CenterPoint Energy 2007 Annual Report Download - page 9

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We also promote energy efficiency in our electric service territory. For the sixth consecutive year,
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency presented us with the ENERGY STAR Sustained
Excellence Award for promoting energy-efficient home construction. Last year, we continued
our evaluation of advanced metering and an intelligent electric distribution grid. We have installed
10,000 smart meters in a limited deployment and have received encouraging results. We believe
the real-time energy data that will be available from advanced meters will enable customers
to better manage and reduce their energy use.
Not only do we help our customers conserve energy, but we are careful consumers ourselves.
Last year, we received the 2007 ENERGY STAR Award for efficient energy use at our corporate
headquarters’ building. We also have reduced energy use at our other Houston-area facilities
by 27 percent since 2002.
Finally, we recognize that our employees are the most important driver of our success.
To address our future workforce needs, we are hiring and training new employees and partnering
with educational institutions. Our employees not only contribute to our business success,
they work hard for the communities we serve. Last year, our employees volunteered more than
174,000 hours and raised more than $2 million dollars for nonprofit organizations.
The energy industry is on the move, and we’re moving with it. We appreciate your confidence
in our company, and we will work hard to increase the value of your investment.
Sincerely,
ADDRESSING OUR NATION’S ENERGY NEEDS
Looking to the future, we are confident that our company is positioned
to succeed in a changing energy and environmental landscape.
The electric utility industry is expected to turn to natural gas, an abundant
and clean-burning fossil fuel, to bridge the gap until cleaner alternatives
are available. As a result, consumption of natural gas is expected to increase,
putting pressure on natural gas supply and pricing. Although high gas prices
will present challenges for our local distribution business, we believe
the market demands for more natural gas will create opportunities for
our pipelines and field services units. We stand ready to meet the needs
of our customers and the marketplace.
The concern about global climate change will also put more focus on
conservation and using energy wisely. As a utility, we are well positioned to
serve in a leadership role. In most of our natural gas service territory, we are
pursuing decoupled rates, weather normalization and adjustment mechanisms,
and funding to promote energy conservation, energy audits, and incentives for
high-efficiency commercial and residential natural gas products.
MILTON CARROLL DAVID M. McCLANAHAN
Chairman President and CEO