CenterPoint Energy issues natural gas flooding safety tips
Company prepared to respond as Tropical Storm Nicholas might result in heavy rain and potential flooding in Louisiana
2021-09-13T05:00:00Z

​Houston – Sept. 13, 2021 – CenterPoint Energy continues to monitor Tropical Storm Nicholas, predicted to impact some parts of Louisiana over the next few days. Crews are prepared to respond to natural gas issues that may arise due to potential heavy rain and flooding. The company also reminds customers of important natural gas safety tips:

  • Do not turn off your natural gas service at the meter; doing so could allow water to enter the natural gas lines.
  • Be alert for the smell of natural gas. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately and tell others to leave, too.
  • If you smell gas, do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a cell phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator.
  • Do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off. Once safely away from the area, call 888-876-5786, and CenterPoint Energy will promptly send a trained service technician.
  • If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances and gas piping to make sure they are in good operating condition before calling CenterPoint Energy to reconnect service. This includes outdoor gas appliances including pool heaters, gas grills and gas lights.
  • Before conducting debris cleanup or digging on property, or to locate underground natural gas lines and other underground utility lines, call 811 - the nationwide Call Before You Dig number.
  • Be aware of where your natural gas meter is located. As debris is put out for heavy trash pickup, make sure it is placed away from the meter. In many areas the meter may be located near the curb. If debris is near a gas meter, the mechanized equipment used by trash collectors could pull up the meter, damaging it and causing a potentially hazardous situation. If this happens, leave the area immediately and call CenterPoint Energy at 888-876-5786.
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CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to evaluate billing and payment options as winter heating season ends

​Dayton – March 15, 2023 – As winter heating season comes to an end, CenterPoint Energy would like to remind customers who have received a disconnect notice that they should contact the company at 1-800-227-1376 to make payment arrangements and avoid potential disconnection.

"Throughout the winter heating season, we have been communicating with customers who may be experiencing financial hardships on the options available to manage their accounts," said Ashley Babcock, Vice President, Indiana and Ohio Gas.  "We encourage customers experiencing financial challenges to contact us as soon as they receive a disconnection notice to make arrangements to avoid a disruption in service."

Customers can choose from the following free billing and payment options, as well as energy efficiency programs:

  • Due Date Extension and Payment Arrangement: These are two free offerings that are available to customers in need of a special payment plan on a temporary basis in order to keep service connected and manage their energy costs.
  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): State and federal utility assistance dollars are available for income-eligible customers. Households must fall at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply. Visit www.development.ohio.gov or call 1-800-282-0880 to learn more.
  • HEAP Winter Crisis Program: The HEAP Winter Crisis Program provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected or are threatened with disconnection. Households must fall at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply. Visit www.development.ohio.gov or call 1-800-282-0880 to learn more.
  • Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus): PIPP Plus calls for a qualified household to pay 5 percent of its monthly income for natural gas service throughout the year. To be eligible for the PIPP Plus program, a customer must receive his or her primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, must have a total household income which is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level, and must apply for all energy assistance programs for which he or she is eligible.
  • Energy efficiency resources: CenterPoint Energy offers energy efficiency tips, appliance rebates and energy-saving tools to help customers lower their natural gas bills. All Ohio residential and small commercial natural gas customers are eligible. Visit www.centerpointenergy.com/smartsavings or call 1-800-227-1376 for a list of rebates, qualifying appliances and energy efficiency tips.
  • Budget Bill: Under this billing plan, a customer's estimated costs for a year of gas service are spread in equal monthly bill amounts for the year. This leveling of monthly bill amounts reduces the need to pay the full amount in the winter and spreads some of those higher bill charges into the non-heating months. Amounts are adjusted each summer for actual costs, and the customer's credit or amount due rolls into the next Budget Bill payment for the next 12-month period. Customers can enroll for free on www.centerpointenergy.com or by calling 1-800-227-1376.


CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to set up billing and payment arrangements as winter heating season ends

​Evansville-March 15, 2023- CenterPoint Energy would like to remind customers Indiana's winter regulatory moratorium, which temporarily suspends disconnections of customers who meet low-income guidelines and have received federal and state utility heating assistance, expires today. Customers who have received a disconnect notice should contact the company at 1-800-227-1376 to make payment arrangements and avoid potential disconnection.

"Throughout the winter heating season, we have been communicating with customers who may be experiencing financial hardships on the options available to manage their accounts," said Ashley Babcock, Vice President, Indiana and Ohio Gas.  "We encourage customers experiencing financial challenges to contact us as soon as they receive a disconnection notice to make arrangements to avoid a disruption in service."

With the expiration of the moratorium, those customers currently under a disconnect order who have failed to make arrangements with the company will be subject to disconnection. Customers can choose from the following free billing and payment options, as well as energy efficiency programs:

  • Energy Assistance Program (EAP): State and federal utility assistance dollars are available for income-eligible customers. Those that fall within 60 percent of state median income should visit their local community action agency to sign up for the EAP. To apply for the EAP, customers should call 1-800-872-0371 to locate their nearest community action agency. Customers may also apply any time at the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority website at www.EAP.ihcda.in.gov.
  • Universal Service Program (USP): All eligible natural gas heating customers who apply and qualify for EAP will automatically be enrolled in the USP, which provides additional gas bill reductions that range from 15 to 32 percent of the total bill received (not including EAP benefits) in the months of December through May. The USP, which has been in place since 2005 is the result of a collaborative effort by CenterPoint Energy, Citizens Energy Group, the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, Citizens Action Coalition and a group representing industrial customers.
  • Due Date Extension and Payment Arrangement: These are two free offerings which are available to customers in need of a special payment plan on a temporary basis in order to keep service connected and manage energy costs.
  • Energy efficiency resources: CenterPoint Energy offers energy efficiency tips, appliance rebates and energy-saving tools to help customers lower their natural gas bills. All Indiana residential and small commercial natural gas customers are eligible. Visit www.centerpointenergy.com/smartsavings or call 1-866-240-8476 for a list of rebates, qualifying appliances and energy efficiency tips.
  • Budget Bill: Under this billing plan, a customer's estimated costs for a year of gas service are spread in equal monthly bill amounts for the year. This leveling of monthly bill amounts reduces the need to pay the full amount in the winter and spreads some of those higher bill charges into the non-heating months. Amounts are adjusted each summer for actual costs, and the customer's credit or amount due rolls into the next Budget Bill payment for the next 12-month period. Customers can enroll for free on www.centerpointenergy.com or by calling 1-800-227-1376.

 
Additional resources may be available through the township trustee offices and community partner organizations. 


CenterPoint Energy announces appointment of Christopher Foster as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

HOUSTON, March 15, 2023 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today announced the appointment of Christopher Foster as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 5. Foster will oversee the company's Finance organization, including Accounting, Financial Planning and Analysis, Treasury, Tax, Internal Audit, and Investor Relations. He will report to CenterPoint Energy's Chief Executive Officer Dave Lesar and serve on the company's Executive Committee.

"Chris is an outstanding leader and one of the most well-respected CFOs in the utility sector. He has a proven track record in managing financial and operational areas, delivering results in a regulated business environment, driving a utility-focused strategy, and optimizing value for stakeholders," said Lesar. "Chris will be an exceptional addition to CenterPoint Energy's already strong leadership team."

Lesar added, "Chris' experience and talent will be invaluable to our company as we continue to execute our long-term growth strategy and build on our strong momentum from 2022, which included achieving industry-leading organic growth, reaching 11 consecutive quarters of meeting or exceeding expectations, and establishing our position as a premium-valued utility."

Foster joins CenterPoint Energy from PG&E Corporation where he held roles of increasing responsibility over the past 11 years. Most recently, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer overseeing PG&E's financial activities.

Foster's accomplishments included the execution of the company's financial plan to deliver top-decile earnings growth for investors, improved balance sheet health, and greater customer affordability. He also successfully completed more than $9.5 billion in securitizations, as well as cumulative transactions and financings of over $50 billion over three years. Prior to his EVP and CFO role, he held leadership positions in Integrated Grid Planning and Innovation, Investor Relations and Treasury. He began his professional career working as an advisor in the U.S. Congress and held several leadership roles over the course of 10 years.

"With a compelling strategy, a laser-focused plan to invest in the safety, reliability and resiliency of its electric and natural gas systems, a diversified, premium service territory, and substantial progress in advancing the transition to a cleaner energy future, I believe CenterPoint Energy has an incredibly bright future," said Foster. "I am honored to serve as CFO of this great company and look forward to building on our momentum as we strive to deliver a premium utility experience to our customers, shareholders, employees and communities."

Foster graduated with a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University with a focus on political theory and constitutional democracy. He is active in the community and serves on the Boards of Exploratorium, a San Francisco-based science and technology museum, and Xenophon, a nonprofit organization focused on therapeutic riding for disabled youth and veterans.

"I would like to thank Jason Wells for his continued leadership as our CFO following his promotion to CenterPoint Energy's President and COO in January," said Lesar. "While assuming responsibility for his critical new execution-focused role, Jason continues to be instrumental in providing financial leadership and direction."

Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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 events, such as the potential growth, including the timing and scale of such growth, of CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Energy's long-term capital plan and its ability to execute on its long-term capital plan, CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on its generation transition plan and to implement cleaner energy, future financial performance of CenterPoint Energy, 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. 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 impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7) changes in business plans; (8) continued disruptions to the global supply chain and increases in commodity prices; (9) legislative decisions, including tax and developments related to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon and waste water discharges; (10) CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on its initiatives, targets and goals and operations and maintenance goals and (11) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

About CenterPoint Energy
As the only investor-owned electric and natural gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned approximately $38 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

For more information contact
Media:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com
Investors:
Jackie Richert/Ben Vallejo
Phone    713.207.6500

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy Announces 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Meeting to be held Friday, April 21 at 9 a.m. CT

HOUSTON, March 10, 2023 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today announced that its 2023 Annual Meeting of Shareholders will be held on Friday, April 21, 2023, at 9 a.m. CT in the CenterPoint Energy Tower auditorium, 1111 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas. Shareholders who hold shares of CenterPoint Energy common stock at the close of business on February 24, 2023, will receive notice of the meeting and will be eligible to vote.

As the only investor-owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of December 31, 2022, the company owned approximately $38 billion in assets. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

For more information contact
Media:
Media Relations
Media.Relations@centerpointenergy.com
Investors:
Jackie Richert
Phone 713.207.6500

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Energy Systems Group Names Steven Craig President

​Newburgh, Ind. (March 9, 2023) – Energy Systems Group (ESG), a subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, announced that Steven Craig has been named President. In this capacity, Craig is responsible for leading all facets of ESG's business, with a focus on working across the organization to execute the company's customer-centric strategy in its various markets.

"Steve assumes the role of President at a time when our growth potential has never been more promising. As our industry and customers continue to embrace cleaner energy initiatives, resiliency, sustainability, and increased use of public and private funding, we have a unique opportunity to expand our business offerings and relationships," said Monica Karuturi, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, CenterPoint Energy. "Steve is a highly respected leader, with the vision, purpose and passion to move ESG forward. With his knowledge of our company, our markets and the industry, I have no doubt that he will excel in this key role."

Craig has more than 30 years of experience serving customers in the energy infrastructure and power generation sectors, including providing financial oversight and serving in functional leadership roles. He joined ESG in 2019 and most recently served as Vice President, Sales, Business Development and Marketing. In this capacity, Craig sets the strategic direction for the company's enterprise-level sales, business development and marketing efforts. He also provides overall leadership of the sales excellence, training, and development priorities.

In addition to serving as President, Craig will retain his current sales, business development and marketing duties.
"ESG has an exceptionally committed and talented team, and I am honored to lead our company into the future," said Craig. "Our customers are navigating complex and dynamic challenges, but they also have exciting opportunities to improve their efficiencies, energy resilience and environmental sustainability, as well as unlock new revenue streams. We will continue to be at their side, offering guidance and viable, proven solutions to help achieve the greatest value from their operations."

About Energy Systems Group, LLC

ENERGY SYSTEMS GROUP®, a wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., is a leading sustainable energy solutions provider that specializes in energy efficiency, sustainability, resiliency, and infrastructure improvement solutions in the government, education, healthcare, commercial, and industrial sectors. ESG also offers a full range of sustainable infrastructure solutions including waste-to-energy, distributed generation, and renewable energy. To learn more about ESG, visit www.energysystemsgroup.com.

Forward Looking Statement:

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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 events, such as the potential growth, including the timing and scale of such growth, of ESG and CenterPoint Energy, the growth and demand for energy efficiency services and those services provided by ESG, 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. 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 impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; (5) effects of competition; (6) weather variations; (7) changes in business plans; (8) continued disruptions to the global supply chain and increases in commodity prices; (9) legislative decisions, including tax and developments related to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon and waste water discharges; (10) ESG's and CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on its initiatives, targets and goals and operations and maintenance goals and (11) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.