We’ve detected a problem with your browser settings.
It’s possible that you don't have javascript enabled in your browser. Please enable javascript in your browser settings to successfully view our site.

Electric Reliability Council of Texas calls for conservation

Grid operator is asking consumers and businesses to reduce electricity use from 3 to 8 p.m. through the weekend

2022-05-14T05:00:00Z

Houston – May 14, 2022 – The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) has issued a call for conservation and is asking consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use as much as possible through the weekend due to unseasonably hot weather driving record demand across Texas. CenterPoint Energy does not generate electricity itself, so any shortage of electric power capacity from the electric grid is not something that the company controls.

Consumers can help the ERCOT grid by conserving energy, especially during peak hours of 3 to 8 p.m. Please conserve electricity by:

Adjusting your air conditioner, especially when you use a programmable thermostat:

Set your thermostat 5° higher when you're gone more than 4 hours.
Between 3 and 8 p.m., aim for 1-2° warmer than your final evening temperature. Try to keep it at 78° or higher.
Use fans to stay 4-6 degrees cooler.
Set the AC to cool down after 8 p.m.

Running your washer, dryer, or dishwasher in the morning before you leave for work or wait until after 8 p.m.
Saving up to 10 watts of energy for every device you unplug.

All electrical devices use some power when they're turned off but still plugged in. They also generate heat.
Turn off and unplug appliances and cable boxes when not in use.
Unplug your phone charger and similar devices when charging is complete.

Using a timer to turn off lights and appliances when you're away.
Using a microwave, outdoor grill, or slow cooker. In the summer, your stove and oven heat up the house. This makes your air conditioner work harder.
Setting your pool pump to run early in the morning or overnight.

If conditions worsen, ERCOT may issue a directive to curtail power delivered to customers, which requires transmission and distribution utilities like CenterPoint Energy to implement controlled outages due to power generation shortage. Controlled outages are planned emergency measures designed to avoid potentially longer and more widespread power outages for customers. There are three levels of Energy Emergency Alerts (EEA), and controlled outages are only implemented as a last resort to maintain reliability of the electric system, and they are done so with the intent to rotate outages in the electric service territory based on system conditions.

Houston-area customers should prepare now and have a back-up plan in place, especially those who rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment.

ERCOT is the independent system operator for the region and manages the flow of electric power to most of Texas and more than 26 million Texas customers. CenterPoint Energy is an investor-owned electric utility and a member of ERCOT. The company manages the transmission and distribution of electricity to its approximately 2.6 million customers across the greater Houston area and surrounding communities.

As needed, CenterPoint Energy will continue to keep customers updated through local media outlets and the company's customer communication channels, including Twitter (@CNPalerts), Facebook, Power Alert Service, Outage Tracker (Estimated Restoration Times will not be available for these types of emergencies) and the web.

Recent News

As part of its commitment to helping support local communities, CenterPoint Energy Foundation opens its first grant cycle of 2026

DAYTON, Ohio — Jan. 15, 2026 — The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications through Feb. 13 for nonprofit programs and initiatives focused on education including literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM) and workforce development.

Grants are available for eligible nonprofit organizations whose primary location is in CenterPoint Energy's service areas and have programs supporting the Foundation's giving priorities. The Foundation prioritizes programs serving low-to-moderate income families and under-resourced communities.

Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for good by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to increase the vibrancy in the communities it serves.

“The CenterPoint Energy Foundation creates positive, meaningful change within the communities where we have the privilege to provide electric and natural gas service," said June Deadrick, Vice President, Community Relations at CenterPoint Energy. “The Foundation remains committed to initiatives and programs enriching the lives of those living and working within our service areas, while powering possibilities for a better tomorrow. We encourage qualified nonprofit organizations focusing on education to apply for a grant through Feb. 13."

During its two grant cycles in 2025, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded more than $13.9 million for approximately 430 grants to nonprofit organizations in Texas, Minnesota, Indiana and Ohio, with efforts expected to:

Supply nearly 2 million free books to kids.
Support more than 625,000 hours of tutoring for students.
Enable approximately 42,000 students to receive a certificate or credential for career pathways.
Deliver over 120,000 science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) kits and projects to students.
Fund more than 3,700 career exposure or exploration events.

The second Foundation grant cycle of the year will open in June 2026 and focus on community vitality initiatives, such as affordable housing, environmental stewardship and enhancing community outdoor spaces.

To learn more and apply for a grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

###

About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
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, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of September 30, 2025, the company owned approximately $45 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

As part of its commitment to helping support local communities, CenterPoint Energy Foundation opens its first grant cycle of 2026

MINNEAPOLIS — Jan. 15, 2026 — The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications through Feb. 13 for nonprofit programs and initiatives focused on education including literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM) and workforce development.

Supply nearly 2 million free books to kids.
Support more than 625,000 hours of tutoring for students.
Enable approximately 42,000 students to receive a certificate or credential for career pathways.
Deliver over 120,000 science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) kits and projects to students.
Fund more than 3,700 career exposure or exploration events.

To learn more and apply for a grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

###

As part of its commitment to helping support local communities, CenterPoint Energy Foundation opens its first grant cycle of 2026

HOUSTON — Jan. 15, 2026 — The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications through Feb. 13 for nonprofit programs and initiatives focused on education including literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM) and workforce development.

Supply nearly 2 million free books to kids.
Support more than 625,000 hours of tutoring for students.
Enable approximately 42,000 students to receive a certificate or credential for career pathways.
Deliver over 120,000 science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) kits and projects to students.
Fund more than 3,700 career exposure or exploration events.

To learn more and apply for a grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

###

As part of its commitment to helping support local communities, CenterPoint Energy Foundation opens its first grant cycle of 2026

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Jan. 15, 2026 — The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is currently accepting applications through Feb. 13 for nonprofit programs and initiatives focused on education including literacy, science-technology-engineering-mathematics (STEM) and workforce development.

“The CenterPoint Energy Foundation creates positive, meaningful change within the communities where we have the privilege to provide electric and natural gas service," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “The Foundation remains committed to initiatives and programs enriching the lives of those living and working within our service areas, while powering possibilities for a better tomorrow. We encourage qualified nonprofit organizations focusing on education to apply for a grant through Feb. 13."

Supply nearly 2 million free books to kids.
Support more than 625,000 hours of tutoring for students.
Enable approximately 42,000 students to receive a certificate or credential for career pathways.
Deliver over 120,000 science-technology-engineering-math (STEM) kits and projects to students.
Fund more than 3,700 career exposure or exploration events.

To learn more and apply for a grant, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

###

CenterPoint Energy completes natural gas restoration efforts in Northeast Texas communities after third-party pipeline rupture

OMAHA, NAPLES, Texas – Jan. 14, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy is providing a final update regarding a rupture on a third-party transmission pipeline in Northeast Texas on Monday, January 12.

Restoration efforts are now complete, and crews have safely restored natural gas service to all customers in Omaha and Naples who are available to receive service.

Important Information for Customers
To restore service, technicians go door-to-door to perform a necessary safety check prior to conducting relights on each natural gas appliance in a customer's home or business. An adult 18 or older must be at the location when a technician arrives. All technicians and contractors wear ID badges and will show them on request.

Safety is CenterPoint's core value, and all CenterPoint personnel work to keep safety at the forefront during the repair and restoration process. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately on foot. Don't use electric switches, telephones, cell phones or start a car, as all these things could cause a spark. Call CenterPoint (888-876-5786) and 911 to report.

CenterPoint appreciates the continued patience and support of its customers and communities as it works to safely restore service as quickly as possible.