As extended cold spell and snow approach this holiday week, CenterPoint Energy shares safety and energy-saving tips to keep customers safe and warm
2025-11-25T06:00:00Z

MINNEAPOLIS  – Nov. 25, 2025 – Starting today and over the coming holiday week, significantly colder temperatures and snowy conditions are expected throughout Minnesota. Colder weather may require customers to use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature inside their homes, so CenterPoint Energy is highlighting energy-saving and safety resources to help manage energy usage, while keeping customers safe and warm.

“Our employees work year-round to provide safe, reliable and resilient natural gas service to our Minnesota customers when they need it most and are positioned throughout our service area to respond to customer needs. While our workers remain focused on delivering energy, we know that customers want to keep their bills manageable. We encourage them to take easy steps to help reduce their energy use and save money even as the temperatures drop, while keeping their loved ones safe and warm," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas.

CenterPoint's preparedness actions in Minnesota

CenterPoint prepares year-round for cold weather in Minnesota through proactive efforts that aim to provide safe, reliable and resilient energy service, such as:

  • Monitoring the natural gas system 24/7 and implementing cold weather action plans.    
  • Conducting infrastructure projects to modernize our natural gas distribution system.  
  • Leveraging natural gas, propane and/or liquefied natural gas stored ahead of the winter heating season. 
  • Staging crews across the company's service area to respond to potential service issues safely and as quickly as possible.  

Quick and easy tips to save energy and money

CenterPoint encourages customers to follow these easy tips that can make a difference on monthly heating bills:

  • Turn down the thermostat. Lowering the thermostat by 7-10 degrees at night, or when away for at least eight hours, can potentially save 10% on heating costs. Customers can use a programmable thermostat to have the heating system work around their schedule. 
  • Check the furnace filter. Change or clean the filter to maximize the efficiency of the furnace.
  • Use window coverings and blinds effectively. If it's sunny outside, open window coverings during the day, and close coverings at night to keep warmth inside. If the sun's not shining, keep window coverings closed to hold warmth inside. 
  • 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. Close fireplace dampers when not in use to prevent heat loss.
  • Visit the online CenterPoint Energy Efficiency Store for products that bring savings. Order free window insulation kits, showerheads and weatherization products. Through Dec. 2, customers can take advantage of discounted thermostats during the store's Black Friday sale.

Smart actions to stay safe

  • Use space heaters safely. Make sure a space heater has an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away from it. A space heater that uses natural gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
  • Test carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms to make sure they work properly. Change batteries regularly. Alarms don't last forever, so replace them according to the manufacturer's instructions. 
  • Know the signs of CO poisoning. Early symptoms such as headache and fatigue are similar to the flu, but without a fever. Continued CO exposure can lead to more severe headaches, dizziness, nausea, difficulty thinking clearly and fainting. If everyone in a household is experiencing these symptoms, it could be CO poisoning. If someone suspects they could have CO poisoning, leave the area immediately, get fresh air and call 911.
  • Smell gas? Act fast! Natural gas has a distinctive rotten egg smell. If anyone detects this odor, they should leave their location immediately without using electrical switches or phones. Once in a safe location, call 911 and CenterPoint Energy.

Winter financial assistance resources and support available for customers
CenterPoint is dedicated to supporting customers who may have difficulty paying their energy bill. Throughout the year, but especially in the winter months when global energy prices and home heating costs are historically higher, please contact CenterPoint for bill payment and assistance options. Among the many key programs and resources include:

  • Cold Weather Rule payment plans. The Cold Weather Rule protects Minnesotan residential customers who are experiencing financial hardship from having their utility service disconnected between Oct. 1 and April 30 if they set up and maintain a payment plan. The payment agreement considers a customer's financial situation and any extenuating household circumstances. CenterPoint customers should call 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday – Friday to set up a payment agreement.
  • Energy assistance. CenterPoint representatives can refer customers to resources such as Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program which provides financial assistance for heating costs and furnace repairs for income-eligible households.
  • Flexible payment arrangements. CenterPoint customers can 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
  • Energy efficiency resources. Rebates and programs are available to help customers improve home energy efficiency and lower their bills. For qualifying customers, programs may be available at no cost or a reduced rate. 

 To learn more about these programs and resources, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/PaymentAssistance.

 Recent News

 

 
Home Repair & Care continues to deliver critical upgrades to CenterPoint Energy southwestern Indiana customers

CenterPoint Energy Foundation investing across southwestern Indiana through the Community Energy Improvement Fund and Optimize programs

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 14, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy customers across southwestern Indiana continue to receive critical home repairs through the Home Repair & Care program. Funded by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation through its $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund and implemented by local nonprofit Community One, the program launched in January 2026.

For Grace Strange, a retired Evansville resident, that meant a new furnace for her home, built in 1895. Before retiring in 2024, Grace had completed the maintenance she could on her home, including new windows, basement work and a new roof. During a recent maintenance appointment, her longtime HVAC technician told her that her furnace was close to the end of its useful life. A full replacement was the project she'd been putting off.

“I'd worked hard to take care of the house before I retired. The furnace was the one thing I'd been putting off," said Strange. “The Home Repair & Care program came through at the right moment. The house is more comfortable than it's been in years, our bills came down, and that money can go to gasoline and groceries. That means a lot when you've just retired."

Grace's furnace was replaced with a new high-efficiency unit at no cost through the program.

Critical repairs delivered across southwestern Indiana
Home Repair & Care was designed for homeowners whose incomes fall above no-cost weatherization thresholds but who still face large, one-time repair costs that prevent safer, more efficient homes. To date, 183 home projects are underway or completed across 68 households. Upgrades include:

  • 48 window projects
  • 40 exterior door projects
  • 32 new or repaired furnaces or HVAC systems
  • 27 insulation upgrades
  • 21 roof repairs or replacements
  • 11 new water heaters
  • 4 siding repairs

Continued community investment under the Community Energy Improvement Fund
Home Repair & Care was the first initiative launched under the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, established in October 2025 to support weatherization, energy efficiency and cost-saving programs across southwestern Indiana. The Fund is supported by the CenterPoint Energy Foundation by company shareholders and has no impact on customer rates. Several additional Foundation programs are now advancing under the Fund, each providing up to $25,000 in matching grant funding for energy efficiency upgrades:

  • Optimize for Local: Applications have been received and are under review. Optimize for Local supports locally owned independent restaurants and retailers across southwestern Indiana with funding for energy efficiency upgrades such as HVAC, refrigeration and lighting improvements.
  • Optimize for Growth: Applications are currently open. Optimize for Growth supports small industrial businesses, including manufacturers, processors and fabricators, with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements that reduce operating costs and strengthen the region's economic base.
  • Optimize for Good: Applications will open later this spring. Optimize for Good supports southwestern Indiana nonprofits with funding for facility energy efficiency improvements, allowing organizations to redirect limited resources toward the community missions they serve.

Additional program details, eligibility and application information are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/Optimize.

The Community Energy Improvement Fund is part of CenterPoint's broader Community Affordability Actions, a series of steps taken since October 2025 to support southwestern Indiana customers, including expanded customer programs and proposed customer protections such as annual late fee waivers, reduced reconnection fees and additional safeguards for medically vulnerable customers. Additional Community Energy Improvement Fund initiatives are expected to be announced in the months ahead.

CenterPoint Energy conducts full-scale emergency exercise in preparation for 2026 hurricane season

HOUSTON – May 14, 2026 – Today, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen its overall emergency preparedness and response efforts, CenterPoint Energy conducted its annual full-scale emergency response exercise in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. The emergency exercise, held at CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center, simulated a Category 3 hurricane impacting the Greater Houston area and included more than 400 members of CenterPoint teams – from Electric and Gas Operations, Emergency Planning & Response, Customer, Communications and others – executing the company's emergency response plan. About 100 state and local officials, emergency management officials, first responder partners and emergency experts observed the drill.

“For CenterPoint, preparing for natural disasters before they happen and simulating the effectiveness of our response and plans is vital to continuously improving and strengthening our response when future storms and hurricanes strike. Today's emergency exercise builds on the series of preparedness actions we've already taken throughout the year, as well as the continued infrastructure investments made as part of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative to strengthen the electric grid. The combination of actions we've taken are to help us better achieve the high level of performance expected of us, so we can restore power safely and more quickly for the millions of customers and families who depend on us," said Jesus Soto Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, CenterPoint Energy.

2026 Preparedness: Focus of annual full-scale exercise

The 2026 emergency exercise focused on executing a series of critical emergency response activities, including reviewing weather forecasts and impacts, analyzing damage prediction models to deploy resources, coordinating with emergency responders to support unified response operations, and communicating accurate and timely information to customers, as well as local and state leaders, on the scale of restoration efforts and progress.

The exercise simulated a Category 3 hurricane and included third-party expert evaluators that observed and provided feedback. CenterPoint will use the feedback to further improve, enhance and strengthen CenterPoint's emergency response preparedness, reflecting its year-round commitment to implementing the latest best practices and lessons learned following all emergency events, including hurricanes and other extreme storms.

More than 100 officials observed the exercise, including elected leaders, representatives from regional emergency management offices, Houston-area utilities, as well as key stakeholders from local education, healthcare and business communities.

2026 Preparedness: Scope of emergency actions to date

CenterPoint has taken a series of actions throughout 2026 to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Actions include:

  • Opened a new Emergency Operations Center to support CenterPoint's year-round situational awareness and emergency response readiness and closely coordinate with emergency response partners, local and state officials, media and other key stakeholders.
  • Completed more than 25,000 hours of FEMA trainings across more than 800 employees.
  • Increased the number of frontline workers CenterPoint can call upon to support emergency responses by up to 20 times its normal workforce.
  • Improved the damage assessment process with faster damage identification and power restoration.
  • Enhanced real-time weather monitoring with 150 new advanced weather stations.

Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI): Strengthening the grid

Since launching GHRI in 2024, CenterPoint has made a series of critical infrastructure investments to strengthen the grid to better withstand more extreme weather and improve day-to-day reliability for its customers. These ongoing actions, as part of GHRI, have included:

  • Installing 65,000+ stronger, more storm-resilient poles;
  • Clearing 10,000+ miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines;
  • Undergrounding 500+ miles of power lines; and
  • Installing 600+ automation devices capable of self-healing.

Throughout 2026, CenterPoint will continue to make additional investments to further strengthen system resiliency and emergency preparedness. These combined resiliency actions will prevent CenterPoint customers from experiencing 150 million fewer outage minutes by the end of 2026.

To learn more about CenterPoint's preparedness actions and critical resiliency improvements across Greater Houston, visit: www.CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.


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. ​

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Energy efficiency improvements at Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility help save money, while reducing energy use and emissions

​Images are available here

MINNEAPOLIS – May 13, 2026 – The Metropolitan Council Environmental Services, in collaboration with CenterPoint Energy and Synagro, has completed a major energy efficiency project at the Blue Lake Water Resource Recovery Facility in Shakopee. The project incorporates more renewable biogas into plant operations and earned the Metropolitan Council a rebate of $152,690 through CenterPoint's energy efficiency programs.

As designed, this project, identified by Synagro, is expected to save energy equivalent to the annual emissions generated by 225 Minnesota homes and achieve approximately $162,000 in energy cost savings per year.

“We work to connect our customers with energy efficiency projects to help them save money, energy, and reduce emissions attributed to their energy use," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President of Minnesota Gas. “The Blue Lake custom biogas project represents the possibilities that exist for achieving emissions reductions through strategic collaboration and commitment to creative innovation for the benefit of our shared customers and communities throughout Minnesota.

For wastewater treatment, solids are processed into fertilizer pellets through a drying system that also produces biogas, a renewable fuel that can be leveraged for operations. These energy efficiency improvements allow the facility to safely use biogas to reduce emissions. 

"Millions of gallons of wastewater flow to our facilities daily, carrying an enormous, untapped energy resource — and we're unlocking it," said Leisa Thompson, General Manager, Metropolitan Council Environmental Services. "From raw wastewater heat to stored energy in biosolids, this project transforms how we think about treatment. We aren't just cleaning water; we're turning treatment facilities into energy generators — reducing our operational region's reliance on natural gas and building a more sustainable future."

Blue Lake, the second-largest Metropolitan Council water resource recovery facility and the third largest in Minnesota, treats an average of 27 million gallons of wastewater each day, helping protect public health and the environment.

“This energy-efficiency project has been a true collaborative effort between Synagro, the Metropolitan Council Environmental Services and CenterPoint, providing sustainable benefits for our customer and the community," said Nick Davern, Senior Plant Manager, Synagro Technologies, Inc.

Customer participation in CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs has reduced emissions by nearly 18.8 million metric tons over the last 32 years and saved customers approximately $2.6 billion. To learn more about CenterPoint's Minnesota energy efficiency programs, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.


Approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no impacts during overnight thunderstorms as crews responded safely and quickly to address localized impacts to system

Since 1 a.m., CenterPoint frontline workers and contractors have restored approximately 60,000 customers

As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 of CenterPoint's customers are without power

Less than 1% of CenterPoint customers impacted at any one time since storms began at 1 a.m.

HOUSTON – May 11, 2026 – During the overnight thunderstorms, approximately 97.5% of CenterPoint Energy customers experienced no service interruptions. Where there were localized impacts to service as a result of the overnight storms, crews continue to make steady progress in the field responding to isolated outages. Across the Greater Houston area, weather impacts included pockets of frequent lightning, wind gusts up to 45 mph and scattered rainfall. The company's frontline crews and contractors were pre-positioned ahead of weather and began responding to outages as soon as it was safe to do so, and they will continue working safely and quickly until every customer is restored. 

CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center remains activated as crews continue supporting restoration efforts this morning.

Scattered thunderstorms began impacting parts of the Greater Houston area overnight, with the strongest activity taking place between 2 and 3 a.m. Since 1 a.m., across CenterPoint's 150 weather station network, peak rain totals between 1 - 2" and wind gusts up to 45 mph have been observed. Crews continue restoring customers experiencing outages in the areas most impacted, including northern parts of the company's electric service territory in Montgomery County and the Cypress, Spring Branch and Greenspoint areas of Harris County.

At the peak of this morning's storm activity around 2:30 a.m., less than one percent (approximately 28,600) of customers were without service at any one time. About 2.5% of CenterPoint's 2.9 million customers have experienced service interruptions since 1 a.m., with over 60,000 of those customers restored as of 4:45 a.m. The average restoration time per outage is approximately 26 minutes. As of 4:45 a.m., approximately 14,500 are currently without power — approximately half of one percent of CenterPoint's customers.

“Our CenterPoint teams worked through the night to restore power safely and as quickly as possible to customers affected by isolated and localized outages," said John Cornelius, CenterPoint's Vice President of Distribution Operations and Incident Commander. “Our crews were staged and ready to go, responding safely throughout the storms overnight. We're grateful to our customers for their patience as we work through the final stretches of the storm front and our focused efforts to restore the remaining outages."

What customers should do:

  • Sign up for Power Alert Service®: Get outage updates and restoration times.
  • Track outages: Bookmark the Outage Tracker (available in English & Spanish and mobile-friendly) to see outage information in your area.
  • Stay safe: Visit Ready.gov for storm safety tips.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio and Texas. As of March 31, 2026, the company owned approximately $47.8 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

CenterPoint Energy provides new option for in-person customer service and bill payment with Customer Connect pilot

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – May 11, 2026 – CenterPoint Energy today announced the launch of a new weekly in-person customer service and payment option at the CenterPoint Energy Plaza in Downtown Evansville. Through the Customer Connect pilot, southwestern Indiana customers can now walk in, pay a bill in person and sit down with a customer service representative for personalized assistance, answers to questions and help resolving any account issues. The Customer Connect pilot is part of the company's expanding Community Connect program.

“Listening to our customers and addressing their feedback, we are excited to offer this new pilot which allows us to continue engaging with our customers while increasing accessibility to resources and account support," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. “We remain committed to transparency and developing new ways to help customers based on their feedback. This new tool is yet another way to connect with customers and provides them with the ability to make a payment and talk through their account with a real person. It's a standing invitation to walk in, sit down and get the support they need."

What customers can do at Customer Connect
Customers can now pay in person at CenterPoint Energy Plaza, located at 211 NW Riverside Drive in Downtown Evansville, every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. No appointment is needed.

CenterPoint customer service representatives are available to help customers with a full range of account needs, including:

  • Making a payment in person
  • Getting answers to billing-related questions
  • Managing Budget Bill enrollment, which will be known as Levelized Billing starting July 1
  • Setting up flexible payment options
  • Learning about additional resources to save energy and manage bills

The next Customer Connect will be held on Wednesday, May 13. Customers can pay by checking or savings account, credit card, debit card or Apple Pay. Cash is not accepted. CenterPoint will continuously evaluate this new pilot program for the next several weeks.

Building on Community Connect
Customer Connect is the newest addition to CenterPoint's Community Connect program, which has expanded from five events in fall 2025 to a year-round schedule of more than 30 community touchpoints planned for 2026. Community Connect events bring CenterPoint teams into neighborhoods, workplaces and community spaces across southwestern Indiana to connect with customers face-to-face. Customer Connect brings that same commitment to the Plaza on a weekly, recurring basis. CenterPoint is also the first Indiana utility to bring back regular walk-in service back to customers. Additional in-person offerings may be added based on customer interest and feedback from the pilot.
 
Ongoing commitment to affordability and customer experience
Customer Connect joins a series of actions CenterPoint has taken over the past six months to prioritize affordability and expand support for southwestern Indiana customers. In October 2025, CenterPoint launched its initial series of Community Affordability Actions, including a commitment to keeping electric rates stable through 2027 and the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund. Since then, the company has introduced additional bill management tools, expanded customer support programs and implemented additional protections such as annual late-fee waivers upon request, reduced reconnection fees and safeguards for medically vulnerable customers as part of the Indiana Electric rate case settlement.

For more information about Customer Connect, including hours of operation and the Community Connect event schedule, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/CommunityConnect.