For more information contact:
Media: Rolf Lund, 612.321.4879

Minneapolis – September 25, 2007 – With two weeks until low temperatures in Minnesota  typically dip below freezing for the first time, nearly 155,000 CenterPoint Energy customers still have past-due natural gas bills. In total, these customers owe $53 million – a five percent decrease from the previous week.

To avoid disconnection of natural gas this winter, customers with past-due bills need to contact CenterPoint Energy immediately to pay their bill in full or make a payment plan. For those customers whose service has already been disconnected, service will not be restored until they pay their bill in full or make a payment plan. Service restoration could take up to five days.

If customers need help paying their bill, they should contact CenterPoint Energy to learn about energy assistance programs, including federal funds that become available in October. Assistance is limited, so customers who need help should call immediately.

To make a payment, call CenterPoint Energy at 612-321-4680 or 800-245-2377, or visit the company's Web site at CenterPointEnergy.com.