CenterPoint Energy Inc.
06/25/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/25/2026 10:01
CenterPoint Energy Foundation awards grants to support veteran resilience in celebration of the United States of America’s 250th anniversary
2026-06-25T05:00:00Z
Grants awarded to 37 Texas 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
HOUSTON- 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 37 veteran serving nonprofit organizations in Texas. 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 Texas nonprofit organizations have been awarded grants from the Foundation:
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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.
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CenterPoint Energy Continues Historic Pace of Progress Strengthening Resiliency and Reliability for Greater Houston Area
More than 69,000 storm-resilient poles installed as part of Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative to help prevent 150 million customer outage minutes by the end of 2026
HOUSTON - June 24, 2026 - Today, CenterPoint Energy announced historic progress toward its 2026 Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) goal to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country. GHRI improvements, which have included installing storm-resilient poles, clearing higher-risk vegetation and undergrounding power lines, contribute to year-round storm preparedness and by the end of 2026 will help prevent 150 million customer outage minutes across the Greater Houston Area.
"Building a more resilient and reliable energy future is a priority for our customers and CenterPoint. To date, we've made historic progress toward upgrading the Houston grid, and as part of our effort to keeping our customers informed, we will also be holding a series of Community Connects throughout the coming weeks to answer our customers' questions about GHRI and share updates on the important resiliency work being done in their community," said Nathan Brownell, CenterPoint's Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery.
GHRI Progress to Date: Key Resiliency Actions & Goals
CenterPoint has undertaken a series of actions to improve reliability for its customers and made historic progress since launching GHRI in August 2024, including:
- Installing 69,000+ storm-resilient poles to better withstand extreme weather
- Clearing 11,500+ miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines to reduce storm-related outages
- Undergrounding 600+ miles of power lines to strengthen overall resiliency
- Installing 650+ automation devices capable of self-healing to improve restoration times
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Installing 150+ advanced weather stations to enhance situational awareness and storm preparation
Connecting with Our Communities
To help keep customers informed of the scope and nature of GHRI work taking place across Greater Houston, CenterPoint is encouraging customers to visit its Community Progress Tracker map. The Community Progress Tracker map provides customers with updates on the important resiliency upgrades being made in their neighborhood.
As part of a larger commitment to help keep customers informed, CenterPoint will also be hosting 13 Community Connects to provide in-person opportunities for customers, community members and local leaders to meet with company experts. During each Community Connect, beginning on June 23rd and running through August 4th, customers and their local neighbors will be able to learn more about the company's ongoing reliability, resiliency and communications improvements, as well as efforts taken to prepare for the 2026 hurricane season.
For a list of Community Connects planned across Greater Houston, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/HoustonCommunityConnects.
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
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - June 17, 2026 - CenterPoint Energy is closely monitoring National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts and taking a series of actions to prepare for potential hazardous weather, including thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts up to 55 miles per hour, in southwestern Indiana overnight. Among the key actions CenterPoint is taking include preparing crews and equipment, monitoring weather forecasts, coordinating preparations with local officials and communicating critical safety and preparedness information to its approximately 154,000 electric customers across southwestern Indiana.
"Our southwestern Indiana CenterPoint team is taking actions to prepare ahead of today's forecasted severe weather and we are ready to respond and restore power safely and as quickly as possible for any customers who may experience outages. We will continue 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
As of 2 p.m., the most recent National Weather Service forecast includes damaging winds and scattered thunderstorms that may be strong enough to result in downed power lines and outages. To prepare, CenterPoint is taking the following readiness actions:
- Mobilizing Crews and Equipment: Preparing workers and equipment across southwestern Indiana to support restoration efforts for impacted customers.
- 24/7 Weather Monitoring: Monitoring weather forecast developments around the clock and adjusting response efforts as conditions evolve.
- Coordinating with Local Officials: Providing consistent updates on preparedness actions to federal, state, county and city officials.
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Keeping Customers Informed: Providing updates directly to customers via email, phone, text or other channels to keep customers informed and prepared.
Important Safety Reminders
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.
- If the smell of natural gas (rotten egg odor) is present, leave the area immediately and call 911 and CenterPoint from a safe location.
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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.
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.
For additional safety tips, customer resources and important updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter and follow CenterPoint on social media.
Southwestern Indiana small businesses receive Optimize for Local grants from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - June 16, 2026 - The CenterPoint Energy Foundation today announced the recipients of its Optimize for Local grants to nine small business customers - independently owned restaurants and retailers across southwestern Indiana - to make energy efficiency improvements to their facilities.
Each business was awarded up to $25,000 in matching grant funding to complete upgrades that reduce energy waste and improve building performance. Funded projects focus on critical facility improvements, including HVAC replacement, refrigeration upgrades and building efficiency enhancements that address aging infrastructure directly affecting day-to-day operations.
"All of us at CenterPoint Energy are committed to prioritizing affordability and supporting the local small businesses at the heart of our communities. These grants are designed to empower local restaurants and retailers to make critical upgrades that improve energy efficiency, lower usage and reinvest the savings into the work they continue to do for our communities each and every day," said Mike Roeder, President of CenterPoint Energy Indiana.
The Optimize for Local grant recipients and their funded projects are:
- Gehlhausen - installing new HVAC and blower systems, and making lighting and electrical upgrades
- Haynie's Corner Mart - installing a new air conditioning unit and cooler, improved lighting and added insulation
- Honey Moon Coffee Co. - installing a new heating and cooling system and new refrigeration
- La Campirana - replacing six aging refrigerators and six freezers with a single energy-efficient walk-in cooler and freezer an installing new refrigeration and lighting
- The Old Mill - installing two new heating and cooling units for the back dining room
- The Peephole Bar & Grill - installing a new heating and cooling system, windows and insulation
- River City Coffee & Goods - installing two new heating and cooling systems
- Sandy's Pizza - installing new energy-efficient ovens and a new heating and cooling system
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The Vineyard - installing four new heating and cooling units
For Sandy's Pizza, the grant funding will help replace two of the most essential pieces of equipment in the business.
"The oven is the most important piece of equipment we have and replacing it along with our 25-year-old air conditioning is a big investment for a small business like ours," said Dan Bittner, owner of Sandy's Pizza. "In the summer it gets so hot in the kitchen that it's hard to keep employees, and that heat rolls right out into the dining room. This grant is helping us put in a more efficient oven and cooling system. We're even talking about rolling out ice cream now, and with the new equipment, it might actually make it to the table before it melts."
Commitment to Affordability
CenterPoint Energy Foundation's $5 million Community Energy Improvement Fund, which is supported by shareholders and has no impact on customer rates, is one of CenterPoint's broader Community Affordability Actions, a series of steps taken since October 2025 to support southwestern Indiana customers.
As part of this affordability initiative, CenterPoint has also introduced new bill management and cost-savings 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.
For more ways to save energy and costs customers can go to CenterPointEnergy.com/ResourceHub.
Readiness Update: CenterPoint Energy Continues to Prepare for Tropical Disturbance and Additional Potential Flooding across Greater Houston Area
National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues Tropical Storm Watch for parts of Galveston, Brazoria and Chambers counties
Preparedness actions include mobilizing 2,600 personnel, proactively activating CenterPoint's Emergency Operations Center and coordinating with local and state emergency agencies and partners
HOUSTON - June 16, 2026 - CenterPoint Energy continues to take a series of preparedness actions to respond to potential tropical disturbance weather, including thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and the risk of flash flooding. Among the critical actions taken, as of 5 p.m. today, include the activation of its Emergency Operations Center, mobilizing 2,600 personnel to respond to storm-related outages and continuing to closely coordinate with local and state emergency management partners.
"Our entire team remains focused on preparing for and responding to potential impacts from this ongoing storm system and working closely with our local and state emergency partners on any response. With impacts from Potential Tropical Cyclone One anticipated through early Thursday, everyone in the Greater Houston area - whether you live or work here or are visiting our great city - should continue to take the necessary steps to stay safe during this period of stormy weather. We remain ready to respond to any storm-related outages and restore power safely and as quickly as possible," said Jason Fabre, CenterPoint's Vice President of Special Response and Incident Commander.
Preparing for and Responding to Severe Weather-Related Impacts: Key Actions
As part of its storm preparedness efforts, CenterPoint is taking the following actions as of 5 p.m.:
- Activated Emergency Operations Center: To coordinate storm response efforts, CenterPoint proactively activated its 24/7 Emergency Operations Center.
- Mobilized Frontline Electric Workers and Resources: 2,600 personnel workers are mobilized to respond and restore power to impacted customers.
- Increased Customer Call Center Staffing: To support customers and minimize wait times, CenterPoint has increased staffing of customer service representatives at call centers with additional resources on standby and current wait times of less than one minute.
- Coordinating with Emergency Partners and Officials: CenterPoint is continuing to coordinate its response closely with the State of Texas, City of Houston, local counties and FIFA officials to provide updates on ongoing response actions and potential impacts to the World Cup match on Wednesday.
- Communicating Proactively with Customers: Providing safety and preparedness information directly with customers across social media platforms and multiple other channels.
Important Safety Reminders
As part of its response efforts, CenterPoint will continue using its communications channels to share a series of critical safety reminders, including:
- Stay aware of local weather conditions and forecasts, be alert for flash flood risks and avoid standing water.
- Stay at least 35 ft. away from any downed power lines and always assume they are still energized and dangerous.
- Do not touch anything in contact with a downed wire, such as fences, branches or standing water.
- If a natural gas meter or gas appliances have been submerged by flood waters, do not attempt to operate or relight them until they have been inspected by qualified personnel.
- If the smell of natural gas (rotten egg odor) is present, leave the area immediately and call 911 and CenterPoint from a safe location.
- Keep roads clear for emergency vehicles; 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.
Emergency Communications: Sign Up for Power Alert Service®
To help prepare for the impact of severe 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
CenterPoint urges the public to put their safety first and prepare in advance for severe weather by having a safety plan ready, especially for those who rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment or medical needs. Customers can find safety tips to help them prepare at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
For the latest updates, follow CenterPoint on social media and 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 Preparing to Respond to Weather-related Impacts Across Greater Houston
Preparedness actions underway to pre-stage crews and resources to support potential restoration efforts
National Weather Service forecasting heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds and localized flooding through early Wednesday
HOUSTON - June 15, 2026 - CenterPoint Energy is actively monitoring weather conditions and preparing to respond to impacts from potentially heavy rainfall and potential for some flooding expected to impact the Greater Houston area later today through early Friday. As of 7 a.m. today, the National Weather Service forecasts two to five inches of rain, with isolated totals of six to eight inches through midweek. The actions CenterPoint is taking to prepare include pre-positioning its frontline workforce and resources to respond to and resolve any potential impacts on its customers' electric service safely and as quickly as possible.
"Our CenterPoint team is taking action to support our customers ahead of expected rain and storms, including continuing to monitor conditions and staging crews and equipment to restore power safely and as quickly as possible," said Jason Fabre, CenterPoint's Vice President of Special Response and Incident Commander. "We encourage all of our customers across the Greater Houston area to prepare and stay safe in anticipation of quickly changing weather conditions."
Preparing for Extreme Weather: Key Actions
As part of its storm preparedness efforts, CenterPoint is taking the following actions:
- Pre-staging crews and resources: Positioning frontline workers, contractors and equipment to quickly 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.
- Keeping customers informed: Providing safety and preparedness information directly to customers via email, phone and text, across social media platforms and other channels.
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Coordinating with local officials: Providing regular updates to local officials and emergency management partners on continued preparedness efforts.
Emergency Communications: Sign Up for Power Alert Service®
To help prepare for the impact of the severe 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
CenterPoint urges the public to put their safety first and prepare in advance for extreme weather by having a safety plan ready, especially for those who rely on electricity for life-sustaining equipment or medical needs. Customers can find safety tips to help them prepare at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
For the latest updates, follow CenterPoint on social media and 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.
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CenterPoint Energy Inc. published this content on June 25, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 25, 2026 at 16:01 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]