CenterPoint Energy urges customers to prepare for winter heating season
Bill assistance and energy-saving resources available as natural gas prices could drive increase to customer bills
2024-10-09T05:00:00Z

​​Indianapolis – Oct. 9, 2024 – CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers in its Indiana North natural gas territory to prepare for an increase in natural gas bills this heating season. Last winter, customers benefited from lower wholesale natural gas prices due to a less volatile natural gas market. However, this year, natural gas commodity costs are projected to increase over last year's heating season as demand is projected to continue to grow. These factors may lead to higher bills compared to last year. Yesterday, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) issued its 2024-2025 winter outlook forecasting heating bills. As a reminder, CenterPoint does not make any profit from the overall cost of natural gas; it is passed on to customers at cost.

This year, based upon projected natural gas commodity costs and normal winter weather, customers can expect to pay on average $107 a month, over the 5-month heating season of November through March. By comparison, last year's average bill amount for the 5-month period was around $97 a month.

“With natural gas prices projected to increase this winter, we encourage customers to explore all available resources as soon as they can," said Ashley Babcock, Vice President, Indiana and Ohio Gas. “For customers who may be facing financial hardship, we have tips, tools and programs to help them manage their bills and save energy."

Utilities are not allowed to markup the purchase and sale of natural gas. Natural gas is a commodity bought and sold in a national deregulated market where prices fluctuate daily due to supply and demand pressures.

Only gas costs actually incurred and approved by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission are recovered from customers. CenterPoint purchases natural gas on behalf of its customers and then passes those costs on to customers through the gas cost adjustment, which is listed on the bill as “Gas Cost Charge."

Even with these increases, natural gas continues to be one of the most affordable heating sources for most customers in Indiana. In fact, CenterPoint natural gas customers in the utility's Indiana North territory who heated their homes with natural gas last year saved up to $1,039 compared to those who heated their homes with propane and up to $371 to $1,237 compared to those who heated with an electric heat pump or electric furnace, respectively.​

It is important to remember bills will vary by customer depending on the size and age of the home, number of gas appliances, number of people in the household, thermostat settings and levels of insulation.

Customers are encouraged to take advantage of CenterPoint's array of payment assistance options as well as energy-saving tips and energy efficiency programs to help mitigate the impact on bills. 

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

Customers needing further financial assistance are also encouraged to apply for programs available through local community action agencies and local non-profits. 

CenterPoint Energy's Indiana North territory delivers natural gas to approximately 652,000 customers in Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Blackford, Boone, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Decatur, Delaware, Fayette, Floyd, Fountain, Grant, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Huntington, Jackson, Jay, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Madison, Marion, Martin, Miami, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Orange, Owen, Parke, Putnam, Randolph, Rush, Shelby, Tippecanoe, Tipton, Vermillion, Vigo, Wabash, Warren, Wayne, Wells and White counties.


Forward Looking Statement:
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "intend," "may," "objective," "plan," "potential," "predict," "projection," "should," "target," "will" or other similar words are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as the potential increases in natural gas prices, potential increases in customers' natural gas bills, potential savings that customers may achieve, including through the use of natural gas, 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, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties relating to: 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 Energy's business strategies and strategic initiatives; (2) changes in market demand; (3) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital and the timely recovery of CenterPoint Energy's investments; (4) financial market conditions; (5) general economic and political conditions; (6) the timing and impact of regulatory proceedings and actions and legal proceedings; (7) effects of competition; (8) catastrophic events including public health threats; (9) weather variations and the impact of climate change; (10) changes in business plans; (11) continued disruptions to the global supply chain including volatility in commodity prices; (12) changes in technology; (13) legislative actions, 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; (14) CenterPoint Energy's ability to execute on its initiatives, targets and goals and operations and maintenance goals and (15) other factors discussed CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and CenterPoint Energy's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024, 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.

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 Recent News

 

 
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.

Essentially all CenterPoint Energy customers who can receive power have been restored following overnight and early morning storms across the Greater Houston area

​As of 4:00 p.m., less than 500 CenterPoint customers are without power from overnight storms

CenterPoint has returned to normal operations and the Emergency Operations Center has been demobilized

HOUSTON – May 11, 2026 – As thunderstorms traveled across CenterPoint Energy's electric service territory in the early morning hours, approximately 97% of its 2.9 million customers across the Greater Houston area experienced no impacts to their electric service. Essentially all CenterPoint customers who can safely receive power have now been restored. Approximately 87,000 customers were impacted since a line of storms arrived about 1:00 a.m. and moved through the area.  As of 4:00 p.m. today, less than 500 customers are currently without power from the overnight storms. Crews continue actively working to restore those remaining impacted customers safely and as quickly as possible.

The company's electric business has returned to normal operations and the Emergency Operations Center has been demobilized.

​Scattered thunderstorms moved through parts of the Greater Houston area in the early morning hours, with the strongest activity taking place between 2 and 3 a.m. At the peak of this morning's storm activity around 2:30 a.m., about one percent of CenterPoint's customers were without service at any one time. The average restoration time per outage was approximately 35 minutes. 

“Our customers expect and deserve reliable power, and our teams worked around the clock through significant rainfall to safely restore service to customers who were impacted by significant weather," said Jason Fabre, CenterPoint's Vice President of Special Response and Incident Commander. “We appreciate the dedication of our outstanding frontline crews and contractors, as well as our customers' patience and understanding as we worked to restore power."

CenterPoint took the following actions ahead of Monday's significant weather:

  • Activated Emergency Operations Center: To coordinate storm response efforts, the company proactively activated its Emergency Operations Center on Friday and remained ready to respond.
  • Monitored weather 24/7: The Meteorology team continued to track forecast developments, and the company updated response plans as conditions evolved.
  • Pre-positioned resources: Response teams were pre-positioned in areas where storms were forecasted to impact and remained ready to respond to any electric or natural gas service interruptions safely and as quickly as possible.
  • Coordinated with local officials: The company provided updates to local officials and emergency management partners.

Important ways to stay connected to CenterPoint: Power Alert Service

Customers can enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated   restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates via phone call, email or text. Customers can also stay up to date with CenterPoint's Outage Tracker, which allows customers to see outages by county, city and zip code.

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’s expanded workforce remains prepared and ready to respond to potential severe weather across the Greater Houston area this evening and overnight

Emergency Operations Center remains activated ahead of tonight's forecasted storms

Frontline workers and contractors continue executing preparedness actions across the system and remain ready to support potential restoration efforts

HOUSTON – May 10, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy's Emergency Operations Center remains activated ahead of forecasted potentially severe weather across the Greater Houston area this evening and overnight into Monday morning. The company's expanded workforce of frontline employees and contractors stands prepared and ready to respond to any impacts to electric or natural gas service.

Thunderstorms are forecasted to impact parts of the Greater Houston area this evening and continue through the early morning hours of Monday. CenterPoint's Meteorology team continues to diligently monitor evolving forecasts and help optimize response plans throughout the weekend. Frontline workers and contractors will be responding overnight and restoring any outages that may occur.  

“Our crews have remained on alert all weekend and continue to be ready to safely restore service if outages from weather occur. This evening and overnight into Monday, our teams will be out there responding and focusing on restoring service to the customers and communities we're privileged to serve," said Jason Fabre, CenterPoint's Vice President of Special Response and Incident Commander. “We have been communicating all weekend and are committed to keeping our customers informed ahead of and during tonight's storms. We urge customers to register for Power Alert Service® so that if outages from weather do occur, they can receive restoration updates directly via phone, text and email."

Prepared for Severe Weather: Key Actions
As part of its storm preparedness efforts, CenterPoint is taking the following actions:

  • Readying the company's workforce and resources: Preparing personnel to support potential restoration efforts.
  • Activating Emergency Operations Center: To coordinate storm response efforts, the company has proactively activated its Emergency Operations Center. 
  • Monitoring severe weather 24/7: The Meteorology team continues to track weather forecast developments, and the company is updating response efforts as conditions evolve.
  • Coordinating with local officials: CenterPoint is reaching out to local officials and emergency management partners to provide updates on continued preparedness efforts.

What customers should do:

  • Sign up for Power Alert Service®: Get outage updates and restoration times.
  • Track outages: Bookmark our new 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.
  • Follow us: Real-time updates will be available on X and at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.

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.