1988

• Arkla, Inc. acquires Entex in the largest acquisition in company history.

1984

• NRC licensing board issued preliminary decision favorable to granting STP operating license on March 14.
• Houston Industries stock listed on the London Exchange, June 4.

1983

• City of Austin filed suit in Travis County State District Court on January 7 seeking release from the STP Participation Agreement.
• Dome-topping ceremony marked completion of construction on STP No. 1 reactor containment building on September 7.

1982

• Diversified Energies, Inc. holding company was formed with Minnegasco, Inc. as its subsidiary.
• Ebasco Services, Inc., named on February 15 as contractor to complete STP.
• Don D. Jordan was elected chairman and CEO, and Don Sykora was elected president and COO of HL&P and Houston Industries on May 12.

1981

• Arkansas Louisiana Gas Company shareholders voted to change the company name to Arkla, Inc.
• Bechtel Power Corp. was announced on September 24 as the design engineer for STP, replacing Brown & Root.
• Austin voters authorized City Council on November 3 to sell the city's 16 percent interest in STP.
• Minnesota Gas Co. began creating its Home Service Plus® retail business to continue appliance repair service when it could no longer do so as a regulated natural gas company.