Energy Access & Affordability
We remain focused on keeping customer bills affordable with continued discipline on our operating and maintenance expenses. We have opportunities across our system that we expect will result in an annual average 1-2% of operations and maintenance savings over the course of our 10-year plan. Our continued execution of our generation transition plan is helping avoid potential significant customer bill increases related to coal generation.
As CenterPoint Energy transitions from fossil-based systems of energy production to cleaner sources like wind and solar, we must also respond to the changing needs of our customers and communities, especially those where this transition is felt the most. Our Indiana generation transition plan will meet growing demand to provide cleaner energy for our service territories while maintaining reliability and affordability for our customers.
In Texas, the legislature has enacted a number of laws that enhance and support grid resiliency, including mobile backup generation that can be deployed across Houston in the case of a prolonged outage.
Joining with Community Agencies to Scale Impact
In 2021, a $1.2 million CenterPoint Energy Foundation grant was awarded to the Complete Communities Home Repair Program, a collaboration led by the City of Houston Mayor’s Office of Complete Communities and implemented by nonprofit service providers. The program relieves the home repair barrier that prevents many income-qualified residential customers from participating in our Weatherization Program.
Home Repair Program Highlights:
- 60 of the 287 homes located in Houston’s Complete Communities have received weatherization and home repair services.
- In 2022, 336 homes were weatherized, producing 264 kilowatts (kW) and 348,178 kWh in demand and energy savings.
The Weatherization Program provides free energy audits for income-qualified residents to assess the energy-saving needs of single-family homes in CenterPoint Energy’s Houston Electric service area. The energy audit qualifies customers for energy efficiency upgrades, such as air infiltration, HVAC tune-ups or upgrades, and ceiling or wall insulation.
Energy Assistance
Customers who are receiving energy assistance through the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) may be eligible to receive additional funds through the Gas Affordability Program, offered by CenterPoint Energy in partnership with the Energy CENTS Coalition.
Customers who have difficulty paying their CenterPoint Energy bill can request a payment plan or extension by calling 713-659-2111 or visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.