HOUSTON, Feb. 28, 2019 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported full-year income available to common shareholders of $333 million, or $0.74 per diluted share, compared with $1,792 million, or $4.13 per diluted share in 2017.
On a guidance basis, full-year 2018 earnings were $1.60 per diluted share, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger (the merger). Full-year 2017 earnings, on a guidance basis, were $1.37 per diluted share, excluding a one-time tax benefit of $1,113 million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) federal income tax rate reduction.
Fourth quarter 2018 earnings were $0.18 per diluted share, compared to $2.99 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2017. On a guidance basis, fourth quarter 2018 earnings were $0.36 per diluted share, excluding impacts associated with the merger. Excluding the TCJA tax benefit, on a guidance basis, fourth quarter 2017 earnings were $0.33 per diluted share.
"I am very pleased with our 2018 results as they represent another solid year of meeting the financial goals we set," said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "Our recently completed merger expands our utility businesses to eight states, provides opportunities to leverage and expand our competitive energy businesses across a larger U.S. footprint, and gives us greater confidence in putting forward long-term financial targets."
Business Segments
Electric Transmission & Distribution
The electric transmission & distribution segment reported full-year 2018 operating income of $623 million, consisting of $568 million from the regulated electric transmission and distribution utility operations (TDU) and $55 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for 2017 was $636 million, consisting of $561 million from the TDU and $75 million related to securitization bonds.
Operating income for the TDU benefited primarily from rate relief, customer growth and higher equity return related to the annual true-up of transition charges. These benefits were partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses, lower revenues reflecting the lower federal corporate income tax rate due to the TCJA, and higher depreciation and amortization expense.
The retrospective adoption of the accounting standard for compensation-retirement benefits (ASU 2017-07) resulted in an increase to TDU operating income and a corresponding decrease to other income of $26 million for 2017.
Natural Gas Distribution
The natural gas distribution segment reported full-year 2018 operating income of $266 million, compared with $348 million in 2017.
Full-year 2018 operating income for natural gas distribution improved primarily as a result of rate relief and customer growth. These increases were more than offset by lower revenues reflecting the lower federal corporate income tax rate due to the TCJA, higher operation and maintenance expenses and higher depreciation and amortization expense.
The retrospective adoption of ASU 2017-07 resulted in an increase to natural gas distribution operating income and a corresponding decrease to other income of $20 million for 2017.
Energy Services
The energy services segment reported a full-year operating loss of $47 million, which included a mark-to-market loss of $110 million, compared with operating income of $126 million for 2017, which included a mark-to-market gain of $79 million. Excluding mark-to-market adjustments, operating income was $63 million in 2018 compared to $47 million in 2017. Operating income increased primarily due to improved margin and volumes. This increase was partially offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses primarily associated with growth.
Midstream Investments
The midstream investments segment reported full-year 2018 equity income of $307 million, compared with $265 million in 2017.
Other Operations
The other operations segment reported an operating loss of $11 million for full-year 2018, compared with operating income of $26 million in 2017. This decrease is primarily due to merger-related costs.
Earnings Outlook
- 2018 - 2023 target of 5 - 7% compound annual guidance basis EPS growth, using $1.60 as the starting EPS
- 2019 guidance basis EPS range of $1.60 - $1.70, excluding certain impacts associated with the merger:
- Integration and transaction-related fees and expenses, including severance and other costs to achieve anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger
- Merger financing impacts in January, prior to the completion of the merger, due to the issuance of debt and equity securities to fund the merger that resulted in higher net interest expense and higher common stock share count
- 2020 guidance basis EPS range of $1.75 - $1.90
Both the 2019 and 2020 guidance ranges consider operations performance to date and assumptions for certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as customer growth (approximately 2% for electric operations and 1% for natural gas distribution) and usage including normal weather, throughput, commodity prices, recovery of capital invested through rate cases and other rate filings, effective tax rates, financing activities and related interest rates, and regulatory and judicial proceedings as well as the volume of work contracted in our infrastructure services business. The ranges also consider anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger and the estimated cost and timing of technology integration projects. The 2019 guidance range assumes Enable Midstream Partners, LP's (Enable) 2019 guidance range for net income attributable to common units of $435 - $505 million, provided on Enable's 4th quarter earnings call on February 19, 2019. The 2020 guidance range utilizes a range of CenterPoint Energy scenarios for Enable's 2020 net income attributable to common units.
In providing this guidance, CenterPoint Energy uses a non-GAAP measure of adjusted diluted earnings per share that does not consider other potential impacts, such as changes in accounting standards or unusual items, including those from Enable, earnings or losses from the change in the value of the ZENS securities and the related stocks, or the timing effects of mark-to-market accounting in the company's Energy Services business, which, along with the certain excluded impacts associated with the merger, could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward looking adjusted diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business are not estimable as they are highly variable and difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control.
| Quarter Ended
|
|
| December 31, 2018
|
| December 31, 2017
|
|
| Dollars
in millions
|
| Diluted EPS
|
| Dollars
in millions
|
| Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS
| $ 90
|
| $ 0.18
|
| $ 1,296
|
| $ 2.99
|
|
Midstream Investments
| (67)
|
| (0.13)
|
| (551)
|
| (1.27)
|
|
Utility Operations (1)
| 23
|
| 0.05
|
| 745
|
| 1.72
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timing effects impacting CES(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $9 and $20)(3)
| 30
|
| 0.06
|
| (36)
|
| (0.09)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities (net of taxes of $19 and $33) (3)(4)
| 69
|
| 0.13
|
| 64
|
| 0.15
|
|
Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $18 and $38) (3)
| (66)
|
| (0.13)
|
| (70)
|
| (0.16)
|
|
Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis
| $ 56
|
| $ 0.11
|
| $ 703
|
| $ 1.62
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted income and adjusted diluted EPS used in providing earnings guidance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations on a guidance basis
| $ 56
|
| $ 0.11
|
| $ 703
|
| $ 1.62
|
|
Midstream Investments
| 67
|
| 0.13
|
| 551
|
| 1.27
|
|
Consolidated on a guidance basis
| $ 123
|
| $ 0.24
|
| $ 1,254
|
| $ 2.89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impacts associated with the Vectren merger:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger impacts other than the increase in share count (net of taxes of $2) (3)
| 37
|
| 0.07
|
| -
|
| -
|
|
Impact of increased share count on Utility EPS
| -
|
| 0.03
|
| -
|
| -
|
|
Impact of increased share count on Midstream EPS
| -
|
| 0.02
|
| -
|
| -
|
|
Total merger impacts
| 37
|
| 0.12
|
| -
|
| -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from tax reform(5)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility
| -
|
| -
|
| (599)
|
| (1.38)
|
|
Midstream
| -
|
| -
|
| (514)
|
| (1.18)
|
|
Total gain from tax reform
| -
|
| -
|
| (1,113)
|
| (2.56)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| $ 93
|
| $ 0.21
|
| $ 104
|
| $ 0.24
|
|
Midstream Investments excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| 67
|
| 0.15
|
| 37
|
| 0.09
|
|
Consolidated on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| $ 160
|
| $ 0.36
|
| $ 141
|
| $ 0.33
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) CenterPoint earnings excluding Midstream Investments
|
(2) Energy Services segment
|
(3) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense
|
(4) As of June 14, 2018, comprised of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. Prior to June 14, 2018, comprised of Time Warner Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
|
Results prior to January 31, 2018 also included Time Inc.
|
(5) Tax reform legislation informally called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Twelve Months Ended
|
| December 31, 2018
|
| December 31, 2017
|
| Dollars
in millions
|
| Diluted EPS
|
| Dollars
in millions
|
| Diluted EPS
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Consolidated income available to common shareholders and diluted EPS
| $ 333
|
| $ 0.74
|
| $ 1,792
|
| $ 4.13
|
Midstream Investments
| (223)
|
| (0.49)
|
| (675)
|
| (1.56)
|
Utility Operations (1)
| 110
|
| 0.25
|
| 1,117
|
| 2.57
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Timing effects impacting CES(2):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mark-to-market (gains) losses (net of taxes of $26 and $29)(3)
| 84
|
| 0.18
|
| (50)
|
| (0.12)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marketable securities (net of taxes of $5 and $3) (3)(4)
| 17
|
| 0.04
|
| (4)
|
| (0.01)
|
Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $49 and $17) (3)(5)
| 183
|
| 0.40
|
| (32)
|
| (0.07)
|
Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis
| $ 394
|
| $ 0.87
|
| $ 1,031
|
| $ 2.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted income and adjusted diluted EPS used in providing earnings guidance:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations on a guidance basis
| $ 394
|
| $ 0.87
|
| $ 1,031
|
| $ 2.37
|
Midstream Investments
| 223
|
| 0.49
|
| 675
|
| 1.56
|
Consolidated on a guidance basis
| $ 617
|
| $ 1.36
|
| $ 1,706
|
| $ 3.93
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Impacts associated with the Vectren merger:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Merger impacts other than the increase in share count (net of taxes of $12) (3)
| 81
|
| 0.18
|
| -
|
| -
|
Impact of increased share count on Utility EPS
| -
|
| 0.04
|
| -
|
| -
|
Impact of increased share count on Midstream EPS
| -
|
| 0.02
|
| -
|
| -
|
Total merger impacts
| 81
|
| 0.24
|
| -
|
| -
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gain from tax reform(6)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility
| -
|
| -
|
| (599)
|
| (1.38)
|
Midstream
| -
|
| -
|
| (514)
|
| (1.18)
|
Total gain from tax reform
| -
|
| -
|
| (1,113)
|
| (2.56)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Utility Operations on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| $ 475
|
| $ 1.09
|
| $ 432
|
| $ 0.99
|
Midstream Investments excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| 223
|
| 0.51
|
| 161
|
| 0.38
|
Consolidated on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger and gain from tax reform
| $ 698
|
| $ 1.60
|
| $ 593
|
| $ 1.37
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) CenterPoint earnings excluding Midstream Investments
|
(2) Energy Services segment
|
(3) Taxes are computed based on the impact removing such item would have on tax expense
|
(4) As of June 14, 2018, comprised of AT&T Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc. Prior to June 14, 2018, comprised of Time Warner Inc. and Charter Communications, Inc.
|
Results prior to January 31, 2018 also included Time Inc.
|
(5) 2018 includes amounts associated with the acquisition of Time Warner Inc. by AT&T Inc. as well as the Meredith tender offer for Time Inc. common stock
|
(6) Tax reform legislation informally called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
|
Filing of Form 10-K for CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. A copy of that report is available on the company's website, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and certain documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found under the Investors section.
Webcast of Earnings Conference Call
CenterPoint Energy's management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at 9:00 a.m. Central time/10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call on the company's website under the Investors section. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the website for at least one year.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an energy delivery company with regulated utility businesses in eight states and a competitive energy businesses footprint in nearly 40 states. Through its electric transmission & distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution businesses, the company serves more than 7 million metered customers in Arkansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas. CenterPoint Energy's competitive energy businesses include natural gas marketing and energy-related services; energy efficiency, sustainability and infrastructure modernization solutions; and construction and repair services for pipeline systems, primarily natural gas. The company also owns 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, LP, a publicly traded master limited partnership that owns, operates and develops strategically located natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With approximately 14,000 employees and nearly $30 billion in assets, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future earnings, and future financial performance and results of operations, including, but not limited to earnings guidance, targeted dividend growth rate and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release.
Risks Related to CenterPoint Energy
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 performance of Enable Midstream Partners, LP (Enable), the amount of cash distributions CenterPoint Energy receives from Enable, Enable's ability to redeem the Enable 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 goodwill, long-lived asset or other than temporary impairment charges by or related to Enable; (F) changes in tax status; and (G) access to debt and equity capital; (2) CenterPoint Energy's expected benefits of the merger with Vectren Corporation (Vectren) and integration, including the outcome of shareholder litigation filed against Vectren that could reduce anticipated benefits of the merger, as well as the ability to successfully integrate the Vectren businesses and realize anticipated benefits and the risk that the credit ratings of the combined company or its subsidiaries may be different from what CenterPoint Energy expects; (3) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy's service territories and changes in market demand, including the demand for CenterPoint Energy's non-utility products and services and effects of energy efficiency measures and demographic patterns; (4) timely and appropriate rate actions that allow recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment, including Houston Electric's anticipated rate case in 2019, the outcome of which may not result in expected rates or recovery of costs; (5) future economic conditions in regional and national markets and their effect on sales, prices and costs; (6) weather variations and other natural phenomena, including the impact of severe weather events on operations and capital; (7) 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; (8) tax legislation, including the effects of the comprehensive tax reform legislation informally referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (which includes any potential changes to interest deductibility) and uncertainties involving state commissions' and local municipalities' regulatory requirements and determinations regarding the treatment of excess deferred income taxes and CenterPoint Energy's rates; (9) CenterPoint Energy's ability to mitigate weather impacts through normalization or rate mechanisms, and the effectiveness of such mechanisms; (10) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials; (11) actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings; (12) changes in interest rates and their impact on CenterPoint Energy's costs of borrowing and the valuation of its pension benefit obligation; (13) 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; (14) the availability and prices of raw materials and services and changes in labor for current and future construction projects; (15) local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (16) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (17) any direct or indirect effects on CenterPoint Energy's or Enable'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; (18) CenterPoint Energy's ability to invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint Energy's investments; (19) CenterPoint Energy's ability to control operation and maintenance costs; (20) the sufficiency of CenterPoint Energy's insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms and ability to recover claims; (21) the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy's pension and postretirement benefit plans; (22) 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; (23) changes in rates of inflation; (24) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to CenterPoint Energy; (25) non-payment for CenterPoint Energy's services due to financial distress of its customers; (26) the extent and effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's and Enable's risk management and hedging activities, including but not limited to, financial and weather hedges and commodity risk management activities; (27) timely and appropriate regulatory actions, which include actions allowing securitization, for any future hurricanes or natural disasters or other recovery of costs, including costs associated with Hurricane Harvey; (28) 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, if any, whether through CenterPoint Energy's decision to sell a portion of the Enable common units it owns in the public equity markets or otherwise, subject to certain limitations), which CenterPoint Energy and Enable cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to CenterPoint Energy or Enable; (29) acquisition and merger activities involving CenterPoint Energy or its competitors, including the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition and divestiture plans; (30) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations; (31) the outcome of litigation; (32) the ability of retail electric providers (REPs), including REP affiliates of NRG Energy, Inc. and Vistra Energy Corp., formerly known as TCEH Corp., to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (33) changes in technology, particularly with respect to efficient battery storage or the emergence or growth of new, developing or alternative sources of generation; (34) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes and other proceedings related to taxes; (35) the effective tax rates; (36) the effect of changes in and application of accounting standards and pronouncements; and (37) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures by CenterPoint Energy in Providing Guidance
In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), including presentation of income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share, which are non-GAAP financial measures. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company's historical or future financial performance that excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. CenterPoint Energy's adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share calculation excludes from income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, respectively, the impact of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business. CenterPoint Energy's guidance for 2019 also does not reflect certain impacts associated with the Vectren merger, which are integration and transaction-related fees and expenses, including severance and other costs to achieve anticipated cost savings as a result of the merger and merger financing impacts in January, prior to the completion of the merger due to the issuance of debt and equity securities to fund the merger that resulted in higher net interest expense and higher common stock share count. CenterPoint Energy is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward looking adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities and mark-to-market gains or losses resulting from the company's Energy Services business are not estimable as they are highly variable and difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control. These excluded items, along with the excluded impacts associated with the merger, could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period.
Management evaluates the company's financial performance in part based on adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor's understanding of CenterPoint Energy's overall financial performance by providing them with an additional meaningful and relevant comparison of current and anticipated future results across periods. The adjustments made in these non-GAAP financial measures exclude items that Management believes does not most accurately reflect the company's fundamental business performance. These excluded items are reflected in the reconciliation tables of this news release, where applicable. CenterPoint Energy's adjusted income and adjusted diluted earnings per share non-GAAP financial measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, which respectively are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures also may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
|
|
Statements of Consolidated Income
|
|
(Millions of Dollars)
|
|
(Unaudited)
|
|
|
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Recent News
CenterPoint Energy expands strategic relationship with Resilient Structures to accelerate grid hardening and support local economic development HOUSTON — Feb. 9, 2026 — CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP), today announced a long-term supply agreement with Resilient Structures (RS), a premier manufacturer of high-performance composite utility poles. This strategic relationship strengthens CenterPoint’s Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), a multi-year effort to harden the region’s electric infrastructure against increasingly severe weather events. Under the agreement, Resilient Structures will significantly expand its Humble, Texas operations to meet CenterPoint’s growing infrastructure needs. The expansion is expected to create more than 200 new jobs in the Houston area, reinforcing both companies’ commitment to local investment and economic development. “Building the most resilient coastal grid in the nation starts with strong relationships,” said Jesus Soto Jr. Chief Operating Officer at CenterPoint Energy. “Resilient Structures shares our commitment to enhance the reliability, resiliency and innovation of our Greater Houston region. This agreement provides a vital U.S.-based and Texas supported option for our supply chain. It will help make sure that CenterPoint has the critical resources to accelerate grid hardening across southeast Texas. By sourcing materials locally, we’re not only strengthening our electric infrastructure against extreme weather but also supporting economic growth and job creation in the communities we serve.” The agreement will provide CenterPoint with a secure, U.S.-based supply of advanced composite poles designed to withstand extreme weather conditions. By sourcing materials locally, CenterPoint and RS will shorten the supply chain and speed up deployment of storm-hardened structures across CenterPoint’s 12-county service territory. "We are incredibly proud to deepen our strategic relationship with CenterPoint Energy at such a pivotal moment for our region’s infrastructure," said John Higgins, Chief Executive Officer of RS. "This agreement is about more than just supply; it is a shared commitment to the safety and stability of our community. By expanding our operations right here in Houston, we are not only bringing over 200 high-quality, long-term jobs to the local economy but also ensuring that the materials strengthening our grid are made by the people who rely on it." About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of September 30, 2025, the company had approximately $45 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. About Resilient Structures Resilient Structures (RS) is a premier North American manufacturer of high-performance composite utility structures designed to harden the electrical grid against extreme weather and environmental threats. In business for over 30 years, RS is backed by Energy Impact Partners, a global investment firm with a strategic focus on the energy sector and Werklund Growth Fund, an investment firm backed by the Werklund family. RS operates three strategic manufacturing facilities in St. George, Utah; Tilbury, Ontario; and Humble, Texas.
CenterPoint Energy encourages Ohio customers to explore bill management options to benefit sooner Current bills to reflect January’s extreme cold Payment assistance, flexible billing options and energy-saving resources available
DAYTON, Ohio – Feb. 3, 2026 – As CenterPoint Energy customers continue receiving February bills reflecting January’s extreme weather, the company is encouraging those who may need help managing their energy costs to explore available resources now to manage potential bill assistance needs.
January 2026 brought record-breaking snowfall to the region during Winter Storm Fern. The National Weather Service reported the longest streak of consecutive days below freezing since 2017-18. It marks the sixth time since 1893 the region has experienced an extended freeze of this magnitude. When temperatures fall this dramatically, heating systems work harder to maintain indoor comfort, resulting in increased energy usage reflected in monthly bills.
Natural gas commodity prices also rose sharply during the storm as severe weather disrupted production in key supply regions nationwide. These costs, set by national markets, are passed through to customers dollar-for-dollar without markup. Every year, the company procures gas on behalf of customers using tools to mitigate most of the exposure to large, demand-based market swings. CenterPoint does not control or profit from the price of natural gas.
“We understand that colder weather drove more heating use which is generating challenging higher bills,” said Mike Wilson, CenterPoint’s VP, Ohio Gas. “We want customers to know that help is available. Our Resource Hub brings together assistance programs, payment options and energy-saving tools, all in one place.”
The company also offers Budget Billing, which spreads energy costs evenly across the year for more predictable monthly bills.
Customers can sign up for Budget Billing and explore other resources by visiting CenterPoint’s improved Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub or call 800-227-1376.
As cold weather continues, CenterPoint reminds customers to be aware of the warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
CenterPoint Energy encourages Indiana customers to explore bill management options to benefit sooner Current bills to reflect January’s extreme cold Payment assistance, flexible billing options and energy-saving resources available INDIANAPOLIS – Feb. 3, 2026 – As CenterPoint Energy customers continue receiving current bills reflecting January’s extreme weather, the company is encouraging those who may need help managing their energy costs to explore available resources now to manage potential bill assistance needs.
January 2026 brought the region’s heaviest snowfall in over a decade during Winter Storm Fern, with wind chills plunging 20 to 25 degrees below zero. The National Weather Service reported the longest streak of consecutive days below freezing since 2017-18. It marks only the sixth time since 1871 the region has experienced an extended freeze of this magnitude. When temperatures fall this dramatically, heating systems work harder to maintain indoor comfort, resulting in increased energy usage reflected in monthly bills. Natural gas commodity prices also rose sharply during the storm as severe weather disrupted production in key supply regions nationwide. These costs, set by national markets, are passed through to customers dollar-for-dollar without markup. Every year, the company procures gas on behalf of customers using tools to mitigate most of the exposure to large, demand-based market swings. CenterPoint does not control or profit from the price of natural gas. “We understand the colder weather drove more heating use which is generating challenging higher bills,” said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We want customers to know that help is available. Our Resource Hub brings together assistance programs, payment options and energy-saving tools, all in one place.” The company also offers Budget Billing, which spreads energy costs evenly across the year for more predictable monthly bills. Customers can sign up for Budget Billing and explore other resources by visiting CenterPoint’s improved Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub or call 800-227-1376. As cold weather continues, CenterPoint also reminds customers to be aware of the warning signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
CenterPoint Energy encourages southwestern Indiana customers to explore bill management options to benefit sooner Current bills to reflect January’s extreme cold Payment assistance, flexible billing options and energy-saving resources available
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Feb. 3, 2026 – As CenterPoint Energy customers continue receiving current bills reflecting January’s extreme weather, the company is encouraging those who may need help managing their energy costs to explore available resources now to manage potential bill assistance needs.
January 2026 brought significant snowfall and dangerously cold wind chills to the region during Winter Storm Fern, with temperatures dropping well below zero. The National Weather Service reported the longest streak of consecutive days below freezing since 2021. When temperatures fall this dramatically, heating systems work harder to maintain indoor comfort, resulting in increased energy usage reflected in monthly bills.
Natural gas commodity prices also rose sharply during the storm as severe weather disrupted production in key supply regions nationwide. These costs, set by national markets, are passed through to customers dollar-for-dollar without markup. Every year, the company procures gas on behalf of customers using tools to mitigate most of the exposure to large, demand-based market swings. CenterPoint does not control or profit from the price of natural gas.
“We understand the colder weather drove more heating use which is generating challenging higher bills,” said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We want customers to know that help is available. Our Resource Hub brings together assistance programs, payment options and energy-saving tools, all in one place.”
The company also offers Budget Billing, which spreads energy costs evenly across the year for more predictable monthly bills.
Customers can sign up for Budget Billing and explore other resources by visiting CenterPoint’s improved Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub or call 800-227-1376.
As cold weather continues, CenterPoint also reminds customers to be aware of the warning signs of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If CO poisoning is suspected, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
To help manage winter heating bills, CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to use available resources and programs MINNEAPOLIS – Jan. 29, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy encourages residential customers to use tools and resources that may be available to help manage their natural gas bills. Throughout the year, but especially in the winter months when home heating costs are historically higher, CenterPoint urges customers facing hardship to call the company now to find out about payment arrangements, energy efficiency programs and external agency resources.
“For customers needing payment assistance resources, we offer various tools and programs to help them manage their natural gas bills and provide pathways to reducing energy use. Our representatives work with each customer to identify programs that may be available throughout the winter heating season. We encourage customers that need support in managing their bills to contact us now to set up a payment plan and find out more about energy assistance programs," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint Energy's Vice President, Minnesota Gas. Cold weather protections for residential customers
Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, residential customers having difficulty paying their heating bills are required to set up a payment plan with their utility. Setting up and maintaining a payment plan helps prevent disconnection of service through April 30, 2026. CenterPoint customers can call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance to arrange a payment plan. A payment agreement must consider a customer's financial situation and any extenuating household circumstances. Payment assistance and bill management resources
CenterPoint representatives can also refer customers to external resources that provide financial assistance for heating costs such as Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program. This program helps pay for home heating costs and furnace repairs for income-eligible households. Applications are being accepted for this program, and funds remain to assist Minnesotans this heating season. CenterPoint customers can also enroll in an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to balance out payments and helps customers manage winter payment peaks, at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377. Energy efficiency programs support customers in reducing their energy use
Various energy efficiency programs are available for residential customers, including renters. For qualifying customers, these programs may be available at a reduced rate or at no cost. Programs include: - Home energy assessment: The Home Energy Squad® is a home energy assessment program provided by CenterPoint and Xcel Energy that provides customers with a personalized energy savings plan and support in identifying qualified contractors and rebates. Through Jan. 31, customers scheduling their visit will receive half off with discount code NEWYEAR50. Schedule a visit at: CenterPointEnergy.com/HomeEnergySquad.
- Visit the online Energy Efficiency Store: CenterPoint offers a variety of free and discounted products through its online Energy Efficiency Store including smart and programmable thermostats, window insulation kits, weatherstripping, low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators.
- Air sealing and insulation rebates: By weatherizing a home through air sealing and insulation efforts, customers can prevent heat loss from their homes and reduce their energy use. Residential customers can receive rebates of up to $3,000 for work completed by a qualifying contractor.
Learn more about energy efficiency programs at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.
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