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)
|
|
|
|
Recent News
CenterPoint Energy kicks off the 2025 summer season by reminding customers of ways to save energy, manage bills and stay safe HOUSTON —
June 20, 2025 — Today marks the start of summer, and CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers to prepare for the warmer temperatures ahead using company-offered tools, tips and resources. Customers can unlock savings with easy-to-implement energy efficiency actions and programs, while prioritizing safety as they work on outdoor home digging projects. “At CenterPoint, we have tips, tools and programs to help customers save energy and manage their bills. The start of summer is a great reminder to prepare for the coming warmer temperatures. We encourage our customers to take steps to increase the energy efficiency of their homes so that they can continue to stay comfortable inside year-round while also reducing their energy use. By taking small and easy actions, customers can make a difference in reducing monthly energy bills," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. Gardner continued, “We also want to remind customers to keep safety top of mind by dialing 811 before any home projects that include digging. By taking this easy step, our customers and community members help keep themselves, their loved ones and neighbors safe."
Tips, tools and resources for customers for energy and cost savings Customers can do the following to stay comfortable while saving energy and money:
-
Turn up the thermostat when leaving home: Raise the temperature a few degrees when away from home for energy savings. With a smart or programmable thermostat, a cooling system can work around a customer's schedule.
-
Change or clean filters in HVAC systems: Air conditioning represents approximately 50 percent of a home's energy use when it's warm out. Regular maintenance can extend the life of a home's system, so change or clean filters to keep the system running efficiently.
-
Slay energy vampires: Energy drainers – also known as “energy vampires"– are electronic devices and appliances that suck up electricity by hovering in standby or ready mode without fully powering off. Save energy by turning off non-essential electric appliances, equipment and lights when not in use.
-
Use ceiling fans to circulate cool air: Setting ceiling fans to rotate counterclockwise helps circulate cool air and keep rooms at a comfortable temperature.
-
Keep warm air out: Use weatherstripping or caulk areas in and around a home where cooled air may escape, such as around windows and doors or anywhere else warm air might enter.
-
Block the sun's rays: When temperatures increase outside, keep window coverings closed when the sun is shining brightest to maintain a more comfortable indoor temperature.
-
Upgrade appliances and equipment: When replacing appliances and equipment, choose models with increased energy efficiency ratings for long-term cost savings. Rebates may be available for qualifying appliances.
Customers can learn more about tips and programs that can help them prepare for the longer and warmer days at CenterPointEnergy.com/SavingsTips.
Call before you dig There's no time like summer to begin outdoor home improvement projects. Anyone planning a project that requires digging should contact 811 at least three business days before starting work to have underground utilities located and marked at no cost. This includes projects done by customers or their contractors, including gardening, building or repairing a fence, planting trees, installing a deck, placing a mailbox or laying a patio.
Visit
811BeforeYouDig.com to learn more about 811 and the process to have underground utility lines located and marked. For more information about natural gas safety, visit
CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.
Hurricane season preparedness
The start of summer means hurricane season is officially underway in the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint has been fully engaged in completing a series of historic resiliency improvements and preparedness activities, including: -
Completing historic grid improvements: As part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), CenterPoint has completed a series of critical resiliency actions ahead of schedule, including:
- Installing 26,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles;
- Installing 5,150 automated devices;
- Clearing high-risk vegetation from 6,000 miles of power lines;
- Undergrounding more than 400 miles of power lines; and
- Installing 100 weather stations to provide real-time weather monitoring.
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Leveraging AI and emerging technologies: Collaborating with industry-leading technology providers, including Neara and Technosylva, to better predict and prepare for extreme weather impacts.
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Working with emergency partners to get ready: Coordinating with local officials, emergency management offices and community partners to prepare for extreme weather events, including through joint emergency response exercises.
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Donating and installing emergency generators to key locations: Working with local communities to provide backup generators to critical facilities and community centers that provide medical care, food and water, cooling and other essential services in emergencies.
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Hosting customer and community hurricane preparedness events: Holding a series of community preparedness events and webinars to provide updates about CenterPoint's preparations for hurricane season, important safety tips and key resources for customers.
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Enhancing critical storm response tools: Implemented sophisticated damage modeling to help expedite critical decision making before and during an event, as well as adopted a new storm management software program to more efficiently onboard and deploy mutual assistance crews in support of CenterPoint's emergency response efforts.
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Upgrading CenterPoint's Outage Tracker: Launched a new and improved, cloud-based
Outage Tracker to provide real-time updates on outages and restoration efforts, available in English and Spanish.
CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its critical resiliency actions. More information is available at
CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.
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 March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit
CenterPointEnergy.com.
CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring forecasted severe weather and preparing for potential system impacts in southwestern Indiana EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 18, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring severe weather forecasts and preparing for any potential impacts of strong storms expected to move through southwestern Indiana today. The company is coordinating with emergency and agency partners and mobilizing resources across its service area to be prepared to respond to impacts and outages. “We are closely monitoring the forecast and have taken steps to position crews, equipment and support teams across our service territory. We have a plan and we are executing our plan," said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint's Vice President, Indiana Electric. “Our teams are prepared to respond, if needed, and will work safely and efficiently to restore service once conditions allow." Actions CenterPoint is Taking to Prepare
The actions CenterPoint is taking to prepare and respond include: - Pre-staging crews and equipment: CenterPoint crews and equipment are positioned across our service area to quickly respond to potential storm impacts once conditions have cleared.
- Coordinating with government officials: Providing regular updates to state, county and city officials about our pre-storm activities and readiness posture.
- Sharing information and updates: Providing safety and preparedness information directly with customers via email, phone or text, across social media platforms and other channels to keep customers informed and prepared.
- Organizing additional call center staffing: Securing additional call center staff to handle a higher volume of calls during the storm and limit wait times.
Responding to Potential Impacts Across Service Territory
Across its Indiana Electric service area, CenterPoint is carefully monitoring severe weather and preparing to deploy frontline crews to efficiently clear storm debris, repair the grid and restore service to impacted customers as quickly and safely as possible. Important Information for Electric Customers
CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates via phone call, text or email. Customers can also stay up-to-date on outages with CenterPoint's new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker, now available in English and Spanish, which allows customers to see outages by county and zip code. The new tracker is capable of handling increased traffic during storms and is ADA- and mobile-friendly. CenterPoint Encourages All Customers to Have a Plan to Stay Safe
CenterPoint is encouraging all customers to prepare and have a plan to stay safe during severe weather. Customers can get storm-related safety tips at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter. Additional preparations and best practices are available at Ready.gov. For the latest updates, follow CenterPoint's Indiana account on X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates. For more information and other resources, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
CenterPoint Energy Foundation encourages nonprofit organizations to apply for the final grant cycle of 2025 ALL REGIONS—
June 17, 2025 — The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications through July 18 for its final grant cycle of the year. Grants are awarded to eligible nonprofit organizations whose primary location is in CenterPoint Energy's service areas and have programs supporting the Foundation's giving priorities of community vitality and education. The Foundation prioritizes programs serving low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities. Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for good by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to increase the vibrancy in the communities it serves. “We're proud of the impact the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has in creating positive, meaningful change within the communities where we deliver electric and natural gas service," said June Deadrick, Vice President, Community Relations at CenterPoint Energy. “The Foundation remains committed to initiatives and programs enriching the lives of those living and working within our service areas, while building a foundation for a brighter tomorrow." During its first grant cycle of 2025, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded more than $8.6 million in grants to 199 nonprofit organizations in Texas, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio, that are expected to result in community initiatives implementing the following actions: - Supplying nearly 490,000 free books to kids.
- Supporting more than 280,000 hours of tutoring for students.
- Investing in more than 2,400 units of affordable housing.
- Funding more than 600 home repairs for low-income individuals.
- Restoring or preserving more than 100,000 acres of natural habitat.
- Planting more than 50,000 trees.
- Connecting more than 6,500 teen and adult students to financial literacy, homeownership or budgeting training.
Starting in 2026, each of the two annual Foundation grant cycles will focus on specific funding priority pillars. The first cycle of 2026 will award grants for education efforts, while the second cycle will award grants to community vitality initiatives. For more details on how the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is making a difference in the communities it serves and to apply for a grant, visit
CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.
About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at
CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.
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 March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
CenterPoint Energy sends large temporary emergency generation units to San Antonio to support state's energy needs and lower costs for Houston customers
- Company delivers on unprecedented contribution of approximately $200 million of value to the State of Texas
- First five of the 15 large temporary emergency generation units deployed to San Antonio area to help address regional power generation shortfall
- Historic agreement with state and industry partners will help address Texas' power generation needs and lower bills for Houston-area customers by approximately $2 per month by 2027
HOUSTON, June 16, 2025 - This weekend, as part of an effort to help the State of Texas meet its current and future energy needs, CenterPoint Energy announced that the first five of 15 large temporary emergency generation units began leaving the Greater Houston area to be deployed to the San Antonio region. To help with staging and installation in San Antonio, the units are departing Greater Houston in a series of three waves over the next two months.
In total, CenterPoint will be providing 15 large temporary emergency generation units for up to two years as part of an unprecedented, Texas-driven solution reached in close collaboration over the last six months with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), elected leaders, regulators and industry partners. In addition to helping reduce the risk of power generation shortfalls in San Antonio this summer and next, the cost of the deployed units will be removed from Houston-area customers' monthly bills, saving average CenterPoint customers approximately $2 per month by 2027.
"All Texans can be proud that this creative, collaborative solution is moving forward to help meet our great state's significant energy needs and improve reliability across Texas. This unprecedented contribution of value from CenterPoint to the state will help reduce the risk of energy shortfalls in San Antonio and will immediately lower monthly bills for our Houston-area customers. We look forward to successfully delivering the first five units and additional deliveries planned in the weeks ahead," said Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President of Regulatory Services and Government Affairs.
Key Facts: Delivering CenterPoint's Texas-Driven Generation Solution
In early June, ERCOT, CenterPoint and industry partners signed final agreements to begin delivery of the 15 large temporary emergency generation units for up to a two-year service period in San Antonio starting this summer. The plan includes the following components:
- Lowering bills for Greater Houston-area customers: Costs associated with the large leased temporary emergency generation units will start coming out of rates for Houston electric customers in the coming months. By 2027, bills will be reduced by an estimated $2 per month for the average customer who uses 1,000 kWh/month.
- Meeting Texas' current and future energy needs: The 15 large units (27MW-32MW) will provide critical generation capacity in the Greater San Antonio area to help avoid the risk of shortfalls. The units each provide enough power for approximately 30,000 homes and were acquired following the devastation of Winter Storm Uri across Texas in 2021.
- Forgoing revenue and profit for 15 units: CenterPoint will receive no revenue or profit from the 15 large units based on the agreement with ERCOT.
A video summary of the large temporary emergency generation units leaving the Greater Houston area and b-roll footage of one of the units sent to San Antonio this weekend can be found here: CNP Digital Asset Mgmt
CenterPoint's role in the Texas electricity market
CenterPoint is an electric transmission and distribution company in the Texas market. The company does not own any power plants in Texas; other than the leased temporary generation units, CenterPoint does not generate any electricity in the state and does not purchase electricity on behalf of customers in Texas. It also does not have any electric customers in Texas outside the 12-county Greater Houston area.
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 March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
Forward-looking Statements
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will," "would" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding effectiveness, timing and related matters to the movement of the large temporary emergency generation units, 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 events 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. 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) business strategies and strategic initiatives, restructurings, joint ventures, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2025 and other reports CenterPoint or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors and others should note that we may announce material information using SEC filings and the Investor Relations page of our website, including press releases, public conference calls, webcasts. In the future, we will continue to use these channels to distribute material information about the company and to communicate important information about the company, key personnel, corporate initiatives, regulatory updates, and other matters. Information that we post on our website could be deemed material; therefore, we encourage investors to review the information we post on the Investor Relations page of our website.
For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com
SOURCE CenterPoint Energy June Storms Update: CenterPoint Energy actively monitoring weather today and tomorrow for potential of localized flooding and continues responding to impacts from back-to-back thunderstorms in the Greater Houston area HOUSTON —
June 12, 2025 — Following severe thunderstorms across the Greater Houston area Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning, CenterPoint Energy has maintained additional crews and temporarily paused the company's proactive, planned resiliency upgrades to focus on responding to electric outages and potential natural gas emergencies. At the peak of Wednesday afternoon's storms, approximately 21,000 customers experienced an outage due to the severe weather. All customers who were able to safely receive power were restored within 12 hours of the storms moving through the Greater Houston area, before another round of severe weather began on Thursday morning. At today's peak, approximately 18,000 customers were without power. Crews have worked to restore more than 85% of impacted customers within ten hours, and fewer than 2,500 customers remain without power as of 3:30 p.m. 99.6% of CenterPoint's customers did not experience power interruptions during these storms, which included widespread lightning, strong winds with gusts of 40-45 mph across parts of Brazoria and Galveston, and torrential rains with parts of Baytown and Crosby recording four inches of rainfall. “Additional rounds of thunderstorms are forecast across the Greater Houston area tomorrow and into this evening, but today's storms are likely to be the most severe we experience this week. We continue to diligently monitor the weather's impact to our system and the potential for flooding conditions to develop across the Greater Houston area, and we will be ready to respond for our customers and communities. We urge customers to stay weather aware and make sure that if you see any damaged trees or downed power lines, stay at least 35 feet away and report damage to CenterPoint," said Matt Lanza, CenterPoint's Meteorology Manager and Emergency Preparedness and Response team member.
Flood safety tips - Avoid standing water, as it can hide chemicals that could make you sick, electrical hazards from downed powerlines and sharp debris.
- Do not attempt to cross flowing streams, whether by vehicle or by foot. It is easy to underestimate the strength of the water's flow.
- Never drive through flooded roadways. If your vehicle stalls, leave it immediately and move to higher ground. Be especially careful at night, when it is more difficult to recognize flood dangers.
- Stay away from downed powerlines. Flood waters may put you closer to power lines that are typically much higher above you in dry conditions; stay alert and look out for overhead hazards.
- Be aware that submerged outlets or electrical cords may energize standing water. Do not enter a flooded area until it has been determined safe to do so.
- Do not touch a breaker or replace a fuse with wet hands or while standing on a wet surface.
- If your home experiences flooding, keep the power off until a licensed electrician has inspected your system and has deemed it safe.
- If you smell natural gas leave immediately on foot, do not use electric switches, cell phones, start a car or do anything that could cause a spark. Go to a safe location and call 911 and CenterPoint Energy.
- Floodwater may shift your gas equipment or appliances, causing stress to the natural gas piping, which could result in a natural gas leak.
- If water levels were high enough to cover the gas meter, contact us to have your meter checked for safety before using your gas system. Once your appliances are safe to operate, we will turn your gas service back on.
For more information and real-time updates, follow us on social media at
X and visit our
Outage Tracker. We encourage customers to enroll in
Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times, as available or determined, and customer-specific restoration updates sent directly via email, text or phone call. To sign up, visit
CenterPointEnergy.com/PowerAlertService.
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 March 31, 2025, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.
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