CenterPoint Energy recently announced a goal to reduce its operational emissions by 70% by 2035, and emissions attributable to natural gas usage in heating, appliances, and equipment within the residential and commercial sectors by 20% to 30% by 2040. The company's reduction goals are based on its 2005 emissions.
To achieve its reduction goals, CenterPoint Energy intends to focus on the following four areas:
- Partnering with customers to offer affordable conservation and energy efficiency programs;
- Continuing to develop alternative fuel programs;
- Collaborating with suppliers to lower their methane emissions; and
- Piloting and supporting innovation.
The company will work with partners, customers, employees, and other stakeholders across its service territory to achieve the reduction goals. It 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.
CenterPoint Energy has invested in infrastructure modernization, as well as research and development (R&D) 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 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."
"There are significant benefits to transitioning to cleaner energy beyond just environmental benefits," 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."
