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

Dayton – Oct. 9, 2024 – CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers in its Ohio natural gas territory to prepare for potential increases 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.

The average CenterPoint customer paid $94 per month for natural gas service during the 2023-2024 heating season for a five-month total (November – March) of about $470.

“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, CenterPoint's 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."

It is important to remember CenterPoint is not a natural gas supplier. The customer's natural gas supplier and corresponding price per unit of gas can significantly influence bill amounts. Customers can choose a fixed price that won't fluctuate over the winter months. Since natural gas represents nearly half of customers' bills during the winter months, now could be a good time for customers to explore supplier pricing options.

Even with these increases, natural gas continues to be one of the most affordable heating sources for most customers in Ohio. In fact, CenterPoint Ohio gas customers who heated their homes with natural gas last year saved up to $1,229 compared to those who heated their homes with propane and up to $697 to $2,595 compared to those who heated with an electric heat pump or electric furnace, respectively. 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.

CenterPoint has several tools to help customers manage their energy bills.​

  • Choice Program: Through CenterPoint's natural gas Choice Program, customers can choose a natural gas supplier that's right for them. Competing suppliers offer more pricing options for consumers, such as locking in a fixed rate, which allows them to comparison shop for energy the way they do for other products and services. Customers who do not choose a third-party supplier are served by one of five default Standard Choice Offer suppliers at a variable rate. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Choice for a list of suppliers and up-to-date prices.
  • Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): State and federal utility assistance dollars are available for income-eligible customers. Households must fall at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply. Visit development.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880 to learn more.
  • HEAP Winter Crisis Program: The HEAP Winter Crisis Program provides assistance once per heating season to eligible households that are disconnected or are threatened with disconnection. Households must fall at or below 175 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply. Visit development.ohio.gov or call (800) 282-0880 to learn more.
  • Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP Plus): PIPP Plus calls for a qualified household to pay 5 percent of its monthly income for gas service throughout the year. To be eligible for the PIPP Plus program, a customer must receive his or her primary or secondary heat source from a company regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, must have a total household income which is at or below 175 percent of the federal poverty level and must apply for all energy assistance programs for which he or she is eligible.
  • 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 Ohio residential natural gas customers are eligible to submit rebates by November 1, 2024. Visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SmartSavings or call 1-800-227-1376 for additional information.
  • 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.
  • Home Weatherization: CenterPoint's home weatherization program helps qualifying Ohio customers implement energy efficiency improvements to their homes at no cost. Households must fall within 300 percent of federal poverty guidelines to apply. Visit miamivalleycap.org to learn more.

CenterPoint Energy's Ohio natural gas service territory delivers natural gas to approximately 333,000 customers in all or portions of Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Highland, Logan, Madison, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Warren 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

 

 
CenterPoint Energy Taking Safety Actions to Address Increased Wildfire Risk in Parts of the Greater Houston Area

Red Flag Warning in effect for large portions of Texas and the Greater Houston area from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday; high wind gusts, low humidity and fire risk anticipated

CenterPoint has taken a series of actions to prepare equipment and approximately 1,000 workers ready to respond today 

Company continues to communicate with customers about the potential for temporary outages in some areas due to wildfire conditions 

HOUSTON, March 15, 2025 - CenterPoint Energy is taking a series of precautionary actions to help protect customers and communities and address elevated wildfire risk in parts of the Greater Houston area, as the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning from noon until 9 p.m. today. CenterPoint has actively prepared for potentially dangerous weather conditions, including high wind gusts, dry fuels and low humidity, by conducting pre-inspections of electric and natural gas equipment, adjusting power line safety settings in higher-risk areas, communicating with customers and working closely with local emergency agencies. Today, CenterPoint has approximately 1,000 line and vegetation workers prepared to respond to the evolving weather conditions.

Over the last day, CenterPoint has notified customers in the Cypress, Fort Bend and Katy areas through the company's Power Alert Service about the possibility that extreme weather and wind conditions could result in some temporary safety outages this afternoon or tonight.

"While we have had some precipitation with the passing front this morning, we must remain vigilant. As fire weather conditions quickly evolved and escalated across the state, CenterPoint has been actively preparing for potential impacts to the system and is ready to respond to the heightened risk today. Over the last several days, our teams have completed a series of actions to help protect our customers and communities, including inspecting critical equipment, clearing hazardous vegetation near power lines, adjusting safety settings in higher-risk areas and pre-positioning crews to quickly restore power if temporary safety outages occur. We will continue to keep customers informed of our efforts and how they can stay prepared before and during extreme weather," said Don Daigler, Senior Vice President, Emergency Planning & Response.

Key Actions to Help Keep Customers Safe
CenterPoint's safety preparations over the last several days include the following key actions:

  • Inspecting and Hardening Key Power Lines: Inspecting power lines in areas of heightened fire risk, clearing hazardous vegetation near power lines and conducting repairs where needed, ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Inspecting Natural Gas Facilities: Inspecting gas facilities in areas of heightened fire risk and clearing hazardous vegetation near facilities ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Adjusting Safety Settings: Adjusting the settings on some power lines for safety between noon and 9 p.m. today.
  • Bringing on Additional Crews to Respond: Positioning CenterPoint crews and additional contractors to respond to any power outages or natural gas service interruptions that may occur. Additional resources will be utilized to safely restore service as quickly as possible when conditions allow.
  • Coordinating with Local Emergency Partners: Proactively sharing information with state, county and local leaders.
  • Communicating with Customers: Proactively communicating with approximately 330,000 customers in the Cypress, Fort Bend and Katy areas by phone, text or email about the potential for temporary safety outages due to high fire danger.

Important Safety Tips for Customers

CenterPoint encourages all customers to stay informed about weather conditions and make a plan to stay safe, including during a potential power outage. Customers can also get the latest information on CenterPoint's preparedness and response efforts and view important safety tips by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter. Additional preparation and safety tips are available at Ready.gov. 

How to Stay Informed: Sign Up for PAS
CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates by phone call, text or email. Customers can also stay up to date with CenterPoint's new and improved, cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in English and Spanish, which allows customers to see outages by county, city and zip code.

Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the Greater Houston area and across Texas.

For the latest weather information for the Greater Houston area, view updates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Houston/Galveston at weather.gov/hgx.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy assessing damage, restoring power following overnight storms in southwestern Indiana

​​Evansville, Ind. – March 15, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy crews are actively assessing damage and making repairs to its electric system after severe storms moved through southwestern Indiana overnight. The company's natural gas system did not experience any major impacts. The storm system brought wind gusts up to 60 mph, with higher gusts reported in some areas, resulting in impacts across the company's electric system. As of 2:30 p.m., approximately 1,600 customers remain without power.

CenterPoint's restoration efforts underway
Damage assessments remain ongoing, and crews are focused on downed power lines, damaged poles and other storm-related impacts to the company's electric system.

According to the National Weather Service, more rain and scattered thunderstorms are expected Saturday. Due to these weather events, the outage count is likely to continue to change throughout the day. Additionally, outage numbers may shift as crews isolate sections of the system for repairs or identify new issues requiring additional work.

“Crews are making steady progress, and we appreciate our customers' patience as we work through the remaining outages," said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint's Vice President, Indiana Electric. “As weather continues to move through the area, restoration may be delayed as crews pause until safe to continue working, however, we remain focused on safely restoring power to every impacted customer as quickly as possible."

As restoration progresses and weather conditions improve, efforts will transition from large-scale outages affecting multiple customers to localized outages affecting smaller numbers of customers. Some of these repairs require extensive work, such as replacing broken poles or restoring service to individual customers who have damage to customer-owned electrical equipment.

What customers need to know about power restoration and repairs
When restoring power after service interruptions, CenterPoint follows a prioritization process that begins with critical infrastructure, followed by repairs that restore service to the greatest number of customers before addressing individual outages.

Additionally, some customers may experience delays if repairs are needed at their home or business. One common issue after storms is damage to a weatherhead—the point where power enters a home—which is customer-owned equipment. If a weatherhead is damaged, customers must have a licensed electrician make necessary repairs before CenterPoint can restore service. After repairs are completed, customers should call 800-227-1376 to request reconnection.

Safety tips
CenterPoint encourages customers to take steps to prepare for severe weather:

  • Downed power line safety: Stay at least 35 feet away from downed power lines and report them by calling 800-227-1376.
  • Work crew safety: Be cautious around work crews and give them plenty of room to safely assess damage and make repairs.
  • Generator safety: Never connect a portable electric generator directly to a building's electrical system during a power outage; electricity could back-feed into the power lines, potentially endangering CenterPoint workers. Only use a portable generator in a well-ventilated area and never run it inside or in a garage to avoid carbon monoxide fumes, which can be deadly.
  • Call before digging: Call 811 to locate utility lines prior to digging on a property.

 
Electric customers encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service®
Customers are encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times, as available or determined, and customer-specific restoration updates in the event of severe weather. With the option to receive updates via phone call, text or email, Power Alert Service® helps keep customers informed of restoration progress during an outage event.

Customers can get storm-related electric, natural gas and flooding safety tips at CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter.​

CenterPoint Energy returns to normal operations as NWS Red Flag Warning expires, weather and wind threat ends for Greater Houston region

​Houston – March 15, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy is returning to normal operations as the National Weather Service's Red Flag Warning and risks of fire weather and strong wind end for the Greater Houston area. The company's system performed well, with less than one percent of customers experiencing an outage throughout today's high wind gusts.

Over the last several days, CenterPoint actively prepared for potentially dangerous weather conditions by conducting pre-inspections of electric and natural gas equipment, adjusting power line safety settings in higher-risk areas, communicating with customers and working with local emergency agencies.

Key Actions to Help Keep Customers Safe
Leading up to today's Red Flag Warning, CenterPoint's safety preparations included the following key actions:

  • Inspected and Hardened Key Power Lines: Inspected power lines in areas of heightened fire risk, cleared hazardous vegetation near power lines and conducted repairs where needed, ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Inspected Natural Gas Facilities: Inspected gas facilities in areas of heightened fire risk and cleared hazardous vegetation near facilities ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Adjusted Safety Settings: Adjusted the settings on some power lines for safety between noon and 9 p.m. today.
  • Brought on Additional Crews to Respond: Positioned CenterPoint crews and additional contractors to respond to any power outages or natural gas service interruptions that may occur.
  • Coordinated with Local Emergency Partners: Proactively shared information with state, county and local leaders.
  • Communicated with Customers: Proactively communicated with approximately 330,000 customers in the Cypress, Fort Bend and Katy areas by phone, text or email about the potential for temporary safety outages due to high fire danger.

“We'd like to thank our customers for their patience as some might have experienced temporary outages today as we took the necessary precautions to protect the community and our electric system from the fire weather conditions," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “While today's weather risk has passed, we encourage customers to take this opportunity to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® and verify contact information so that when the next weather event might impact Greater Houston area, CenterPoint can contact you with important information regarding your electric service."

CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates by phone call, text or email.

Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the Greater Houston area and across Texas.

CenterPoint Energy working to restore remaining customers out from overnight severe weather

​Evansville, Ind. – March 15, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy crews have completed significant repairs to its electric system after severe storms moved through southwestern Indiana Friday night into Saturday morning. As of 9:30 p.m., approximately 200 customers remain without power. With nearly all customers restored, the majority of those still out will remain without service overnight as crews continue addressing the final localized outages.

“Crews have worked tirelessly throughout the day to restore power to the majority of customers impacted by this weekend's severe weather, and we appreciate their patience," said Shane Bradford, CenterPoint's Vice President, Indiana Electric. “As we continue the final phase of restoration, our teams will focus on the remaining smaller and individual outages and will continue working overnight and into Sunday until service is restored to all customers."
 
Working through intermittent rain, gusty winds and occasional lightning throughout the day, crews safely repaired extensive storm damage, including downed power lines, damaged poles and other storm-related impacts to the company's electric system.

“Our internal and contracted crews faced challenging conditions today while keeping safety at the forefront. We appreciate their dedication as they worked to restore service to our customers," Bradford added.

At this stage, most of the remaining outages are localized, affecting smaller numbers of customers. Some of these repairs require extensive work, such as replacing broken poles or restoring service to individual customers who have damage to customer-owned electrical equipment.

Customers may experience delays if repairs are needed at their home or business. One common issue after storms is damage to a weatherhead—the point where power enters a home—which is customer-owned equipment. If a weatherhead is damaged, customers must have a licensed electrician make necessary repairs before CenterPoint can restore service. After repairs are completed, customers should call 800-227-1376 to request reconnection.

Customers can stay informed on remaining updates by following CenterPoint on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).​

CenterPoint Energy returns to normal operations as NWS Red Flag Warning expires, weather and wind threat ends for Greater Houston region

Approximately 99% of customers experienced no outages during fire weather conditions

HOUSTON, March 15, 2025 - CenterPoint Energy is returning to normal operations as the National Weather Service's Red Flag Warning and risks of fire weather and strong wind end for the Greater Houston area. The company's system performed well, with less than one percent of customers experiencing an outage throughout today's high wind gusts.

Over the last several days, CenterPoint actively prepared for potentially dangerous weather conditions by conducting pre-inspections of electric and natural gas equipment, adjusting power line safety settings in higher-risk areas, communicating with customers and working with local emergency agencies.

Key Actions to Help Keep Customers Safe
Leading up to today's Red Flag Warning, CenterPoint's safety preparations included the following key actions:

  • Inspected and Hardened Key Power Lines: Inspected power lines in areas of heightened fire risk, cleared hazardous vegetation near power lines and conducted repairs where needed, ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Inspected Natural Gas Facilities: Inspected gas facilities in areas of heightened fire risk and cleared hazardous vegetation near facilities ahead of potential extreme weather.
  • Adjusted Safety Settings: Adjusted the settings on some power lines for safety between noon and 9 p.m. today.
  • Brought on Additional Crews to Respond: Positioned CenterPoint crews and additional contractors to respond to any power outages or natural gas service interruptions that may occur.
  • Coordinated with Local Emergency Partners: Proactively shared information with state, county and local leaders.
  • Communicated with Customers: Proactively communicated with approximately 330,000 customers in the Cypress, Fort Bend and Katy areas by phone, text or email about the potential for temporary safety outages due to high fire danger.

"We'd like to thank our customers for their patience as some might have experienced temporary outages today as we took the necessary precautions to protect the community and our electric system from the fire weather conditions," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. "While today's weather risk has passed, we encourage customers to take this opportunity to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® and verify contact information so that when the next weather event might impact Greater Houston area, CenterPoint can contact you with important information regarding your electric service."

CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates by phone call, text or email.

Customers can also follow @CenterPoint_TX to receive the most up-to-date information on the company's operations in the Greater Houston area and across Texas.

For more information, contact:
Communications
Media.Relations@CenterPointEnergy.com 

 

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy