CenterPoint Energy ranks first in industry in The Civic 50

Listing recognizes America's 50 most community-minded companies

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Dec 10, 2014, 02:59 ET

HOUSTON, Dec. 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- CenterPoint Energy (NYSE:CNP) has been recognized as the top community-minded company in its industry in The Civic 50, an annual initiative that identifies and recognizes companies for their commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business. Points of Light, the largest organization in the world dedicated to volunteer service conducted the survey in partnership with Bloomberg LP. All companies with $1 billion in revenue or more are invited to apply for The Civic 50.

In 2013, CenterPoint Energy employees, retirees, friends and family members volunteered more than 220,000 volunteer hours valued at more than $5 million. The company has been recognized as the top community-minded company in its industry in The Civic 50, an annual initiative that identifies and recognizes companies for their commitment to improve the quality of life in the communities where they do business.

"Corporate civic engagement is on the rise and it's being led by the forward-thinking businesses included on The Civic 50 list," said Neil Bush, Chairman of Points of Light. "The correlation their efforts showcase between community engagement and employee retention, productivity and overall bottom-line benefits continues to prove that businesses that do good, do well. We congratulate this year's Civic 50 and we hope that they continue to inspire greater investments in improving communities through corporate civic engagement."

"CenterPoint Energy is honored to be named to The Civic 50 list," said Scott Prochazka, CenterPoint Energy president and CEO. "We are proud of our community involvement. Our corporate citizenship program reflects our strategy to operate and grow our business while serving our customers and communities, mobilizes employees to create positive change and builds bonds with our customers."

"We are proud to be in our third year of partnering with Points of Light on The Civic 50 survey," said Peter Grauer, Chairman of Bloomberg LP. "The data from this year's Civic 50 survey offers valuable insights that decision makers can use to grow their businesses, transform their communities and improve the lives of those they serve."

The Civic 50 survey was developed this year under the guidance of an academic panel of nine experts from leading universities throughout the country. The survey evaluates companies based on several criteria including how extensively and strategically resources are applied to community engagement and how a community engagement program supports business interests and integrates into business functions.

Other criteria include how a company supports community engagement through its institutional policies, systems and incentives, and how a company measures the social and business impact of its community engagement program. True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value, administered the survey.

The Civic 50 was created in 2012 to measure corporate civic engagement and recognize companies that incorporate socially responsible practices and community leadership into their culture. A working group of leading researchers, industry thought leaders and corporate advisors provided strategic guidance on their program's objectives, including defining indicators, developing methodology and identifying partners and participants.

To view a complete list of The Civic 50 companies for 2014 and to learn more about the importance of civic engagement in corporate America, please visit www.Civic50.org.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company also owns a 55.4 percent limited partner interest in Enable Midstream Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp., which owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With more than 8,500 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 140 years. For more information, visit the website at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

For more information contact:
Olivia Ross
Phone 713.207.3288
Pager 713.619.5143

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy