04/29/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/29/2026 16:22
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:
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.
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.
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.
More information about energy efficiency programs and rebates is available at CenterPointEnergy.com/SaveEnergy.
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:
Follow us: Real-time updates will be available on X, Facebook and at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.
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:
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.
B-roll of CenterPoint's Minnesota crews at work: https://cnplibrary.canto.com/b/GDEQL
MINNEAPOLIS - April 21, 2026 - With warmer temperatures arriving in Minnesota, construction activities will be increasing across the state. CenterPoint Energy's crews and contractors will be working in many communities this year, and the company encourages customers and the public to stay alert and use caution around work zones to help keep themselves and their fellow Minnesotans safe.
In 2025, CenterPoint achieved the following construction milestones to enhance safety and reliability for Minnesota customers and communities:
This year's construction activities will continue to focus on enhancing the safety and reliability of the company's natural gas system, especially during winter's coldest days. Additionally, CenterPoint replaces and relocates its infrastructure to enable projects completed by government agencies such as constructing roads, bridges, drainage and other infrastructure.
"Our top priority is keeping our workers, customers and Minnesota neighbors safe as this important natural gas upgrade work is completed to benefit our local communities," said Brad Steber, CenterPoint's Vice President, Minnesota Gas. "As construction activity ramps up, people may see crews, equipment and construction traffic in their neighborhoods and on local roads. Slowing down, staying aware and following posted signs helps protect everyone as these important safety and reliability projects are conducted."
This year's construction activities are expected to continue through fall, weather permitting. CenterPoint works to notify customers before construction projects through channels such as direct mail, email and social media.
To learn more about specific construction projects and to sign up for email updates, visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Construction.
Staying safe near construction areas
CenterPoint encourages everyone to follow these safety tips when driving, cycling or walking near construction zones:
Call before you dig
Anyone planning a project that requires digging should contact 811 at least three business days prior to their work starting to have underground utilities located at no cost. CenterPoint reminds customers that this includes projects done by themselves or their contractors, including building a fence, planting trees, installing a deck, placing a mailbox or laying a patio.
Copyright © 2026 CenterPoint Energy - Energy for what matters most™
Use of this site constitutes agreement to our Online Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.
En EspañolCopyright © 2026 CenterPoint Energy - Energy for what matters most™
Use of this site constitutes agreement to our Online Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.