CenterPoint Energy announces executive leadership team for combined company following close of pending Vectren merger
Leadership team will advance the company's vision to lead the nation in delivering energy, service and value
2019-06-14T05:00:00Z

HOUSTON, Dec. 3, 2018 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today announced the executive team that will lead the combined company following the close of the pending merger with Vectren Corporation (NYSE: VVC), which is expected in the first quarter of 2019.

CenterPoint Energy logo. (PRNewsFoto)

As previously announced, at the closing of the merger CenterPoint Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Scott M. Prochazka will be appointed to the same role for the combined company. The combined company will be named CenterPoint Energy, headquartered in Houston and execute a unified business strategy focused on the safe and reliable delivery of electricity, natural gas and related services to customers.

"This talented and experienced group of leaders is uniquely qualified to drive value for our shareholders, customers, employees and communities, while enhancing growth opportunities for our businesses," said CenterPoint Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Scott M. Prochazka. "I look forward to working alongside this team to further advance our vision to lead the nation in delivering energy, service and value."

The following leaders will be members of the company's executive leadership team, reporting to Prochazka as of the close of the transaction. Unless otherwise noted, the leaders will be based in Houston.

Tracy Bridge, currently CenterPoint Energy's executive vice president and president, Electric Division, will lead the company's Texas electric utility business. He will be responsible for electric transmission, distribution, electric engineering and power delivery solutions in the greater Houston area. Bridge will also oversee the company's technology operations and enterprise-wide safety and training programs.

Lynnae K. Wilson, currently Vectren's vice president, Energy Delivery, will lead the company's Indiana electric utility business. She will be responsible for power generation operations and construction, transmission and distribution operations, electric engineering, Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO) and wholesale power marketing, key account management, and integrated resource planning. Wilson will be based in Evansville, Ind.

Scott E. Doyle, currently CenterPoint Energy's senior vice president, Natural Gas Distribution, will lead the company's natural gas utility business. He will be responsible for the company's eight-state natural gas operations utility footprint, natural gas supply, natural gas engineering, and operations support. In addition, Doyle will oversee the enterprise customer organization, including utility sales and marketing. He will be based in Evansville, Ind.

Joseph (Joe) J. Vortherms, currently senior vice president of CenterPoint Energy Services, will lead the company's competitive businesses, including natural gas supply and sales, commercial development and marketing, and Vectren's Miller Pipeline, Minnesota Limited and Energy Systems Group.

Dana O'Brien, currently CenterPoint Energy's senior vice president and general counsel, will lead the company's legal organization. She will be responsible for regulatory and government affairs, corporate and securities, litigation, audit, corporate responsibility, the corporate secretary role, and ethics, compliance and privacy. O'Brien will also have oversight of environmental and claims.

Sue Ortenstone, currently CenterPoint Energy's senior vice president and chief human resources officer, will lead the company's human resources organization. She will have responsibility for talent, compensation and benefits, labor relations, and enterprise communications and community relations. Ortenstone will also have oversight of facilities and security, as well as the charitable foundation.

Kenneth (Kenny) Mercado, currently CenterPoint Energy's integration officer, will serve as the company's integration lead. He will lead the company's integration implementation, including process improvement, change leadership, the technology integration management office, and strategic sourcing and purchasing.

The company also announced that William (Bill) D. Rogers, currently CenterPoint Energy's executive vice president and chief financial officer, plans to retire for personal and family reasons. He will remain in his current role through the first quarter of 2019 to help ensure a seamless closing of the pending merger and transition to his successor.

"I want to thank Bill for his invaluable contributions and commitment to CenterPoint Energy," said Prochazka. "He has been a valued member of the executive leadership team and played an instrumental role in driving our strategy to advance functional excellence within the finance organization and grow our businesses as we strive to better serve our customers' needs. Bill also played a key role in our pending merger with Vectren. Thanks to Bill's leadership and dedication, CenterPoint Energy is well positioned for the future."

In preparation for the completion of the merger, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren continue to work on integration planning. Until the close of the transaction, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren will operate as two separate companies under their current leadership structures.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. The company also owns 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp. Enable Midstream Partners owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With more than 8,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, please visit www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

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

Risks Related to the Merger

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

(1) the risk that CenterPoint Energy or Vectren may be unable to obtain regulatory approvals required for the proposed transactions, or that required regulatory approvals or agreements with other parties interested therein may delay the proposed transactions or may be subject to or impose adverse conditions or costs, (2) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the proposed transactions or could otherwise cause the failure of the proposed transactions to close, (3) the risk that a condition to the closing of the proposed transactions or the committed financing may not be satisfied, (4) the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the proposed transactions, (5) the receipt of an unsolicited offer from another party to acquire assets or capital stock of Vectren that could interfere with the proposed transactions, (6) the timing to consummate the proposed transactions, (7) the costs incurred to consummate the proposed transactions, (8) the possibility that the expected cost savings, synergies or other value creation from the proposed transactions will not be realized, or will not be realized within the expected time period, (9) the risk that the companies may not realize fair values from properties that may be required to be sold in connection with the merger, (10) the credit ratings of the companies following the proposed transactions, (11) disruption from the proposed transactions making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers, and (12) the diversion of management time and attention on the proposed transactions.

Risks Related to CenterPoint Energy

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

Risks Related to Vectren

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

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

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

For more information contact
Media:
Leticia Lowe
Phone 713.207.7702
Investors:
Dave Mordy
Phone 713.207.6500

 

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

 Recent News

 

 
In celebration of National Lineworker Appreciation Day, CenterPoint Energy honors frontline workers who work through the hottest days and coldest nights to serve customers and communities

HOUSTON — July 10, 2025 — Every year, the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and utilities across the country join together to observe National Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10. This annual observance honors the life and work of Henry Miller, the first IBEW president, and our nation's frontline electric workers. These dedicated workers serve their communities year-round during the hottest summers and coldest winters by helping deliver safe and reliable electric service to customers every day. These same lineworkers answer the call for mutual assistance from neighboring utilities in other states by responding to hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, winter storms and other extreme weather events, and natural disasters.

“We celebrate this day annually to recognize our highly skilled and highly trained workforce. Whether installing new storm resilient poles, repairing lines impacted by cars or accidents or restoring electric service following an extreme weather event, lineworkers serve as the first responders of our industry," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President, Electric Business. “I want to thank our CenterPoint line men and women for the commitment and sacrifices made by both them and their families every day. A lineworker's job is not an easy one, but on both blue-sky days and after major weather events, our team shows up, works hard, and delivers this critical service to our customers."

CenterPoint's Houston electric lineworkers serve more than 2.8 million metered customers across 12 counties in southeast Texas, maintaining approximately 4,000 circuit miles of transmission lines and approximately 56,000 miles of distribution lines. In addition to installing, maintaining and repairing electric infrastructure such as transmission towers, distribution poles, substations, transformers and wires, these lineworkers also educate the public on electric wire safety and adhere to rigorous safety standards to protect themselves and the communities CenterPoint serves.

They are also playing a critical role in helping the company work toward its goal of building and operating the most resilient coastal grid in the country. Since CenterPoint launched the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) in August 2024, lineworkers and contractor partners have:

  • installed or replaced more than 26,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles built to withstand extreme winds;
  • undergrounded more than 400 miles of power lines to improve overall resiliency;
  • installed more than 5,150 more automated reliability devices and intelligent grid switching devices to reduce the impact of outages and improve restoration times; and
  • installed 100 weather monitoring stations to improve situational awareness and storm preparation.

Supporting long-term resiliency and rising energy demand

As part of the company's commitment to harden and strengthen the grid in the Greater Houston area, CenterPoint is focused on helping build the next generation of electric workers to support continued resiliency work and help meet the rapidly growing energy. This next generation of line workers will also support the implementation of CenterPoint's 2026-2028 Systemwide Resiliency Plan, which is designed to strengthen the electric system against extreme weather of the future and reduce outages for customers by nearly 1 billion minutes into 2029.

For more information on CenterPoint's efforts to build a stronger, more resilient grid for its customers, visit 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 highlights new energy efficiency programs to help Indiana customers save energy and money this summer

​Evansville, Ind. — July 8, 2025 — As temperatures rise and long-range forecasts point to above-normal heat across southwestern Indiana, CenterPoint Energy is reminding customers of the tools, tips and programs available to help manage energy use and summer bills. New energy efficiency offerings now available include in-store discounts on energy-efficient products and no-cost home energy assessments with on-the-spot upgrades.

According to the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center, above-normal temperatures are expected across southwestern Indiana throughout the July–September period. With higher temperatures likely, customers may see increased energy use to keep their homes cool.

“At CenterPoint, we have several resources available to help customers save energy and manage their bills through the summer months and beyond. These new and existing offerings are designed to make saving energy easier, and the Customer Assistance Fund offers additional support for customers who may be facing financial challenges," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer.

Expanded energy efficiency programs
CenterPoint offers a range of new and existing programs to help residential customers reduce energy use and lower their bills this summer:

New offerings

  • In-Store Discounts: Customers can receive instant rebates at checkout on eligible energy-efficient products at participating Lowe's, Home Depot and Habitat for Humanity ReStore locations in the Evansville area. No paperwork or application is required. Discounted items may include dehumidifiers, advanced power strips, air filters, ENERGY STAR® room A/Cs, pipe wrap and more.
  • Home Energy Assessment: Available to all households, this no-cost assessment includes on-the-spot upgrades such as weatherstripping, aerators, pipe insulation and a smart thermostat. Customers also receive a personalized home energy report with tailored recommendations.

Other programs

  • Energy Efficiency Store and Thermostat Promotion: Customers can shop CenterPoint's online Energy Efficiency Store to purchase discounted energy-saving products, delivered directly to your home. Through July 18, while supplies last, customers can also take advantage of a special promotion: save an additional $30 on the Google Nest Thermostat® or $40 on the Google Nest Learning Thermostat®.
  • Smart Cycle: Enrolled customers can receive bill credits during peak summer usage months by allowing CenterPoint to briefly adjust their smart thermostats by up to four degrees to help manage energy use. Before each event, homes are pre-cooled to maintain comfort and customers can override adjustments anytime. Customers can enroll online at CenterPointEnergy.com/SmartCycle.
  • Neighborhood Weatherization Program: Income-qualified customers can access no-cost home assessments and on-the-spot upgrades, similar to those offered through the Home Energy Assessment. Participants in this program may be eligible for additional improvements, such as insulation and furnace tune-ups, at no extra cost.

Summer bill payment assistance now available through the Customer Assistance Fund

The Customer Assistance Fund (CAF) provides direct bill support to eligible southwestern Indiana customers who may be facing financial challenges. Summer assistance is now available to support customers who use electricity to cool their homes.

Customers may apply once during the calendar year. Those customers who already received assistance in 2025 are ineligible until the new funding year begins in 2026 as funding is only allotted once per calendar year.

Administered in partnership with The Salvation Army Indiana Division, the CAF features an easy and accessible application process. More information is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/CAF. 

Additional 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.

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, Inc. Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call

Thursday, July 24, 2025

7:00 a.m. Central / 8:00 a.m. Eastern

HOUSTON, July 7, 2025 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) has scheduled a conference call for Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 7:00 a.m. Central time or 8:00 a.m. Eastern time, to discuss Second Quarter results. Earnings will be released the same day before the market opens.

If you would like to participate in the conference call, please register here:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/pk75xytb

CenterPoint Energy will also provide a live audio webcast of the conference call, which can be accessed at CenterPointEnergy.com. Click on the Investors link and the link, "CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Second Quarter 2025 Earnings Conference Call Webcast."  The webcast will be archived on the company's website for at least one year.

Contact:
Chayla Franklin
713-207-6500

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc

First CenterPoint Energy Resiliency Technology Summit showcases innovative new tools to help improve hurricane preparedness and response

Global technology leaders share best practices and demonstrate advanced technologies and AI tools being used to enhance storm preparedness and emergency response

HOUSTON, June 25, 2025 - As part of its commitment to build the most resilient coast grid in the country, and to better serve its 2.8 million customers throughout the 2025 hurricane season and beyond, CenterPoint Energy hosted its first ever Technology Summit alongside seven global leaders in AI tools, data analytics and other cutting-edge technologies. The new strategic relationships with Climavision, Convey (formerly Message Broadcast), Neara, Palantir, Pano AI, Technosylva and Urbint will help CenterPoint improve overall operations, identify critical system upgrades, enhance situational awareness, and strengthen storm preparedness and emergency response efforts.

"We are committed to working with the best and brightest to achieve our goal of building and operating the most resilient coastal grid in the country. These global leaders are enabling CenterPoint to leverage the latest innovations in AI, machine learning and other areas to help Houston be better prepared for more powerful hurricanes and storms. Most importantly, these new technologies and tools will help us respond more effectively to emergencies and provide the more reliable, resilient service our customers expect and deserve," said Jason Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy.

Advanced Technologies: Strengthening Resiliency and Emergency Readiness

During the 2025 Technology Summit, representatives of CenterPoint and global tech leaders engaged with elected officials, local emergency managers and community leaders to demonstrate how these advanced technologies will enhance CenterPoint's efforts to prepare for extreme weather events, including in four key areas:

  • Targeting critical system upgrades: Working with Neara and Technosylva , CenterPoint is enhancing how it plans and executes targeted resiliency actions to strengthen the system against extreme weather.
  • Improving situational awareness and storm preparedness: Climavision and Pano AI are helping CenterPoint improve real-time weather monitoring, AI forecasting and risk detection – enabling CenterPoint to more effectively predict and monitor weather risks to Houston's energy infrastructure.
  • Keeping customers better informed: CenterPoint is using critical tools from Convey to modernize communication operations and efficiently manage interactions, strengthening the company's ability to deliver real-time emergency communications to millions of customers.
  • Strengthening emergency response: Technologies from Palantir and Urbint are helping CenterPoint connect data across its assets to respond to storms more effectively and enhancing onboarding and deployment of mutual assistance crews in an emergency.

Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative: Key Actions and Improvements

CenterPoint's strategic technology relationships are the latest part of a broader series of actions to improve resiliency, communication and partnerships through the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), launched in August 2024. Over the first two phases of GHRI, which were completed ahead of schedule and before the start of hurricane season on June 1, CenterPoint took the following actions:

  • Installed 26,000+ stronger, storm-resilient poles to withstand extreme winds;
  • Added 5,150+ automation devices to improve restoration times;
  • Cleared 6,000+ miles of higher-risk vegetation to reduce storm-related outages;
  • Undergrounded 400+ miles of power lines to improve overall resiliency;
  • Installed 100+ weather stations across our service territory to improve situational awareness and storm preparation;
  • Donated 21 backup generators to critical facilities across the company's 12-county service area; and
  • Launched a new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker to provide real-time updates on outages and restoration efforts in English and Spanish.

The company will continue working throughout the 2025 hurricane season to further strengthen resiliency and address potential system impacts from storms and extreme weather. For more information and updates on GHRI, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction .

Media Contact: Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

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.

About Climavision

Climavision brings together the power of a proprietary, high resolution supplemental weather radar network with its cutting-edge Horizon AI forecasting technology suite to close significant weather observation gaps and drastically improve forecast speed and accuracy. Climavision's revolutionary approach to climate technology is poised to help reduce the economic risks of volatile weather on companies, governments, and communities alike. Climavision is backed by The Rise Fund, the world's largest global impact platform committed to achieving measurable, positive social and environmental outcomes alongside competitive financial returns. The company is headquartered in Louisville, KY, with research and development operations in Raleigh, NC. To learn more, visit www.Climavision.com.

About Convey

Convey delivers intelligent customer workflows that humanize connections in regulated environments. Formerly Message Broadcast, Convey transforms compliance requirements into streamlined experiences through purpose-built solutions that deliver measurable impact for utilities and essential service providers. Our platform helps organizations modernize operations and set new engagement standards while efficiently managing millions of interactions. Reimagine the customer journey at goconvey.com.

About Neara

Neara is a physics-enabled digital twin that eclipses traditional visualization capabilities to deliver a geometrically accurate 3D spatial model of entire infrastructure networks. The model applies detailed individual asset-level analysis to entire integrated infrastructure, providing a context-rich representation of how assets actually behave and react in the physical world in any scenario. Neara connects the granular perspective engineers need to maintain a safe and structurally sound grid system with the network-wide view business leaders need to improve outcomes with effective network investments via high-velocity, automated analysis. With Neara, asset owners upgrade daily reality from reacting to dozens of problems in a context vacuum to proactively identifying exactly where and how to allocate capital for maximum community benefit through an integrated lens. Neara has modeled more than 2 million miles of infrastructure across four continents, enabling customers to save millions each year while improving resiliency and reliability, and transforming processes that once took years into outcomes delivered in hours. More information is available at www.neara.com.

About Palantir

Palantir partners with utilities to modernize the grid, mitigate risk, improve safety, and adapt to changing demand and production patterns. Utilities have a complex data ecosystem that is often challenging to leverage, but we've helped partners optimize their operations at speed and meet complex challenges with data-driven decisions. Today, leading organizations use Palantir software to power critical decisions and operationalize AI. Workflows help address load management optimization, grid upgrades, emergency prevention and response, procurement bottlenecks, and more.

About Pano AI

Pano AI is the leader in AI-powered wildfire detection. Launched in 2020, the company provides advanced early detection and situational awareness solutions to fire agencies, utilities, governments, and private landholders to help protect people, property, and infrastructure from catastrophic wildfires. With deployments across the U.S., Canada, and Australia, Pano AI is building a new standard for real-time wildfire intelligence. To learn more, visit www.pano.ai or follow the company on LinkedIn.

About Technosylva

Technosylva is the leading provider of wildfire and extreme weather modeling, risk mitigation, and operational response software. Technosylva's market-leading solutions, enhanced by AI and machine learning capabilities, provide real-time and predictive insights into developing wildfire and extreme weather risks to support electric utility, insurance, and government agency customers. Founded in 1997, Technosylva has offices in La Jolla, CA, León, Spain, and Calgary, Canada. Learn more at www.Technosylva.com.

About Urbint

Urbint is the world leader in operational resilience for energy and utilities. Urbint's solutions use Artificial Intelligence and the latest industry science to predict and manage emergencies, protect assets and keep people safe. Urbint's suite features three end-to-end solutions: 1) Worker Safety, which provides digital job safety briefs and energy-based observation workflows to reduce exposure at the point of work; 2) Damage Prevention, which manages and risk-profiles 811 tickets to help prevent third-party damages to underground assets; and 3) Emergency Preparedness & Response, which connects the entire natural disaster lifecycle to predict impact and increase a utility's response to reduce customer downtime. The largest energy and infrastructure companies trust Urbint to protect workers, assets, communities, and the environment. Learn more at urbint.com.

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy introduces a redesigned Indiana South electric bill

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 24, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy today announced an updated format of its electric bill for Indiana South customers. The revised layout is designed to provide a clearer breakdown of monthly charges and support greater customer understanding of their energy use and how bills are calculated.

The bill revisions do not add any new charges. Instead, existing electric charges will now be grouped and labeled under four clearly organized groups – Customer Facilities Charge, Variable Base Charges, Fuel Charges and Adjustments – to help customers understand how each item contributes to their total bill.

“Improving how we communicate with customers is a responsibility we take seriously," said Mike Roeder, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President, External Affairs. “This update builds on regulatory direction and customer feedback, and it reflects the transparency we are committed to bringing to every aspect of the customer experience. We've listened to the feedback from our customers and hope to bring a better understanding of the various components of the CenterPoint bill."

This update builds on the framework outlined in the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission's final order in CenterPoint's most recent rate case, which directed the company to add broad categories to its bill presentation. CenterPoint expanded on that guidance by introducing the four itemized groups.

Recent customer experience improvements
The updated bill format is part of CenterPoint's broader effort to enhance how it communicates with and supports Indiana customers. In recent months, the company has also introduced new tools to improve the overall customer experience:

  • Outage Tracker: A mobile-friendly outage map that includes weather overlays, satellite views and a Spanish-language option. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/OutageTracker to view current conditions and report outages.
  • Action Center: A centralized online resource with safety tips, restoration updates and community information to help customers stay informed during outages and service interruptions. Explore at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.

​Additional information about the revised bill format is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyItemizedBill.​