HOUSTON, Jan 24, 2008 (PrimeNewswire via COMTEX News Network) -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s (NYSE:CNP) board of directors today declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1825 per share of common stock payable on March 10, 2008, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 15, 2008. This represents more than a seven percent increase over the $0.17 per common share quarterly dividends paid by the company in 2007.

"I am delighted to announce that for the third year in a row we are raising our dividend," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "This increase demonstrates a strong commitment to our shareholders and the confidence the board of directors has in our ability to deliver sustainable earnings and cash flow."

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 over $17 billion. With about 8,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

The CenterPoint Energy logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3588

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this news release regarding future events and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the financial performance of CenterPoint Energy, the timing and impact of future regulatory decisions, and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Form 10-K for the period ended Dec. 31, 2006, and Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31, June 30, and Sept. 30, 2007, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
          Media
          Leticia Lowe
            (713) 207-7702
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          Marianne Paulsen
            (713) 207-6500

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