CenterPoint Energy leaders brief Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission on company’s Winter Storm Blair preparation and response efforts
2025-02-28T06:00:00Z

Evansville, Ind. – Feb. 28, 2025 – CenterPoint Energy today provided the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) with an overview of the company's preparation and response to Winter Storm Blair, the most severe ice storm to impact its southwestern Indiana service area in more than 15 years.

Following the historic storm event, the company worked with the IURC to schedule a briefing on the actions it took in the days leading up to the winter storm and restoration performance during the event. CenterPoint responded safely and as quickly as possible to repair significant damage to its electric system and restore power to tens of thousands impacted by the significant ice event.

“Our goal in providing this overview was to share how our teams prepared for and responded to this historic weather event, the lessons we learned and how we put action behind those lessons to improve our storm response efforts for the next event," said Mike Roeder, CenterPoint's Senior Vice President, External Affairs. “We greatly value engaging with the IURC in this manner to demonstrate the tremendous efforts of our operations teams, support employees and mutual assistance partners as well as to listen to feedback the commission shares with us. Additionally, we want to once again extend our gratitude to local elected officials, emergency management teams and first responders for their critical support during Winter Storm Blair response efforts."

CenterPoint storm response overview: Insights from the IURC presentation

  • Pre-storm coordination and resource staging – In advance of the storm, CenterPoint communicated with county emergency management agencies and local officials to provide updates on preparation efforts. The company pre-staged 40 line crews and 20 vegetation management crews (approximately 200 personnel) in the Evansville area, with additional resources on standby.
  • Rapid mobilization of crews and additional mutual aid resources – As restoration progressed, more than 1,000 personnel, including CenterPoint crews, contractors and mutual aid workers, were deployed—ten times the normal daily workforce. The company's Bergdolt Training Center served as a central staging site for personnel and materials.
  • Extensive infrastructure repairs – Crews replaced or repaired more than 1,500 spans of wire, 120 utility poles and 75 transformers damaged by ice accumulation and falling trees and tree limbs. More than 1,500 outages required vegetation removal before power could be restored.
  • Frequent updates to the public, customers and stakeholders – CenterPoint provided real-time, frequent updates through social media, news releases, direct customer emails and outreach to local officials, keeping the community informed on the power restoration progress.
  • Restoring customers safely and as quickly as possible – More than 61,000 outages occurred at the height of the storm. By Tuesday evening, half of impacted customers had power restored, and by Thursday night, nearly all customers able to receive service had power back, consistent with the company's restoration estimate.
  • Support for impacted communities – Recognizing the extended outages and extreme cold, CenterPoint worked with local government agencies, emergency management officials and nonprofits to establish warming centers and overnight shelters. The company also provided daily updates to local and state leaders.

Enhancing future storm response

Following Winter Storm Blair, CenterPoint has reviewed opportunities to further improve its restoration efforts. Key takeaways include:

  • Enhancing customer outage communications – The company is working to improve its Power Alert Service® notifications and outage map to provide customers with even more precise, real-time restoration updates. As part of these efforts, CenterPoint is preparing to launch a new outage map, which will include new features and improvements, such as being cloud-based and scalable to sudden increases in web traffic, to help customers stay informed during severe weather and unexpected service disruptions.
  • Educating customers on electrical equipment ownership – Many customers experienced delays due to necessary repairs on customer-owned equipment, such as weatherheads (the connection between their home and the grid). CenterPoint will expand outreach efforts to help customers understand what equipment they own and steps they can take to speed up restoration in future storms.

Commitment to reliability and resilience

CenterPoint remains committed to providing safe, reliable energy while reinforcing its grid against future severe weather events. As part of this commitment, the company has invested in infrastructure upgrades and modernization projects, including grid hardening, vegetation management and automated technology that improves service reliability. For more information on the company's continued investment in its electric system, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SmartEnergyFuture. ​

 Recent News

 

 
CenterPoint Energy launches “10 Days of Special Energy Savings” offers for Hoosiers

As part of a commitment its affordability, CenterPoint offering customers free to low-cost energy efficiency products through its Online Energy Efficiency Store

From July 1st-10th, customers will be able to save on a range of products


EVANSVILLE, Ind. – July 1, 2026 – As part of its commitment to affordability, CenterPoint Energy is helping Hoosier customers and families save energy and money with “10 Days of Special Energy Savings" on a range of energy efficiency products through its Online Energy Efficiency Store. The sale on energy savings products, which are for CenterPoint Energy customers only, will run July 1st through July 10th and will continue while supplies last. The range of energy savings products offered include smart thermostats, water-saving fixtures and weatherization items.

“We want to help our Hoosier families save energy and money. This sale makes it easier for our customers to find new ways to save with practical, energy-saving products for their homes, many at no cost, so they can lower their usage and take more control of their bills this summer and beyond," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Helping Customers Save Energy and Money
During the 10 days of savings, and through the Online Energy Efficiency Store, eligible customers can order:

  • Air Purifiers: ENERGY STAR® certified air purifiers are more than 50% more energy-efficient than standard models while helping improve indoor air quality.
  • Smart Thermostats: ENERGY STAR® certified smart thermostats can save an average of 8% on heating and cooling costs each year. Eligible customers can order a no-cost smart thermostat, including select Google Nest and ecobee models, with rebates applied automatically at checkout;
  • Standby-Power Savers: Devices left in standby mode can account for 5% to 10% of a home's energy use and can cost the average U.S. household as much as $100 a year. Advanced power strips, smart sockets and outdoor smart plugs help cut that usage;
  • Water-Saving Fixtures: A WaterSense®-labeled low-flow showerhead can save the average family about 2,700 gallons of water and more than 330 kilowatt-hours of electricity each year. Qualifying showerheads, aerators and shower accessories are available, with several at no cost while supplies last;
  • Weatherization Essentials: Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on annual energy bills. Pipe insulation, sealant and outlet gaskets help keep cooled air in and summer heat out.

CenterPoint Energy's Actions to Prioritize Affordability
The Online Energy Efficiency Store, launched in November 2024, is one of several ways CenterPoint is prioritizing affordability and energy savings for Indiana customers.

In October 2025, CenterPoint launched an initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools and programs for southwestern Indiana customers and customer protections as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement, such as annual late fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers.

Customers can browse all available products year-round, and check eligibility, at CenterPointEnergy.com/Shop. Additional savings tips, tools and assistance resources are available through the Resource Hub at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.​

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CenterPoint Energy Launches ‘Power Alert Service® Awareness Week’ to Encourage Customers to Sign Up for Free Emergency Communication Service

​​​More than 2.4 million customers currently signed up to receive Power Alert Service notifications on extreme weather, outages and restoration efforts. 

Multi-month public awareness campaign aimed at achieving 100% customer enrollment in free alert service that is especially critical during hurricane season. 

HOUSTON – June 30, 2026 – As part of its commitment to provide vital communications for its customers during emergencies or storms, CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of “Power Alert Service® (PAS) Awareness Week" to help achieve its goal of enrolling 100% of its customers in PAS. To date, CenterPoint has signed up more than 2.4 million customers for this critical, free tool that provides timely alerts on outages, restoration estimates and important updates. For PAS Awareness Week, CenterPoint is launching a multi-month social media and customer outreach campaign that will extend throughout hurricane season across Greater Houston to drive PAS enrollment and help customers stay informed and safe during storms, emergencies or periods of extreme weather.

“During hurricane season, we know how important it is to provide timely, accurate information to our CenterPoint customers and their loved ones. Power Alert Service® is one of the most valuable tools available to help every customer across Greater Houston get the updates they need, when they need them. We also encourage customers to add additional household members or loved ones to receive alerts, so everyone stays informed during severe weather. Our team is more determined than ever to raise awareness of this free service and help enroll every one of the customers we're privileged to serve," said Raja Subramanian, CenterPoint Energy Chief Customer Officer.

The Power of PAS: A Free Service, Keeping Customers & Loved Ones Informed
CenterPoint launched PAS, a free service to customers who sign up, in 2012, to provide customers with alerts by phone call, text or email about outages at their location, estimated restoration times, important updates on CenterPoint storm preparedness and response efforts, and much more. An invaluable benefit is that customers can also sign up to 15 family members and/or friends to receive alerts. In late May and early June alone, CenterPoint sent nearly 3.9 million PAS notifications to keep its customers informed before, during and after the storms.

As part of its outreach campaign, CenterPoint will be utilizing its social media tools and will also be encouraging customers to sign up for PAS at Community Connect events scheduled across Greater Houston. A full schedule of upcoming Community Connect events is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/HoustonCommunityConnects.

For more information, follow CenterPoint Energy on social media or visit 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 

CenterPoint Energy taking action to prepare for possible thunderstorms impacting southwestern Indiana customers

Readiness actions include: preparing crews and equipment, 24/7 weather monitoring, coordinating with local government officials and keeping customers informed

​Customers urged to sign up for Power Alert Service® to get latest updates about their service

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. – June 26, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy continues to closely monitor National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts following several rounds of storms across southwestern Indiana this week. To support its customers, CenterPoint is taking a series of actions to prepare for potential hazardous weather, including possible thunderstorms, damaging wind gusts, heavy rain, flooding and isolated tornadoes, in southwestern Indiana this evening into tomorrow. Key actions include preparing crews and equipment, monitoring weather forecasts 24/7, coordinating with local officials and communicating critical safety and preparedness information to its southwestern Indiana customers including how to sign up for Power Alert Service® to get the latest updates about their service.

“Our CenterPoint team is taking action and is prepared to respond to potential impacts from this week's storms across southwestern Indiana. We are ready to respond and restore power safely and as quickly as possible for any customers who may experience outages. We will continue closely monitoring conditions and we urge all of our customers to stay alert and take steps now to prepare and stay safe throughout this period of heavy storms and high winds," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Preparing for Hazardous Weather: Key Actions
The most recent National Weather Service forecast includes damaging winds, scattered thunderstorms and isolated tornadoes that may be strong enough to result in downed power lines and outages. A Flood Watch is in effect through Saturday morning. To prepare, CenterPoint is taking a series of safety and readiness actions, including:

  • Preparing Crews and Equipment: Preparing workers and equipment across southwestern Indiana to support restoration efforts for impacted customers.
  • 24/7 Weather Monitoring: Closely monitoring weather forecasts and evolving weather conditions that could impact our customers.
  • Coordinating with Local Officials: Providing consistent updates on preparedness actions to federal, state, county and city officials.
  • Keeping Customers Informed: Providing updates directly to customers via email, phone, text or other channels to keep customers informed and prepared.
  • Promoting Power Alert Service®: CenterPoint is urging customers to sign up for Power Alert Service® to receive important updates about their gas and electric service via phone call, text or email, including outage details and estimated restoration times.

Emergency Communications: Sign Up for Power Alert Service®
To help prepare for the impact of hazardous weather, CenterPoint is encouraging its customers to enroll in Power Alert Service® to receive outage details, estimated restoration times and customer-specific restoration updates via phone call, text or email. As part of CenterPoint's overall emergency communications efforts, customers can stay up to date on local outages with CenterPoint's cloud-based Outage Tracker, available in English and Spanish, which allows customers to see outages and restoration times by county, city and zip code. 

Emergency Preparations: What Customers Can Do to Stay Safe
As part of its preparedness efforts, CenterPoint will continue using its communications channels to share a series of critical safety reminders, including:

  • Stay at least 35 ft. away from any downed power lines and always assume they are still energized and dangerous.
  • Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles.
  • ​Do not touch anything in contact with a downed wire, such as fences, branches or standing water.
  • Before a flood: Natural gas should not be turned off at the meter. Keeping the meter on helps maintain proper pressure in gas piping and prevents water from entering the lines. If discontinuing service is necessary, gas should be turned off at each appliance. 
  • After a flood:  
    • If a natural gas meter was underwater, CenterPoint should be contacted to schedule an inspection. The meter may require replacement. 
    • Flooded natural gas appliances—such as furnaces, gas grills and gaslights—should be inspected by a qualified technician before operation. 
  • If the smell of natural gas (rotten egg odor) is present, leave the area immediately and call 911 and CenterPoint from a safe location.
  • Before digging or clearing debris, please call 811, the nationwide Call Before You Dig number, to locate underground natural gas lines and other underground utility lines.

For additional safety tips, customer resources and important updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter and follow CenterPoint on social media. ​

CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards grants to support veteran resilience in celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary

​​Grants awarded to 17 Indiana and Ohio nonprofit organizations to connect veterans to programs for mental health, housing and everyday needs 

CenterPoint employs more than 700 veterans across the company, who continue to serve communities by providing safe, reliable electric and natural gas service

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — JUNE 25, 2026 — In recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has awarded $250,000 in grants for 17 veteran serving nonprofit organizations in Indiana and Ohio. Grants are funding programs and initiatives that connect veterans with mental health services, housing stability and everyday needs.

Through this special grant opportunity, the Foundation is providing grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to strengthen programs and initiatives helping veterans and individuals connected to the military across the communities CenterPoint serves.  

“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, this grant opportunity reflects our deep respect for the men and women who serve and have served, and our privilege to support them with mental health services, housing stability and everyday needs to help them thrive," said Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs at CenterPoint and United States Navy veteran.
“Through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we are honored to contribute to enhancing veteran resilience and strengthening the communities we are privileged to serve."

The following Indiana and Ohio nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants from the Foundation:

Indiana

  • Anchor House
  • Family Service Association of Howard County, Inc.
  • Heading Home of South Central Indiana
  • Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette Indiana, Inc.
  • Honor Flight of Southern Indiana
  • HVAF of Indiana, Inc.
​​ 		​​
  • Niks Place for Vets, Inc.
  • Outreach Advocacy Center, Inc.
  • Reach Services, Inc.
  • Fort Wayne 22 (FW22)
  • Irreverent Warriors - Indiana Communities

Ohio
  • ​Blessings Fund
  • Community Garden and Hot Meals
  • PTSD Training for the Unseen Wounds of Service
​
  • Vets Moving Forward: Reintegration Support and Basic Needs Initiative
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars for Clinton County
  • Warriors in Step With Horses

Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for good by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to strengthen communities. This grant opportunity for veteran-serving organizations expands on the Foundation's two main strategic giving areas of community vitality and education to help address critical challenges facing veterans and their families.

CenterPoint employs more than 700 veterans across its four-state service area, who continue their commitment to service by strengthening the communities where they live and work by helping provide vital electric and natural gas service.

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.


About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.

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 Foundation awards grants to support veteran resilience in celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary

​Grants awarded to 17 Indiana and Ohio nonprofit organizations to connect veterans to programs for mental health, housing and everyday needs

 CenterPoint employs more than 700 veterans across the company, who continue to serve communities by providing safe, reliable electric and natural gas service

DAYTON, Ohio — JUNE 25, 2026 — In recognition of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States of America, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation has awarded $250,000 in grants for 17 veteran serving nonprofit organizations in Indiana and Ohio. Grants are funding programs and initiatives that connect veterans with mental health services, housing stability and everyday needs.

Through this special grant opportunity, the Foundation is providing grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 to strengthen programs and initiatives helping veterans and individuals connected to the military across the communities CenterPoint serves.  

“As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, this grant opportunity reflects our deep respect for the men and women who serve and have served, and our privilege to support them with mental health services, housing stability and everyday needs to help them thrive," said Jason Ryan, Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services and Government Affairs at CenterPoint and United States Navy veteran.
“Through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation, we are honored to contribute to enhancing veteran resilience and strengthening the communities we are privileged to serve."

The following Indiana and Ohio nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants from the Foundation:

Indiana

​​​​
  • Anchor House
  • Family Service Association of Howard County, Inc.
  • Heading Home of South Central Indiana
  • Honor Flight of Greater Lafayette Indiana, Inc.
  • Honor Flight of Southern Indiana
  • HVAF of Indiana, Inc.

 

  • Niks Place for Vets, Inc.
  • Outreach Advocacy Center, Inc.
  • Reach Services, Inc.
  • Fort Wayne 22 (FW22)
  • Irreverent Warriors - Indiana Communities

Ohio

  • Blessings Fund
  • Community Garden and Hot Meals
  • PTSD Training for the Unseen Wounds of Service

 

​
  • Vets Moving Forward: Reintegration Support and Basic Needs Initiative
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars for Clinton County
  • Warriors in Step With Horses

 

Funded separately and financially independent from the utility, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst for good by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to strengthen communities. This grant opportunity for veteran-serving organizations expands on the Foundation's two main strategic giving areas of community vitality and education to help address critical challenges facing veterans and their families.

CenterPoint employs more than 700 veterans across its four-state service area, who continue their commitment to service by strengthening the communities where they live and work by helping provide vital electric and natural gas service.

To learn more about CenterPoint's commitment to the communities it serves, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Community.

 
About the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation provides philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where CenterPoint Energy customers live and work. The Foundation is funded by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. More information about the Foundation can be found at CenterPointEnergy.com/Foundation.
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.​