CenterPoint Energy is rolling out a new framework aimed at putting Texas communities and landowners at the center of its next major transmission improvement projects.
The Houston-based utility announced its “10 Commitments for Texans” on Tuesday, outlining a community-first approach to strengthening and modernizing the state’s transmission system. The commitments apply to future major transmission projects requiring a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity from the Public Utility Commission of Texas and spanning more than 100 miles.
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“We are committed to working together with our local communities and Texas landowners to build a better, more reliable, and more resilient energy future,” said Jason Ryan, CenterPoint Energy’s Executive Vice President of Regulatory Services and Government Affairs. “Our 10 Commitments reflect our sincere effort to put Texans and our communities first, help ensure that local communities and our region truly benefit, and treat everyone as partners with the opportunity to shape and make these vital energy infrastructure projects even better.”
Affordability takes center stage
Keeping costs down for customers is a central theme of the initiative. CenterPoint recently signed the White House’s “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” and supports Texas Senate Bill 6, passed during the last legislative session, which prioritizes customer affordability and grid reliability.
The company also announced a $5 billion Customer Savings Initiative for Texas families. Its upcoming transmission projects are projected to save Electric Reliability Council of Texas customers an additional $100 million or more annually as local economies grow and share the cost of reliability improvements.
More time, more input for landowners
One of the most notable changes under the new commitments is a significant expansion of the landowner feedback process. CenterPoint says it will more than double the time property owners have to weigh in on projects.
The enhanced engagement process includes hosting webinars alongside traditional open houses, extending the initial landowner comment period to 30 days, and holding a second round of open houses and webinars before submitting a project application to regulators. After an application is filed, the window for landowners to intervene will be voluntarily extended from 30 days to 60 days.
CenterPoint will also launch a dedicated project website with an interactive map, a project email inbox and hotline with a required two-business-day response time, and will meet with government officials before community notices go out.
Jobs, taxes, local benefits
The economic case for the projects is significant, according to a third-party study conducted by IdeaSmiths. The upcoming transmission projects are projected to support approximately 41,000 Texas jobs during construction, representing roughly $4.4 billion in salaries and local economic activity, along with an anticipated 1,100 ongoing jobs once complete.
Local governments and school districts could also see lasting financial benefits. The projects are expected to generate approximately $120 million per year in new tax revenue for local schools and public services, according to the same study.
Protecting land, water, communities
CenterPoint says it will review more than 40 land use factors when planning project routes, with a focus on avoiding wetlands, waterways and environmentally sensitive areas. The company also pledged to work closely with farmers and ranchers to minimize impacts to agricultural land and livestock operations.
On the property rights front, CenterPoint committed to providing above-market valuations to impacted landowners, offering flexible payment options and using independent appraisers. The company set a goal of acquiring at least 95% of required property without the use of eminent domain
Free electric and magnetic field testing will be offered to any customer’s home or business as part of the company’s health and safety commitment.
What’s next
CenterPoint says it is currently in the initial planning stages of its transmission improvement efforts and is continuing community outreach across the region. The company has already held meetings with federal, state and local government officials and is hosting ongoing webinars and open house events.