CenterPoint Energy reports third quarter 2018 earnings of $0.35 per diluted share; $0.39 earnings per diluted share on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren
Company anticipates achieving the high end of its $1.50 - $1.60 2018 EPS guidance range, excluding impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren
2019-06-14T05:00:00Z

HOUSTON, Nov. 8, 2018 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income available to common shareholders of $153 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $169 million, or $0.39 per diluted share for the third quarter of 2017. On a guidance basis, and excluding impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren, third quarter 2018 earnings were $0.39 per diluted share, consisting of $0.25 from utility operations and $0.14 from midstream investments. Third quarter 2017 earnings on a guidance basis were $0.38 per diluted share, consisting of $0.28 from utility operations and $0.10 from midstream investments.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2018 was $226 million, compared with $297 million in the third quarter of 2017. For the third quarter of 2017 operating income was increased and other income decreased by $18 million in accordance with the retrospective adoption earlier this year of the accounting standard for compensation-retirement benefits (ASU 2017-07).  Equity income from midstream investments was $81 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $68 million for the third quarter of 2017.

"Our businesses performed well this quarter, in line with our expectations, and we remain on track to achieve the high end of our EPS guidance range," said Scott M. Prochazka, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "In addition, the remaining approvals required for our pending merger with Vectren are on schedule, and we expect the transaction to be completed in the first quarter of 2019."

Business Segments

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $227 million for the third quarter of 2018, consisting of $214 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $13 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for the third quarter of 2017 was $254 million, consisting of $236 million from the TDU and $18 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 more than offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses, lower revenues reflecting the lower federal income tax rate due to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and higher depreciation and amortization expense.

The retrospective adoption of ASU 2017-07 resulted in an increase to TDU operating income and a corresponding decrease to other income of $7 million for the third quarter of 2017. 

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $3 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $25 million for the third quarter of 2017. Operating income benefited from rate relief and weather and usage, driven by the timing of a decoupling mechanism in Minnesota. These increases were more than offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses, higher depreciation and amortization expense and lower revenues reflecting the lower federal income tax rate due to the TCJA.

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 $5 million for the third quarter of 2017.

Energy Services

The energy services segment reported an operating loss of $9 million for the third quarter of 2018, which included a mark-to-market gain of $1 million, compared with operating income of $7 million for the third quarter of 2017, which included a mark-to-market gain of $2 million.  Excluding mark-to-market adjustments, the operating loss was $10 million for the third quarter of 2018 compared with operating income of $5 million for the third quarter of 2017. Operating income decreased due to lower margin, resulting from reduced opportunities to optimize natural gas supply costs and timing impacts related to natural gas storage activity, and higher operation and maintenance expense. Energy Services remain on track to achieve their core operating income target of $70 - $80 million for 2018.

Midstream Investments

The midstream investments segment reported $81 million of equity income for the third quarter of 2018, compared with $68 million in the third quarter of 2017. 

Other Operations

The other operations segment reported operating income of $5 million for the third quarter of 2018, compared with operating income of $11 million in the third quarter of 2017.  This decrease is primarily due to costs related to the pending merger with Vectren.

Earnings Outlook

CenterPoint Energy anticipates achieving the high end of the $1.50 - $1.60 EPS guidance range for 2018, excluding impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren.  These impacts include integration planning and transaction-related fees and expenses.  In addition, the company has issued $5.2 billion of debt and equity securities to fund the pending merger with Vectren.  Therefore, 2018 is expected to have higher net interest expense and a higher common stock share count, the effects of which are not included in the 2018 EPS guidance range set forth above.  This guidance is inclusive of Enable's 2018 net income guidance.  The guidance range assumes ownership of 54.0 percent of the common units representing limited partner interests in Enable Midstream and includes the amortization of CenterPoint Energy's basis differential in Enable Midstream and effective tax rates.  CenterPoint Energy does not include other potential Enable Midstream impacts on guidance, such as any changes in accounting standards or unusual items. 

The guidance range considers utility operations performance to date and certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as weather, throughput, commodity prices, effective tax rates, financing activities (other than those to fund the pending merger with Vectren), and regulatory and judicial proceedings to include regulatory action as a result of recent tax reform legislation.

Utility operations EPS includes all earnings except those related to Midstream Investments (utility operations EPS includes the Enable Series A Preferred 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, 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.  CenterPoint Energy's guidance does not currently reflect impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren.

 


 Quarter Ended 


 September 30, 2018 


 September 30, 2017 


 Net Income
(in millions) 


 Diluted EPS 


 Net Income
(in millions) 


 Diluted EPS 









Consolidated net income and diluted EPS as reported

$            153


$           0.35


$            169


$           0.39

Midstream Investments

(60)


(0.14)


(42)


(0.10)

Utility Operations (1) 

93


0.21


127


0.29









Timing effects impacting CES(2):








Mark-to-market gains (net of taxes of $0 and $1)(3)

(1)


-


(1)


-









ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:








Marketable securities (net of taxes of $9 and $13) (3)(4)

(34)


(0.08)


(24)


(0.06)

Indexed debt securities (net of taxes of $10 and $13) (3)

34


0.08


23


0.05

Utility operations earnings on an adjusted guidance basis

$              92


$           0.21


$            125


$           0.28









Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted EPS used in providing earnings guidance:








Utility Operations on a guidance basis

$              92


$           0.21


$            125


$           0.28

Midstream Investments

60


0.14


42


0.10

Consolidated on a guidance basis

$            152


$           0.35


$            167


$           0.38









Impacts associated with the Vectren merger (net of taxes of $2) (3)

18


0.04


-


-









Utility Operations on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger

$            110


$           0.25


$            125


$           0.28

Midstream Investments

60


0.14


42


0.10

Consolidated on a guidance basis, excluding impacts associated with the Vectren merger

$            170


$           0.39


$            167


$           0.38


(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.

 

Filing of Form 10-Q for CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 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, November 8, 2018, at 10:00 a.m. Central time/11:00 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.

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

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 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 demand for CenterPoint Energy's non-rate regulated products and services and 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) CenterPoint Energy's expected timing, likelihood and benefits of completion of CenterPoint Energy's pending merger with Vectren Corporation (Vectren), including the timing, receipt and terms and conditions of any required approvals by regulatory agencies that could reduce anticipated benefits or cause the parties to delay or abandon the pending transactions, as well as the ability to successfully integrate the 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; (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) local, state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (15) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (16) 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; (17) CenterPoint Energy's ability to invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint Energy's investments; (18) CenterPoint Energy's ability to control operation and maintenance costs; (19) the sufficiency of CenterPoint Energy's insurance coverage, including availability, cost, coverage and terms and ability to recover claims; (20) the investment performance of CenterPoint Energy's pension and postretirement benefit plans; (21) 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; (22) changes in rates of inflation; (23) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to CenterPoint Energy; (24) non-payment for CenterPoint Energy's services due to financial distress of its customers; (25) the extent and effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's risk management and hedging activities, including but not limited to, its financial and weather hedges and commodity risk management activities; (26) 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; (27) 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 interests in Enable, if any, whether through CenterPoint Energy's 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 CenterPoint Energy or Enable; (28) acquisition and merger activities involving CenterPoint Energy or its competitors, including the ability to successfully complete merger, acquisition or divestiture plans; (29) CenterPoint Energy's or Enable's ability to recruit, effectively transition and retain management and key employees and maintain good labor relations; (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) 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, which may be contested by GenOn; (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, 2017, CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2018, June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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 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.

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 net income and diluted earnings per share, CenterPoint Energy also provides guidance based on adjusted net 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 net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share calculation excludes from net income 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 does not currently reflect impacts associated with the pending merger with Vectren. 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.

Management evaluates the company's financial performance in part based on adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share. We believe 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 net 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, net income 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)
























Quarter Ended


Nine Months Ended




September 30,


September 30,




2018


2017 (1)


2018


2017 (1)






















Revenues:










Utility revenues


$         1,299


$         1,233


$         4,534


$         4,001


Non-utility revenues


913


865


3,019


2,975


Total


2,212


2,098


7,553


6,976












Expenses:










Utility natural gas


134


106


959


706


Non-utility natural gas


864


832


2,927


2,843


Operation and maintenance


567


501


1,714


1,562


Depreciation and amortization


326


269


982


749


Taxes other than income taxes


95


93


307


288


Total


1,986


1,801


6,889


6,148


Operating Income


226


297


664


828












Other Income (Expense):










Gain on marketable securities


43


37


66


104


Loss on indexed debt securities


(44)


(36)


(316)


(59)


Interest and other finance charges


(90)


(80)


(259)


(235)


Interest on securitization bonds


(16)


(18)


(46)


(58)


Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates


81


68


208


199


Other - net


9


(1)


16


(2)


Total


(17)


(30)


(331)


(51)












Income Before Income Taxes 


209


267


333


777












Income Tax Expense


51


98


85


281












Net Income


158


169


248


496












Series A Preferred Dividend Requirement


5


-


5


-












Income Available to Common Shareholders


$            153


$            169


$            243


$            496












(1) Restated to reflect the adoption of ASU 2017-07.





























Reference is made to the Combined Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

 

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Selected Data From Statements of Consolidated Income

(Millions of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)

(Unaudited)





















Quarter Ended


Nine Months Ended



September 30,


September 30,



2018


2017 (1)


2018


2017 (1)



















Basic Earnings Per Common Share


$                 0.35


$                 0.39


$         &

 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy is monitoring forecasted severe weather and preparing for potential system impacts in southwestern Indiana

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 16, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring severe weather forecasts and preparing for any potential impacts of strong storms expected to move through southwestern Indiana on Friday, May 16. 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. 

​

GHRI Phase Two Update: CenterPoint Energy completes 100 percent of undergrounding milestone; 400 miles of strategic power line undergrounding completed ahead of 2025 hurricane season

Underground power lines installed ahead of schedule, with all Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) Phase Two resiliency actions on track to be completed by June 1

Historic suite of GHRI actions will improve system resiliency and reliability, resulting in the reduction of more than 125 million outage minutes annually

HOUSTON, May 6, 2025 - As part of its commitment to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country, CenterPoint Energy announced that it has installed 400 miles of underground power lines over the past eight months, completing 100% of its strategic undergrounding goal before the start of the 2025 hurricane season. The critical undergrounding work will help strengthen the system against extreme weather and improve overall resiliency by reducing potential outages caused by high winds, falling vegetation, vehicle collisions and other hazards. The work, which is part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI), was completed ahead of schedule and will help CenterPoint achieve its broader goal of achieving more than 50% of the electric system being ungrounded to further improve resiliency.

"All of us at CenterPoint are laser-focused on preparing for the 2025 hurricane season and strengthening the system against more powerful storms and extreme weather. We will continue working hard every day to build on the significant progress we've made since launching the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, as we continue toward our goal of building the most resilient coastal grid in the country," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of Electric Business.

When all GHRI milestones are achieved, these system improvements and actions will further strengthen resiliency and are projected to reduce outages for customers by more than 125 million minutes annually. 

As part of its commitment to transparency, CenterPoint will continue to provide regular updates on its progress toward completing its critical resiliency actions and other GHRI commitments. More information and real-time updates are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve approximately 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. 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, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, 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. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the GHRI and longer-term resiliency plans, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, 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 or the website pages related to the GHRI and other emergency preparations regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, including expected benefits, speaks only as of the date of this release or the date that such statement is made, as applicable. 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 Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

Applications now open for CenterPoint Energy’s Community Safety Grants

​HOUSTON – May 15, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy is currently accepting applications for this year's Community Safety Grant Program through May 31, 2025. The company will award grants of up to $2,500 for local governmental agencies to fund community safety equipment and safety-related projects within CenterPoint's electric and natural gas service areas in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas.

Since launching the program in 2003, CenterPoint has awarded more than $3.25 million in grants for over 1,600 safety-related projects in communities throughout the company's footprint.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take as a company for the customers and communities we are privileged to serve," said June Deadrick, CenterPoint's Vice President, Community Relations. “Through our Community Safety Grant Program, we are thrilled to recognize the work our emergency responders, local officials and many others do to help support the health and safety of our customers across the communities we, too, call home."

Through this program, the grants have enabled communities to install public AEDs (automated external defibrillators), update emergency communication equipment, purchase personal protective equipment for first responders, install traffic control signs, buy gas monitoring devices and complete many other types of safety projects. 

Each community CenterPoint serves can submit one grant application with information on a safety-related problem, issue or need in the community and how a Community Safety Grant would help address those needs. 

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves and to apply for a Community Safety Grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.  ​

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 continues its resiliency efforts across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to the YET Center

​HOUSTON — May 15, 2025 — Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Youth Education Town (YET) Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for more than 20 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.  

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit. 

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation. 

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are donating backup generation to support our partners in Harris County, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks ahead. These generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Darin Carroll, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Electric Business. 

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.  

Working with Community Partners on Locations 
To support local community needs, CenterPoint worked closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations. 

“On behalf of Harris County residents, especially those in the Fifth Ward area, I want to thank the CenterPoint Energy Foundation for the generous donation of a generator for the Youth Education Town Center. We will be entering hurricane season in about two weeks, so the generator will help this community that really relies on the YET as an emergency shelter. In a disadvantaged neighborhood like this, we also can depend on the generator to make sure everyone is protected from extreme weather and has adequate supplies to survive, including food and water," said Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner.  

CenterPoint will continue coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facilities they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.  

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks.

 

PHOTO: From L to R: Alexsaundra Preston, Director of Communications for the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis; John Robinson, Director of the YET Center; Joshua McGinty, CenterPoint Service Area Manager for Bellaire; Robert Young, CenterPoint Service Area Director for Bellaire and Spring Branch; Rodney Ellis, Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner; Darin Carroll, CenterPoint Senior Vice President of Electric Business; June Deadrick, CenterPoint Vice President of Community Relations; Keith Stephens, CenterPoint Senior Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

More photos: CNP Digital Asset Mgmt 
 
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, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, 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. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the GHRI and longer-term resiliency plans, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, 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 or the website pages related to the GHRI regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI speaks only as of the date of this release or the date that such statement is made, as applicable. 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 Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.​


CenterPoint Energy Foundation proudly sponsors Houston Disaster Readiness and Resilience Clinic & Expo to prepare for 2025 hurricane season

​​HOUSTON – May 13, 2025 – As part of its ongoing efforts to prepare for the 2025 hurricane season, CenterPoint Energy today announced its Foundation's lead sponsorship of the City of Houston's Disaster Readiness and Resilience Clinic & Expo on May 17, the largest emergency preparedness event in Texas. The free community event, which is hosted by the City of Houston, Harris County and community partners, will take place at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Downtown Houston from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. and will brings thousands of Houstonians together to enhance overall resilience and emergency preparedness.  

“As we all prepare for the 2025 hurricane season, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is proud to support this critical, city-wide resiliency event alongside our city, county and community partners. We encourage all our customers around Houston to attend to learn about key resources in their communities and make an emergency plan to stay safe when extreme weather strikes," said Keith Stephens, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer. 

The Disaster Readiness and Resilience Clinic & Expo will include interactive exhibits and educational panels with public officials, emergency response agencies and community organizations, to provide important safety information and resources to help Houstonians prepare for hurricanes and other emergencies. The event will also feature a Disaster Access and Functional Needs Clinic to provide tailored support and services for individuals with specific needs during emergencies. To learn more or sign up for the event, visit getreadyexpo.org.  

Hurricane preparedness: Getting ready for the start of hurricane season 
CenterPoint's local support for the Disaster Readiness and Resilience Clinic & Expo is part of a series of historic actions taken since last year, which includes the completion of the second phase of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) before June 1, 2025, or the official start of the hurricane season. Among the actions the company has taken are: 

  • Completing historic system improvements: Through the second phase of GHRI, installing 25,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles; installing 4,850 automated devices; clearing high-risk vegetation from 4,000 miles of power lines; undergrounding 400 miles of power lines; and installing 100 weather stations to provide real-time weather monitoring.
  • 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.
  • Donating and installing emergency generators to key locations through its Foundation's Community Generator Donation Program: Working with local communities to provide backup generators to critical facilities and community centers that provide essential services in emergencies.

CenterPoint will continue to provide updates on its progress toward completing its critical resiliency actions and other GHRI commitments before June 1. 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.

Forward-looking statements
This news release, as well as the website pages related to the GHRI, includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, 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. These forward-looking statements, which include statements regarding the GHRI and longer-term resiliency plans, including effectiveness, timing and related matters, 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 or the website pages related to the GHRI and other emergency preparations regarding future events that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or the website pages related to the GHRI, including expected benefits, speaks only as of the date of this release or the date that such statement is made, as applicable. 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 Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ​