History of CenterPoint Energy in Timeline

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is a Fortune 500 American utility company headquartered in Houston, Texas. It provides electric and natural gas utility services to customers across multiple states, including Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Texas. Formerly known by names such as Reliant Energy, NorAm Energy, Houston Industries, and HL&P, the company is now based 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's Operations

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

2004: CenterPoint Energy to Restate Finances

In 2004, CenterPoint Energy Inc. had accounting errors that overstated revenue and natural gas expenses. The company would restate its finances for 2004 and the first three quarters of 2005 to correct the accounting errors.

2004: Private Equity Firms Purchase Texas Genco

In late 2004, Texas Pacific Group, Blackstone Group, Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and Hellman & Friedman acquired 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.

2006: Texas Genco Sold to NRG Energy

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

2008: Public Campaign Criticizes CenterPoint Energy

During 2008, 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 and having high executive pay. This event came to light in December 2011.

March 2009: Smart Meter Deployment Began

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

2010: Public Campaign Criticizes CenterPoint Energy

During 2010, 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 and having high executive pay. This event came to light in December 2011.

2010: Partnership with Ford Motor Company

In 2010, CenterPoint Energy and Ford Motor Company partnered to promote electric vehicle adoption through consumer outreach, education programs, and ensuring electrical infrastructure support.

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 and having high executive pay.

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 and Vectren Corporation Merger 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: Statewide 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 initiated controlled, rotating outages in the Greater Houston area, initially expected to last 10 to 45 minutes, but later updated that customers should prepare for extended power outages.

May 3, 2021: Vectren Name Retired

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, resulting in 2.2 million CenterPoint customers losing power, the largest number in the company's history 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 lack of preparations and failure to provide reliable information after the storm. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) later removed the mural.