Even with evolving winter weather forecasts, CenterPoint Energy continues deploying its cold weather readiness plan for electric and gas systems and will actively monitor and prepare for the situation over the holiday weekend
Even with evolving winter weather forecasts, CenterPoint Energy continues deploying its cold weather readiness plan for electric and gas systems and will actively monitor and prepare for the situation over the holiday weekend
2025-01-17T06:00:00Z

Company continues to work its cold weather readiness action plan and may consider further resource needs including mutual aid assistance, if necessary

CenterPoint urges customers to have a plan and make winter weather preparations to stay safe and warm

Forecasts and weather models continue to significantly evolve for the second cold snap of 2025 which may impact the company's service territory in Texas

In the event an ice storm materializes early next week, and ice accumulation causes outages, CenterPoint is prepared to expand its workforce to restore service safely and as quickly as possible

HOUSTON, Jan. 17, 2025 - While weather models and forecasts continue to significantly evolve for a potential severe cold and ice storm around the Martin Luther King holiday, CenterPoint Energy continues to actively monitor those weather forecasts and deploy its cold weather readiness plan across the company's Texas service territory. The company encourages customers to have a plan and make preparations for severe cold weather and potentially ice.

While updated forecasts show a range of potential impacts early next week hitting the Greater Houston area, the company's Emergency Preparedness and Response, Meteorology and Operations teams remain on alert and continue preparing to support safe and reliable energy delivery during potentially extreme cold and icy conditions.

Usually snow and cold temperatures are not major impacts on electric systems, However, ice accumulation and stronger winds can pose hazards to trees, limbs and power lines. Should those icy conditions materialize next week, there would likely be some outages related to the extreme weather. If it appears that will be the case, CenterPoint will be prepared to expand its workforce over the weekend, with additional contractors and mutual aid personnel, to meet the restoration need.

"While there are still a great deal of unknowns on what weather will actually arrive early next week, we want our customers and communities to have confidence in the cold preparations we've already executed, that we are actively monitoring the weather and our systems and that, if needed, we can marshal additional resources to help us restore those customers who may lose power, if we have significant ice accumulation and strong winds. We also want our customers to take this storm seriously, prepare for it and have emergency plan in place," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.

Cold weather preparations
The company has a cold weather action plan in place and has performed a series of proactive pre-winter preparedness actions to strengthen and winterize its infrastructure across Texas, including inspecting and testing cold-weather critical equipment. CenterPoint is also deploying cold weather mitigations across its electric and gas infrastructure, coordinating with relevant local emergency responders and government officials and developing plans to mobilize emergency response resources, if needed. Additionally, as part of the ongoing work to increase system resiliency, CenterPoint has already trimmed approximately 3,500 miles of higher risk vegetation since Aug. 5, 2024.

2025 Winter Energy Guide
CenterPoint recently launched its Winter Energy Guide, a comprehensive online resource hub that helps customers throughout the winter heating season. The guide features practical and important safety, energy savings and bill management tips to help customers stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. To learn more, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ReadyforWinter.

Energy-saving tips

  • Make sure the heating system is operating safely and efficiently. An annual inspection and tune-up by a qualified technician are recommended. Change or clean the furnace filter regularly to help maximize the furnace's efficiency and life.

  • Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night or when away for at least eight hours, can potentially save customers 10% on heating costs. Also, with a programmable thermostat, the heating system can work around one's schedule.

  • Keep warm air in and cold air out of the home. Use caulk or weather-stripping to seal leaks around doors, windows and other openings such as pipes or ducts. A convenient alternative can be to roll up towels and push them against the bottom of the door's interior to help prevent heat loss. Close fireplace dampers when not in use, so you don't lose heat.

  • Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day to capture warmth from the sun, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside.

  • Circulate warm air with ceiling fans. Set ceiling fans to turn clockwise slowly to move warm air from the ceiling to your living levels. 

Electric customers encouraged to enroll in Power Alert Service® and follow CenterPoint Texas X account
CenterPoint electric customers are encouraged to enroll in the company's Power Alert Service® to receive winter storm 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

 Recent News

 

 
With below zero temperatures and several inches of snow expected over the coming week, CenterPoint Energy provides tips to help customers manage their energy use while staying safe and warm

​Minneapolis – Feb. 7, 2025 – During this weekend and throughout next week, Minnesota is expected to experience heavy snow and frigid weather conditions, with many of the communities CenterPoint Energy serves forecasted to experience temperatures below zero. CenterPoint wants to remind customers it has a cold weather action plan in place and urges customers to have a cold weather plan in place as well to stay safe and warm.

Colder weather conditions may require customers to use more energy to keep their homes comfortable, so CenterPoint is reminding customers of tips, tools and programs to manage heating bills, while keeping safe and warm.

Winter Energy Guide
CenterPoint recently launched its Winter Energy Guide, a comprehensive online resource hub that helps customers throughout the winter heating season. The guide features practical and important safety, energy savings and bill management tips to help customers stay safe and warm throughout the winter season. The Winter Energy Guide can help customers:

  • Prepare a winter emergency supply kit. A winter emergency supply kit should have various supplies including water, non-perishable food for customers, their loved ones and pets, first aid kit, cold weather supplies such as blankets and supplies to have on hand in case of an outage.
  • Track energy usage. By managing their accounts online, customers can access an interactive chart that displays their energy usage trends and gives them insights into ways to save energy.

  • Take easy actions to reduce energy use. CenterPoint offers a variety of free energy-saving tips that can make a difference in the amount of energy used such as adjusting thermostats, opening blinds during the daytime to take advantage of the sun's warmth and sealing air leaks.

  • Implement vital safety tips: CenterPoint offers tips for customers and their loved ones to stay safe throughout the winter heating season including by using space heaters appropriately, testing carbon monoxide and smoke alarms, and by knowing how to identify and report a suspected natural gas leak.

Payment Assistance Resources Are Available for Customers
CenterPoint encourages those facing hardship to call the company to find out about payment arrangements and be referred to resources that may be available to them.

Under Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule, residential customers who are having difficulty paying their heating bills are required to set up a payment plan with their utility to prevent disconnection of their service between Oct. 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. The Cold Weather Rule applies to both homeowners and renters. To arrange a payment plan, CenterPoint customers can call 800-245-2377 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday-Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

Customers can also enroll in an Average Monthly Billing Plan, which spreads costs throughout the year to help manage periods of peak usage such as the winter heating season, at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving the energy needs of more than 920,000 residential and business customers.​

CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency actions across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates backup generator to Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center

​Houston – Feb. 7, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of a backup generator to the Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center as part of its Community Generator Donation Program to support local community resiliency. Through this program, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation is donating funds for 21 backup generators at key locations throughout its 12-county Greater Houston region. It is expected that there will be at least one generator or other support for each county.

The company is working in close collaboration with local Offices of Emergency Management (OEMs) and other county and city leaders to identify the appropriate locations for the donated generators to be able to have the greatest impact and local benefit.

The Community Generator Donation Program is part of CenterPoint's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). The backup generators will help provide support for critical community partners during major weather events or other emergencies and will be funded through a $5 million grant from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation at no cost to customers. The CenterPoint Energy Foundation is a charitable giving organization focused on strengthening the quality of life in the communities served by the company. The foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

“We are committed to improving resiliency in our local communities and working closely with our community partners to achieve this important goal. Today, we are announcing the donation of backup generation to support our partners in Harris County, and we look forward to sharing other locations for our Community Generator Donation Program with other counties and cities in the weeks and months ahead. These 21 generators are each capable of powering an entire large building and will help make the communities we are proud to serve even more resilient during major storms and other emergency events," said Richard Leger, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President of Gas Operations.

These backup generators will provide an additional power supply during major storms and other emergency events that cause outages. Facilities that receive the donated backup generators will be able to better serve their communities during outages, acting as hubs for essential services like medical care, cooling stations, water and food distribution, charging stations for critical devices and other services.

Working with Community Partners on Locations
To support local community needs, CenterPoint is working closely with county and city officials and OEMs to identify and select the ideal locations for the donated generators, with local officials ultimately deciding which critical facilities will receive the donations.

“On behalf of Precinct 2 and the Aldine community, particularly those living near Deputy Darren Almendarez Community Center, I am very grateful for our partnership with CenterPoint. With weather-related catastrophes becoming more frequent, having backup generation available at a center that serves so many people, this partnership is vital for the wellbeing and resiliency of the community. I am thrilled that we now have backup power ready to be deployed next time Mother Nature hands us our next emergency," said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia.

Over the next several months, CenterPoint will be coordinating with local community partners to ensure the backup generators are suitable to meet the specific needs of the critical facility they have identified. The goal is to have all generators installed and operational by June 1, 2025, to further resiliency ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

CenterPoint is working with other county OEMs, and county and city leaders across the Greater Houston region to make similar announcements in the coming weeks and months.​

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. With approximately 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com. ​



Groundhog Day serves as seasonal energy efficiency reminder for CenterPoint Energy customers of tips and tools available to manage energy use

Houston – Feb. 3, 2025 – On Groundhog Day yesterday, Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow, forecasting six more weeks of cooler temperatures. CenterPoint Energy is reminding customers that the company offers tips, tools and programs that can help them increase the energy efficiency of their homes and save money on heating or cooling costs, no matter the season.

CenterPoint customers have enjoyed significant savings by participating in the company's energy efficiency programs, including installing more efficient appliances for heating, cooling and cooking and weatherproofing with air sealing and insulation. For customers who need additional assistance, CenterPoint offers payment arrangements and billing programs to meet customers' needs and budgets and can refer them to agencies that offer energy assistance to eligible households.

“At CenterPoint, we have tips, tools and programs to help you stay comfortable inside your home at any time of the year. We know the colder temperatures we've seen this winter can mean higher heating costs, and with six more weeks of cold weather ahead we want to make sure customers are prepared," said Tony Gardner, Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at CenterPoint. “By taking some small and easy actions to increase your homes' efficiency, you can save energy and money all year round."

CenterPoint wants to remind customers of some actions they can take to reduce their energy use:

  • Regularly perform furnace maintenance: Service your furnace annually and check the air filters monthly to increase the efficiency of your equipment.
     
  • Adjust your temperature: Use a programmable or smart thermostat to automatically adjust your cooling or heating temperature when you're asleep or away from home to maximize potential savings.
     
  • Seal air leaks: Use caulking and weather stripping around windows and doors to seal air leaks to reduce drafts inside your home for more efficient heating and cooling.

  • Use the sun: When it's hot outside, keep window coverings closed to keep a cooler indoor temperature. When it's cold outside, open your window coverings to capture warmth from the sun during the day, and close your coverings at night to keep warmth inside.
     
  • Choose energy smart appliances: When upgrading appliances, look for ENERGY STAR®-certified products for optimal efficiency. Energy efficiency rebates may be available for qualifying appliances.

Customers can learn more about energy-saving tips and ways to manage their energy use and monthly bills at CenterPointEnergy.com/SavingsTips.


CenterPoint Energy announces multi-year Systemwide Resiliency Plan to benefit communities and combat extreme weather threats, outages, and other hazards across Greater Houston

Houston – Jan. 31, 2025 – Today, as part of a company-wide commitment to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country, CenterPoint Energy submitted its enhanced Systemwide Resiliency Plan (SRP), which is expected to reduce the impact of storm-related outages by over 1.3 billion minutes for its 2.8 million customers into 2029. The plan represents the largest single grid resiliency investment in the company's history. CenterPoint's 2026-2028 SRP will build on the progress made during the first two phases of the company's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, and is designed to help address the impacts of a wide range of extreme weather threats, including more powerful storms, hurricanes, wind events like derechos, flooding, extreme temperatures, tornadoes, wildfires and winter storms.  

A rate case for Houston Electric occurs approximately once every four years and is part of an open and transparent regulatory process in which rates are set by the PUCT. 

“As the energy capital of the world, the residents of the Greater Houston area expect and deserve an electric system that is safe, reliable, cost-effective and resilient when they need it most. We're determined to deliver just that. Our Systemwide Resiliency Plan represents an historic investment and is a major step on our strategic roadmap to becoming the most resilient coastal grid in the country. The array of resiliency actions will provide customers with clear benefits now and in the future, is cost-effective, and will build on the progress we've already made to date through the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative. Taken together, we believe that these resiliency actions will help create a future with fewer outages coupled with faster restoration times for the customers that we are privileged to serve," said Jason Wells, President and Chief Executive Officer of CenterPoint Energy. 

Building the Stronger, More Resilient, Self-Healing Grid of the Future 

The bold actions outlined in CenterPoint's SRP are designed to benefit customers across the entire service area, with a specific focus on customers in higher-risk areas. When complete, this suite of resiliency actions, combined with CenterPoint's normal operations, will achieve the following: 

  • Automation Devices: 100% of lines serving the most customers will include automation devices capable of self-healing to reduce the impact of outages;  
  • Secure Substations: 99% of substations will be raised above the 500-year flood plain; 
  • Undergrounding: More than 50% of CenterPoint's system will be undergrounded to improve resiliency; 
  • Stronger Distribution Poles: 130,000 stronger, more storm-resilient poles (rated to 110 mph and 132 mph) will be either installed new, or replaced or braced to withstand stronger storms; 
  • Vegetation Management: CenterPoint will deploy an industry-leading, three-year vegetation management cycle for transmission and distribution lines, with 100% of power lines  cleared of hazardous vegetation every three years;  
  • Stronger Transmission Towers: 2,200+ transmission structures will be rebuilt or upgraded to be able to better withstand extreme weather while improving overall reliability; and 
  • Modernized Cables: 34,500 spans of underground cables will be modernized to reduce the frequency and impact of outages. 

These key improvements, along with other planned actions and measures announced earlier in the week as part of CenterPoint's 2024-2029 rate case, are expected to strengthen overall resiliency and reliability of the Greater Houston-area electric system by at least 30% over a three-year period, according to analysis from Guidehouse, an independent third-party expert. In addition, these systemwide improvements will continue to provide important benefits by improving long-term reliability, and will help reduce potential weather-related outages for customers. 

A Historic Resiliency Investment  

CenterPoint's $5.75 billion Systemwide Resiliency Plan is a historic investment in the grid and will help reduce hundreds of millions of outage minutes per year caused by extreme weather. Given the importance of reducing the future impact of major extreme weather events, the combined actions outlined in the SRP will help avoid outages for more than 500,000 customers in the event of another Hurricane Beryl-like storm, while also helping to improve restoration and response times during such events. When complete, the SRP is also expected to save customers a projected cost of approximately $50 million in storm-related costs per year. 

Actions Completed Under Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative 

The SRP builds upon core resiliency actions CenterPoint has completed to date through its Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) that was launched last August to strengthen the grid, improve communications and expand local and emergency partnerships ahead of the 2025 hurricane season. Since launching GHRI in 2024, CenterPoint has already: 

  • Installed more than 10,600 more storm-resilient poles designed to withstand extreme winds; 
  • Cleared more than 3,400 miles of hazardous vegetation near power lines; 
  • Installed more than 370 self-healing automation devices; and 
  • Undergrounded approximately 200 miles of power lines. 

Addressing Growing Energy Needs and Weather Challenges 

The resiliency actions outlined by the SRP will also help meet the energy needs of the growing population across CenterPoint's Greater Houston service area. The number of customers is expected to continue growing by 2 percent annually for the foreseeable future – the equivalent of adding a city the size of Waco, Texas, every year. As Greater Houston's population, economy and energy needs grow, CenterPoint's SRP will help address the increasing risk that this fast-growing region faces from extreme weather. 

Why is the SRP Needed? 

Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) show that the Greater Houston area faces the highest weather and climate hazard risk of any region in the country. In fact, Harris County has more FEMA-designated disaster resilience zones (14) than any other county in the United States. 

A Systemwide Resiliency Plan Shaped by Experts, Stakeholders and Customer Feedback 

The SRP, which CenterPoint submitted to the Public Utility Commission of Texas today for review, incorporates important feedback from customers, elected leaders, emergency management agencies and independent experts. Over the last three months, CenterPoint has conducted 30 meetings and listening sessions and solicited feedback on our plan during the draft stages. As part of CenterPoint's commitment to long-term affordability, the SRP is designed to provide the greatest dollar value to customers now and in the future by prioritizing proven, cost-effective resiliency actions that will ultimately prove vital to reducing future storm-related costs for the communities CenterPoint serves.  

To learn more about CenterPoint's Systemwide Resiliency Plan and the actions it is currently taking to strengthen the grid, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SystemwideResiliencyPlan. 

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. With approximately 9,000 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, which include statements regarding the Systemwide Resiliency Plan, including its benefits, 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 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) the impact of pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic; (2) financial market conditions; (3) general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions; 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, 2023 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024, June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2024 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. ​


CenterPoint Energy encourages customers to participate in energy efficiency programs and take easy actions to reduce their monthly energy bills

Minneapolis – Jan. 29, 2025 – With the new year in full swing, CenterPoint Energy is reminding Minnesota customers there's no time like the present to participate in the company's vast array of energy efficiency programs. Through these programs, residential and business customers can reduce energy use and save money on their monthly natural gas bills.

Customer participation in CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs has reduced carbon emissions by nearly 16.5 million metric tons over the last 29 years, which equates to removing carbon emissions from more than four million cars on the road, and saved customers approximately $2.7 billion.    

“At CenterPoint, we have tips, tools and programs to help customers save energy and manage their bills. We encourage our customers to take steps to increase the energy efficiency of their homes and businesses by participating in our comprehensive portfolio of projects to help them start, or continue, their energy efficiency journey," said Natalie Hedde, CenterPoint's Vice President, Strategic Business Growth and Engagement. “By participating in our energy efficiency programs, customers can make a big difference in reducing their monthly energy bill and lowering their personal carbon footprint."

Various programs are available for both business and residential customers, including renters. For qualifying customers, energy efficiency programs may be available at a reduced rate or at no cost.

Residential energy efficiency programs help customers reduce energy usage and unlock savings
CenterPoint has developed tailored energy efficiency programs to provide benefits to residential customers, including:

  • Home energy assessment: The Home Energy Squad® is a home energy assessment program provided by CenterPoint and Xcel Energy and is a great first step for customers seeking to start or accelerate their energy efficiency journey. Through the Home Energy Squad®, customers receive a personalized energy savings plan and can get connected to qualified contractors and rebates. Visits may be discounted or free for customers who qualify.
  • Air sealing and insulation rebates: By weatherizing a home through air sealing and insulation efforts, customers can prevent heat loss from their homes and reduce their energy use. Residential customers can receive rebates of up to $3,000 for work completed by a qualifying contractor. 
  • Rebates to upgrade home appliances and equipment: CenterPoint offers rebates for customers seeking to upgrade more energy-efficient equipment including furnaces, boilers, water heaters and air source heat pumps.

Energy efficiency programs and strategies help businesses optimize operations
CenterPoint offers programs that help businesses operate more efficiently while reducing their energy use, including:

  • Rebates to help businesses with more energy efficient operations: CenterPoint offers rebates for commercial and industrial customers seeking to upgrade to more energy-efficient natural gas equipment, including furnaces, boilers, boiler system components, water heaters and industrial process related equipment. 
  • Energy analysis site visits for business customers: Through a Natural Gas Energy Analysis visit, businesses can receive information on opportunities to reduce energy waste resulting from equipment inefficiencies. An analysis can help businesses implement improvements, which may qualify for rebates, and install energy-saving items at no additional cost including programmable thermostats, energy-efficient faucet aerators and showerheads and weather stripping for exterior doors.
  • Commercial foodservice rebates: Rebates are offered for high-efficiency commercial kitchen equipment including broilers, fryers, ovens and kitchen hoods that can help restaurants, hotels and other commercial kitchens save energy and reduce their monthly natural gas bill. Foodservice operations can also try out high-efficiency and rebate-eligible equipment before they buy it at CenterPoint's Foodservice Learning Center in Minneapolis.

Customers can learn more about energy efficiency programs that can help them save energy and money at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.

CenterPoint is Minnesota's largest natural gas utility, serving the energy needs of more than 920,000 residential and business customers.​