CenterPoint Energy announces sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas assets to Bernhard Capital Partners for $1.2 billion
2024-02-20T06:00:00Z

Houston – Feb. 20, 2024 – CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) (“CenterPoint") today announced the sale of its Louisiana and Mississippi natural gas LDC businesses to Bernhard Capital Partners, a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm, for $1.2 billion. The assets include approximately 12,000 miles of main pipeline in Louisiana and Mississippi serving approximately 380,000 metered customers. CenterPoint's LDCs are the second largest natural gas LDCs in both Louisiana and Mississippi by customer accounts, with a combined workforce of approximately 550 employees.

  • Transaction valuation represents approximately 32 multiple of 2023 Louisiana and Mississippi Local Distribution (LDC) earnings
  • Sale will enable company to efficiently recycle approximately $1 billion in anticipated after-tax cash proceeds to support industry-leading capital plan
  • Transaction also enables CenterPoint to reprioritize future capital investments related to those assets of approximately $1 billion elsewhere across its regulated Electric and Natural Gas utility footprint
  • Closing expected toward the end of first quarter of 2025
  • Sale will not change company's targeted utility non-GAAP EPS growth rate of 8% in 2024, and the mid-to-high end of 6%-8% annually from 2025 through 2030
  • Company reiterates long-term confidence in and commitment to its Natural Gas Business ​

The sales price of $1.2 billion represents approximately 32 multiple of 2023 Louisiana and Mississippi LDC earnings. The transaction is anticipated to close toward the end of first quarter of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions, including Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust clearance and state regulatory approvals.

“I would like to thank our Louisiana and Mississippi LDC employees, as well as the team members who support these businesses, for their focus on safety, performance, and results. Together, they are our customers' trusted energy partner in these regions," said Jason Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint. “The transaction will allow us to optimize our portfolio of utility operations and efficiently recycle approximately $1 billion in after-tax cash proceeds into our service territory where we have both electric and natural gas operations or where we have a larger presence at a valuation that is more efficient than issuing common equity. The sale will also enable us to redeploy approximately $1 billion of future capital expenditures intended for Louisiana and Mississippi into jurisdictions with less regulatory lag thereby enhancing the ongoing earnings power of the company."

Wells added, “This will mark the fourth time over the past few years in which we have recycled sales proceeds and reinvested them in our regulated businesses for the benefit of all stakeholders. The transaction, along with the reinvested capital, will not change our targeted non-GAAP EPS growth rate of 8% in 2024, and the mid-to-high end of 6%-8% annually from 2025 through 2030. The efficiency of this transaction and portfolio optimization will further enhance our ability to continue executing our industry-leading long-term growth strategy for years to come.

“Our Natural Gas Business is core to our company and together with our Electric Business will continue to be a cornerstone of our long-term growth strategy," said Wells. “From an operational and strategic perspective, we remain confident in and committed to our regulated natural gas utilities in Texas, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio where we have significant footprints and rate bases." CenterPoint's Louisiana and Mississippi LDCs represent less than 4% of the company's overall rate base.

Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC served as CenterPoint's financial advisors. Latham and Watkins LLP, Phelps Dunbar LLP, and Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC served as CenterPoint's legal advisors.

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, 2023, the company owned approximately $39 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 www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

About Bernhard Capital Partners
Bernhard Capital Partners is a services and infrastructure-focused private equity management firm established in 2013. Bernhard Capital Partners has deployed capital in four funds across several strategies and has approximately $3.4 billion of gross assets under management. Bernhard Capital Partners seeks to create sustainable value by leveraging its experience in acquiring, operating and growing services and infrastructure businesses. For more information, visit www.BernhardCapital.com.

Use of Non-GAAP Measures
As included in this news release, 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. 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.

2024 non-GAAP EPS guidance range

  • 2024 non-GAAP EPS guidance excludes:
    • Earnings or losses from the change in value of ZENS and related securities; and
    • Gain and impact, including related expenses, associated with mergers and divestitures, such as the Louisiana and Mississippi gas LDC sales.

 
In providing 2024 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 2024 non-GAAP EPS guidance ranges also consider 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 2024 non-GAAP EPS guidance ranges 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 without unreasonable effort 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.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain “forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements made in good faith by us and are intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this Current Report, 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. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the timing of the closing of the Transaction. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this report. 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 timing of the expiration or termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino waiting period and the receipt of any consents, waivers or approvals required to be obtained pursuant to applicable antitrust laws, (2) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Transaction or could otherwise cause the failure of the Transaction to close, (3) the risk that a condition to the closing of the Transaction may not be satisfied, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, (4) the outcome of any legal proceedings, regulatory proceedings or enforcement matters that may be instituted relating to the Transaction, (5) the timing to consummate the Transaction, (6) disruption from the Transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, employees, regulators or suppliers, (7) the diversion of management time and attention on the Transaction and (8) other factors discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and other reports the Company may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

​

 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy to Activate Emergency Operations Center for All FIFA 2026 World Cup Matches Taking Place in Houston

​HOUSTON – June 12, 2026 – Today, CenterPoint announced it will activate its Emergency Operation Center (EOC) during each of Houston's seven FIFA World Cup 2026™ games scheduled between this Sunday, June 14 through July 4, as part of its overall preparedness efforts for this historic sporting event. In addition to activating its EOC on matchdays, CenterPoint will also be proactively pre-staging frontline crews and coordinating with the Host Committee, City of Houston officials and other local, state and federal agencies throughout the World Cup. CenterPoint's matchday actions build on its year-long preparations to support Houston hosting the global event, including completing nearly 700 electric resiliency projects — such as repairing or replacing equipment on all circuits providing power to World Cup priority locations across the Greater Houston area — and inspections of nearly 250 miles of natural gas pipelines across multiple key areas such as hotels, training facilities, airports and transit routes.

“Seven World Cup matches are like seven Super Bowls in a month, and our CenterPoint team and emergency response partners have been preparing for this incredible sporting event for well over a year. With the eyes of the world on our city and people travelling in from far and wide to cheer on their favorite team, we have a matchday gameplan and will be coordinating our response efforts through our Emergency Operations Center during each of these key events," said Jesus Soto, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CenterPoint Energy.

CenterPoint Emergency Operations Activations: Houston World Cup Matches
CenterPoint will be activating its Emergency Operations Center during each match played at Houston Stadium on the following days:

  • Sunday, June 14, 12 p.m.: Germany vs Curaçao
  • Wednesday, June 17, 12 p.m.: Portugal vs Congo DR
  • Saturday, June 20, 12 p.m.: Netherlands vs Sweden
  • Tuesday, June 23, 12 p.m.: Portugal vs Uzbekistan
  • Friday, June 26, 7 p.m.: Cabo Verde vs Saudi Arabia
  • Monday, June 29, 12 p.m.: TBD vs TBD
  • Saturday, July 4, 12 p.m.: TBD vs TBD

World Cup Preparedness & Readiness Efforts: Key Actions
As part of its overall preparedness and readiness efforts for the nearly month-long World Cup schedule, in October 2025, CenterPoint began undertaking a series of actions to prepare the electric system and support the City of Houston and all critical event locations. Among the critical actions taken include:

  • Completing Nearly 700 Resiliency Projects: Completing nearly 700 electric system projects around critical event venues and other priority locations to help strengthen reliability.
  • Inspecting Nearly 250 Miles of Natural Gas Pipeline: Completed additional gas facilities surveys across 140 miles of gas main piping and more than 100 miles of service line piping.
  • Conducting Critical Grid Inspections: Inspecting primary and alternate circuits serving World Cup priority locations, with initial inspections beginning in July 2025 and follow-up inspections identifying issues for repair ahead of the event.
  • Completing Targeted Work at Key Locations: Focusing critical preparedness work around key World Cup-related locations, including NRG Park, Shell Energy Stadium, the EaDo Fan Festival area, airports, transit routes, hotels and training-related sites.
  • Developing an Action Plan: Building an event-specific action plan to define staffing, response objectives, escalation criteria and resource coordination during the World Cup matches.
  • Coordinating with Local Emergency Partners: Coordinating with the City of Houston, emergency managers and external partners on planning, emergency response and operational readiness.
  • Participating in a Local Emergency Exercise: Participating in a World Cup tabletop exercise facilitated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and hosted by the City of Houston to test coordination and response capabilities.
  • Pre-Staging Resources: Preparing additional operational support and response resources to be staged near priority areas to support faster restoration if issues occur.
  • Activating our Emergency Operations Center: CenterPoint will be activating its new state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center in advance of and during each match to help prepare for and coordinate CenterPoint's event support.

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.

CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards more than 30 Community Safety Grants to strengthen Minnesota communities

​​MINNEAPOLIS – June 11, 2026 – The CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded more than 30 Community Safety Grants for 2026 totaling approximately $75,000 to local governmental agencies and first responders across its Minnesota service area. The grants help fund vital safety equipment and projects to make a meaningful difference and enhance the quality of life for the communities and customers CenterPoint serves.

The CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards grants of up to $2,500 to eligible local governmental agencies to support community safety needs. Since launching the program in Minnesota in 2003, more than 1,200 grants have been awarded, funding projects to strengthen public safety and community wellbeing.

“At CenterPoint, safety is our top core value, and this drives every effort we take for the customers and communities we have the privilege of serving. We know safe communities are strong communities, and that's why we invest in programs to enhance the safety of the locations where we live and work," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. “These grants help local leaders and first responders bring important safety projects to life to benefit our fellow Minnesotans. We are proud to support the men and women who work every day to keep our shared communities safe."

This year's grants support a wide range of projects, including installing public automated external defibrillators, upgrading emergency communication equipment, purchasing personal protective equipment for first responders, strengthening disaster preparedness efforts and investing in utility locating equipment.

Funded separately and financially independently 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.  

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.  

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.

CenterPoint Energy Launches Multi-Week Series of “Community Connect” Open House Events Across Greater Houston

​HOUSTON — June 11, 2026 — Beginning on June 23rd and continuing through August, CenterPoint Energy will hold more than 13 “Community Connect" events in neighborhoods across Greater Houston. The local outreach events, which will include a range of CenterPoint team members and customer representatives, will provide opportunities for customers, community members and local leaders to learn more about ongoing reliability, resiliency and communications improvements, as well as efforts taken to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season.

“All of us at CenterPoint bear an important responsibility to serve our Greater Houston communities, and we are committed to building a more reliable and resilient electric grid for all our customers. Just as important is connecting with our customers, their families and friends, at a local level – where they live and call home – so they can all learn more about the important work we are doing in their neighborhood and across our great city. We hope every customer will take some time and join us, so we can answer their questions and hear how we can better serve them," said Keith Stephens, CenterPoint Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer.

Community Connect Events: Meet Local CenterPoint Team
The first Community Connect event will begin on Tuesday, June 23rd, at the Wesley Community Center, with additional events held every week across Greater Houston. During each local meeting, community members will be invited to visit a variety of informational stations, share feedback and ask one-on-one questions to CenterPoint experts and team members, as well as learn more about the various tools and resources available to stay better informed during periods of extreme weather and major storms. Among the areas that will be covered during each Community Connect event include:

  • Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative Updates: Actions taken as part of the multi-year GHRI program in their local neighborhoods;
  • Strengthening Resiliency & Reliability: Overall resiliency and grid improvements taken and planned across Greater Houston, as well as the targeted efforts to improve day-to-day reliability for every community;
  • Enhanced Communications Tools: Learning about how to best use the new neighborhood Outage Tracker, as well as one-on-one assistance on how to sign up for Power Alert Service®: to stay better informed about outages before, during and after a storm;
  • Storm Preparations: The scope of readiness and emergency preparedness actions taken to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season, including the opportunity to work with local organizations to develop personalized storm readiness plans;
  • Emergency Preparedness Resources: Providing customers with resources and tools to prepare for storms and extreme weather.

Calendar of Community Connect Events: Dates and Locations
Over the coming days and weeks, residents and neighbors, and small business and community leaders, will be invited to attend a local Community Connect event. The calendar of Community Connect events includes:

  • Tuesday, June 23 (10:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Wesley Community Center, 1235 Lorraine St. Houston, TX 77009
  • Thursday, June 25 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Weekley Community Center, 8440 Greenhouse Rd. Cypress, TX 77433
  • Monday, June 29 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Historic Galveston Water/Electric Community Center, 715 30th St. Galveston, TX 77550
  • Tuesday, June 30 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Waller County Community Center, 21274 FM 1098 Prairie View, TX 77446
  • Tuesday, July 7 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): BakerRipley-Pasadena, 720 Fairmont Pkwy. Pasadena, TX 77504
  • Tuesday, July 7 (6:00 – 7:30 PM): Wharton County Library, 1920 N. Fulton St. Wharton, TX 77488
  • Tuesday, July 14 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Decker Prairie Community Center, 32434 Decker Prairie Rd. Magnolia, TX 77355
  • Tuesday, July 21 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Pearland Recreation Center, 4141 Bailey Rd. Pearland, TX 77584
  • Thursday, July 23 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Landmark Community Center, 100 Louisiana St. Missouri City, TX 77489
  • Thursday, July 23 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Chambers County Children Museum, 10955 Eagle Dr. Mont Belvieu, TX 77523
  • Tuesday, July 28 (5:00 – 7:00 PM): Clyde & Nancy Jacks Conference Center, 3232 Austin Pkwy. Sugarland, TX 77479
  • Thursday, July 30 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Jimmy Walker Community Center, 800 Harris Ave. Kemah, TX 77565
  • Tuesday, August 4 (4:00 – 6:00 PM): Sealy Columbus Club, 1310 Highway 90 West Sealy, TX 77474

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.

CenterPoint Energy Readies Electric and Gas Systems for FIFA World Cup

​Nearly 700 electric projects completed and nearly 250 miles of natural gas pipeline inspected around critical event venues ahead of seven World Cup matches in Houston

Heightened readiness and close coordination efforts with City of Houston, FIFA Host Committee, and emergency management agencies to continue from June 11 through July 4

HOUSTON – June 9, 2026 – As the city of Houston prepares to welcome fans from around the world for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, CenterPoint Energy has spent the past year executing a series of targeted actions to strengthen its overall preparedness and readiness efforts for this historic global sporting event. To date, CenterPoint has completed nearly 700 electric resiliency projects spanning over 100 miles of electric lines, which included repairing or replacing equipment on all circuits providing power to World Cup priority locations like key venues, transit corridors, hotels, airports and others across Greater Houston. In addition, CenterPoint has completed inspections on nearly 250 miles of natural gas pipeline surrounding key venues.

With seven World Cup matches scheduled in Houston between June 14 and July 4, CenterPoint will operate at a heightened readiness posture, which includes the activation of its Emergency Operations Center before, during and after each match. CenterPoint will continue to work closely with City of Houston officials and other local, state and federal agencies as part of a combined response effort. 

“Preparing for seven World Cup matches is like preparing for seven Super bowls. For over a year, our teams have worked to strengthen the electric and gas systems around all critical venues and to closely coordinate with all our emergency management partners to help prepare our great city. All of us at CenterPoint are proud to do our part to support this global event, and we are excited for our city and the world to enjoy this historic sporting event," said Jesus Soto, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CenterPoint Energy.

World Cup Preparedness & Readiness Efforts: Key Actions

As part of its overall preparedness and readiness efforts for the nearly month-long World Cup schedule, in October 2025, CenterPoint began undertaking a series of actions to prepare the electric and natural gas systems to support the City of Houston and all critical event locations. Among the critical actions taken include:  ​

  • Completing Nearly 700 Reliability Projects: Completing nearly 700 electric system projects around critical event venues and other priority locations to help strengthen reliability.
  • Conducting Critical Grid Inspections: Inspecting primary and alternate circuits serving World Cup priority locations, with initial inspections beginning in July 2025 and follow-up inspections identifying issues for repair ahead of the event.
  • Completing Targeted Work at Key Locations: Focusing critical preparedness work around key World Cup-related locations, including NRG Park, Shell Energy Stadium, the EaDo Fan Festival area, airports, transit routes, hotels and training-related sites.
  • Inspecting Nearly 250 Miles of Natural Gas Pipeline: completed additional gas facilities surveys across 140 miles of gas main lines and more than 100 miles of service lines around key event venues.
  • Developing an Action Plan: Building an event-specific action plan to define staffing, response objectives, escalation criteria and resource coordination during the World Cup matches.
  • Coordinating with Local Emergency Partners: Coordinating with the City of Houston, emergency managers and external partners on planning, emergency response and operational readiness.
  • Participating in a Local Emergency Exercise: Participating in a World Cup tabletop exercise facilitated by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and hosted by the City of Houston to test coordination and response capabilities.
  • Pre-Staging Resources: Preparing additional operational support and response resources to be staged near priority areas to support faster restoration if issues occur.
  • Activating our Emergency Operations Center: CenterPoint will be activating its new state-of-the-art Emergency Operations Center in advance of and during each match to help prepare for and coordinate CenterPoint's event support.​

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 teams monitoring severe storms forecasted for southwestern Indiana and preparing for potential impacts

​The company is executing preparedness actions ahead of storms 

Customers encouraged to stay safe and prepare emergency plans 

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 8, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy is monitoring forecasts for potentially severe thunderstorms across the region and preparing for potential impacts as storms are expected to move through southwestern Indiana this week. According to the National Weather Service, strong, damaging winds are possible.

CenterPoint's preparedness actions include:

  • Monitoring weather forecasts and conditions
  • Preparing crews and equipment across its service territory
  • ​Coordinating with local government officials and other stakeholders on storm readiness
  • Sharing safety and preparedness information directly with customers

“Our Emergency Preparedness and Response team has been monitoring the potential for severe storms and our teams are fully prepared and stand ready to respond," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We encourage our customers to stay alert in anticipation of changing weather conditions and take steps now to prepare."

CenterPoint encourages customers to prepare for severe weather: