1977

• HL&P customer count surpassed 800,000 on November 30.
• HL&P’s first coal-fired generating plant went into service.

1976

• Entex acquired the gas distribution properties of the Houston Natural Gas Corporation.
• Formation of Houston Industries, Inc. was approved by HL&P stockholders on December 8.
• Minnesota Gas Co. acquired Cengas, natural gas properties of CENTEL - Central Telephone and Utilities Corp. in Nebraska and South Dakota

1975

• Public hearings on STP nuclear plant began on April 22.
• Texas Legislature passed bill providing for the creation of the Public Utility Commission on June 2.
• Limited Work Authorization for STP granted August 12.
• Preliminary work at STP began September 22.
• Construction permit issued for STP on December 22.

1974

• Application for construction permit for South Texas Project filed with the Atomic Energy Commission on May 17.
• United Gas, Inc. name changed to Entex, Inc.
• Minnesota Gas Co. merged with Minnesota Natural Gas Company.
• Minnesota Gas Company acquired Central Natural Gas Company.
• Executive elections for HL&P were held on December 3. J.G. Reese was elected chairman of the board and CEO; Don D. Jordan was elected president

1973

• South Texas Project (STP) to build nuclear power plant announced on June 6.
• Participation Agreement signed by HL&P, CP&L and San Antonio on July 1.
• Austin joined STP on December 1.

1971

• State-of-the-art Energy Control Center dedicated in downtown Houston on May 9.

1970

• United Gas Corporation, which grew out of the company that acquired HL&P in 1887, merged with Pennzoil and spun off the distribution unit as United Gas, Inc., which later became Entex.
• Minimum bill for HL&P customers increased to $1.90 on December 22.