History of CenterPoint Energy in Timeline

CenterPoint Energy is an American utility company headquartered in Houston, Texas, providing electric and natural gas services to customers across multiple states, including Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Texas. A Fortune 500 company, it has a history of operating under several different names, including Reliant Energy, NorAm Energy, Houston Industries, and HL&P. Its headquarters are located in the CenterPoint Energy Tower in Downtown Houston.

2003: HL&P split into Reliant Energy, Texas Genco, and CenterPoint Energy

In 2003, Houston Lighting & Power (HL&P) was split into three separate entities: Reliant Energy, Texas Genco, and CenterPoint Energy.

December 15, 2004: CenterPoint Energy markets operated under various names

Until December 15, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated in various markets under different names, both before Reliant Energy and in conjunction with the Reliant Energy and CenterPoint Energy names.

2004: CenterPoint Energy to restate finances

In 2004, CenterPoint Energy Inc. made accounting errors that overstated revenue and natural gas expenses, leading to a restatement of finances.

2004: Private equity firms purchase Texas Genco from Centerpoint

In late 2004, four private equity firms—the Texas Pacific Group, the Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Hellman & Friedman—combined forces to purchase Texas Genco from Centerpoint.

December 16, 2005: CenterPoint Energy to restate finances

On December 16, 2005, CenterPoint Energy Inc. announced that it would restate its finances for 2004 and the first three quarters of 2005 to correct accounting errors that overstated revenue and natural gas expenses.

2006: Texas Genco sold to NRG Energy

In 2006, Texas Genco was sold to NRG Energy of Princeton, N.J.

September 2008: Hurricane Ike causes major power disruption

In September 2008, Hurricane Ike caused significant service disruption in the Greater Houston Area, leaving 2.1 million of CenterPoint's 2.26 million clients without electricity.

2008: Public Campaign criticizes CenterPoint Energy for not paying taxes

In 2008, Public Campaign criticized CenterPoint Energy for not paying any taxes.

March 2009: Smart meter deployment begins

In March 2009, CenterPoint Energy's five-year smart meter deployment began, delivering enhanced smart meter functionality to Retail Electric Providers (REPs). The company also worked with the Department of Energy for a pilot program in Texas centered on energy consumption. Smart meters helped reduce energy consumption for the home.

2010: CenterPoint Energy partners with Ford Motor Company

In 2010, CenterPoint Energy and Ford Motor Company formed a partnership to promote the adoption of electric vehicles. The two companies worked together to create electric vehicle consumer outreach and education programs, addressing charging needs and ensuring the electrical infrastructure could support the necessary demand. Their collaboration included strategies to minimize emissions and distribution impacts by using renewable energy resources.

2010: Public Campaign criticizes CenterPoint Energy for not paying taxes

In 2010, Public Campaign criticized CenterPoint Energy for not paying any taxes.

December 2011: Public Campaign criticizes CenterPoint Energy

In December 2011, the non-partisan organization Public Campaign criticized CenterPoint Energy for spending $2.65 million on lobbying and not paying any taxes during 2008–2010, instead getting $284 million in tax rebates, despite making a profit of $1.9 billion.

April 23, 2018: CenterPoint Energy and Vectren Corporation announce merger agreement

On April 23, 2018, CenterPoint Energy and Vectren Corporation announced they had entered into a definitive merger agreement, with CenterPoint being the emerging head company.

February 1, 2019: CenterPoint Energy merger with Vectren Corporation is completed

On February 1, 2019, the merger between CenterPoint Energy and Vectren Corporation was completed, and Vectren was delisted from the NYSE.

February 15, 2021: ERCOT declares statewide power generation shortfall emergency

On February 15, 2021, due to a major cold-weather event in Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) declared a statewide power generation shortfall emergency. This caused widespread blackouts in the Greater Houston area. CenterPoint Energy started controlled, rotating outages and advised customers to lower their thermostat settings to conserve natural gas.

May 3, 2021: CenterPoint Energy retires the Vectren name

On May 3, 2021, CenterPoint Energy retired the Vectren name for Vectren's service territory.

July 8, 2024: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall

On July 8, 2024, Category 1 Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, leaving 2.2 million CenterPoint customers without power. This was the largest number of customers without power in the company's and state's history.

July 10, 2024: Graffiti mural pops up, TxDOT removes it

On July 10, 2024, a graffiti mural with the name "CenterPointle$$" appeared on an I-10 West underpass. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) later removed the graffiti mural.