Carbon Reduction
Progress on our Net Zero goals and carbon emissions reductions goals will advance as we continue to decarbonize our assets. To achieve our goals, we will work with partners, customers, employees and other stakeholders across our service territory.
To reduce GHG emissions, CenterPoint Energy plans to take the following steps:
- Enact our long-term electric generation transition plan.
- Invest in research and development projects, infrastructure modernization and renewables, like solar and wind energy.
- Offer effective and affordable energy conservation and energy efficiency programs.
- Provide more consumer choices for alternative transportation fuels and expanding EV infrastructure in Indiana and Texas.
- Work with our natural gas suppliers to take meaningful steps to lower methane emissions across the natural gas value chain.
- Pilot a green hydrogen production facility in Minneapolis to study the effects of blending hydrogen with our natural gas system.
- Install carbon capture technology, CarbinX™, developed by CleanO2, with natural gas commercial customers in Minnesota, including the Radisson Blu Mall of America, part of Choice Hotels International.
- Invest in methane reduction technologies:
- Employ ZEVAC® (Zero Emission Vacuum and Compressor), an innovative and environmentally responsible technology that uses compressed air to suction a pipeline segment, transferring the gas to an adjacent pipeline so it is not released into the atmosphere.
- Operate the world’s second largest fleet of state-of-the-art Picarro Surveyor™ leak survey technology, which is far more sensitive and faster at locating methane leaks than traditional methods.
NATURAL GAS INNOVATION ACT
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, more than two-thirds of Minnesota households depend on natural gas for heating, as do many businesses and industries in the state. CenterPoint Energy provides natural gas service to more than 920,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Minnesota.
In 2021, Minnesota passed a bipartisan landmark state energy law, the Natural Gas Innovation Act (NGIA), which was originally proposed by CenterPoint Energy. The law created a new regulatory framework for natural gas utilities to invest in renewable energy resources and innovative technologies that help reduce Minnesota’s GHG emissions.
CenterPoint Energy’s innovation plan was approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission in July 2024, allowing us to implement pilot projects and research efforts that aim to reduce carbon emissions. We will invest 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. Our plan includes 17 pilot projects to deploy and evaluate a broad array of innovative resources and technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is expected to deliver significant benefits to Minnesota, including:
- Reduce or avoid an estimated 1.2 million tons of carbon emissions over the lifetime of the projects
- Create an estimated 3,000 full-time equivalent jobs over the lifetime of the projects
- Leverage $17 million or more in federal clean energy incentives and support for Minnesota
