CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy (NYSE: CNP) is an electric and natural gas utility serving several markets in the U.S. states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. It was formerly known as Reliant Energy (from which it is now separated), NorAm Energy, and Houston Industries.

History

Until December 15, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated in its various markets under these names; they were used separately prior to Reliant Energy, and later in conjunction with the Reliant Energy and CenterPoint Energy names:
* Minnegasco
* Houston Lighting and Power (or HL&P)
* Entex
* Arkla

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

Hurricane Ike Power Outage

In September 2008, CenterPoint Energy suffered great disruption of service in the Greater Houston Area, wiping out 2.1 million of CenterPoint Energy's 2.26 million clients' electricity. This was the largest power outage in the company's 130 year history, as well as the largest in the state's history.

ee also

*Deregulation of the Texas electricity market
*Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)

References

External links

* [http://www.centerpointenergy.com CenterPoint Energy web site]
* [http://www.centerpointenergy.com/about/overview/1,2776,100431,00.html Company timeline]