Christine Keck, Director of Federal Government Affairs, and Christe Singleton, Vice President, Minnesota Gas, engaged with Capitol Hill and completed a Washington, D.C., blitz focused on pipeline safety re-authorization legislation.
Engaging with Policymakers and Trade Associations
Political Engagement
Since local, state and federal elected officials and regulators have a significant impact on our business and industry, CenterPoint Energy believes participation in the public policy process is essential to our business and customers.
CenterPoint Energy and its employees participate in the public policy process in several ways, including:
- Outreach to government officials to educate them on key issues related to the company’s business
- Employee participation in company or industry Political Action Committees (PACs)
- Membership in trade associations that help advance the company’s business interests
- These efforts focus on issues that affect the company, its operations, employees and local communities.
The company has decision-making and oversight processes in place so that our political activities and contributions meet legal and ethical guidelines. Our political engagement activities, including contributions, employee PAC memberships, trade association memberships and federal lobbying, are disclosed as required by law.
CenterPoint Energy is a member of several trade associations that provide business, technical and industry benefits to the company. These associations may engage in advocacy activities or lobby with respect to issues that are important to the company and our customers.
Oversight
CenterPoint Energy requires all employees to adhere to its policies and procedures concerning political and lobbying activities and contributions, as well as to all applicable federal, state and local laws. The company has decision-making and oversight processes in place for political and lobbying activities and contributions to ensure activities and contributions are legally permissible, supportive of and consistent with CenterPoint Energy’s business strategy, goals and priorities. All company political contributions require the approval of CenterPoint Energy’s employee-led PAC council. Key issues, lobbying activities, lobbying expenses and trade association dues are overseen and evaluated by senior management. These expenses and dues are also included in the company’s annual budget, which is reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.