'A global leader in innovation': City of Houston enters partnership with CenterPoint Energy

In an effort to craft a regional master energy plan to increase sustainability and efficiency, the City of Houston and CenterPoint Energy have formed a partnership, as announced by The Greater Houston Partnership on Feb. 9. 

The initiative has been named Resilient Now and its chief objective will be to modernize energy infrastructure in the city so that the city is less susceptible to disruptive weather events. The modernization of infrastructure will also include investments in electric vehicle resources and increase the use of renewable energy sources. 

Finally, the 10-year plan will prioritize training to bolster the sustainable energy workforce in the region. 

“CenterPoint Energy is proud to be collaborating with the City of Houston to develop a regional plan to focus on immediate, medium- and long-term reliability solutions that are specific to the needs of individual communities,” Dave Lesar, president and CEO of CenterPoint Energy, said.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner reciprocated the positivity around the partnership. He stressed the importance of making Houston a powerhouse when it comes to clean, reliable energy.

“As the fourth largest U.S. city, Houston endeavors to be a global leader in innovation and establish a model of resilience for cities everywhere. The City of Houston is committed to this higher purpose and believes making these improvements today will position us to continue our global leadership in energy, space exploration and health care innovation,” he said.

According to the city, it has made improvements to its water plants and other critical infrastructure by installing emergency generators, upgrading electrical circuits, and fixing the facilities in order to withstand events like the 2021 winter storm.

In 2021, the Partnership unveiled the Houston Energy Transition Initiative (HETI), a strategic regional blueprint for leading the global energy transition to a low-carbon world. The effort complements a range of existing initiatives, including the city’s Climate Action Plan, launched in 2020.