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2015 Corporate Citizenship Report WE ARE SERVING IMPACT SERVICE ANDVALUE More than 10000 power line-friendlytrees donated through the RightTree Right Place program Donated 2.75 million to United Way with 66 employee participation 2015 Corporate Contributions Community and economic development Education Health and human services Safety Environment Art and culture Youth and sports activities 15 20 25 32 4 2 2 OUR VISION At CenterPoint Energy our vision is to Lead the nation in delivering energy service and value. To us this means more than just doing business it means being guided by a set of core values that define who we are and what we believe. OUR VALUES We believe strong business performance is driven by sound strategy strong execution and solid values. Were committed to doing business every day with safety integrity accountability initiative and respect for our customers shareholders employees and the communities we serve. OUR COMMITMENT For more than 140 years CenterPoint Energy has served communities across the United States while building relationships between our employees and our customers. When the families and businesses we serve are strong the communities where CenterPoint Energy operates are strong. METRIC TONS OF CO2 9000 Between February 2009 and July 2012 CenterPoint Energy installed more than 2.2 million smart meters for residential and business customers in Houston. Smart meters make detailed electricity consumption information available to customers to help them control their energy use. The meters can also be read connected and disconnected remotely resulting in fewer company trucks on the road and preventing approximately 9000 metric tons of CO2 emissions. CARBON OFFSET 13 million remote service orders fulfilled without sending a crew. GIVE Grant amount 71900 Community Partnership Grant amount 130000 Page 1 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Corporate contributions 1 Letter to community stakeholders 3 Corporate citizenship 4 Responsibility to the environment 6 safety and education 8 Community DEVELOPMENT 10 Volunteer outreach 12 2015 Volunteers of the year 16 2015 awards 20 Page 2 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Dear community stakeholders CenterPoint Energy values the relationships we have formed in the communities where we serve. We are not only committed to delivering safe and reliable electricity and natural gas but also to finding new ways to address the needs of the communities where we live and work. Each day we strive to live out our values of safety integrity accountability initiative and respect. Over the years we have developed strong relationships with small and diverse suppliers to support economic growth through our Supplier Diversity initiative. We are building lasting impact through our community partnerships such as Rebuilding Together Houston and being part of its Super Impact 17. Investing in the next generation is important to CenterPoint Energy. Through our longstanding partnership with Junior Achievement we have been able to reach more than 50000 students to provide financial literacy and career development. Our employees also participated in various literacy initiatives such as United Way Reading Together and Read Across America to help improve literacy rates across our footprint. Safety is a top priority at CenterPoint Energy. We want to make sure our customers understand the importance of being safe around electricity and natural gas. Our employees are sharing these important messages with the help of Louie the Lightning Bug Buddy Blue Flame and Wanda Water Heater at local elementary schools and in other communities through our employee Speakers Bureau. We strive to be good stewards of the environment. CenterPoint Energy is committed to responsible actions that can help reduce emissions ensure reliable power and control costs for our customers. Volunteerism is at the heart of our company culture. In 2015 our employees retirees and their families and friends contributed tens of thousands of hours to their communities helping to make them better places in which to learn work and live. As we work each day to support our communities through volunteer outreach energy efficiency education and economic development efforts CenterPoint Energy is living out our company values. Together we are serving our communities through impact service and value. Page 3 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Scott M. Prochazka Floyd J. LeBlanc Diane M. Englet President and CEO Vice President Senior Director Public Affairs and Corporate Community Communications Relations Corporate Citizenship Commitment to military CenterPoint Energy currently has 546 employees who are veterans or active military reservists. U.S. Veterans Magazine named CenterPoint Energy one of its Top Veteran-Friendly Companies for our participation in military job fairs and our hiring practices including our commitment to hiring those with disabilities. CenterPoint Energy also was the largest corporate sponsor in a program providing wreaths for veterans cemeteries in Lawton Okla. Supplier diversity Diversity is an essential tool that creates a competitive edge in todays marketplace. Companies that value diversity realize new and better relationships with their most critical stakeholders. CenterPoint Energy is committed to developing strong working relationships with diverse suppliers including minority-owned women-owned and small business enterprises MWBEs and using innovative approaches designed to continually improve business opportunities. In 2015 CenterPoint Energy was awarded the Edison Electric Institute Excellence in Supplier Diversity Award. We also participated in more than 30 local state and national supplier diversity outreach events. 546 employees who are veterans or active military reservists Page 4 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report CenterPoint Energy is committed to supporting our communities through our partnerships with diverse businesses and giving our time and expertise in community leadership roles. 300 employees serve across 504 nonprofit boards Our attorneys contributed 193 pro bono hours to communities we serve Page 5 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report At the Wesley Community Center in Houston employees packed and distributed nearly 800 holiday bags of food to local families. In Houston employees participated in the UNCF Walk for Education. The funds raised help provide scholarships for promising students who otherwise might not be able to afford to attend college. Employees in Minnesota held safety fairs at local community and fire department open houses. Safety messages hoop toys and blinking lights were handed out reaching more than 30000 customers. Serving our communities through education is one way our employees are impacting the future work force. CNP supports Junior Achievements programs to help young people gain the financial literacy and work readiness theyll need to succeed in a global economy. Responsibility to the Environment Energy efficiency As a result of our energy-efficiency efforts in 2015 approximately 170000 megawatt hours of energy were saved. Our programs span across commercial residential and low-income sites and the savings captured in these programs help to keep our environment cleaner by reducing energy consumption as well as helping to educate our customers on other ways to manage their home energy consumption efficiently. Our Energy Wise program provided 14265 energy kits to Houston-area middle school students and explained water and energy conservation tips. More than 11000 new homes were part of our ENERGY STAR New Homes program which provided incentives to builders in our electric service territory. ENERGY STAR-certified new homes are designed and built to standards well above those of most other homes on the market today delivering energy efficiency savings of up to 30 percent higher than typical new homes. CenterPoint Energys Schools Conserving Resources SCORECitySmart program helps consumers identify ways to reduce energy costs specifically in public and private schools nonprofits colleges and governmental entities. In 2015 The University of Texas Medical Branch UTMB in Galveston had huge success in the SCORE program. UTMB completed 23 lighting projects across multiple facilities and received 212499 in incentives from CenterPoint Energy making it our largest participant in 2015. With the incentives from CenterPoint Energy and money saved on electric bills from the new efficient lighting UTMB will be able to purchase more energy- efficient equipment in 2016 and continue to reduce its load on the grid. Conservation Improvement Program Rebates from our Conservation Improvement Program encourage residential and business natural gas customers in Arkansas Minnesota Mississippi and Oklahoma to choose energy-efficient equipment and our other energy-saving programs also helped them save energy and money. In 2015 our customers saved more than 2.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas a company record and an energy cost saving of nearly 17.9 million the equivalent of the annual energy usage of about 27000 homes. These savings reduced our customers total carbon footprint by about 120000 metric tons which is equivalent to removing 20000 cars from the road for a year. Page 6 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report CenterPoint Energy is working to invest in our natural resources as well as promote energy efficiency to help conserve our environment. For the ninth consecutive year the company earned the Sustained Excellence in Program Delivery award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Right Tree Right Place Our employees participated in more than 30 tree-planting and education outreach events. Through our partnership with Energy Saving Trees we gave away 2500 trees to help reduce energy consumption for 1444 individuals. We also sponsored Trees for Houstons Trees for Schools program. 11239518 pounds of scrap metal including wire cable transmission towers pipe gas meters and electric meters 11030 pounds of transformers 636091 gallons of used oil including motor oil and transformer oil 320.81 tons of wood products Page 7 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report 24124 pounds of lamps The LED program has been very successful for us. Weve been doing several LED retrofit projects here at UTMB. Weve been mandated through our leadership to reduce our energy consumption by 2 percent a year. Through CenterPoint Energys energy efficiency incentives program weve been able to attain our goal. The funds we get from CenterPoint Energy as incentives go right back into the project to continue on with the next years project. CenterPoint Energy has been a great community partner. Christian Robbian Program Director of Engineering University of Texas Medical Branch Recycling CenterPoint Enery recycles many different types of material in an attempt to lower the companys use of landfill space. In 2015 recycling saved the company 6.8 million in landfill costs. 130presentations were made about electric and natural gas safety hurricane preparedness and energy efficiency by our Speakers Bureau 10 Safety awareness During 2015 our Gas Safety group implemented the Picarro leak detection system. Picarro involves highly sensitive surveying equipment installed on vehicles that can sense the presence of natural gas from as far away as 600 feet. Our company is using this technology to conduct regulatory compliance surveying as well as to identify gas leaks resulting from accidents. The mobile technology enables the natural gas crews to cover large areas in a short amount of time which in the case of major incidents can allow faster identification of leaks and dispatch of crews to protect the public. Supporting literacy Employees from Pine Bluff and Stuttgart Ark. partnered with other community leaders in a community wide Lets Read Together initiative. Volunteers read books and shared natural gas safety tips with students at a local elementary school. In addition our employees were involved in literacy tutoring efforts across our footprint. Safety presentations in schools and the community Our company icons Buddy Blue Flame and Louie the Lightning Bug had a busy year. Buddy Blue Flame had his own safety booklet with activities created for elementary students. His booklet features key natural gas safety messages through puzzles and activities and is distributed at local schools and events and by our Home Service Plus technicians when they visit our customers with families. Louie the Lightning Bug partnered with Orbit the Houston Astros mascot to visit Houston-area elementary schools and talk about electric and natural gas safety. Louie also made appearances at the Houston Mayors Back to School Festival and HoustonGalveston Hurricane Workshop to give out additional safety information and encourage storm preparedness. Our employees volunteered at the annual Harris County Bright Futures FairStreet Olympics. This event provided students hands-on experience in creating electrical circuits and an understanding of the importance of safety inside and outside of their homes. Safety and Education Page 8 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Education is the foundation of advancing our communities and reinforcing safe work practices. Our partnerships with local schools and nonprofits allow us to share safety tips and professional experience to transfer knowledge to future generations. 25000 students received our LouieBuddy activity booklet at Houston Back to School event We celebrated Dr. Seuss birthday by participating in Read Across America and encouraging our employees to share their love of reading with a child. Our employees read at 31 schools and nonprofits to over 2700 students. In addition we made 22 grants totaling 7775. 11 Junior Achievement Employees across our footprint support the Junior Achievement program in their communities including serving on their local programs boards of directors raising funds through bowling events and sharing valuable information about business and financial literacy. Last year marked a major corporate milestone having reached more than 50000 students in Houston our largest market with our longstanding JA partnership. In 2015 our volunteers enabled 7000 Houston-area students to gain an understanding of work readiness entrepreneurship and financial literacy so that they can have an impact on their citys future. Our partnership with Junior Achievement of Southeast Texas goes beyond teaching business concepts including teaching youths about electric and natural gas safety. As part of JA Biztown CenterPoint Energys safety depot allows students to role play as safety experts. In Minneapolis our volunteers at JA STEM camp helped students gain an understanding and appreciation of how an engineers work makes our community safer and more efficient. As a sponsor for JA Inspire a unique career awareness event held in the Houston area CenterPoint Energy helped nearly 19000 middle school students learn about local companies and careers as well as valuable electric and gas safety messages. 1500 students learned about staying safe around electricity through our partnership with Childrens Museum of Houston Page 9 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Community revitalization Lending a helping hand is a part of our company culture. For more than 20 years we have partnered with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity in Minnesota to develop build and revitalize affordable energy-efficient housing. We also partnered with Rebuilding Together Houston to repair homes that are owned by low-income elderly and military individuals. In leading up to the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston CenterPoint Energy kicked off the first home repair for the Super Impact 17 campaign. CenterPoint Energy celebrated achieving 1 million in rebates for our Nonprofit Affordable Housing program. This program provides rebates for energy-efficient space- and water-heating equipment insulation and related measures in homes developed and constructed by participating nonprofit affordable housing agencies. We are extremely proud of our strong long-standing relationships with these agencies and our partnership in working together to expand affordable housing opportunities for those in need in our Minnesota communities said Doug Peterson senior director of Sales and Conservation Improvement Program Implementation. The residents will be able to live more affordably and comfortably with substantial annual energy savings over all the years they live in their new homes. Economic development CenterPoint Energy strives to be a force for growth and economic prosperity in the communities we serve by creating andor retaining jobs that facilitate growth provide a stable community tax base and thus expand our customer base. In 2015 our Economic Development team collaborated with other local organizations on projects that resulted in more than 2.5 billion in total economic impact and more than 700 million in new capital investment for the region. These projects are creating jobs for the region helping build the tax base for the communities we serve and increasing community prosperity. In addition to the project activity the Economic Development staff has partnered with other local organizations on recent important issues impacting future economic development including workforce development and training initiatives local and state incentive programs infrastructure improvements and strategic regional planning. Community Development Page 10 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report CenterPoint Energy is an active partner in the community. Through our Community Partnership Grants more than 130000 was awarded to communities in Minnesota Arkansas and Oklahoma for safety-related projects or equipment used in emergency response. Since 2003 the company has awarded 638 grants valued at 1.27 million. Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference The Power Tools for Nonprofits Conference held with our community partner the University of Houston provided an educational forum for nonprofit professionals volunteers and board members offering ideas on how to leverage resources strengthen organizational effectiveness and improve the quality of life for all. In 2015 24 sessions were available to strengthen the skills of more than 600 nonprofit workers. Sports broadcaster and former NFL player Spencer Tillman second from right above was the keynote speaker. Torchlight Parade Nearly 200 employees family and friends joined together to celebrate the 76th annual Aquatennial celebration. For the past 15 years CenterPoint Energy has served as the title sponsor of the Torchlight Parade in Minneapolis Minnesota. The company float included Buddy Blue Flame as well as a vanguard of natural gas vehicles. Page 11 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report 23 12 47 1 4 6 7 Economic Development Chambers of Commerce Civic Improvement Community Development Corporate Citizenship MWBE Rotary 2015 Civic Budget Blood drives In 2015 our employees donated 4830 pints of blood which is enough to save more than 14000 lives. Our employees in Houston have collected 63227 units of blood since 2002 enough blood to save 189681 lives. CenterPoint Energy stands as one of the largest partners for the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center which serves the worlds largest medical complex. March of Dimes Throughout the company footprint our employees participated in the March for Babies and raised 143838 to support the research and programs that help fight infant mortality birth defects and premature births. Fishing derby CenterPoint Energy was a proud sponsor of the 10th annual Spina Bifida Fishing Derby at Camp Aldersgate in Little Rock Ark. Employees and their families volunteered to help the young campers. The derby is a two-day event that allowed 40 campers ages 6 to 14 to compete for the biggest fish and the most catches. Volunteer Outreach 44560 raised for Junior Achievement Page 12 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report 4830 pints of blood donated saving more than 14000 lives Community involvement is part of CenterPoint Energys culture of giving back. In 2015 our employees retirees and their families and friends contributed more than 203000 hours of volunteer time. We also awarded 71900 to nonprofits on behalf of our employee volunteers through our Grant Incentives for Volunteer Employees program GIVE. 143838 raised for March of Dimes 15 Holiday programs During the holiday season many of our employees and their families and friends gave back to our neighbors in need. We donated time and gifts to the Salvation Army Angel Tree campaign and provided bell ringers at the Salvation Armys red kettles. In Houston the company was one of the sponsors for the Fifth Ward Christmas in the Nickel where volunteers spread holiday cheer to local children. Our employees also donated nearly 3500 pounds of pet food benefiting Interfaith Ministries aniMeals on Wheels program which provides pet food for homebound seniors who receive support from Meals on Wheels. 86075 raised at Charity Saltwater FishingTournament benefiting Kids Unlimited and Cystic Fibrosis Foundations 203000 volunteer hours valued at 4.7 million according to the Independent Sector Page 13 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report 82271 raised for MS 150 Living We are Our Values RESPECTIN ITIATIVE ACCOUNTA BILITY INTEGRITY SAFETY Page 15 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report CenterPoint Energy 2015 Volunteers of the Year Bobby Riggs underground network tester in Houston is a strong supporter of the Houston Livestock Show Rodeo. He and his family have served on a team that cooks for Houston Hurricanes a special-needs childrens group. I enjoy giving back to the community by raising funds that go toward scholarships for deserving students said Bobby. George Bilnoski competitive retailer relations account manager in Houston has devoted many hours to Rebuilding Together Houston Junior Achievement and Wesley House Food for the Holidays. I encourage all first-time volunteers to get involved meet new people and broaden your horizons said George. You will never be on your own because you have a whole team behind you. Page 16 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Peggy Jackson financial analyst in Houston is a longtime supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. After seeing two people with whom she is close diagnosed with diabetes Peggy decided to do everything she can to help find a cure. She has served in financial roles with this nonprofit and supported its Promise Ball gala. You dont know when it could be you or your family that are the ones affected by this disease Peggy said. She also volunteers with the Houston CPA Society to provide pro bono services on tax returns. Carlos Salinas service technician in Alvin Texas has been involved for nearly 14 years in company- sponsored volunteer events. Over the years his wife and children have been able to volunteer with him as well. I have learned so much about volunteer service that I am now actively volunteering personally in a mens group at church that mentors other young men in volunteer service and being good citizens Carlos said. Michael Thomas operations leader in the Houston South District has been a dedicated supporter of the March of Dimes for more than 30 years. I believe in supporting the March of Dimes said Michael. My family has been directly affected by a premature birth and I want to support others who go through this same experience. He has been a team captain for many years and recruited many new team members to support the cause. I believe in giving back to the community because I have been so richly rewarded he said. Page 17 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Ann Barilleaux marketing consultant in Lake Charles La. serves on the Court Appointed Special Advocates Council and chairs the Family and Youth Board of Directors. Not having children of my own I knew that I could have a beneficial and substantial impact for these children who do not have adults looking out for them said Ann. In her role she helps ensure that best practices are maintained and that the program has quality volunteers and adequate financial resources. She also educates the community about the need for this service. Claude Figueroa marketing consultant in Tyler Texas served as a United Way Loaned Executive in 2010 for the Smith County Champions for Children. Since then he has been an active supporter of this organization. As a father and a grandfather I have a special feeling for children in need of the services provided by Champions he said. Anything I can do as a volunteer to help Champions reach these little ones is a wonderful investment. Claude also serves on the East Texas Workforce Solutions Board. continued 2015 Volunteers of the Year Page 18 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report Steven Taylor marketing consultant in Lawton Okla. is part of the Lawton High School Band booster club. Due to state budget cuts in schools the booster club was in charge of raising funds to fill the gaps for the band. He and the other band booster members helped organize volunteers to operate the concession stands at the high schools sports events. He also has seen his volunteer enthusiasm catch on with his children. When you volunteer you receive more back than you give said Steven. Volunteering is fulfilling and gratifying. Instead of saying Give until it hurts say Give until it feels good Michael Nehotte storekeeper in Minneapolis volunteers at his childrens school and serves as a volunteer coach due to lack of school funds to hire a coach. In 2014 Mike became involved in the Stewardship Mentoring Program through his church. This program helps struggling families take responsibility for their own finances. Volunteers in the program teach families to control their spending and get advice when in doubt. With a helping hand these families have thrived. Mike believes everyone needs help at some time and that they can overcome almost any challenge with a helping hand. Be that person who changes someones life for the better Mike said. Steve Olinger operations specialist in Minneapolis is an active Junior Achievement volunteer and recruiter of new employee classroom volunteers. He is very proud of his work with JA and the new recruits he has mentored. He has volunteered in some capacity for the past 12 years but it was not until he found JA that he knew he found his calling. His advice to others is Just try volunteering and keep looking for that special niche that has your name all over it. Page 19 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report COMMUNITY AWARDS Ally for Literacy Houston Center for Literacy 2015 BBB Awards for Excellence Better Business Bureau of Minnesota Education Foundation 2015 University of Houstons Distinguished Service Award Laurie Rutherford Bronze Service Award American Red Cross Greater Houston Bronze Sponsor Award March of Dimes Little Rock Ark. Community Partnership Award Galveston Fire Department Community Spirit Awards Angela Cox and Dominic Robinson Fort Bend Youth in Philanthropy Texas Corporate Partner Award Crime Stoppers of Houston Corporate Partner of the Year Habitat for Humanity Texas R.I.S.E.S. Award Memorial Blood Centers Minnesota Top 20 Donor Memorial Blood Centers Minnesota Winner of Distinction Better Business Bureau Education Foundation Greater Houston and South Texas 2015 Awards Page 20 2015 Corporate Citizenship Report DIVERSITY AWARDS Rigel Award Houston Minority Supplier Development Council Corporate Diversity Champion Award Floyd LeBlanc Diversity Summit Corporation of the Year Houstons Womens Business Enterprise Alliance EEI Excellence Award in Supplier Diversity Edison Electric Institute 2020 Board Honor Roll 2020 Women on Boards ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS 2015 Project of the Year Houston Area Urban Forestry Council Gold Leaf Award Arboricultural Project of the Year Tree Planting Competition International Society of Arboriculture Mayors Proud Partner Award City of Houston SAFETY AWARDS City of Houston Proclamation City of Houston Safety Video Excellence Award Southern Gas Association INDUSTRY AWARDS Service Award Southern Gas Association Silver Award of Merit American Gas Association Operations 40 Best Energy Companies 2015 Public Utilities Fortnightly Second in 2015 IOU Utilities Study American Customer Satisfaction Index Chronicle 100 The Houston Chronicle First in Midwest and Second in South in Operational Satisfaction in Utility Trusted Brand and Engagement Residential Study Cogent Reports Second in South Region in J.D. Power 2015 Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study J.D. Power Third in Midwest in Operational Satisfaction in Utility Trusted Brand and Engagement Residential Study Cogent Reports Environmental Champion Award Cogent Reports HANA Innovation Award SAP Meehan Award Greg Angst Utilities Telecom Council Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Environmental Protection Agency Technology Transfer Awards Electric Power Research Institute Top honors in Qualitative and Quantitative Market Research American Marketing Association Houston Chapter Top Innovation Award for Customer Engagement SAP Utility of the Year SAP Customer Champion in Utility Trusted Brand and Engagement Residential Study Cogent Reports 2015 Legal Department of the Year for Pro Bono and Community Leadership Category Texas Lawyer Top Veteran-Friendly Companies U.S. Veterans Magazine Call Center Week Excellence Award winner Call Center Week Floyd LeBlanc fourth from the right vice president of Public Affairs and Communications received the Corporate Diversity Champion Award from a Diversity Summit in Houston. The company was recognized for our impact on communities we serve throughout our service territory. 1111 Louisiana Street Houston TX 77002 CenterPointEnergy.comCommunity