History of CenterPoint Energy in Timeline

CenterPoint Energy, based in Houston, Texas, is a Fortune 500 utility company providing electric and natural gas services to customers in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Texas. Formerly known as Reliant Energy, NorAm Energy, Houston Industries, and HL&P, the company is headquartered 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 companies: Reliant Energy, Texas Genco, and CenterPoint Energy, following the deregulation of the electricity market in Texas.

December 15, 2004: CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated under various names

Until December 15, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated in its various markets under different names, used separately before Reliant Energy, and later with Reliant Energy and CenterPoint Energy names.

2004: CenterPoint Energy financial restatement

In 2004, CenterPoint Energy overstated revenue and natural gas expenses due to accounting errors, leading to a financial restatement announced in December 2005.

2004: Private equity firms purchase Texas Genco from CenterPoint

In late 2004, Texas Pacific Group, the Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Hellman & Friedman, four private equity firms, jointly purchased Texas Genco from Centerpoint Energy.

December 16, 2005: CenterPoint Energy to restate finances

On December 16, 2005, CenterPoint Energy Inc. announced 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 disruption of service

In September 2008, Hurricane Ike caused significant disruption of service in the Greater Houston Area, resulting in 2.1 million of CenterPoint's 2.26 million clients losing electricity.

2008: CenterPoint Energy lobbying and tax rebates

In 2008, CenterPoint Energy was reported to have spent money on lobbying and not paying taxes, while receiving tax rebates, despite making a profit.

March 2009: Smart meter deployment begins

In March 2009, CenterPoint Energy's five-year smart meter deployment began, enhancing smart meter functionality for Retail Electric Providers (REPs).

2010: Partnership with Ford Motor Company

In 2010, CenterPoint Energy and Ford Motor Company formed a partnership to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, create consumer outreach and education programs, and address charging needs.

2010: CenterPoint Energy lobbying and tax rebates

In 2010, CenterPoint Energy was reported to have spent money on lobbying and not paying taxes, while receiving tax rebates, despite making a profit.

December 2011: Public Campaign criticizes CenterPoint Energy

In December 2011, Public Campaign criticized CenterPoint Energy for spending $2.65 million on lobbying and not paying any taxes during 2008–2010, while receiving $284 million in tax rebates, despite making a profit of $1.9 billion and paying its top five executives between $12 and $13 million.

April 23, 2018: CenterPoint Energy and Vectren Corporation announced 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 and Vectren Corporation merger completed

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

February 15, 2021: ERCOT declares power generation shortfall emergency

On February 15, 2021, due to a cold-weather event, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) declared a statewide power generation shortfall emergency. CenterPoint Energy started controlled, rotating outages in the Greater Houston area, initially expected to last 10 to 45 minutes but later extended, with customers advised to conserve natural gas.

May 3, 2021: Vectren name retired

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

July 8, 2024: Hurricane Beryl makes landfall

On July 8, 2024, Category 1 Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, causing power outages for 2.2 million CenterPoint customers, the highest number in the company's and the state's history.

July 10, 2024: Graffiti mural appears

On July 10, 2024, a graffiti mural with the name "CenterPointle$$" appeared on an I-10 West underpass, reflecting the city's response to the company's perceived lack of preparation and reliable information after Hurricane Beryl. The mural was later removed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).