through this plan, CenterPoint is seeking opportunities to help customers reduce their emissions in more difficult-to-decarbonize sectors. The plan includes incentives and other support to industrial customers intended to help improve efficiency and reduce emissions for high-heat processes such as glassmaking, concrete production and metal foundries. Technologies that could be leveraged depend on the type of business and may include electric heat pumps, onsite carbon capture, installing onsite green hydrogen production facilities and updating boilers to use up to 100% green hydrogen.

CenterPoint is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, as demonstrated by its company-wide Net Zero goals by 2035 for its Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Also, CenterPoint is committed to helping residential and business customers reduce greenhouse gas emissions attributable to their end use of natural gas by 20-30% by 2035 (from a 2021 baseline). The total greenhouse gas emission reductions under this Scope 3 goal are comparable to those for the company's combined Scope 1 and 2 Net Zero goals.

To learn more about CenterPoint's efforts to advance Minnesota's energy future, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/FutureMN.

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 March 31, 2024, the company owned approximately $40 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.

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 CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on the innovation plan, including the planned scope of projects and anticipated benefits, and the associated extent of greenhouse gas emission reductions, advancement of decarbonization efforts and the number of jobs created by the innovation plan, the extent to which and timing of CenterPoint Energy's ability to recover costs to implement the innovation plan, the amount and expected impact to customer's bills 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, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to: Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) CenterPoint's business strategies and strategic initiatives; (2) changes in market demand; (3) CenterPoint's ability to fund and invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint's investments; (4) financial market conditions; (5) general economic and political conditions; (6) the timing and impact of regulatory proceedings and actions and legal proceedings; (7) effects of competition; (8) catastrophic events including public health threats; (9) weather variations and the impact of climate change; (10) changes in business plans; (11) continued disruptions to the global supply chain including volatility in commodity prices; (12) changes in technology; (13) legislative actions, including tax and developments related to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling of coal combustion residuals; (14) CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on its initiatives, targets and goals and operations and maintenance goals and (15) other factors discussed CenterPoint's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, including in the “Risk Factors" and “Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" sections of such reports, and other reports CenterPoint or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Net Zero Disclaimer
CenterPoint Energy's Scope 1 emissions estimates are calculated from emissions that directly come from its operations. CenterPoint Energy's Scope 2 emissions estimates are calculated from emissions that indirectly come from its energy usage, but because Texas is in an unregulated market, its Scope 2 estimates do not take into account Texas electric transmission and distribution assets in the line loss calculation and exclude emissions related to purchased power between 2024E-2026E. CenterPoint Energy's Scope 3 emissions estimates are based on the total natural gas supply delivered to residential and commercial customers as reported in the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Form EIA-176 reports and do not take into account the emissions of transport customers and emissions related to upstream extraction. While CenterPoint Energy believes that it has a clear path towards achieving its Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and certain Scope 2) by 2035 goals, its analysis and path forward required it to make a number of assumptions. These goals and underlying assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees. Should one or more of CenterPoint Energy's underlying assumptions prove incorrect, CenterPoint Energy's actual results and ability to achieve Net Zero Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 could differ materially from its expectations. Certain of the assumptions that could impact CenterPoint Energy's ability to meet its Net Zero Scope 1 and certain Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions goals include, but are not limited to: greenhouse gas emission levels; service territory size and capacity needs remaining in line with company expectations; regulatory approval of Indiana Electric's generation transition plan; impacts of future environmental regulations or legislation; impacts of future carbon pricing regulation or legislation, including a future carbon tax; price, availability and regulation of carbon offsets; price of fuel, such as natural gas; cost of energy generation technologies, such as wind and solar, natural gas and storage solutions; adoption of alternative energy by the public, including adoption of electric vehicles; rate of technology innovation with regards to alternative energy resources; CenterPoint Energy's ability to implement its modernization plans for its pipelines and facilities; CenterPoint Energy's ability to complete and implement generation alternatives to Indiana Electric's coal generation and retirement dates of Indiana Electric's coal facilities by 2035; CenterPoint Energy's ability to construct and/or permit new natural gas pipelines; CenterPoint Energy's ability to procure resources needed to build at a reasonable cost, the lack of or scarcity of resources and labor, the lack of any project cancellations, construction delays or overruns and CenterPoint Energy's ability to appropriately estimate costs of new generation; impact of any supply chain disruptions; changes in applicable standards, metrics, methodologies or frameworks; and enhancement of energy efficiencies.

Recent News

CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help Indiana customers stay safe and warm during upcoming cold snap

Indianapolis – Dec. 12, 2025 – With colder temperatures expected across Indiana this weekend, including highs in the teens and lows below zero, CenterPoint Energy reminds customers that it has a comprehensive cold weather action plan in place and is prepared for potential impacts from the colder weather. CenterPoint teams are monitoring conditions, coordinating with agencies and emergency responders, as appropriate, and remain ready to deploy resources as needed to maintain safe and reliable service. The company encourages customers to have their cold weather plan in place as well.

Natural gas preparedness actions in Indiana
CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather through proactive steps that support safe and reliable delivery of natural gas service to Indiana communities. The company's efforts include:

Monitoring the natural gas systems 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans to support delivery of service.
Conducting infrastructure projects to modernize the company's natural gas distribution systems.
Checking critical systems and equipment ahead of extreme winter weather to prepare for high demand and cold temperatures.
Staging staff across the company's service area, ready to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.

Safety tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to keep safety at the forefront of their minds as they heat their homes:

Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If there's a “rotten egg" odor of natural gas present, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376. Don't use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
Keep natural gas meters clear. Use a broom to gently remove snow, but avoid using a shovel, which can cause damage. If ice builds up, let it melt naturally rather than trying to chip or melt it away. Keep the area around the meter clear of snow piles to allow safe access in an emergency.
Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.

Energy-saving tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to consider implementing easy tips that can help manage energy usage, including:

Make sure the heating system is operating safely and efficiently. Change or clean the furnace filter regularly to help maximize the furnace's efficiency and life.
Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat at night or when away for at least eight hours can potentially save on heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, a heating system can work around a customer's schedule.
Keep warm air in and cold air out of the home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. Towels can also be rolled up and pushed against the bottom of a door's interior. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
Circulate warm air with ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to living levels.

Resource Hub available for customers
To help customers manage energy use and bills during cold weather, CenterPoint offers an online Customer Resource Hub. The hub provides easy access to billing tools, energy efficiency programs and tips and other resources. To learn more, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.

CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help southwestern Indiana customers stay safe and warm during upcoming cold snap

Evansville, Ind. – Dec. 12, 2025 – With colder temperatures expected across southwestern Indiana this weekend, including highs in the teens and lows in the single digits, CenterPoint Energy reminds customers that it has a comprehensive cold weather action plan in place and is prepared for potential impacts from the colder weather. CenterPoint teams are monitoring conditions, coordinating with agencies and emergency responders, as appropriate, and remain ready to deploy resources as needed to maintain safe and reliable service. The company encourages customers to have their cold weather plan in place as well.

Electric and natural gas preparedness actions in southwestern Indiana
CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather through proactive steps that support safe and reliable delivery of electric and natural gas service to southwestern Indiana communities. The company's efforts include:

Monitoring the electric and natural gas systems 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans to support delivery of service.
Conducting infrastructure projects to modernize the company's electric and natural gas distribution systems.
Checking critical systems and equipment ahead of extreme winter weather to prepare for high demand and cold temperatures.
Staging staff across the company's service area, ready to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.

Safety tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to keep safety at the forefront of their minds as they heat their homes:

Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
Immediately report a electric outage or downed power lines. Customers should never approach downed lines and should assume they are live. If a downed line is spotted, leave the area and call 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376.
Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If there's a “rotten egg" odor of natural gas present, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376. Don't use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
Keep natural gas meters clear. Use a broom to gently remove snow, but avoid using a shovel, which can cause damage. If ice builds up, let it melt naturally rather than trying to chip or melt it away. Keep the area around the meter clear of snow piles to allow safe access in an emergency.

Energy-saving tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to consider implementing easy tips that can help manage energy usage, including:

Make sure the heating system is operating safely and efficiently. Change or clean the furnace filter regularly to help maximize the furnace's efficiency and life.
Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat at night or when away for at least eight hours can potentially save on heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, a heating system can work around a customer's schedule.
Keep warm air in and cold air out of the home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. Towels can also be rolled up and pushed against the bottom of a door's interior. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
Circulate warm air with ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to living levels.

CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help Ohio customers stay safe and warm during upcoming cold snap

Dayton, Ohio – Dec. 12, 2025 – With colder temperatures expected across Ohio this weekend, including highs in the teens and lows in the single digits, CenterPoint Energy reminds customers that it has a comprehensive cold weather action plan in place and is prepared for potential impacts from the colder weather. CenterPoint teams are monitoring conditions, coordinating with agencies and emergency responders, as appropriate, and remain ready to deploy resources as needed to maintain safe and reliable service. The company encourages customers to have their cold weather plan in place as well.

Natural gas preparedness actions in Ohio
CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather through proactive steps that support safe and reliable delivery of natural gas service to Ohio communities. The company's efforts include:

Monitoring the natural gas systems 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans to support delivery of service.
Conducting infrastructure projects to modernize the company's natural gas distribution systems.
Checking critical systems and equipment ahead of extreme winter weather to prepare for high demand and cold temperatures.
Staging staff across the company's service area, ready to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.

Safety tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to keep safety at the forefront of their minds as they heat their homes:

Immediately report a suspected natural gas leak. If there's a “rotten egg" odor of natural gas present, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy at 800-227-1376. Don't use electric switches and outlets, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car inside or close to the location or do anything that could cause a spark.
Keep natural gas meters clear. Use a broom to gently remove snow, but avoid using a shovel, which can cause damage. If ice builds up, let it melt naturally rather than trying to chip or melt it away. Keep the area around the meter clear of snow piles to allow safe access in an emergency.
Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.

Energy-saving tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to consider implementing easy tips that can help manage energy usage, including:

Make sure the heating system is operating safely and efficiently. Change or clean the furnace filter regularly to help maximize the furnace's efficiency and life.
Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat at night or when away for at least eight hours can potentially save on heating costs. With a programmable thermostat, a heating system can work around a customer's schedule.
Keep warm air in and cold air out of the home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. Towels can also be rolled up and pushed against the bottom of a door's interior. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
Circulate warm air with ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise and slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to living levels.

With subzero temperatures expected across Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy provides important reminders to help customers save energy while staying safe and warm

Broll of energy efficiency and safety tips is found here.

MINNEAPOLIS – DEC. 11, 2025 – Over the coming days, subzero temperatures are expected throughout Minnesota. CenterPoint Energy reminds customers that it has a comprehensive cold weather action plan in place and is prepared for potential impacts from the colder weather. CenterPoint teams are monitoring conditions, coordinating with agencies and emergency responders, as appropriate, and remain ready to deploy resources as needed to maintain safe and reliable service. The company encourages customers to have their cold weather plan in place as well.

CenterPoint is highlighting important energy-saving and safety resources to help lower heating bills, while keeping customers safe and warm.

Preparedness actions in Minnesota
CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather in Minnesota through proactive efforts, such as:

Staging crews across the company’s service area to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.
Monitoring the natural gas system 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans.
Leveraging natural gas, propane and/or liquefied natural gas stored ahead of the winter heating season.

Winter Energy Guide
CenterPoint provides its Winter Energy Guide, an online resource hub for customers throughout the winter heating season, featuring important safety, energy savings and bill management tips to help customers stay safe and warm. CenterPoint encourages customers to use this helpful resource to create their own cold weather plans so to stay prepared for the colder weather ahead.

Tips customers can take to save energy and money
CenterPoint encourages customers to use these easy tips to make a difference on monthly heating bills:

Lowering the thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night, or when away for at least eight hours, can potentially save 10% on heating costs. Customers using a programmable thermostat to have the heating system work around their schedule.
Changing or cleaning the furnace filter to maximize efficiency.
Using window coverings and blinds effectively. If it’s sunny outside, open window coverings, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside. If the sun’s not shining, keep window coverings closed.
Sealing leaks with caulk or weather-stripping around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
Circulating warm air with ceiling fans by setting them to turn clockwise slowly to move warm air to living levels.

Smart actions to stay safe

Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater using natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don’t last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If someone suspects they could have CO poisoning, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
Smell gas? Act fast! Natural gas has a distinctive rotten egg smell. If anyone detects this odor, they should leave their location immediately without using electrical switches or phones. Once in a safe location, call 911 and CenterPoint Energy.

Payment assistance resources and support available for customers

CenterPoint is dedicated to supporting customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. Throughout the year, but especially in the winter months when home heating costs are historically higher, CenterPoint encourages those facing hardship to call CenterPoint to find out about payment arrangements, energy efficiency programs and agency resources that may be available. To learn more, customers should call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

CenterPoint Energy, Enel launch program to help southwestern Indiana businesses earn incentives for flexible energy use

Evansville, Ind., and Andover, Mass., December 11, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy and Enel North America have launched a new demand response program for commercial, institutional, and industrial organizations in southwestern Indiana. This initiative, called the CenterPoint Energy Aggregated Demand Response Program, enables organizations to earn incentive payments for making targeted energy reductions that help CenterPoint Indiana Electric maintain local grid reliability.

“Our focus remains on delivering reliable service to our customers and communities every day," said Muss Akram, Vice President of Utility Strategy at CenterPoint. “Through this program, we're working with Enel to strengthen reliability, manage demand and provide our customers an opportunity to be compensated for supporting the grid when it's needed most."

Demand response programs provide an opportunity for organizations to earn incentive payments while helping maintain a reliable electric system. When utilities or grid operators experience supply and demand constraints, they dispatch local organizations that have agreed to reduce energy usage during these times of high demand.

Commercial, institutional and industrial organizations in the CenterPoint Indiana Electric service territory are eligible to enroll in the new program. As the exclusive demand response provider for this program, Enel will work with organizations to define participation strategies, manage enrollment and execution, and maximize revenue from participating. During a demand response dispatch, the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) will instruct Enel's network of participants to curtail electricity usage in anticipation of emergency conditions on the grid. Common reduction strategies include modifying manufacturing processes, adjusting HVAC equipment and reducing non-essential lighting.

This program builds on CenterPoint's existing Smart Cycle demand response program for residential customers. Those participating in the Smart Cycle program can earn a one-time $75 enrollment credit and a $7.50 bill credit each month from March through November for participation. To learn more about this program, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SmartCycle.

Enel is the world's largest demand response provider. In North America, Enel's demand response customers have earned over $1.9 billion in payments since 2011.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of September 30, 2025, the company had approximately $45 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Enel North America, part of the Enel Group, is a proven renewables leader delivering clean, flexible and sustainable energy solutions. The company develops, builds, owns and operates renewable power plants and demand response solutions, with 12 gigawatts (GW) of installed wind, solar and energy storage capacity and nearly 5 GW of demand response capacity in the US and Canada. Enel is a top-five industry leader for clean power, demand response and utility-scale battery storage capacity in the United States. Learn more at enelnorthamerica.com and on LinkedIn and YouTube.