Houston, TX- February 19, 2003 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) announced today the sale of Argener, a cogeneration facility in San Nicolas, Argentina, for $23.1 million. The purchaser is Siderca, an operating subsidiary of Tenaris (NYSE:TS).

Argener is a 160 MW industrial power cogeneration facility. The plant generates electricity for sale into the Argentine electric power grid and makes steam for sale to the adjacent Siderar steel plant.

"We are committed to keeping CenterPoint Energy focused on our core businesses of energy delivery in the U.S.," said David McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "This transaction gets us closer to exiting our international businesses."

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, interstate pipeline and gathering operations, and more than 14,000 megawatts of power generation in Texas. The company serves nearly five million customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total nearly $19 billion. CenterPoint Energy became the new holding company for the regulated operations of the former Reliant Energy, Incorporated in August 2002. With more than 11,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years.

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the timing of receipt of regulatory approvals, changes in CenterPoint Energy's business plans, financial market conditions and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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