CenterPoint Energy Inc.

04/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 16:06

CenterPoint Energy activates its Emergency Operations Center as teams continue to monitor forecasts and prepare to respond to potential severe weather across the Greater[...]

Strong thunderstorms with potential for heavy rain, isolated flooding and strong winds forecasted to impact Greater Houston area throughout Friday; More than 1,300 personnel ready to respond and support potential restoration efforts
2026-04-30T05:00:00Z

​HOUSTON - April 30, 2026 - With the potential for severe weather - including thunderstorms, locally heavy rain, isolated flooding, hail and strong winds up to 40 - 50+ mph - to impact the Greater Houston area on Friday, CenterPoint Energy has proactively activated its Emergency Operations Center. More than 1,300 frontline employees and contractors are prepared to respond, as the company continues to closely monitor forecasts, coordinate with emergency management partners and position resources to support safe and timely response to any potential impacts to electric and natural gas service.​

"We've been actively monitoring the weather models all week and are prepared to respond to potential impacts to our system," said Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint's Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery. "We have activated our Emergency Operations Center and will continue tracking forecasts throughout the evening and Friday as storms make their way across the Greater Houston area. If any outages from weather occur, our crews will be ready to respond as soon as it's safe to do so. We urge customers to stay aware of evolving weather conditions and have a plan to stay safe." ​

Prepared for Severe Weather: Key Actions
As part of its storm preparedness efforts, CenterPoint is taking the following actions:

  • Readying the company's workforce and resources: Preparing more than 1,300 personnel to support potential restoration efforts.
  • Activating Emergency Operations Center: To coordinate storm response efforts, the company has proactively activated its Emergency Operations Center.
  • Monitoring severe weather 24/7: The Meteorology team continues to track weather forecast developments, and the company is updating response efforts as conditions evolve.
  • Coordinating with local officials: CenterPoint is reaching out to local officials and emergency management partners to provide updates on continued preparedness efforts.

"Keeping our customers informed is a top priority, especially during severe weather," said Jesus Soto Jr., CenterPoint Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "If outages from weather occur, our Outage Tracker is the best way to stay updated with real-time information, including estimated restoration times. We're committed to open communication and working safely and quickly to restore service."

What customers should do:

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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CenterPoint Energy monitoring conditions and prepared to respond to potential severe weather across the Greater Houston area

​HOUSTON - April 29, 2026 - CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring and preparing for an incoming line of potentially severe thunderstorms forecasted to impact the Greater Houston area Friday afternoon and evening, bringing chances for heavy rain, flooding, hail and strong winds with gusts up to 40 - 50+ mph to the company's service territory. CenterPoint's workforce is prepared to respond to any impacts to electric service, and the company continues to communicate and coordinate with local government officials ahead of Friday's forecast.

"Our Emergency Preparedness and Response team is monitoring the potential for scattered storms to impact the Greater Houston area ahead of forecasted severe thunderstorms coming our way toward the end of the week," said Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint's Vice President of Resiliency and Capital Delivery. "We have activated our storm preparedness plans and crews stand ready to respond to any service impacts for our customers. We will continue to actively monitor for any severe weather and urge our customers to stay alert in anticipation of quickly changing weather conditions."

Prepared for Severe Weather: Key Actions
As part of its storm preparedness efforts, CenterPoint is taking the following actions:

  • Readying the company's workforce and resources: Preparing personnel to support potential restoration efforts.
  • Monitoring severe weather 24/7: The Meteorology team continues to track weather forecast developments, and the company is updating response efforts as conditions evolve.
  • Coordinating with local officials: CenterPoint is reaching out to local officials and emergency management partners to provide updates on continued preparedness efforts.

What customers should do:

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's Optimize for Growth program now accepting applications to fund efficiency upgrades for southwestern Indiana small manufacturers and industrial businesses

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. - April 28, 2026 - The CenterPoint Energy Foundation today opened applications for Optimize for Growth, a new program that will help small industrial businesses across southwestern Indiana make improvements to their facilities to increase efficiency and reduce energy waste.

Through the program's application and review process, eligible businesses can receive up to $25,000 in matching grant funding to complete upgrades that help reduce energy waste and improve building performance. Applications will be accepted through May 15.

"Small manufacturers, processors and fabricators are the companies that strengthen our regional economy and create opportunity in southwestern Indiana. Optimize for Growth is designed to help these businesses make the kind of facility improvements that reduce energy costs and help them reinvest in their operations and their workforce," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.

Program details, eligibility and the application are available at CenterPointEnergy.com/Optimize. As businesses review eligibility and prepare to apply, they can also schedule an energy assessment through CenterPoint's Commercial Energy Efficiency resources to help identify improvement opportunities and review available rebate options.

Continued investment in southwestern Indiana
Optimize for Growth is part of the Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, which launched in October 2025 to support energy efficiency, weatherization and cost-saving programs across southwestern Indiana. The Fund is supported by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates.

The Community Energy Improvement Fund's first initiative, the Home Repair & Care program, launched in January in partnership with Community One, with 50 households currently receiving repairs and more on the way. The Fund's second program, Optimize for Local, received applications from locally owned restaurants and retailers through April 17. Applications for the Fund's next program, Optimize for Good, which will support local nonprofits, are expected to open later this spring.

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. 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.

Residential customers looking for ways to manage energy costs can explore Energy Efficiency programs, bill assistance and other resources at CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.

CenterPoint Energy urges customers in need to take advantage of utility assistance, energy efficiency programs and resources to help with monthly heating bills

MINNEAPOLIS - April 28, 2026 - As Minnesota's Cold Weather Rule protection ends for the winter heating season, CenterPoint Energy is encouraging customers who may be facing challenges paying their monthly natural gas bill to reach out and explore available help. The Cold Weather Rule helps protect eligible customers from utility disconnection between Oct. 1 and April 30 when they make and maintain a payment plan.

If residential customers are facing challenges paying their monthly natural gas bill, CenterPoint encourages them to call the company as soon as possible to discuss payment options and available resources. CenterPoint works with customers on payment plans that reflect their current financial situation and special circumstances.

Payment assistance is also available for Minnesotans' heating bills on a first-come, first-served basis while funds remain through Minnesota's Energy Assistance Program. Administered by the Minnesota Department of Commerce, this program helps income qualified households to cover heating costs. Both renters and homeowners can qualify with eligibility based on income and household size.

Customers can call CenterPoint at 800-245-2377 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub to learn more.

Tools to help customers manage their monthly energy bills

Customers can sign up for Average Monthly Billing, which spreads energy costs more evenly throughout the year to help manage periods of peak usage, such as the winter heating season. Enrollment is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/MyAccount or by calling 800-245-2377.​

The company also offers its free My Energy Analyzer tool to aid customers in better understanding household energy use and where energy dollars are being spent. Using this tool, customers can identify ways to reduce energy waste and save on their monthly natural gas bills.

Programs to help customers save energy and money at home

CenterPoint offers energy efficiency programs for residential customers, including both homeowners and renters, that can help lower their monthly energy use and costs. For customers who qualify, programs may be available at no cost or a reduced rate.

  • Home energy assessments through Home Energy Squad®, which offers a personalized energy savings plan and connections to qualified contractors and rebates.
  • Rebates of up to $3,000 for air sealing and insulation upgrades completed by a qualified contractor.
  • Rebates to upgrade to more energy efficient equipment and appliances such as furnaces, boilers, water heaters and air source heat pumps.
  • Through CenterPoint's Energy Efficiency Shop, customers can access free and highly discounted energy efficiency products, such as smart thermostats, weatherization products and more

More information about energy efficiency programs and rebates is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.

CenterPoint Energy teams monitoring severe storms forecasted for southwestern Indiana and preparing for potential impacts

​EVANSVILLE, Ind. - April 24, 2026 - CenterPoint Energy is monitoring forecasts for potentially severe thunderstorms across the region and preparing for potential impacts as storms are expected to move through southwestern Indiana on the evening of Monday, April 27. According to the National Weather Service, strong, damaging winds are possible.

The company is preparing crews and equipment across its service territory to respond safely and quickly if needed. CenterPoint is also coordinating with government officials on storm readiness and sharing safety and preparedness information directly with customers.

"Our Emergency Preparedness and Response team has been monitoring the potential for severe storms and our teams are fully prepared and stand ready to respond," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana. "We encourage our customers to stay alert in anticipation of changing weather conditions and take steps now to prepare."

CenterPoint encourages customers to prepare for severe weather:

  • Sign up for Power Alert Service®: Get outage updates and restoration times.
  • Trac​k outages: Bookmark 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.

Follow us: Real-time updates will be available on X, Facebook and at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.​

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In celebration of Earth Day, CenterPoint Energy highlights efforts to create more sustainable communities across the four states it's privileged to serve

​ALL REGIONS - April 22, 2026 - In honor of Earth Day, CenterPoint Energy is highlighting the impact of its environmental and community investments across the four states it serves. Through local community partnerships, employee volunteerism and charitable giving, the company and its employees are helping protect natural spaces, expand access to parks and support environmental education.

In 2025, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation awarded more than $1.5 million in environment-related grants to nonprofits across its four states. As part of its giving, the CenterPoint Energy Foundation invests in nonprofit organizations focusing on preserving communities for future generations as well as initiatives to improve and expand access to parks and green spaces. Grants have enabled nearly 150,000 acres of land to be preserved and created access to environmental education, reaching more than two million students and adults.

"At CenterPoint Energy, we're working to build communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, today and into the future. On Earth Day and throughout the year, we're committed to supporting the communities where we work and call home through Foundation investments that create more sustainable towns and neighborhoods," said Alicia Dixon, CenterPoint's Director of Community Relations. By investing in preservation, parks and green spaces, we're proud to enhance neighborhood beautification efforts, preserve land for future generations and expand access to outdoor spaces that bring our neighbors together."

CenterPoint Energy's community focused environmental efforts include:

  • Planting trees where communities live and grow. In 2025 alone, more than 60,000 seedlings were distributed through the Right Tree Right Place and Energy Saving Trees programs. Over the past decade, investments in community initiatives with Trees for Houston, Tree Trust, Keep Evansville Beautiful and other nonprofit organizations have supported the planting of nearly 300,000 trees to benefit local communities.
  • Protecting open spaces and wildlife habitats. Through Foundation grants starting in 2020, nearly 150,000 acres of land have been preserved across the four-state service area to help protect natural habitats and keep green spaces available for communities.
  • Enabling access to environmental education. Support for environmental education programs has reached more than two million students and adults, helping curate learning and long-term environmental stewards.

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

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 December 31, 2025, the company owned approximately $46.5 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.

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. ​

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CenterPoint Energy Inc. published this content on April 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 30, 2026 at 22:06 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]