CenterPoint Energy reports strong Q3 2022 results and updates long-term capital plan
2022-11-01T05:00:00Z

Houston – November 1, 2022 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) or "CenterPoint" today reported income available to common shareholders of $189 million, or $0.30 per diluted share on a GAAP basis, for the third quarter of 2022 compared to $0.33 of diluted earnings per share, which included $0.08 of midstream earnings for the third quarter of 2021 and $0.04 of one-time items.

  • Reported Q3 2022 earnings of $0.30 and $0.32 per diluted share on a GAAP and non-GAAP basis, respectively
  • Reiterated full-year 2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance of $1.37-$1.39, representing an increase of 9% at the midpoint compared to full year 2021
  • Initiated 2023 non-GAAP guidance range of $1.48-$1.50, which represents an 8% growth over 2022 and further maintains growth targets of 8% for 2024 and the mid-to-high end of 6%-8% thereafter
  • Increased long-term capital plan through 2030 by $2.3B to nearly $43B for further resiliency and grid modernization to benefit our customers; confirmed this plan will not require issuance of new equity
  • Identified an additional ~$3B of capital opportunities; future guidance targets do not include earnings impact of the total $5.3B increased capital opportunities

On a non-GAAP basis, EPS for the third quarter was $0.32, a 28% increase over the third quarter 2021 non-GAAP utility EPS; or a 10% increase when adjusted to remove one-time items from 2021. The positive variance was primarily driven by increased regulatory recovery of capital and favorable weather in the Houston Electric service territory benefitting the quarter.  These drivers represented a favorable increase of approximately $0.07 per share over the third quarter of 2021.  In addition, ongoing cost management contributed an additional benefit of $0.02 per share over the comparable quarter of 2021.  These drivers were partially offset by other unfavorable variances of $0.01 per share for the quarter, including higher interest expense and recording the remaining portion of the partial disallowance of extraordinary gas costs in Minnesota.    

"We are certainly excited to deliver our 10th consecutive quarter of meeting or exceeding expectations as a management team. We remain on track to deliver on our full-year $1.37-$1.39 of non-GAAP EPS for 2022, a 9% growth for the year. And we remain on track to deliver an industry-leading 8% non-GAAP EPS growth each year through 2024 followed by the mid-to-high end of 6-8% each year thereafter through 2030," said Dave Lesar, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint.  

"We are equally excited to provide an updated capital plan that increases our previous $40B-plus customer-driven capital plan by $2.3B to nearly $43B through 2030.  This incremental capital will be dedicated to further distribution system resiliency, reliability and grid modernization, as well as transmission upgrades in our Houston Electric area that should benefit our customers.  Another $3B of capital opportunities have been developed, which would be additive to our capital plans through 2030 as we look to add it efficiently and prudently in over time," continued Lesar.

Lesar added, "Although we have not modified our earnings targets for this incremental capital update, we expect this additional capital investment will provide future earnings power for the company.  Our focus continues to be on delivering industry leading growth each and every year, while over-delivering for our customers, investors, and other stakeholders." 

Earnings Outlook

Given the merger between Enable and Energy Transfer and CenterPoint's divestiture of its remaining midstream investments during 2022, CenterPoint will be presenting a consolidated non-GAAP EPS guidance range for 2022, which is the comparable measure to non-GAAP Utility EPS reported in 2021.

In addition to presenting its financial results in accordance with GAAP, including presentation of income (loss) available to common shareholders and diluted earnings (loss) per share, CenterPoint provides guidance based on non-GAAP income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share. 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.

Management evaluates CenterPoint's financial performance in part based on non-GAAP income and non-GAAP earnings per share. Management believes that presenting these non-GAAP financial measures enhances an investor's understanding of CenterPoint'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 do 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's non-GAAP income and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share measures should be considered as a supplement to, and not as a substitute for, or superior to, income available to common shareholders and diluted earnings per share, which respectively are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures also may be different than non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies.

2021 non-GAAP Utility EPS

"Utility EPS" (a non-GAAP financial measure) included net income from the company's Electric and Natural Gas segments, as well as after-tax Corporate and Other operating income and an allocation of corporate overhead based upon Electric's and Natural Gas's relative earnings contribution. Corporate overhead consisted primarily of interest expense, preferred stock dividend requirements, and other items directly attributable to the parent, along with the associated income taxes.

  • 2021 Utility EPS excluded:
    • Earnings or losses from the change in value of the CenterPoint 2.0% Zero-Premium Exchangeable Subordinated Notes due 2029 ("ZENS") and related securities;
    • Earnings and losses associated with the ownership and disposal of midstream common and preferred units (including amounts reported in discontinued operations), net gain associated with the consummation of the merger between Enable Midstream Partners, LP and Energy Transfer LP, a corresponding amount of debt related to midstream common and preferred units, and an allocation of associated corporate overhead;
    • Cost associated with the early extinguishment of debt;
    • Impacts associated with Arkansas and Oklahoma gas LDC sales; and
    • Certain impacts associated with other mergers and divestitures.

2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance range

Beginning in 2022, CenterPoint no longer separates utility and midstream operations and will report on a consolidated non-GAAP EPS basis.

  • 2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance excludes:
    • Earnings or losses from the change in value of ZENS and related securities;
    • Gain and impact, including related expenses, associated with mergers and divestitures, primarily the Arkansas and Oklahoma gas LDC sales; and
    • Income and expense related to ownership and disposal of Energy Transfer common and Series G preferred units, and a corresponding amount of debt related to the units.

In providing 2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance, CenterPoint does not consider the items noted above and other potential impacts such as changes in accounting standards, impairments, or other unusual items, which could have a material impact on GAAP reported results for the applicable guidance period. The 2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance range also considers assumptions for certain significant variables that may impact earnings, such as customer growth and usage including normal weather, throughput, recovery of capital invested, effective tax rates, financing activities and related interest rates, and regulatory and judicial proceedings. To the extent actual results deviate from these assumptions, the 2022 non-GAAP EPS guidance range may not be met, or the projected annual non-GAAP EPS growth rate may change. CenterPoint is unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of forward-looking non-GAAP diluted earnings per share because changes in the value of ZENS and related securities, future impairments, and other unusual items are not estimable and are difficult to predict due to various factors outside of management's control.

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 quarter ended September 30, 2022. A copy of that report is available on the company's website, under the Investors section. Investors and others should note that we may announce material information using SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts, and the Investor Relations page of our website.  In the future, we will continue to use these channels to distribute material information about the company and to communicate important information about the company, key personnel, corporate initiatives, regulatory updates, and other matters.  Information that we post on our website could be deemed material; therefore, we encourage investors, the media, our customers, business partners and others interested in our company to review the information we post on our website.

Webcast of Earnings Conference Call

CenterPoint's management will host an earnings conference call on November 1, 2022, at 7:00 a.m. Central time / 8:00 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.

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, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Ohio and Texas. As of September 30, 2022, the company owned approximately $35 billion in assets. With approximately 8,900 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release includes, and the earnings conference call will include 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. Examples of forward-looking statements in this news release or on the earnings conference call include statements regarding capital investments (including with respect to incremental capital opportunities, deployment of capital, renewables projects, mobile generation spend and Resilient Now), the impacts of the February 2021 winter storm event on our business and service territories, the recovery and timing of recovery of associated gas costs and related litigation, future earnings and guidance, including long-term growth rate, customer charges, operations and maintenance expense reductions, financing plans (including the timing of any future equity issuances, securitization, credit metrics and parent level debt), the impact of disruptions to the global supply chain on our business, including our generation transition plan and our capital plan, ZENS and impacts of the maturity of ZENS, tax planning opportunities (such as any potential use of the repairs expense deduction), future financial performance and results of operations, including with respect to regulatory actions and recoverability of capital investments, customer rate affordability, value creation, opportunities and expectations, ESG strategy, including transition to Net Zero, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release or discussed on the earnings conference call speaks only as of the date of this release or the earnings conference call.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) CenterPoint's business strategies and strategic initiatives, restructurings, joint ventures and acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, including the completed sale of our Natural Gas businesses in Arkansas and Oklahoma, the exit from midstream and the internal restructuring of certain subsidiaries, which we cannot assure you will have the anticipated benefits to us; (2) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint's service territories and changes in market demand; (3) CenterPoint's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (4) financial market and general economic conditions, including access to debt and equity capital and inflation, and their effect on sales, prices and costs; (5) continued disruptions to the global supply chain and increases in commodity prices; (6) actions by credit rating agencies, including any potential downgrades to credit ratings; (7) the timing and impact of regulatory proceedings and actions and legal proceedings, including those related to Houston Electric's mobile generation and the February 2021 winter storm event; (8) legislative decisions, including tax and developments related to the environment such as global climate change, air emissions, carbon, waste water discharges and the handling of coal combustion residuals, among others, and CenterPoint's Net Zero and carbon emissions reduction goals; (9) the impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (10) the recording of impairment charges; (11) weather variations and CenterPoint's ability to mitigate weather impacts, including impacts from the February 2021 winter storm event; (12) changes in business plans; (13) CenterPoint's ability to execute on its initiatives, targets and goals, including its Net Zero and carbon emissions reduction goals and operations and maintenance goals; and (14) other factors discussed CenterPoint's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2022, June 30, 2022, and September 30, 2022 including in the "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" sections of such reports, and other reports CenterPoint or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


 

 


 Recent News

 

 

Home Repair & Care continues to deliver critical upgrades to CenterPoint Energy southwestern Indiana customers

CenterPoint Energy Foundation investing across southwestern Indiana through the Community Energy Improvement Fund and Optimize programs

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 14, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy customers across southwestern Indiana continue to receive critical home repairs through the Home Repair & Care program. Funded by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation through its $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund and implemented by local nonprofit Community One, the program launched in January 2026.

For Grace Strange, a retired Evansville resident, that meant a new furnace for her home, built in 1895. Before retiring in 2024, Grace had completed the maintenance she could on her home, including new windows, basement work and a new roof. During a recent maintenance appointment, her longtime HVAC technician told her that her furnace was close to the end of its useful life. A full replacement was the project she'd been putting off.

“I'd worked hard to take care of the house before I retired. The furnace was the one thing I'd been putting off," said Strange. “The Home Repair & Care program came through at the right moment. The house is more comfortable than it's been in years, our bills came down, and that money can go to gasoline and groceries. That means a lot when you've just retired."

Grace's furnace was replaced with a new high-efficiency unit at no cost through the program.

Critical repairs delivered across southwestern Indiana
Home Repair & Care was designed for homeowners whose incomes fall above no-cost weatherization thresholds but who still face large, one-time repair costs that prevent safer, more efficient homes. To date, 183 home projects are underway or completed across 68 households. Upgrades include:

  • 48 window projects
  • 40 exterior door projects
  • 32 new or repaired furnaces or HVAC systems
  • 27 insulation upgrades
  • 21 roof repairs or replacements
  • 11 new water heaters
  • 4 siding repairs

Continued community investment under the Community Energy Improvement Fund
Home Repair & Care was the first initiative launched under the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, established in October 2025 to support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs across southwestern Indiana. The Fund is supported by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation by company shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. Several additional Foundation programs are now advancing under the Fund, each providing up to $25,000 in matching grant funding for energy efficiency upgrades:

  • Optimize for Local: Applications have been received and are under review. Optimize for Local supports locally owned independent restaurants and retailers across southwestern Indiana with funding for energy efficiency upgrades such as HVAC, refrigeration and lighting improvements.
  • Optimize for Growth: Applications are currently open. Optimize for Growth supports small industrial businesses, including manufacturers, processors and fabricators, with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements that reduce operating costs and strengthen the region's economic base.
  • Optimize for Good: Applications will open later this spring. Optimize for Good supports southwestern Indiana nonprofits with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements, allowing organizations to redirect limited resources toward the community missions they serve.

Additional program details, eligibility and application information are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/Optimize.

The Community Energy Improvement Fund is part of CenterPoint's broader Community Affordability Actions, a series of steps taken since October 2025 to support southwestern Indiana customers, including expanded customer programs and proposed customer protections such as annual late fee waivers, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers. Additional Community Energy Improvement Fund initiatives are expected to be announced in the months ahead.

CenterPoint Energy conducts full-scale emergency exercise in preparation for 2026 hurricane season

HOUSTON – May 14, 2026 – Today, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its overall emergency preparedness and response efforts, CenterPoint Energy conducted its annual full-scale emergency response exercise in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. The emergency exercise, held at CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center, simulated a Category 3 hurricane impacting the Greater Houston area and included more than 400 members of CenterPoint teams – from Electric and Gas Operations, Emergency Planning & Response, Customer, Communications and others – executing the company's emergency response plan. About 100 state and local officials, emergency management officials, first responder partners and emergency experts observed the drill.

“For CenterPoint, preparing for natural disasters before they happen and simulating the effectiveness of our response and plans is vital to continuously improving and strengthening our response when future storms and hurricanes strike. Today's emergency exercise builds on the series of preparedness actions we've already taken throughout the year, as well as the continued infrastructure investments made as part of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative to strengthen the electric grid. The combination of actions we've taken are to help us better achieve the high level of performance expected of us, so we can restore power safely and more quickly for the millions of customers and families who depend on us," said Jesus Soto Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CenterPoint Energy.

2026 Preparedness: Focus of annual full-scale exercise

The 2026 emergency exercise focused on executing a series of critical emergency response activities, including reviewing weather forecasts and impacts, analyzing damage prediction models to deploy resources, coordinating with emergency responders to support unified response operations, and communicating accurate and timely information to customers, as well as local and state leaders, on the scale of restoration efforts and progress.

The exercise simulated a Category 3 hurricane and included third-party expert evaluators that observed and provided feedback. CenterPoint will use the feedback to further improve, enhance and strengthen CenterPoint's emergency response preparedness, reflecting its year-round commitment to implementing the latest best practices and lessons learned following all emergency events, including hurricanes and other extreme storms.

More than 100 officials observed the exercise, including elected leaders, representatives from regional emergency management offices, Houston-area utilities, as well as key stakeholders from local education, healthcare and business communities.

2026 Preparedness: Scope of emergency actions to date

CenterPoint has taken a series of actions throughout 2026 to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Actions include:

  • Opened a new Emergency Operations Center to support CenterPoint's year-round situational awareness and emergency response readiness and closely coordinate with emergency response partners, local and state officials, media and other key stakeholders.
  • Completed more than 25,000 hours of FEMA trainings across more than 800 employees.
  • Increased the number of frontline workers CenterPoint can call upon to support emergency responses by up to 20 times its normal workforce.
  • Improved the damage assessment process with faster damage identification and power restoration.
  • Enhanced real-time weather monitoring with 150 new advanced weather stations.

Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI): Strengthening the grid

Since launching GHRI in 2024, CenterPoint has made a series of critical infrastructure investments to strengthen the grid to better withstand more extreme weather and improve day-to-day reliability for its customers. These ongoing actions, as part of GHRI, have included:

  • Installing 65,000+ stronger, more storm-resilient poles;
  • Clearing 10,000+ miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines;
  • Undergrounding 500+ miles of power lines; and
  • Installing 600+ automation devices capable of self-healing.

Throughout 2026, CenterPoint will continue to make additional investments to further strengthen system resiliency and emergency preparedness. These combined resiliency actions will prevent CenterPoint customers from experiencing 150 million fewer outage minutes by the end of 2026.

To learn more about CenterPoint's preparedness actions and critical resiliency improvements across Greater Houston, visit: www.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 more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com. ​


Energy efficiency improvements at Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility help save money, while reducing energy use and emissions

Images are available here

MINNEAPOLIS – May 13, 2026 – The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, in collaboration with CenterPoint Energy and Synagro, has completed a major energy efficiency project at the Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shakopee. The project incorporates more renewable biogas into plant operations and earned the Metropolitan Council a rebate of $152,690 through CenterPoint's energy efficiency programs.

As designed, this project, identified by Synagro, is expected to save energy equivalent to the annual emissions generated by 225 Minnesota homes and achieve approximately $162,000 in energy cost savings per year.

“We work to connect our customers with energy efficiency projects to help them save money, energy, and reduce emissions attributed to their energy use," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. “The Blue Lake custom biogas project represents the possibilities that exist for achieving emissions reductions through strategic collaboration and commitment to creative innovation for the benefit of our shared customers and communities throughout Minnesota.

For wastewater treatment, solids are processed into fertilizer pellets through a drying system that also produces biogas, a renewable fuel that can be leveraged for operations. These energy efficiency improvements allow the facility to safely use biogas to reduce emissions. 

"Millions of gallons of wastewater flow to our facilities daily, carrying an enormous, untapped energy resource — and we're unlocking it," said Leisa Thompson, General Manager, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. "From raw wastewater heat to stored energy in biosolids, this project transforms how we think about treatment. We aren't just cleaning water; we're turning treatment facilities into energy generators — reducing our operational region's reliance on natural gas and building a more sustainable future."

Blue Lake, the second-largest Metropolitan Council water resource recovery facility and the third largest in Minnesota, treats an average of 27 million gallons of wastewater each day, helping protect public health and the environment.

“This energy-efficiency project has been a true collaborative effort between Synagro, the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and CenterPoint, providing sustainable benefits for our customer and the community," said Nick Davern, Senior Plant Manager, Synagro Technologies, Inc.

Customer participation in CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs has reduced emissions by nearly 18.8 million metric tons over the last 32 years and saved customers approximately $2.6 billion. To learn more about CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.

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 March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.


Approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no impacts during overnight thunderstorms as crews responded safely and quickly to address localized impacts to system

Since 1 a.m., CenterPoint frontline workers and contractors have restored approximately 60,000 customers

As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 of CenterPoint's customers are without power

Less than 1% of CenterPoint customers impacted at any one time since storms began at 1 a.m.

HOUSTON – May 11, 2026 – During the overnight thunderstorms, approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no service interruptions. Where there were localized impacts to service as a result of the overnight storms, crews continue to make steady progress in the field responding to isolated outages. Across the Greater Houston area, weather impacts included pockets of frequent lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph and scattered rainfall. The company's frontline crews and contractors were pre-positioned ahead of weather and began responding to outages as soon as it was safe to do so, and they will continue working safely and quickly until every customer is restored. 

CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center remains activated as crews continue supporting restoration efforts this morning.

Scattered thunderstorms began impacting parts of the Greater Houston area overnight, with the strongest activity taking place between 2 and 3 a.m. Since 1 a.m., across CenterPoint's 150 weather station network, peak rain totals between 1 - 2" and wind gusts up to 45 mph have been observed. Crews continue restoring customers experiencing outages in the areas most impacted, including northern parts of the company's electric service territory in Montgomery County and the Cypress, Spring Branch and Greenspoint areas of Harris County.

At the peak of this morning's storm activity around 2:30 a.m., less than one percent (approximately 28,600) of customers were without service at any one time. About 2.5% of CenterPoint's 2.9 million customers have experienced service interruptions since 1 a.m., with over 60,000 of those customers restored as of 4:45 a.m. The average restoration time per outage is approximately 26 minutes. As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 are currently without power — approximately half of one percent of CenterPoint's customers.

“Our CenterPoint teams worked through the night to restore power safely and as quickly as possible to customers affected by isolated and localized outages," said John Cornelius, CenterPoint's Vice President of Distribution Operations and Incident Commander. “Our crews were staged and ready to go, responding safely throughout the storms overnight. We're grateful to our customers for their patience as we work through the final stretches of the storm front and our focused efforts to restore the remaining outages."

What customers should do:

  • Sign up for Power Alert Service®: Get outage updates and restoration times.
  • Track outages: Bookmark the Outage Tracker (available in English & Spanish and mobile-friendly) to see outage information in your area.
  • Stay safe: Visit Ready.gov for storm safety tips.

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 March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

CenterPoint Energy provides new option for in-person customer service and bill payment with Customer Connect pilot

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 11, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of a new weekly in-person customer service and payment option at the CenterPoint Energy Plaza in Downtown Evansville. Through the Customer Connect pilot, southwestern Indiana customers can now walk in, pay a bill in person and sit down with a customer service representative for personalized assistance, answers to questions and help resolving any account issues. The Customer Connect pilot is part of the company's expanding Community Connect program.

“Listening to our customers and addressing their feedback, we are excited to offer this new pilot which allows us to continue engaging with our customers while increasing accessibility to resources and account support," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We remain committed to transparency and developing new ways to help customers based on their feedback. This new tool is yet another way to connect with customers and provides them with the ability to make a payment and talk through their account with a real person. It's a standing invitation to walk in, sit down and get the support they need."

What customers can do at Customer Connect
Customers can now pay in person at CenterPoint Energy Plaza, located at 211 NW Riverside Drive in Downtown Evansville, every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed.

CenterPoint customer service representatives are available to help customers with a full range of account needs, including:

  • Making a payment in person
  • Getting answers to billing-related questions
  • Managing Budget Bill enrollment, which will be known as Levelized Billing starting July 1
  • Setting up flexible payment options
  • Learning about additional resources to save energy and manage bills

The next Customer Connect will be held on Wednesday, May 13. Customers can pay by checking or savings account, credit card, debit card or Apple Pay. Cash is not accepted. CenterPoint will continuously evaluate this new pilot program for the next several weeks.

Building on Community Connect
Customer Connect is the newest addition to CenterPoint's Community Connect program, which has expanded from five events in fall 2025 to a year-round schedule of more than 30 community touchpoints planned for 2026. Community Connect events bring CenterPoint teams into neighborhoods, workplaces and community spaces across southwestern Indiana to connect with customers face-to-face. Customer Connect brings that same commitment to the Plaza on a weekly, recurring basis. CenterPoint is also the first Indiana utility to bring back regular walk-in service back to customers. Additional in-person offerings may be added based on customer interest and feedback from the pilot.
 
Ongoing commitment to affordability and customer experience
Customer Connect joins a series of actions CenterPoint has taken over the past six months to prioritize affordability and expand support for southwestern Indiana customers. In October 2025, CenterPoint launched its initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including a commitment to keeping electric rates stable through 2027 and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools, expanded customer support programs and implemented additional protections such as annual late-fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and safeguards for medically vulnerable customers as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement.

For more information about Customer Connect, including hours of operation and the Community Connect event schedule, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/CommunityConnect.