CenterPoint Energy and Vectren merger receives final order from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Pending merger on target to close in the first quarter of 2019
2019-01-16T06:00:00Z

​Houston and Evansville, Ind. - Jan. 16, 2019 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) and Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC) today announced that they have received a final order from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). The order concludes the IURC's proceeding on the pending merger. Subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the remaining order with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), the merger is expected to close in the first quarter of 2019.

"We appreciate the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's thorough review of our pending merger," said CenterPoint Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Scott M. Prochazka. "The final order marks a key milestone in creating a combined company that will be well positioned to meet our customers' energy delivery needs through a combination of traditional and innovative solutions."

Under a merger agreement announced in April 2018, the combined company, which will be named CenterPoint Energy and headquartered in Houston, is expected to have regulated electric and natural gas utility businesses in eight states that serve more than 7 million metered customers and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. The combined company will also have approximately 14,000 employees with assets totaling approximately $29 billion and an enterprise value of $27 billion.

The IURC's final order satisfies one of the two remaining conditions for the closing of the transaction. The pending merger has already received Vectren shareholder approval and approvals from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and Federal Communications Commission. It has also cleared the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period. The remaining condition is the issuance of an order by the PUCO in response to the companies' joint informational filing with respect to the merger. 

About CenterPoint Energy

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 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp. Enable Midstream Partners owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With more than 8,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, go to www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

 

About Vectren Corporation

Vectren Corporation is an energy holding company headquartered in Evansville, Ind. Vectren's energy delivery subsidiaries provide gas and/or electricity to more than 1 million customers in

adjoining service territories that cover nearly two-thirds of Indiana and about 20 percent of Ohio,

primarily in the west central area. Vectren's nonutility subsidiaries and affiliates currently offer energy-related products and services to customers throughout the U.S. These include infrastructure services and energy services. To learn more about Vectren, visit www.vectren.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

The statements in this press release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to: (1) CenterPoint Energy's proposed acquisition of Vectren, (2) regulatory approval, (3) the completion of the proposed transactions, (4) benefits of the proposed transactions, (5) the expected timing of completion of the transactions and (6) anticipated future financial information.  

Risks Related to the Merger

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to:

(1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transactions or could otherwise cause the failure of the proposed transactions to close, (2) the risk that a condition to the closing of the proposed transactions or the committed financing may not be satisfied, (3) the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the proposed transactions, (4) the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party to acquire assets or capital stock of Vectren that could interfere with the proposed transactions, (5) the timing to consummate the proposed transactions, (6) the costs incurred to consummate the proposed transactions, (7) the possibility that the expected cost savings, synergies or other value creation from the proposed transactions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, (8) the risk that the companies may not realize fair values from properties that may be required to be sold in connection with the merger, (9) the credit ratings of the companies following the proposed transactions, (10) disruption from the proposed transactions making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers and (11) the diversion of management time and attention on the proposed transactions.

Risks Related to CenterPoint Energy

Important factors related to CenterPoint Energy, its affiliates, and its and their operations that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) the performance of Enable Midstream Partners, LP (Enable), the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, Enable's ability to redeem the Series A Preferred Units in certain circumstances and the value of CenterPoint Energy's interest in Enable, and factors that may have a material impact on such performance, cash distributions and value, including factors such as: (A) competitive conditions in the midstream industry, and actions taken by Enable's customers and competitors, including the extent and timing of the entry of additional competition in the markets served by Enable; (B) the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas and associated commodity prices, particularly prices of natural gas and natural gas liquids (NGLs), the competitive effects of the available pipeline capacity in the regions served by Enable, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials, including the effects of these circumstances on re-contracting available capacity on Enable's interstate pipelines; (C) the demand for crude oil, natural gas, NGLs and transportation and storage services; (D) environmental and other governmental regulations, including the availability of drilling permits and the regulation of hydraulic fracturing; (E) recording of non-cash goodwill, long-lived asset or other than temporary impairment charges by or related to Enable; (F) changes in tax status; (G) access to debt and equity capital; and (H) the availability and prices of raw materials and services for current and future construction projects; (2) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy's service territories and changes in market demand, including the effects of energy efficiency measures and demographic patterns; (3) timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (4) future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effect on sales, prices and costs; (5) weather variations and other natural phenomena, including the impact of severe weather events on operations and capital; (6) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of CenterPoint Energy's and Enable's businesses, including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline integrity and safety and changes in regulation and legislation pertaining to trade, health care, finance and actions regarding the rates charged by our regulated businesses; (7) tax reform and legislation, including the effects of the comprehensive tax reform legislation informally referred to as the TCJA and uncertainties involving state commissions' and local municipalities' regulatory requirements and determinations regarding the treatment of excess deferred taxes and CenterPoint Energy's rates; (8) CenterPoint Energy's ability to mitigate weather impacts through normalization or rate mechanisms, and the effectiveness of such mechanisms; (9) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials; (10) problems with regulatory approval, construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or in cost overruns that cannot be recouped in rates; (11) local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (12) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (13) any direct or indirect effects on CenterPoint Energy's facilities, operations and financial condition resulting from terrorism, cyber-attacks, data security breaches or other attempts to disrupt CenterPoint Energy's businesses or the businesses of third parties, or other catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, leaks, floods, droughts, hurricanes, pandemic health events or other occurrences; (14) CenterPoint Energy's ability to invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint Energy's investment in capital; (15) CenterPoint Energy's ability to control operation and maintenance costs; (16) actions by credit rating agencies; (17) the sufficiency of CenterPoint Energy's insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms; (18) the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy's pension and postretirement benefit plans; (19) commercial bank and financial market conditions, CenterPoint Energy's access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of CenterPoint Energy's financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets; (20) changes in interest rates and their impact on CenterPoint Energy's costs of borrowing and the valuation of its pension benefit obligation; (21) changes in rates of inflation; (22) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to CenterPoint Energy; (23) non-payment for CenterPoint Energy's services due to financial distress of its customers; (24) the extent and effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's risk management and hedging activities, including, but not limited to, its financial and weather hedges; (25) timely and appropriate regulatory actions allowing securitization for any future hurricanes or natural disasters or other recovery of costs, including costs associated with Hurricane Harvey; (26) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's potential business strategies and strategic initiatives, including restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses (including a reduction of CenterPoint Energy's interests in Enable, whether through its decision to sell all or a portion of the Enable common units it owns in the public equity markets or otherwise, subject to certain limitations), which CenterPoint Energy cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to it or Enable; (27) acquisition and merger activities involving CenterPoint Energy or its competitors; (28) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations; (29) the ability of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc., Reliant Energy and RRI), a wholly-owned subsidiary of NRG Energy, Inc. (NRG), and its subsidiaries, which completed its reorganization and emerged from Chapter 11 in December 2018, to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy, including indemnity obligations; (30) the outcome of litigation; (31) the ability of retail electric providers (REPs), including REP affiliates of NRG and Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (32) changes in technology, particularly with respect to efficient battery storage or the emergence or growth of new, developing or alternative sources of generation; (33) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes and other proceedings related to taxes; (34) the effective tax rates; and (35) the effect of changes in and application of accounting standards and pronouncements.

Risks Related to Vectren

Important factors related to Vectren, its affiliates, and its and their operations that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to:

(1) factors affecting utility operations such as unfavorable or unusual weather conditions; catastrophic weather-related damage; unusual maintenance or repairs; unanticipated changes to coal and natural gas costs; unanticipated changes to gas transportation and storage costs, or availability due to higher demand, shortages, transportation problems or other developments; environmental or pipeline incidents; transmission or distribution incidents; unanticipated changes to electric energy supply costs, or availability due to demand, shortages, transmission problems or other developments; or electric transmission or gas pipeline system constraints, (2) new or proposed legislation, litigation and government regulation or other actions, such as changes in, rescission of or additions to tax laws or rates, pipeline safety regulation and environmental laws and regulations, including laws governing air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling and disposal of coal combustion residuals that could impact the continued operation, and/or cost recovery of generation plant costs and related assets; compliance with respect to these regulations could substantially change the operation and nature of Vectren's utility operations, (3) catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, ice storms, tornadoes, terrorist acts, physical attacks, cyber attacks, or other similar occurrences could adversely affect Vectren's facilities, operations, financial condition, results of operations, and reputation, (4) approval and timely recovery of new capital investments related to the electric generation transition plan, including timely approval to build and own generation, ability to meet capacity requirements, ability to procure resources needed to build new generation at a reasonable cost, ability to appropriately estimate costs of new generation, the effects of construction delays and cost overruns, ability to fully recover the investments made in retiring portions of the current generation fleet, scarcity of resources and labor, and workforce retention, development and training, (5) increased competition in the energy industry, including the effects of industry restructuring, unbundling, and other sources of energy, (6) regulatory factors such as uncertainty surrounding the composition of state regulatory commissions, adverse regulatory changes, unanticipated changes in rate-setting policies or procedures, recovery of investments and costs made under regulation, interpretation of regulatory-related legislation by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission and/or Public Utilities Commission of Ohio and appellate courts that review decisions issued by the agencies, and the frequency and timing of rate increases, (7) financial, regulatory or accounting principles or policies imposed by the Financial Accounting Standards Board; the SEC; the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission; state public utility commissions; state entities which regulate electric and natural gas transmission and distribution, natural gas gathering and processing, electric power supply; and similar entities with regulatory oversight, (8) economic conditions including the effects of inflation, commodity prices, and monetary fluctuations, (9) economic conditions, including increased potential for lower levels of economic activity; uncertainty regarding energy prices and the capital and commodity markets; volatile changes in the demand for natural gas, electricity, and other nonutility products and services; economic impacts of changes in business strategy on both gas and electric large customers; lower residential and commercial customer counts; variance from normal population growth and changes in customer mix; higher operating expenses; and reductions in the value of investments, (10) volatile natural gas and coal commodity prices and the potential impact on customer consumption, uncollectible accounts expense, unaccounted for gas and interest expense, (11) volatile oil prices and the potential impact on customer consumption and price of other fuel commodities, (12) direct or indirect effects on Vectren's business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations resulting from changes in credit ratings, changes in interest rates, and/or changes in market perceptions of the utility industry and other energy-related industries, (13) the performance of projects undertaken by Vectren's nonutility businesses and the success of efforts to realize value from, invest in and develop new opportunities, including but not limited to, Vectren Infrastructure Services Company, Vectren Energy Services Company, and remaining ProLiance Holdings, LLC assets, (14) factors affecting Infrastructure Services, including the level of success in bidding contracts; fluctuations in volume and mix of contracted work; mix of projects received under blanket contracts; unanticipated cost increases in completion of the contracted work; funding requirements associated with multiemployer pension and benefit plans; changes in legislation and regulations impacting the industries in which the customers served operate; the effects of weather; failure to properly estimate the cost to construct projects; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees in a fast growing market where skills are critical; cancellation and/or reductions in the scope of projects by customers; credit worthiness of customers; ability to obtain materials and equipment required to perform services; and changing market conditions, including changes in the market prices of oil and natural gas that would affect the demand for infrastructure construction, (15) factors affecting Energy Services, including unanticipated cost increases in completion of the contracted work; changes in legislation and regulations impacting the industries in which the customers served operate; changes in economic influences impacting customers served; failure to properly estimate the cost to construct projects; risks associated with projects owned or operated; failure to appropriately design, construct, or operate projects; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; cancellation and/or reductions in the scope of projects by customers; changes in the timing of being awarded projects; credit worthiness of customers; lower energy prices negatively impacting the economics of performance contracting business; and changing market conditions, (16) employee or contractor workforce factors including changes in key executives, collective bargaining agreements with union employees, aging workforce issues, work stoppages, or pandemic illness, (17) risks associated with material business transactions such as acquisitions and divestitures, including, without limitation, legal and regulatory delays; the related time and costs of implementing such transactions; integrating operations as part of these transactions; and possible failures to achieve expected gains, revenue growth and/or expense savings from such transactions, and (18) costs, fines, penalties and other effects of legal and administrative proceedings, settlements, investigations, claims, including, but not limited to, such matters involving compliance with federal and state laws and interpretations of these laws.

The foregoing list of factors is not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors, and any and all differences between the  risk factors under the headings "Risks Related to CenterPoint Energy" or "Risks Related to Vectren," except where context dictates otherwise, are not intended to be, and should not be read as, a representation, warranty, statement, affirmation or acknowledgement of any kind by CenterPoint Energy, Vectren or their respective affiliates that  any risk factors present under one heading, but absent under the other, are not potential risk factors for CenterPoint Energy or Vectren, or their respective affiliates, as applicable. Furthermore, it may not be possible to assess the impact of any such factor on CenterPoint Energy's or Vectren's respective businesses or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement.  Additional risks and uncertainties will be discussed in other materials that CenterPoint Energy and Vectren will file with the SEC in connection with the proposed transactions. Other risk factors are detailed from time to time in CenterPoint Energy's and Vectren's annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC, but any specific factors that may be provided should not be construed as exhaustive.  Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement. While we believe these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will approximate actual experience or that the expectations derived from them will be realized. Further, we undertake no obligation to update or revise any of our forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 Recent News

 

 
Home Repair & Care continues to deliver critical upgrades to CenterPoint Energy southwestern Indiana customers

CenterPoint Energy Foundation investing across southwestern Indiana through the Community Energy Improvement Fund and Optimize programs

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 14, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy customers across southwestern Indiana continue to receive critical home repairs through the Home Repair & Care program. Funded by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation through its $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund and implemented by local nonprofit Community One, the program launched in January 2026.

For Grace Strange, a retired Evansville resident, that meant a new furnace for her home, built in 1895. Before retiring in 2024, Grace had completed the maintenance she could on her home, including new windows, basement work and a new roof. During a recent maintenance appointment, her longtime HVAC technician told her that her furnace was close to the end of its useful life. A full replacement was the project she'd been putting off.

“I'd worked hard to take care of the house before I retired. The furnace was the one thing I'd been putting off," said Strange. “The Home Repair & Care program came through at the right moment. The house is more comfortable than it's been in years, our bills came down, and that money can go to gasoline and groceries. That means a lot when you've just retired."

Grace's furnace was replaced with a new high-efficiency unit at no cost through the program.

Critical repairs delivered across southwestern Indiana
Home Repair & Care was designed for homeowners whose incomes fall above no-cost weatherization thresholds but who still face large, one-time repair costs that prevent safer, more efficient homes. To date, 183 home projects are underway or completed across 68 households. Upgrades include:

  • 48 window projects
  • 40 exterior door projects
  • 32 new or repaired furnaces or HVAC systems
  • 27 insulation upgrades
  • 21 roof repairs or replacements
  • 11 new water heaters
  • 4 siding repairs

Continued community investment under the Community Energy Improvement Fund
Home Repair & Care was the first initiative launched under the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, established in October 2025 to support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs across southwestern Indiana. The Fund is supported by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation by company shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. Several additional Foundation programs are now advancing under the Fund, each providing up to $25,000 in matching grant funding for energy efficiency upgrades:

  • Optimize for Local: Applications have been received and are under review. Optimize for Local supports locally owned independent restaurants and retailers across southwestern Indiana with funding for energy efficiency upgrades such as HVAC, refrigeration and lighting improvements.
  • Optimize for Growth: Applications are currently open. Optimize for Growth supports small industrial businesses, including manufacturers, processors and fabricators, with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements that reduce operating costs and strengthen the region's economic base.
  • Optimize for Good: Applications will open later this spring. Optimize for Good supports southwestern Indiana nonprofits with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements, allowing organizations to redirect limited resources toward the community missions they serve.

Additional program details, eligibility and application information are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/Optimize.

The Community Energy Improvement Fund is part of CenterPoint's broader Community Affordability Actions, a series of steps taken since October 2025 to support southwestern Indiana customers, including expanded customer programs and proposed customer protections such as annual late fee waivers, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers. Additional Community Energy Improvement Fund initiatives are expected to be announced in the months ahead.

CenterPoint Energy conducts full-scale emergency exercise in preparation for 2026 hurricane season

HOUSTON – May 14, 2026 – Today, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its overall emergency preparedness and response efforts, CenterPoint Energy conducted its annual full-scale emergency response exercise in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. The emergency exercise, held at CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center, simulated a Category 3 hurricane impacting the Greater Houston area and included more than 400 members of CenterPoint teams – from Electric and Gas Operations, Emergency Planning & Response, Customer, Communications and others – executing the company's emergency response plan. About 100 state and local officials, emergency management officials, first responder partners and emergency experts observed the drill.

“For CenterPoint, preparing for natural disasters before they happen and simulating the effectiveness of our response and plans is vital to continuously improving and strengthening our response when future storms and hurricanes strike. Today's emergency exercise builds on the series of preparedness actions we've already taken throughout the year, as well as the continued infrastructure investments made as part of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative to strengthen the electric grid. The combination of actions we've taken are to help us better achieve the high level of performance expected of us, so we can restore power safely and more quickly for the millions of customers and families who depend on us," said Jesus Soto Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CenterPoint Energy.

2026 Preparedness: Focus of annual full-scale exercise

The 2026 emergency exercise focused on executing a series of critical emergency response activities, including reviewing weather forecasts and impacts, analyzing damage prediction models to deploy resources, coordinating with emergency responders to support unified response operations, and communicating accurate and timely information to customers, as well as local and state leaders, on the scale of restoration efforts and progress.

The exercise simulated a Category 3 hurricane and included third-party expert evaluators that observed and provided feedback. CenterPoint will use the feedback to further improve, enhance and strengthen CenterPoint's emergency response preparedness, reflecting its year-round commitment to implementing the latest best practices and lessons learned following all emergency events, including hurricanes and other extreme storms.

More than 100 officials observed the exercise, including elected leaders, representatives from regional emergency management offices, Houston-area utilities, as well as key stakeholders from local education, healthcare and business communities.

2026 Preparedness: Scope of emergency actions to date

CenterPoint has taken a series of actions throughout 2026 to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Actions include:

  • Opened a new Emergency Operations Center to support CenterPoint's year-round situational awareness and emergency response readiness and closely coordinate with emergency response partners, local and state officials, media and other key stakeholders.
  • Completed more than 25,000 hours of FEMA trainings across more than 800 employees.
  • Increased the number of frontline workers CenterPoint can call upon to support emergency responses by up to 20 times its normal workforce.
  • Improved the damage assessment process with faster damage identification and power restoration.
  • Enhanced real-time weather monitoring with 150 new advanced weather stations.

Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI): Strengthening the grid

Since launching GHRI in 2024, CenterPoint has made a series of critical infrastructure investments to strengthen the grid to better withstand more extreme weather and improve day-to-day reliability for its customers. These ongoing actions, as part of GHRI, have included:

  • Installing 65,000+ stronger, more storm-resilient poles;
  • Clearing 10,000+ miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines;
  • Undergrounding 500+ miles of power lines; and
  • Installing 600+ automation devices capable of self-healing.

Throughout 2026, CenterPoint will continue to make additional investments to further strengthen system resiliency and emergency preparedness. These combined resiliency actions will prevent CenterPoint customers from experiencing 150 million fewer outage minutes by the end of 2026.

To learn more about CenterPoint's preparedness actions and critical resiliency improvements across Greater Houston, visit: www.CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.


About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.  
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com. ​

​
Energy efficiency improvements at Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility help save money, while reducing energy use and emissions

​Images are available here

MINNEAPOLIS – May 13, 2026 – The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, in collaboration with CenterPoint Energy and Synagro, has completed a major energy efficiency project at the Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shakopee. The project incorporates more renewable biogas into plant operations and earned the Metropolitan Council a rebate of $152,690 through CenterPoint's energy efficiency programs.

As designed, this project, identified by Synagro, is expected to save energy equivalent to the annual emissions generated by 225 Minnesota homes and achieve approximately $162,000 in energy cost savings per year.

“We work to connect our customers with energy efficiency projects to help them save money, energy, and reduce emissions attributed to their energy use," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. “The Blue Lake custom biogas project represents the possibilities that exist for achieving emissions reductions through strategic collaboration and commitment to creative innovation for the benefit of our shared customers and communities throughout Minnesota.

For wastewater treatment, solids are processed into fertilizer pellets through a drying system that also produces biogas, a renewable fuel that can be leveraged for operations. These energy efficiency improvements allow the facility to safely use biogas to reduce emissions. 

"Millions of gallons of wastewater flow to our facilities daily, carrying an enormous, untapped energy resource — and we're unlocking it," said Leisa Thompson, General Manager, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. "From raw wastewater heat to stored energy in biosolids, this project transforms how we think about treatment. We aren't just cleaning water; we're turning treatment facilities into energy generators — reducing our operational region's reliance on natural gas and building a more sustainable future."

Blue Lake, the second-largest Metropolitan Council water resource recovery facility and the third largest in Minnesota, treats an average of 27 million gallons of wastewater each day, helping protect public health and the environment.

“This energy-efficiency project has been a true collaborative effort between Synagro, the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and CenterPoint, providing sustainable benefits for our customer and the community," said Nick Davern, Senior Plant Manager, Synagro Technologies, Inc.

Customer participation in CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs has reduced emissions by nearly 18.8 million metric tons over the last 32 years and saved customers approximately $2.6 billion. To learn more about CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.


Approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no impacts during overnight thunderstorms as crews responded safely and quickly to address localized impacts to system

Since 1 a.m., CenterPoint frontline workers and contractors have restored approximately 60,000 customers

As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 of CenterPoint's customers are without power

Less than 1% of CenterPoint customers impacted at any one time since storms began at 1 a.m.

HOUSTON – May 11, 2026 – During the overnight thunderstorms, approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no service interruptions. Where there were localized impacts to service as a result of the overnight storms, crews continue to make steady progress in the field responding to isolated outages. Across the Greater Houston area, weather impacts included pockets of frequent lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph and scattered rainfall. The company's frontline crews and contractors were pre-positioned ahead of weather and began responding to outages as soon as it was safe to do so, and they will continue working safely and quickly until every customer is restored. 

CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center remains activated as crews continue supporting restoration efforts this morning.

Scattered thunderstorms began impacting parts of the Greater Houston area overnight, with the strongest activity taking place between 2 and 3 a.m. Since 1 a.m., across CenterPoint's 150 weather station network, peak rain totals between 1 - 2" and wind gusts up to 45 mph have been observed. Crews continue restoring customers experiencing outages in the areas most impacted, including northern parts of the company's electric service territory in Montgomery County and the Cypress, Spring Branch and Greenspoint areas of Harris County.

At the peak of this morning's storm activity around 2:30 a.m., less than one percent (approximately 28,600) of customers were without service at any one time. About 2.5% of CenterPoint's 2.9 million customers have experienced service interruptions since 1 a.m., with over 60,000 of those customers restored as of 4:45 a.m. The average restoration time per outage is approximately 26 minutes. As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 are currently without power — approximately half of one percent of CenterPoint's customers.

“Our CenterPoint teams worked through the night to restore power safely and as quickly as possible to customers affected by isolated and localized outages," said John Cornelius, CenterPoint's Vice President of Distribution Operations and Incident Commander. “Our crews were staged and ready to go, responding safely throughout the storms overnight. We're grateful to our customers for their patience as we work through the final stretches of the storm front and our focused efforts to restore the remaining outages."

What customers should do:

  • Sign up for Power Alert Service®: Get outage updates and restoration times.
  • Track outages: Bookmark the Outage Tracker (available in English & Spanish and mobile-friendly) to see outage information in your area.
  • Stay safe: Visit Ready.gov for storm safety tips.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

CenterPoint Energy provides new option for in-person customer service and bill payment with Customer Connect pilot

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 11, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of a new weekly in-person customer service and payment option at the CenterPoint Energy Plaza in Downtown Evansville. Through the Customer Connect pilot, southwestern Indiana customers can now walk in, pay a bill in person and sit down with a customer service representative for personalized assistance, answers to questions and help resolving any account issues. The Customer Connect pilot is part of the company's expanding Community Connect program.

“Listening to our customers and addressing their feedback, we are excited to offer this new pilot which allows us to continue engaging with our customers while increasing accessibility to resources and account support," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We remain committed to transparency and developing new ways to help customers based on their feedback. This new tool is yet another way to connect with customers and provides them with the ability to make a payment and talk through their account with a real person. It's a standing invitation to walk in, sit down and get the support they need."

What customers can do at Customer Connect
Customers can now pay in person at CenterPoint Energy Plaza, located at 211 NW Riverside Drive in Downtown Evansville, every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed.

CenterPoint customer service representatives are available to help customers with a full range of account needs, including:

  • Making a payment in person
  • Getting answers to billing-related questions
  • Managing Budget Bill enrollment, which will be known as Levelized Billing starting July 1
  • Setting up flexible payment options
  • Learning about additional resources to save energy and manage bills

The next Customer Connect will be held on Wednesday, May 13. Customers can pay by checking or savings account, credit card, debit card or Apple Pay. Cash is not accepted. CenterPoint will continuously evaluate this new pilot program for the next several weeks.

Building on Community Connect
Customer Connect is the newest addition to CenterPoint's Community Connect program, which has expanded from five events in fall 2025 to a year-round schedule of more than 30 community touchpoints planned for 2026. Community Connect events bring CenterPoint teams into neighborhoods, workplaces and community spaces across southwestern Indiana to connect with customers face-to-face. Customer Connect brings that same commitment to the Plaza on a weekly, recurring basis. CenterPoint is also the first Indiana utility to bring back regular walk-in service back to customers. Additional in-person offerings may be added based on customer interest and feedback from the pilot.
 
Ongoing commitment to affordability and customer experience
Customer Connect joins a series of actions CenterPoint has taken over the past six months to prioritize affordability and expand support for southwestern Indiana customers. In October 2025, CenterPoint launched its initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including a commitment to keeping electric rates stable through 2027 and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools, expanded customer support programs and implemented additional protections such as annual late-fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and safeguards for medically vulnerable customers as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement.

For more information about Customer Connect, including hours of operation and the Community Connect event schedule, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/CommunityConnect.