HOUSTON, March 2, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading U.S.
energy delivery company CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) today
announced 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's reduction goals
are based on its 2005 emissions.
With more than 7 million electric and natural gas metered
customers across eight states, CenterPoint Energy is among the
first energy delivery companies to make an emissions-reduction
commitment across a multi-state footprint.
"CenterPoint Energy has a long history of environmental
commitment and we are proud to be a leader in the transition to a
cleaner energy future," said John W. Somerhalder II,
CenterPoint's interim president and chief executive officer.
"Further reductions in our carbon footprint aligns with this
commitment, and we look forward to bringing new, innovative
technologies to the emissions-reduction effort, while maintaining
affordability, reliability and quality of life."
To achieve its reduction goals, CenterPoint Energy will focus on
four areas:
- Partnering with customers to offer affordable conservation and
energy efficiency programs;
- Continuing to develop alternative fuel programs;
- Collaborating with our suppliers to lower their methane
emissions; and
- Piloting and supporting innovation.
CenterPoint Energy has invested in infrastructure modernization,
as well as research and development projects in recent years to
reduce emissions, including carbon capture technology, the piloting
of renewable natural gas, and improved methods for identifying and
eliminating methane leaks. These technologies span the lifecycle of
natural gas and other energy production, from extraction to
consumer use and beyond. CenterPoint Energy's commitment will also
include providing more consumer choice for alternative
transportation fuels and expanding electric vehicle infrastructure
in Texas and Indiana.
"There are significant benefits to transitioning to cleaner
energy beyond just environmental," said Angila Retherford, CenterPoint Energy's vice
president of Environmental Affairs and Corporate Sustainability.
"By investing in new projects that lead to good-paying, green jobs,
CenterPoint Energy is helping to support local communities, while
showing how energy companies can be a partner in building America's
clean energy future."
CenterPoint Energy will work with partners, customers, employees
and other stakeholders across its service territory to achieve its
reduction goals. The company continues to offer customers energy
efficiency programs and is investing in renewable forms of energy
on both the natural gas and electric sides of the business.
Furthermore, CenterPoint Energy will partner with natural gas
suppliers to take meaningful steps to lower methane emissions
across the natural gas value chain.
At the same time, CenterPoint Energy will continue to support
the communities where it operates with their climate action goals.
The company will focus 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.
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 the company's carbon policy
emission reduction goals, focus areas and related timing thereof,
the continuation of customer programs, the anticipated transition
of the power generation fleet 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. Factors that could affect
actual results include the timing and impact of future regulatory
and legislative decisions, effects of competition, weather
variations, changes in business plans, financial market conditions
and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 and other reports CenterPoint
Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
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 53.7
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
14,000 employees and nearly $35
billion in assets, 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 Relations
Media Access Line: 713.619.5143
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/centerpoint-energy-introduces-carbon-policy-committing-to-reductions-in-emissions-301013470.html
SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.