As Greater San Antonio’s electric and gas provider, CPS Energy employees don’t just work here, we live and raise our families here. Our customers benefit not only from the reliable energy service we provide every day, but also from the time and effort we invest in the community, helping our neighbors in need.

Volunteers in Public Service (VIPS)
Through Volunteers in Public Service (VIPS), CPS Energy’s community service program, hundreds of employees, retirees and their families provide thousands of hours of support each year to local charities, non-profit organizations and other community projects. Such projects have included the donation of box fans to help the elderly during the summer months, holiday toy collections for underprivileged children, and deliveries of hot meals to seniors and the needy. Annually, VIPS volunteers contribute almost 30,000 hours to support a long list of projects that have a significant impact on our community.

United Way
Every year, CPS Energy ranks among the top corporate contributors to the local United Way campaign. Each year, employees rally and pledge approximately three-quarters of a million dollars to United Way programs that help the disabled and elderly, reduce family violence, invest in children and youth, and improve mental and physical health.

Weatherization
More than 200 inner-city homes are selected each year to receive the benefits of CPS Energy’s Weatherization Project. Employee volunteers caulk, weatherstrip and insulate the homes of elderly or low-income families in an effort to reduce their energy bills and make their homes for energy efficient. Weatherization also helps the entire community by reducing dependency for energy.

Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP)
CPS Energy also has established the Residential Energy Assistance Partnership (REAP), a non-profit foundation that helps families in need pay their utility bills throughout the year and educates them on money-saving conservation measures. This non-profit foundation relies on tax-deductible donations from CPS Energy customers for its funding. More about REAP 

Mi Casa Makeover
CPS Energy is partnering with KENS-TV to renovate and transform the home of a local family as part of the Mi Casa Makeover program, a feature of KENS’ Great Day SA morning show. Many of the families who are chosen to participate in the program have suffered personal hardships that have made home renovation and maintenance difficult. As part of the Mi Casa effort, local remodeling companies donate their time, skills and materials to help renovate these homes in an effort to improve the lives of these families. As San Antonio’s gas and electric utility, CPS Energy is offered the chance to highlight several programs we have that can provide valuable cost and energy savings for the owners of each home. In turn, viewers of the show learn about these programs and how they can take advantage of the benefits these programs offer. More About Mi Casa Makeover 

Student Assistance for Education (SAFE)
Each school year, the Student Assistance for Education (SAFE) program offers professional experience and scholarship money to a handful of students who are interested in the fields of engineering, accounting, information technology or other fields important to the utility industry. More about SAFE 

Planting Our Future
CPS Energy is committed to improving the tree canopy in Greater San Antonio and providing customers with an additional source of future energy savings by donating trees. CPS Energy gave away more than 5,000 trees in 2007 through its Planting Our Future program, exceeding donations in 2006 by 23 percent. The program includes the Green Shade initiative and joint projects with the San Antonio City Council districts and the Alamo Forest Partnership.

In addition to tree donations, an environmental team with CPS Energy planted trees along Calaveras Creek in January to minimize flooding effects. The team cleared out brushy understory and planted 85 trees on three properties along the stream corridor in an effort to improve the canopy cover in an area where species like mesquite and huisache have created flooding problems by snagging debris.

Energy Education, Public Safety and Environmental Commitment
CPS Energy also offers valuable education and public safety programs for free to community groups, homeowner’s associations, schools, and other organizations to keep our customers informed of energy-saving tips and safety.

We are also committed to making CPS Energy the most environmentally responsible electric and gas utility in the country by protecting the area we serve through programs such as:

• Rebates for energy-efficient products such as compact fluorescent light bulbs and home appliances. 
• Planting Our Future, which improves the air quality by appropriately selecting and placing trees in urban areas. 
• Mow Down Smog, which promotes the use of emission-free electrical lawn equipment. 
• Our award-winning leadership in materials recycling.