History of CenterPoint Energy in Timeline

CenterPoint Energy, based in Houston, Texas, is a Fortune 500 utility company providing electric and natural gas services across multiple states including Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Texas. Previously known as Reliant Energy, NorAm Energy, Houston Industries, and HL&P, the company's headquarters are located in the CenterPoint Energy Tower in Downtown Houston.

2003: HL&P Split

In 2003, Houston Lighting & Power (HL&P) was split into Reliant Energy, Texas Genco, and CenterPoint Energy, following the deregulation of the Texas electricity market.

December 15, 2004: Predecessor Operations

Until December 15, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated in its various markets under certain names, used separately prior to Reliant Energy, and later in conjunction with the Reliant Energy and CenterPoint Energy names.

2004: Accounting Errors

In 2004, CenterPoint Energy made accounting errors that overstated revenue and natural gas expenses and required the restatement of finances on December 16, 2005.

2004: Purchase of Texas Genco

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: Restatement of 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

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

2008: Tax Rebates

From 2008-2010, CenterPoint Energy did not pay taxes and instead received $284 million in tax rebates.

March 2009: Smart Meter Deployment

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

2010: Tax Rebates

From 2008-2010, CenterPoint Energy did not pay taxes and instead received $284 million in tax rebates.

2010: Partnership with Ford Motor Company

In 2010, CenterPoint Energy and Ford Motor Company formed a partnership to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and develop strategies to minimize emissions.

December 2011: Criticism from Public Campaign

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

April 23, 2018: Merger Agreement Announced

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: 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, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) declared a statewide power generation shortfall emergency due to a 34,000 MW shortfall, causing widespread blackouts. CenterPoint Energy started controlled, rotating outages in the Greater Houston area and asked customers to lower thermostat settings.

May 3, 2021: Vectren Name Retired

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

July 8, 2024: Hurricane Beryl Landfall

On July 8, 2024, Category 1 Hurricane Beryl made landfall in Texas, leaving 2.2 million CenterPoint customers without power, the largest number in the company's and 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, indicating the city's response to the company's lack of preparations after the storm.