Cover and table of contents

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Cover and table of contents

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K

(Mark One)
☑ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2024
OR
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO
Registrant, State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization
Commission file numberAddress of Principal Executive Offices, Zip Code and Telephone NumberI.R.S. Employer Identification No.
1-31447CenterPoint Energy, Inc.74-0694415
(a Texas corporation)
1111 Louisiana
Houston,Texas77002
(713)207-1111
1-3187CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC22-3865106
(a Texas limited liability company)
1111 Louisiana
Houston,Texas77002
(713)207-1111
1-13265CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.76-0511406
(a Delaware corporation)
1111 Louisiana
Houston,Texas77002
(713)207-1111
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
RegistrantTitle of each classTrading symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.Common Stock, $0.01 par valueCNPNew York Stock Exchange
NYSE Chicago
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC6.95% General Mortgage Bonds due 2033n/aNew York Stock Exchange
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.6.625% Senior Notes due 2037n/aNew York Stock Exchange
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.YesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCYesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.YesþNo o

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.Yes oNoþ
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCYes oNoþ
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.Yes oNoþ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.YesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCYesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.YesþNo o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.YesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCYesþNo o
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.YesþNo o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerAccelerated filerNon-accelerated filerSmaller reporting companyEmerging growth company
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.þoo☐☐
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCooþ☐☐
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.ooþ☐☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑

If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCo
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.o

Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.o
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCo
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.Yes☐No þ
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCYes☐No þ
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.Yes☐No þ

The aggregate market values of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrants as of June 30, 2024 are as follows:

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (using the definition of beneficial ownership contained in Rule 13d-3 promulgated pursuant to Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and excluding shares held by directors and executive officers)$19,797,614,936
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLCNone
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.None

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers’ classes of common stock as of February 10, 2025:

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.651,729,244shares of common stock outstanding, excluding 166 shares held as treasury stock
CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC1,000common shares outstanding, all held by Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.1,000shares of common stock outstanding, all held by Utility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. meet the conditions set forth in general instruction I(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-K and are therefore filing this Form 10-K with the reduced disclosure format specified in General Instruction I(2) of Form 10-K.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the definitive proxy statement relating to the 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of CenterPoint Energy, which will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days of December 31, 2024, are incorporated by reference in Item 10, Item 11, Item 12, Item 13 and Item 14 of Part III of this Form 10-K.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I
Page
Item 1.Business1
Item 1A.Risk Factors18
Item 1B.Unresolved Staff Comments43
Item 1C.Cybersecurity43
Item 2.Properties45
Item 3.Legal Proceedings48
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures48
PART II
Item 5.Market for Registrants’ Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities48
Item 6.[Reserved]49
Item 7.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations49
Item 7A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk88
Item 8.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data91
Item 9.Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure181
Item 9A.Controls and Procedures181
Item 9B.Other Information184
Item 9C.Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections184
PART III
Item 10.Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance184
Item 11.Executive Compensation184
Item 12.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters184
Item 13.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence184
Item 14.Principal Accounting Fees and Services184
PART IV
Item 15.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules186
Item 16.Form 10-K Summary186

i

GLOSSARY
AFUDCAllowance for funds used during construction
AGCAlcoa Generating Corporation, a subsidiary of Alcoa, Inc.
AIArtificial intelligence
ALJAdministrative Law Judge
AMAsAsset Management Agreements
AMSAdvanced Metering System
ArevonArevon Energy, Inc., which was formed through the combination of Capital Dynamics, Inc.’s U.S. Clean Energy Infrastructure business unit and Arevon Asset Management
AROAsset retirement obligation
AROK Asset Purchase AgreementAsset Purchase Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2021, by and between CERC Corp. and Southern Col Midco, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and an affiliate of Summit Utilities, Inc.
ARPAlternative revenue program
ASCAccounting Standards Codification
ASUAccounting Standards Update
AT&T CommonAT&T Inc. common stock
ATM Forward PurchasersBank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Mizuho Markets Americas LLC, MUFG Securities EMEA plc and Royal Bank of Canada
ATM Forward SellersBofA Securities, Inc. Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC
ATM ManagersBofA Securities, Inc., Barclays Capital Inc., Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and RBC Capital Markets, LLC
August Junior Subordinated NotesJunior Subordinated Series A Notes and Junior Subordinated Series B Notes
BcfBillion cubic feet
BoardCenterPoint Energy’s Board of Directors
Bond CompaniesBond Company IV and Restoration Bond Company, each a wholly-owned, bankruptcy remote entity formed solely for the purpose of purchasing and owning transition or system restoration property through the issuance of Securitization Bonds
Bond Company IVCenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company IV, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
BTABuild Transfer Agreement
CAMTCorporate Alternative Minimum Tax
CARES ActCoronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act
CCNCertificate of Convenience and Necessity
CCRCoal Combustion Residuals
CECAClean Energy Cost Adjustment
CEIPCenterPoint Energy Intrastate Pipelines, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
CenterPoint EnergyCenterPoint Energy, Inc., and its subsidiaries
CenterPoint Energy Credit AgreementSecond Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 6, 2022, by and among CenterPoint Energy, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto.
CenterPoint Energy Extension AgreementExtension Agreement to the CenterPoint Energy Credit Agreement, dated January 29, 2025, by and among CenterPoint Energy, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the banks party thereto
CEOHVectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, LLC, doing business as CenterPoint Energy Ohio, which converted its corporate structure from Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc. to an Ohio limited liability company on June 13, 2022, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren, acquired by CERC on June 30, 2022
CEPCapital Expenditure Program
CERCCERC Corp., together with its subsidiaries
CERC Credit AgreementSecond Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 6, 2022, by and among CERC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto

ii

GLOSSARY
CERC Extension AgreementExtension Agreement to the CERC Credit Agreement, dated January 29, 2025, by and among CERC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the banks party thereto
CERC Corp.CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.
CERCLAComprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended
Change in Control PlanCenterPoint Energy Change in Control Plan (as amended and restated effective May 1, 2017)
Charter CommonCharter Communications, Inc. common stock
CIPConservation Improvement Program
CNP MidstreamCenterPoint Energy Midstream, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
CodeThe Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
CODMChief Operating Decision Maker
Common StockCenterPoint Energy, Inc. common stock, par value $0.01 per share
Convertible NotesCenterPoint Energy’s 4.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2026
Convertible Notes IndentureIndenture dated as of August 4, 2023 by and between CenterPoint Energy and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented
COVID-19Novel coronavirus disease 2019, and any mutations or variants thereof, and related global outbreak that was subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization
CPCNCertificate of public convenience and necessity
COVID-19 ERPCOVID-19 Electricity Relief Program
Credit AgreementsThe CenterPoint Energy Credit Agreement, Houston Electric Credit Agreement, CERC Credit Agreement and SIGECO Credit Agreement
CSIACompliance and System Improvement Adjustment
DADistribution Automation
DCRFDistribution Cost Recovery Factor
DOCU.S. Department of Commerce
DOTU.S. Department of Transportation
DRRDistribution Replacement Rider
DSMADemand Side Management Adjustment
DthDekatherms
ECAEnvironmental Cost Adjustment
EDF RenewablesEDF Renewables Development, Inc.
EDITExcess deferred income taxes
EECREnergy Efficiency Cost Recovery
EECRFEnergy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor
EEFCEnergy Efficiency Funding Component
EEFREnergy Efficiency Funding Rider
ELGEffluent Limitation Guidelines
EIAU.S. Energy Information Administration
Energy Systems GroupEnergy Systems Group, LLC, previously a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
Energy TransferEnergy Transfer LP, a Delaware limited partnership
Energy Transfer Common UnitsEnergy Transfer common units, representing limited partner interests in Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer GPLE GP, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and sole general partner of Energy Transfer
Energy Transfer Series G Preferred UnitsEnergy Transfer Series G Fixed-Rate Reset Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Units, representing limited partner interests in Energy Transfer
EPAEnvironmental Protection Agency
EPCEngineering, Procurement and Construction
Equity Distribution AgreementEquity Distribution Agreement, dated as of January 10, 2024, by and between CenterPoint Energy, the ATM Managers, the ATM Forward Purchasers and the ATM Forward Sellers
Equity Purchase AgreementEquity Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2023, by and between Vectren Energy Services and ESG Holdings Group

iii

GLOSSARY
ERCOTElectric Reliability Council of Texas
ERCOT ISOERCOT Independent System Operator
ERISAEmployee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
EROElectric Reliability Organization
ESG Holdings GroupESG Holdings Group, LLC a Delaware limited liability company, and an affiliate of Oaktree Capital Management
ESPCEnergy Savings Performance Contract
Exchange ActThe Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Extension AgreementsThe CenterPoint Energy Extension Agreement, Houston Electric Extension Agreement, CERC Extension Agreement and SIGECO Extension Agreement
FACFuel Adjustment Clause
FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board
February 2021 Winter Storm EventThe extreme and unprecedented winter weather event in February 2021 (also known as Winter Storm Uri) resulting in electricity generation supply shortages, including in Texas, and natural gas supply shortages and increased wholesale prices of natural gas in the United States, primarily due to prolonged freezing temperatures.
FERCFederal Energy Regulatory Commission
FitchFitch Ratings, Inc.
Form 10-KAnnual Report on Form 10-K
FPAFederal Power Act
GAAPGenerally Accepted Accounting Principles
General MortgageGeneral Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, between CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Trustee, as supplemented from time to time
GHGGreenhouse gases
GHRIThe Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, which was announced by Houston Electric in August 2024 and includes targeted actions to improve the resiliency of Houston Electric’s electric grid, as well as improve customer communications and community partnerships
GRIPGas Reliability Infrastructure Program
GWhGigawatt-hours
HLPSAHazardous Liquid Pipeline Safety Act of 1979
Houston ElectricCenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and its subsidiaries
Houston Electric Credit AgreementSecond Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated December 6, 2022, by and among Houston Electric, as borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as administrative agent, the financial institutions as bank parties thereto and the other parties thereto
Houston Electric Extension AgreementExtension Agreement to the Houston Electric Credit Agreement, dated January 29, 2025, by and among Houston Electric, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as administrative agent, and the banks party thereto
Hurricane BerylThe powerful and destructive storm that made landfall in Texas on July 8, 2024 and caused widespread damage to Houston Electric’s electric delivery system
HVACHeating, ventilation and air conditioning
IASInternational Accounting Standards
IBEWInternational Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
ICPAInter-Company Power Agreement
IDEMIndiana Department of Environmental Management
IGIntelligent Grid
Indiana ElectricOperations of SIGECO’s electric transmission and distribution services, and includes its power generating and wholesale power operations
Indiana GasIndiana Gas Company, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of CERC Corp.
Indiana NorthGas operations of Indiana Gas
Indiana SouthGas operations of SIGECO
Indiana UtilitiesIndiana Electric, Indiana North and Indiana South, collectively
Infrastructure ServicesProvided underground pipeline construction and repair services through VISCO and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Miller Pipeline, LLC and Minnesota Limited, LLC
IRAInflation Reduction Act of 2022

iv

GLOSSARY
IRPIntegrated Resource Plan
IRSInternal Revenue Service
IURCIndiana Utility Regulatory Commission
Junior Subordinated NotesJunior Subordinated Series A Notes, Junior Subordinated Series B Notes and Junior Subordinated Series C Notes
Junior Subordinated Notes IndentureJunior Subordinated Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2024, between CenterPoint Energy and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, as trustee, as supplemented
Junior Subordinated Series A Interest Reset PeriodEach five-year period following February 15, 2030
Junior Subordinated Series A Notes7.000% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series A, due 2055
Junior Subordinated Series B Interest Reset PeriodEach five-year period following February 15, 2035
Junior Subordinated Series B Notes6.850% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series B, due 2055
Junior Subordinated Series C Interest Reset PeriodEach five-year period following May 15, 2030
Junior Subordinated Series C Notes6.700% Fixed-to-Fixed Reset Rate Junior Subordinated Notes, Series C, due 2055
kVKilovolt
LAMS Asset Purchase AgreementAsset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2024, by and among CERC Corp. and the LAMS Buyers
LAMS BuyersDelta North Louisiana Gas Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Delta South Louisiana Gas Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, Delta Mississippi Gas Company, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Delta Energy Resources, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
LDCLocal Distribution Company
LIBORLondon Interbank Offered Rate
LNGLiquefied natural gas
Load ShedCurtailing the amount of electricity a TDU can transmit and distribute to its customers
LPSCLouisiana Public Service Commission
LTIPsLong-term incentive plans
May 2024 Storm EventsThe sudden and destructive severe weather events in May 2024 that included hurricane-like winds and tornadoes and resulted in widespread damage to Houston Electric’s electric delivery system
MCRAMISO Cost and Revenue Adjustment
M&DOTMortgage and Deed of Trust, dated November 1, 1944, between Houston Lighting and Power Company and Chase Bank of Texas, National Association (formerly, South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston), as Trustee, as amended and supplemented
MGPManufactured gas plant
MISOMidcontinent Independent System Operator
MMBtuOne million British thermal units
MMcfMillion cubic feet
Moody’sMoody’s Investors Service, Inc.
MP20172017 pension mortality improvement scale developed annually by the Society of Actuaries
MP20182018 pension mortality improvement scale developed annually by the Society of Actuaries
MP20192019 pension mortality improvement scale developed annually by the Society of Actuaries
MPSCMississippi Public Service Commission
MPUCMinnesota Public Utilities Commission
MvaMegavolt amperes
MWMegawatts
NAVNet asset value
Natural GasNatural gas distribution businesses
NECANational Electrical Contractors Association
NERCNorth American Electric Reliability Corporation
NGANatural Gas Act of 1938
NGLsNatural gas liquids

v

GLOSSARY
NGPANatural Gas Policy Act of 1978
NGPSANatural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968
NOLsNet operating losses
NRGNRG Energy, Inc.
NYSENew York Stock Exchange
OPEIUOffice & Professional Employees International Union
OridenOriden LLC
OrigisOrigis Energy USA Inc.
OUCCIndiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
OVECOhio Valley Electric Corporation
PHMSAPipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
PIPES ActProtecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety Act of 2020
Posey SolarPosey Solar, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
PPAPower purchase agreement
PRPsPotentially responsible parties
PTCsProduction Tax Credits
PUCOPublic Utilities Commission of Ohio
PUCTPublic Utility Commission of Texas
Railroad CommissionRailroad Commission of Texas
RCRAResource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976
RegistrantsCenterPoint Energy, Inc., CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., collectively
Reliant EnergyReliant Energy, Incorporated
REPRetail electric provider
Restoration Bond CompanyCenterPoint Energy Restoration Bond Company, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Houston Electric
RestructuringCERC Corp.’s common control acquisition of Indiana Gas and VEDO from VUH on June 30, 2022
ROEReturn on equity
ROURight of use
RRARate Regulation Adjustment
RSPRate Stabilization Plan
S&PS&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.
Scope 1 emissionsDirect source of GHG emissions from a company’s operations
Scope 2 emissionsIndirect source of GHG emissions from a company’s energy usage
Scope 3 emissionsIndirect source of GHG emissions from a company’s end-users
SECSecurities and Exchange Commission
Securitization BondsTransition and system restoration bonds issued by the Bond Companies and SIGECO Securitization Bonds issued by the SIGECO Securitization Subsidiary
Series A Preferred StockCenterPoint Energy’s previously outstanding Series A Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Perpetual Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share, with a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share
SIGECOSouthern Indiana Gas and Electric Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
SIGECO Credit AgreementCredit Agreement, dated as of December 6, 2022, by and among SIGECO, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, the financial institutions as banks parties thereto and the other parties thereto
SIGECO Extension AgreementExtension Agreement to the SIGECO Credit Agreement, dated as of January 29, 2025, by and among SIGECO, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and the banks party thereto
SIGECO Securitization BondsSIGECO Securitization Subsidiary’s Series 2023-A Senior Secured Securitization Bonds
SIGECO Securitization SubsidiarySIGECO Securitization I, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of SIGECO
SOFRSecured Overnight Financing Rate

vi

GLOSSARY
SRCSales Reconciliation Component
SRPThe transmission and distribution system resiliency plan filed by Houston Electric with the PUCT on January 31, 2025, which proposes investing approximately $5.75 billion over a three-year period for transmission and distribution infrastructure, information technology and cybersecurity assets and event response capability
TBDTo be determined
TCATexas Consumer Association
TCJATax reform legislation informally called the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017
TCOSTransmission Cost of Service
TCRFTransmission Cost Recovery Factor
TDSICTransmission, Distribution and Storage System Improvement Charge
TDUTransmission and distribution utility
TEEEFAssets leased or costs incurred as “temporary emergency electric energy facilities” under Section 39.918 of the Public Utility Regulatory Act, also referred to as temporary generation
Texas RETexas Reliability Entity
TSATransportation Security Administration
USWUnited Steelworkers Union
UWUAUtility Workers Union of America
Utility HoldingUtility Holding, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
VectrenVectren, LLC, which converted its corporate structure from Vectren Corporation to a limited liability company on June 30, 2022, a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy as of February 1, 2019, and, after the Restructuring, is held indirectly by CenterPoint Energy through Vectren Affiliated Utilities, Inc.
Vectren Energy ServicesVectren Energy Services Corporation, an Indiana corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy
VEDOVectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, LLC, which converted its corporate structure from Vectren Energy Delivery of Ohio, Inc. to a limited liability company on June 13, 2022, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren, acquired by CERC on June 30, 2022
VIEVariable interest entity
VISCOVectren Infrastructure Services Corporation, formerly a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
Vistra Energy Corp.Texas-based energy company focused on the competitive energy and power generation markets.
VRPVoluntary Remediation Program
VUHVectren Utility Holdings, LLC, which converted its corporate structure from Vectren Utility Holdings, Inc. to a limited liability company on June 30, 2022, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vectren
WBD CommonWarner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Series A common stock
Winter Storm ElliottFrom December 21 to 26, 2022, a historic extratropical cyclone created winter storm conditions, including blizzards, high winds, snowfall and record cold temperatures across the majority of the United States and parts of Canada.
ZENS2.0% Zero-Premium Exchangeable Subordinated Notes due 2029
ZENS-Related SecuritiesAs of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, consisted of AT&T Common, Charter Common and WBD Common
2023 Form 10-KAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023
2022 Annuity PurchaseThe irrevocable group annuity contract purchased in December 2022 from an insurance company to transfer $138 million of CenterPoint Energy’s pension plan’s outstanding benefit obligation

vii

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

From time to time the Registrants make statements concerning their expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “target,” “will” or other similar words.

The Registrants have based their forward-looking statements on management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information reasonably available to management at the time the statements are made. The Registrants caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, the Registrants cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by the Registrants’ forward-looking statements. In this Form 10-K, unless context requires otherwise, the terms “our,” “we” and “us” are used as abbreviated references to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. together with its consolidated subsidiaries, including Houston Electric, CERC and SIGECO.

Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by the Registrants’ forward-looking statements are described under “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings” and “ — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Other Matters — Other Factors That Could Affect Cash Requirements” in Item 7 of Part II of this report, which discussions are incorporated herein by reference.

You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and the Registrants undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

SUMMARY OF RISK FACTORS

An investment in CenterPoint Energy’s securities involves a significant degree of risk. Below is a summary of certain risk factors to consider in evaluating CenterPoint Energy as well as its Common Stock. However, this list is not exhaustive. Before investing in CenterPoint Energy, carefully consider the risk factors discussed or referenced below and in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of this combined report on Form 10-K. If any of the risks discussed below and in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” were actually to occur, CenterPoint Energy’s, Houston Electric’s and CERC’s business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely affected. In that case, CenterPoint Energy might not be able to pay dividends on its Common Stock, or the trading price of its Common Stock could decline.

Risk Factors Affecting Operations

Electric Generation, Transmission and Distribution (CenterPoint Energy and Houston Electric)

  • Disruptions at power generation facilities, generation inadequacy or directives issued by regulatory authorities could cause interruptions in Houston Electric’s and Indiana Electric’s ability to provide transmission and distribution services and adversely affect their reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

  • Indiana Electric’s execution of its generation transition plan, including its IRP, is subject to various risks, including timely recovery of capital investments and increased costs and risks related to the timing and cost of development and/or construction of new generation facilities.

  • Houston Electric’s receivables are primarily concentrated in a small number of REPs, and any delay or default in payments of these receivables could adversely affect Houston Electric’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

  • Houston Electric’s use of TEEEF is subject to various risks, including failure to obtain and deploy sufficient TEEEF resources, potential performance issues and allegations about Houston Electric’s procurement and deployment of the resources (including the planning, execution and effectiveness of the same), regulatory and environmental requirements, and timely recovery of capital.

  • The occurrence of extreme weather events, including winter storms and record hot temperatures, or other causes could lead to additional reforms to the Texas electric market, some measure of which, if implemented, could have an adverse impact on Houston Electric.

viii

Natural Gas (CenterPoint Energy and CERC)

  • Access to natural gas supplies and pipeline transmission and storage capacity are essential components of reliable service for Natural Gas’ customers.

  • Natural Gas is subject to fluctuations in natural gas prices, which could affect the ability of its suppliers and customers to meet their obligations or may impact its operations, which could adversely affect CERC’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

  • Natural Gas must compete with alternate energy sources, which could result in less natural gas delivered and have an adverse impact on CenterPoint Energy’s and CERC’s financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Risk Factors Affecting Regulatory, Environmental and Legal Risks

  • Rate regulation of Registrants’ Electric and Natural Gas businesses may delay or deny their ability to earn an expected return and fully and timely recover their costs.

  • We are involved in numerous legal proceedings, the outcomes of which are uncertain, and resolutions adverse to us could negatively affect our financial results.

  • Negative opinions of CenterPoint Energy from customers, investors, legislators, regulators and creditors relating to actual or perceived system reliability, the speed of our response to service interruptions, rates, our ability to successfully execute our capital plan, media coverage and actions by third parties, could harm our reputation and have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. For example, Hurricane Beryl caused severe disruptions to our operations, customers and markets in certain of our service territories and potential results arising from governmental and regulatory inquiries and investigations, as well as associated litigation, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity.

  • We are subject to operational and financial risks and liabilities arising from environmental laws and regulations, including regulation of CCR, climate change legislation and certain local initiatives that seek to limit fossil fuel usage.

  • CenterPoint Energy is subject to operational and financial risks and liabilities associated with its sustainability and related activities, including the implementation of and efforts to achieve its GHG emissions reduction goals.

Risk Factors Affecting Financial, Economic and Market Risks

  • Disruptions to the global supply chain may lead to higher prices for goods and services and impact our operations, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to execute our capital plan and on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

  • If we are unable to arrange future financings on acceptable terms, our ability to finance our capital expenditures or refinance outstanding indebtedness could be limited.

  • CenterPoint Energy is a holding company that derives all of its operating income from, and holds substantially all of its assets through, its subsidiaries. As a result, CenterPoint Energy depends on the performance of and distributions from its subsidiaries to meet its payment obligations and to pay dividends on its common stock, and provisions of applicable law or contractual restrictions could limit the amount of those distributions.

  • If CenterPoint Energy redeems the ZENS prior to their maturity in 2029, its ultimate tax liability and redemption payments would result in significant cash payments, which would adversely impact its cash flows and liquidity. Similarly, a significant amount of exchanges of ZENS by ZENS holders could adversely impact CenterPoint Energy’s cash flows and liquidity.

Risk Factors Affecting Safety and Security Risks

  • The Registrants’ businesses have safety risks.

  • Cyberattacks, physical security breaches, acts of terrorism or other disruptions could adversely impact our reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

  • We may not be successful in our adoption, development and deployment of AI, which could adversely affect our business, reputation or financial results.

General and Other Risks

  • Our revenues and results of operations are seasonal.

  • Climate change and other weather and natural disaster impacts could adversely impact financial results from our businesses and our results of operations.

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  • We are exposed to risks related to changes in demand and energy consumption that could adversely impact financial results from our businesses and our results of operations.

  • Aging infrastructure may lead to increased costs and disruptions in operations that could negatively impact our financial results.

  • Our businesses will continue to have to adapt to technological change and may not be successful or may have to incur significant expenditures to adapt to technological change.

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PART I

Next: Item 1. Business