CenterPoint Energy Announces Purchase of Pollution Control Bonds

HOUSTON, Jan. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today announced its purchase on January 5, 2010, of three series of pollution control bonds that had been issued on its behalf by the Brazos River Authority in 1998. The three series, totaling $290 million in aggregate principal amount and bearing interest at 5.125 percent, were purchased at 101 percent of their principal amount plus accrued interest pursuant to the mandatory tender provisions of the bonds.

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"CenterPoint Energy's purchase of the bonds reduces temporary investments and leverage while providing the company with the flexibility to finance future capital needs in the tax-exempt market through a remarketing of the bonds," said Gary L. Whitlock, CenterPoint Energy's executive vice president and chief financial officer.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, interstate pipelines, and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total nearly $19 billion. With about 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

    For more information contact
    Media:
    Leticia Lowe
    Phone  713.207.7702
    Investors:
    Marianne Paulsen
    Phone  713.207.6500

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.