CenterPoint Energy activates Emergency Operations Center as it prepares to respond to Winter Storm Enzo across the Greater Houston area
2025-01-20T06:00:00Z

​Houston – Jan. 20, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy activated its Emergency Operations Center this afternoon in advance of Winter Storm Enzo's arrival to be prepared to manage its response and restoration efforts. The company is coordinating with state and local emergency partners as it prepares to respond to the potential winter impacts on the Greater Houston area. 

To aid in restoration efforts, CenterPoint Energy is mobilizing an expanded workforce of approximately 3,000 personnel, including 1,200 mutual aid resources, to help address potential outages across its service area. CenterPoint is also sharing proactive safety and preparedness information with customers via direct email, text and auto-dial voice messages as all as social media, and it will continue to provide regular updates on response and restoration efforts. 

“Winter Storm Enzo is poised to hit the Greater Houston area this evening and our teams and mutual aid partners are ready to respond. Our CenterPoint teams have been working for more than a week to prepare and are coordinating with government and industry partners to be ready to respond. We've mobilized 1,200 mutual aid workers, in addition to our own approximately 1,800 plus workers, set up three staging sites across our service area to quickly deploy crews and equipment, and prepared for freezing temperatures and precipitation. Even with this preparation, we know that storms like these can be unpredictable. Extreme weather, road inaccessibility and icy conditions may impact our ability to respond quickly. Our top priority is to ensure the safety of our customers, our workers and partners throughout this impactful winter storm," said Darin Carroll, Senior Vice President of CenterPoint's Electric Business.

Preparedness actions ahead of Winter Storm Enzo 
As of 5 p.m. Monday, CenterPoint is taking the following actions to respond to the impacts of Winter Storm Enzo including: 

  • Deployed its winter weather readiness plan last week: The company has been tracking the storm since early last week and started completing critical cold weather actions for both electric cand gas systems.  
  • Deploying additional mutual aid frontline electric workers: Mobilizing 1,200 mutual aid personnel and our local frontline workers to three staging sites across Greater Houston to support winter storm response and address potential equipment damage and outages. 
  • Providing temporary generation to heating centers: Working closely with local government and community partners to identify locations to deploy four small temporary generation units to provide power to local warming centers amid freezing temperatures.  More units are staged and ready to deploy if needs arise. 
  • Keeping customers informed: Sharing safety and preparedness information and resources with CenterPoint customers through direct outreach, social media and other platforms. 
  • Conducting outreach to critical care customers: Reaching out to identified Critical Care Residential and Chronic Condition Residential electric customers by email, phone and/or text.  
  • Coordinating with government officials: Providing regular updates to government officials on preparation and response activities and to coordinate on customer support. 
  • Holding public briefings on operational updates: Conducting a press briefing on Monday afternoon to provide important updates related to CenterPoint's pre-storm activities; additional briefings may be held to provide operational updates on response and restoration efforts following the storm. 
  • Keeping up to date with ERCOT forecasts: An Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) Weather Watch is in effect through Wednesday due to extreme cold weather across the ERCOT region, higher electrical demands and the potential for lower reserves. At this time, according to ERCOT, grid conditions are expected to be normal, but CenterPoint teams remain ready to respond if that should change. 

 
Critical winter readiness actions completed 
CenterPoint's emergency preparations for Winter Storm Enzo build upon the annual winter readiness activities that it conducted over the past several months, including annual weatherization requirements from ERCOT and the Railroad Commission of Texas to prepare for winter storms. These actions include: 

  • Inspecting and testing critical equipment, including all 270 substations, to prepare for high demand and cold temperatures;
  • Hardening electric and natural gas infrastructure across the Greater Houston area, including by installing heaters and devices to prevent ice damage or buildup; 
       
  • Maintaining freeze protection equipment and enclosures for cold-weather critical components;    
  • Repairing damaged or degraded thermal insulation and water-proofing materials; and   
  • Conducting emergency training for hundreds of operational personnel and contractors to prepare for, mitigate and respond to the impacts of severe winter weather. 

Important information for electric customers 
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 via 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. 

In addition, customers can get the latest information on CenterPoint's preparedness and response efforts, view important safety tips and access the company's 2025 Winter Energy Guide by visiting CenterPointEnergy.com/StormCenter. 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, see updates from the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Houston/Galveston at weather.gov/hgx.​

 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy continues its resiliency efforts across the 12-county region through its Foundation’s Community Generator Donation Program; Donates first backup generators to City of Houston at the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center

​HOUSTON – April 18, 2025 – Today, at an announcement in Houston with elected officials and community leaders, CenterPoint Energy leaders announced the donation of two backup generators to the Acres Homes Multi-Service 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 more than 20 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 city and county 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 Houston, 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 generators are 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 June Deadrick, CenterPoint's Vice President of Community Relations. 

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. 

“The City of Houston is very grateful for our partnership with CenterPoint and their proactive program for assisting us with backup generation in case of emergencies. With weather related catastrophes becoming more common, this partnership is vital for the wellbeing and resiliency of our community," said Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Houston City Council Member for Position 5. 

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. ​

​

PHOTO: Sallie Alcorn, At-Large Houston City Council Member for Position 5; June Deadrick, CenterPoint Vice President of Community Relations; Demetta Landry, Community Liaison for the Acres Homes Multi-Service Center; Charlene Ward Johnson, Texas State Representative serving District 139
 
More photos: CenterPoint Energy Digital Asset Management 

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility.  As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.​


CenterPoint Energy urges customers to be cautious on roadways as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month

​​HOUSTON – April 17, 2025 – With roadside construction increasing this spring, CenterPoint Energy reminds drivers to stay focused and avoid distractions—especially near work zones. The company is highlighting the safety risks and potential service disruptions that can result from distracted driving in and around construction areas as part of Distracted Driving Awareness Month.

“Driving near and through work zones means navigating potential traffic changes and keeping clear of crews and equipment," said Al Payton, CenterPoint's Vice President, Safety and Technical Training. “When we say safety is our top core value, that commitment extends beyond our company. It's also a message for the communities we serve. Staying alert and slowing down helps create a safer environment for everyone on the road."

CenterPoint crews and contractors are completing modernization projects that can take place in and near roads. These activities are vital for safety, reliability and resilient service and are often performed alongside motorists, cyclists and pedestrian traffic.

Vehicle crashes that involve hitting infrastructure such as utility poles and aboveground natural gas meters can result in significant disruptions to service.

“When drivers are distracted or fail to notice changing road conditions in and around work zones, the risk of damaging nearby utility infrastructure increases," Payton added. “These incidents can cause extended outages, lead to road closures for emergency repairs, disruption to neighbors and place themslves and others in harm's way. By practicing defensive driving and staying alert, everyone can help prevent unsafe environments for themselves, crews and their communities."

To support safer conditions and protect crews and fellow community members, CenterPoint encourages drivers to:

  • Slow down, and approach work areas with caution,
  • Follow the “Move Over Law” by changing lanes to provide safe clearance for crews working,​
  • Watch for signage, cones and workers nearby,
  • Follow directions from workers and traffic flaggers, and
  • Avoid texting, calling or using apps while driving.

For more tips and safety information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Safety.​


CenterPoint Energy launches Outage Tracker for southwestern Indiana electric customers

Evansville, Ind. – April 17, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy today launched Outage Tracker, a new online outage map for its southwestern Indiana electric customers. The tool displays current outage conditions, includes new features such as a mobile-friendly interface, weather overlays and Spanish language access and is designed to handle increased traffic during severe weather events.

“When the power goes out, we know customers want answers," said Tony Gardner, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer. “With more features and a mobile-friendly design, Outage Tracker gives our customers updates with the latest information so they can make informed decisions for themselves, their households or businesses when experiencing a disruption to their electric service."

The new tool includes several upgrades to improve usability and accessibility, especially during widespread outages:

  • Outage Tracker is supported by an enhanced cloud-based platform designed to handle increased traffic during severe weather and widespread outages.
  • The tool is mobile-friendly by design and offers a cleaner, easier experience on phones and tablets.
  • Weather overlays provide real-time information on current conditions, helping customers understand how weather events might be impacting service.
  • The enhanced satellite view provides a visual of vegetation density and surroundings, helping customers see how trees or other vegetation may be contributing to outages in their area.
  • A new Spanish-language option allows users to toggle between English and Spanish, making outage information accessible to Spanish-speaking customers.
  • Outage information can be viewed by county and ZIP code, offering customers a better understanding where service interruptions are occurring.
  • Customers can also report outages directly through the tool.

Helping customers stay connected
In addition to the Outage Tracker as a source for details, customers can stay informed about outages, restoration times and other details by enrolling in the Power Alert Service® and following CenterPoint's social media platforms.

To explore the new Outage Tracker or report an outage, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/OutageTracker and select Indiana as the service area. and select Indiana as the service area.​

CenterPoint Energy Declares Regular Common Stock Dividend of $0.2200

HOUSTON, April 16, 2025 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s (NYSE: CNP) Board of Directors today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.2200 per share on the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock payable on June 12, 2025, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 15, 2025.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility.  As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

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

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy adds new Board Members, Manuel Miranda and Laurie Fitch
  • Election of new directors further advances CenterPoint's utility and customer-focused strategy
  • New Directors bring deep experience in utility industry, operational rigor, infrastructure resiliency, hurricane and emergency response, and financing strategy

HOUSTON, April 16, 2025 - As part of its on-going refreshment process of its Board of Directors, CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) today announced that its shareholders elected two new members to its Board. Manuel ("Manny") Miranda, a 40-year veteran of NextEra and Florida Power & Light and Laurie Fitch, senior advisor at PJT Partners, a global, advisory-focused investment bank, join CenterPoint's Board effective April 16, 2025.

Consistent with its utility-focused strategy, CenterPoint has been delivering on its objective of divesting non-regulated and non-core businesses to invest in resilience, reliability and safety of its system and to fuel the company's long-term growth potential, all for the benefit of its customers and communities. Today's announcement continues to demonstrate progress on that strategy and particularly on the company's vision to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country.

"We are witnessing the most transformational era in our industry in the last 80 years and our Board must reflect the experience needed to meet the opportunities and challenges that we will face in the next decade. Both Manny and Laurie are well-respected thought leaders in the energy industry. They both possess a wealth of experience, and they are a perfect fit for CenterPoint's Board," said Phillip R. Smith, CenterPoint Energy's Independent Board Chair, "Each of them brings decades of relevant experience and knowledge in the utility and infrastructure sectors, especially when it comes to system reliability, infrastructure growth, climate resilience, and long-term financing strategy. We could not be more pleased to have them join us at this time."

Regarding his appointment, Miranda said, "I am honored to be joining CenterPoint's Board and bringing my perspective to the table on the critical resiliency work the company is delivering for their customers along the Gulf Coast. As we all work together to support the company's goal of building and maintaining the most resilient coastal grid in the in the nation, I look forward to sharing my experience of helping harden grids and accelerating post-event restoration efforts in climate vulnerable states."

Regarding her appointment, Fitch said, "CenterPoint has one of the strongest growth outlooks in the industry and I'm grateful to be joining the company at such pivotal time. I look forward to working with the other directors as we continue to support management in addressing the resiliency and growth opportunities of the business."

About Manuel Miranda
A 40-year veteran of the utility industry, Manny played an integral role in driving growth and resiliency at Florida Power & Light. He led many of the efforts behind changing the company's and industry's approach to hurricane resiliency. He and his teams developed groundbreaking solutions that significantly improved the organization's ability to withstand the impact of hurricanes along the Gulf Coast, including embarking on a 20-year journey to harden the overall Florida grid. During his career, he led planning, preparation and restoration efforts for 47 tropical storms and hurricanes from Hurricane Andrew (1992) to Hurricane Ian (2022). Manny's expertise and contributions in the field have been recognized industrywide.

Manny holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Miami and a Master of Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University (NSU). He previously served on the Board of Governors for NSU's H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship. Additionally, he has previously served as president of both the Southeastern Electric Exchange and the Association of Edison Illuminating Companies boards.

About Laurie Fitch
Laurie Fitch is a career investor-turned-advisor with a focus on the global power sector. She is a senior advisor at PJT Partners, having previously served as a partner. Prior to joining PJT Partners, Ms. Fitch worked for Morgan Stanley, most recently as co-head of the Global Industrials Group in Europe. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Ms. Fitch spent most of her career as an analyst and portfolio manager at Artisan Partners and TIAA-CREF, where she was one of the largest investors in the global industrials, utility and infrastructure sectors. Laurie is a Non-Executive Director of Man Group plc and EDPR. She previously served as Non-Executive Director of EDP.

Laurie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies and a Master of Arts from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. She is also a trustee of The American University in Cairo.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is a multi-state electric and natural gas delivery company serving approximately 7 million metered customers across Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas. The company is headquartered in Houston and is the only Texas-domiciled investor-owned utility. As of December 31, 2024, the company had approximately $44 billion in assets. With approximately 8,300 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been serving customers for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

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, which include statements regarding our strategic, growth and capital plans, longer-term resiliency plans, and future performance and financial results, 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 or the date that such statement is made, as applicable. 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, restructurings, joint ventures, 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 other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. 

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

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy