CenterPoint Energy issues statement and provides restoration update
2024-07-14T05:00:00Z

​​​​Houston — July 14, 2024 – CenterPoint Energy has now restored power to more than 85% of impacted customers, ahead of its prior expectations. This represents more than 1.9 million impacted customers. The company remains on track to reach 90% restored on Monday, July 15. CenterPoint continues to direct its 14,000 crew members to restore electricity to those customers who remain without power. 

In addition, the company issued the following statement in response to Governor Abbott's press conference:

Our top priority is restoring power to the remaining impacted customers as safely and quickly as possible. Dedicated restoration crews have continued working around-the-clock through the weekend, restoring power at the fastest rate in the company's history. On Monday, July 15, we expect to have restored power to 90% of all impacted customers. Our restoration crews are now converging on remaining areas with significant structural damage as well as localized outages to get the lights back on for those customers who are without power.
 
We have heard and understand our customers' frustrations, and we are committed to working together with the State, local government, regulators, and community leaders both to help the Greater Houston area recover from Hurricane Beryl and to improve for the future. We are committed to doing a thorough review of our response to support our customers and our communities, especially when they need us most. We know they are counting on us, and we are committed to being there for them. 

CenterPoint's Preparedness Ahead of Hurricane Beryl

The company plans for hurricanes and other extreme weather events year-round. CenterPoint had been tracking Hurricane Beryl and prepping for impact for nine days before it made landfall in Texas early Monday, July 8, as a powerful hurricane with wind gusts of up to 97 miles-per-hour. The company took the following steps, among others, to prepare:

  • Despite forecasts that the hurricane would largely miss the company's service territory, CenterPoint secured and readied 3,000 crew members and pre-positioned them safely outside of the projected path of the storm. CenterPoint coordinated with utilities across the state to ensure resources were available across the Texas Gulf Coast region.
  • As the forecast trajectory changed, the company quickly called on additional mutual assistance resources to substantially increase crews.
  • CenterPoint continues to replenish for material needs year-round. Going into this event the company had 15,000 poles on hand and has used a little over 2,100 poles during restoration. The company has more than 17,000 transformers, but this storm has not required significant transformer replacements.

 
The company has been investing for years to strengthen the Greater Houston area's resilience to hurricanes and other extreme weather. Over the last five years, CenterPoint has doubled investments in its electric system, including in grid hardening, modernization and resiliency. From 2022 to 2023, the company also increased spending on vegetation management efforts by 32%.

As a result of investment to enhance the resiliency of the transmission system, which is the backbone of CenterPoint's grid, power continued to flow into the Greater Houston area during the storm. This allowed power to be restored more quickly as crews repaired distribution poles and removed over 18,600 trees impacting overhead lines in individual neighborhoods.

Our Response to the Hurricane

The Greater Houston area has not been hit more directly by the “dirty side" of a hurricane since Hurricane Alicia in 1983. The powerful combination of extreme winds with weakened trees and other vegetation caused significant damage to distribution poles, lines and other electrical equipment, and more than 2.2 million CenterPoint Energy customers were impacted before the storm left the company's service area. As Beryl exited the Houston area, CenterPoint crews jumped into action, working in 16-hour shifts to:

  • Set up 21 staging sites, the most we have ever set up to support response efforts;
  • Assess damage to the system by walking over 8,500 miles of electric lines;
  • Remove over 18,600 weakened trees impacting lines, representing over 75% of distribution circuits;
  • Repair or replace over 2,100 of over 1.17 million distribution poles; and
  • Position mobile generation units at cooling centers, hospitals, senior living facilities, medicine storage facilities and water treatment plants. 

Within 48 hours, CenterPoint crews had restored nearly 1 million customers. The strong pace of the restoration is a testament to the company's preparation, investments in the system and, most importantly, the efforts of 14,000 dedicated CenterPoint and mutual assistance crew members who have been working long days in challenging conditions to get the power back on.​

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CenterPoint's commitments for the future

The company committed to doing a thorough review of its response to support customers and communities. To that end, CenterPoint has already identified immediate areas of focus following this event, including improving communications with customers, launching a new cloud-based outage tracker that customers can rely on as the best source of information, and engaging communities for feedback to drive improvement to future restoration efforts.

In addition to improving communications with customers, CenterPoint intends to continue investing in the resiliency of its electric system. In April, CenterPoint filed a $2.7 billion plan to invest in resiliency focused on system hardening, grid modernization, flood mitigation and vegetation management.

Correcting misinformation

There has been significant misinformation in news and social media regarding the payment of mutual assistance crews. Consistent with industry standards that enable the rapid sharing of resources, CenterPoint's mutual assistance contracts are pre-negotiated, including payment terms. Crews have not and are not being held back due to negotiations on pay. The company reimburses for all costs incurred to provide the assistance, including wages.

CenterPoint's electric customers are encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service® to receive outage details and community-specific restoration updates as they become available. For information and updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter and follow @CenterPoint for updates during inclement weather events.



 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy completes vast majority of restoration efforts in Carlos and Alexandria

  • Majority of service restored in less than 24 hours 
  • Remaining locations include seasonal cabins and commercial businesses 
  • City Hall remains staging area  ​

MINNEAPOLIS — Dec. 5, 2025 — CenterPoint Energy has completed the vast majority of its restoration efforts for the natural gas outage impacting customers in the Carlos and Alexandria areas following yesterday’s third-party vehicle strike to an above-ground natural gas regulator station near Carlos. 

 

In less than 24 hours, CenterPoint Energy crews responded to the emergency, assessed the major damage, made repairs, and restored the majority of necessary services. As of this morning, service has been restored to nearly all impacted customers, with only a limited number of remaining locations—a mix of commercial businesses and seasonal cabins—awaiting relight. Crews will complete these remaining relights today, with businesses expected to be restored promptly this morning as daylight hours allow easier access and coordination. 

 

As of 8 a.m., Carlos City Hall is no longer serving as a warming center but will remain the staging area for restoration crews until all work is complete. CenterPoint Energy extends its sincere thanks to Douglas County, the City of Carlos, the Carlos Fire Department, and the many community members who have stepped up to provide food, supplies, and support throughout this restoration effort. Their efforts and generosity have been invaluable in helping impacted customers stay safe and warm. 

 

Safety remains CenterPoint Energy’s core value, and all personnel are working to keep safety at the forefront during the repair and restoration process. If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint Energy at 800-296-9815. 

 

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

CenterPoint Energy submits Indiana generation plan to prioritize long-term reliability, economic growth and customer affordability

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – Dec. 5, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy’s Indiana Electric business today submitted its 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) that focuses on customer affordability while also providing reliable service now and in the future across southwestern Indiana. The 2025 IRP, which was developed following a series of public meetings and stakeholder discussions since March 2025, is a vital strategic roadmap that defines the appropriate mix of generation required to meet the region’s future energy needs and support potential economic growth, while also prioritizing customer affordability.

“We have listened closely to stakeholders across southwestern Indiana and worked together to address our customers’ and the community’s future energy needs and priorities. Our 2025 IRP reflects this shared focus on reliability and affordability for the Hoosier families we are privileged to serve. Most importantly, it provides a flexible path forward to support southwestern Indiana’s energy and economic needs for decades to come,” said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

2025 IRP: Key Benefits for Southwestern Indiana
CenterPoint’s 2025 IRP is a forward-looking, 20-year generation plan, which all Indiana electric utilities are required to submit to the IURC. As part of a commitment to build a more reliable, safer and affordable energy future, CenterPoint’s 2025 IRP includes the following key provisions and benefits for its 150,000 electric customers across southwestern Indiana:

  • Limits near-term rate impacts. Helps minimize any rate increase in the near term for southwestern Indiana customers.
  • Uses existing and planned resources. Leverages existing and previously approved generation resources to meet customers’ energy needs.
  • Defers higher-cost projects. Delays moving forward on certain higher-cost projects that would increase near-term customer bills.
  • Provides flexibility for future growth. Includes an alternate preferred portfolio to support scalable system expansion to help accommodate potential new load growth while working to minimize impact to existing customers.
  • Provides current and future customer savings. As part of CenterPoint’s affordability efforts, includes cancellation of nearly $1 billion in non-economical renewable projects, saving customers approximately $18/month in current and future costs.

2025 IRP: Engaged with Stakeholders to Incorporate Varying Perspectives
Throughout the planning of its 2025 IRP, CenterPoint has worked closely with stakeholders across southwestern Indiana and the state. The new IRP addresses stakeholder and community feedback and helps achieve a realistic and responsible generation resource plan that best serves southwestern Indiana’s energy future. The scope of local outreach and public engagement efforts included:

  • Holding four public stakeholder meetings, with in-person and virtual options, bringing together customers and representatives from more than 30 organizations to share feedback and discuss local needs and priorities.
  • Responding to various stakeholder requests and questions through public meetings and technical sessions and using that feedback to help refine the plan.
  • Using stakeholder input to refine elements of the planning process by incorporating varying perspectives to develop a well-rounded plan.

As part of the ongoing regulatory process, the IURC and stakeholders will review the IRP and provide additional feedback. CenterPoint will continue to engage customers, local and state officials and community organizations as it implements the plan and its previously announced affordability actions. To view the 2025 IRP and related documents, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/IRP.

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.​

Forward-Looking Statements

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," “would" 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 CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on the proposed plan, the anticipated benefits of the plan (including in relation to reliability, economic growth and affordability), the amount and expected impact to rates and customer's bills, 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) business strategies and strategic initiatives, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 and CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2025, June 30, 2025 and September 30, 2025 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CenterPoint Energy assessing damage caused by vehicle hitting its natural gas infrastructure near Carlos, Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — DEC. 4, 2025 — CenterPoint Energy crews are responding to a vehicle hitting its above ground natural gas regulator station near Carlos, Minnesota. This vehicle strike by a third-party unrelated to the company is expected to cause an outage for approximately 525 customers in the Carlos and Alexandria area.

With below zero temperatures expected today and ongoing cold over the coming days, CenterPoint wants to assure customers that the company will work quickly to safely make repairs and restore service as soon as possible. The company encourages customers to use their personal emergency plan to stay safe and warm today and potentially overnight.

CenterPoint is assessing the damage to its system and is working with local officials and emergency first responders to make the area safe. The company is working to repair its infrastructure safely and as quickly as possible to minimize the number and duration of outages. Currently, the company expects that efforts to repair its system and restore affected customers could continue into tomorrow, Dec. 5, 2025.

Safety is CenterPoint's core value, and the company works to keep safety at the forefront during all repairs. If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint at 800-296-9815.

CenterPoint appreciates the community's patience as it works to repair its system. 
​

CenterPoint Energy working with the City of Carlos to temporarily turn City Hall into a warming center

​​MINNEAPOLIS — DEC. 4, 2025 — CenterPoint Energy crews have been working diligently to repair damage to its above ground natural gas regulator station near Carlos, Minnesota caused by a vehicle strike by a third-party unrelated to the company. Approximately 525 customers are experiencing outages in the Carlos and Alexandria areas.

Starting at 1 p.m. today and continuing into tonight, Carlos City Hall, located at 109 First Street West, Carlos, will be available for area residents as a warming center, and CenterPoint staff will be on site to provide space heaters to affected customers. The company reminds customers to use their personal emergency plan and these resources at Carlos City Hall to stay safe and warm today and potentially overnight.

CenterPoint has secured the area and is repairing its infrastructure safely and as quickly as possible. As part of this process, the company will go to each affected location to turn off natural gas meters. The company expects efforts to restore affected customers could continue into tomorrow, Dec. 5, 2025.

Safety is CenterPoint's core value, and the company works to keep safety at the forefront during all repairs. If you smell natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint at 800-296-9815.

CenterPoint appreciates the community's patience as it works to repair its system. 

CenterPoint Energy crews continuing work to restore service to customers in Carlos and Alexandria currently following third-party vehicle collision

Carlos City Hall at 109 First Street West remains open as a warming center; CenterPoint team members are at City Hall providing space heaters to impacted customers. 

MINNEAPOLIS — DEC. 4, 2025 — CenterPoint Energy crews have completed repairs to the above-ground natural gas regulator station near Carlos, Minn., that was damaged by a vehicle strike by a third-party unrelated to CenterPoint. Crews are working safely and as quickly as possible to restore service to approximately 525 customers experiencing a natural gas outage in the Carlos and Alexandria areas and will begin the process to relight appliances at each impacted customer's location.

CenterPoint has more than 50 technicians on the scene actively supporting restoration efforts for customers experiencing a natural gas outage, and it currently expects to restore all customers who can safely receive service by the end of day tomorrow, Dec. 5, 2025.


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 show them on request.

CenterPoint is encouraging impacted customers to activate their emergency plans and leverage available resources to stay safe and warm today and potentially overnight. Carlos City Hall, located at 109 First Street West, Carlos, remains open for area residents until 9 p.m. as a warming center, and CenterPoint staff will remain on site to provide space heaters to affected customers.

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 natural gas, leave immediately on foot. Once safely away from the area, report the possible natural gas leak to 911 and to CenterPoint at 800-296-9815.

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