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The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement is not complete and may be changed. This preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not an offer to sell these securities and are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
 
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(5)
Registration No. 333-116246
 
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 1, 2008
 
PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated December 16, 2004)
 
$          
 
(COMPANY LOGO)
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
% Senior Notes due 2018
 
 
 
 
The notes will bear interest at a rate of     % per year from the date of issuance to, but excluding,          , 2018, when they will mature. We will pay interest on the notes on           and           of each year, beginning on          , 2008. The notes are subject to optional redemption prior to maturity as described under the caption “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption.”
 
The notes will be unsecured and will rank on a parity with all of our other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. The notes will be effectively subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
 
 
 
 
Investing in the notes involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.
 
 
 
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
 
 
 
                 
    Per Note     Total  
 
Public Offering Price(1)
          %   $        
Underwriting Discount
      %   $    
Proceeds, before expenses, to CenterPoint Energy, Inc.(1)
      %   $  
 
 
(1) Plus accrued interest from May   , 2008, if settlement occurs after that date.
 
 
 
 
The underwriters expect to deliver the notes to purchasers in New York, New York on or about May   , 2008 through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company.
 
Lehman Brothers RBS Greenwich Capital Wachovia Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Barclays Capital  
       HSBC  
  Lazard Capital Markets  
  RBC Capital Markets  
  SunTrust Robinson Humphrey  
  Wells Fargo Securities
 
 
Prospectus Supplement dated May   , 2008.


 

 
You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any written communication from us or the underwriters specifying the final terms of the offering. We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. We are not making an offer to sell the notes and are not soliciting an offer to buy the notes in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information we have included in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, as the case may be, and that any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. If the information varies between this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement supersedes the information in the accompanying prospectus.
 
Table of Contents
 
         
    Page
 
Prospectus Supplement
    S-1  
    S-4  
    S-14  
    S-14  
    S-15  
    S-26  
    S-28  
    S-28  
    S-28  
    S-29  
    S-30  
 
         
Prospectus
About This Prospectus
    i  
Where You Can Find More Information
    ii  
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
    iii  
About CenterPoint Energy, Inc. 
    1  
Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends
    1  
Use of Proceeds
    1  
Description of Our Senior Debt Securities
    2  
Description of Our Capital Stock
    11  
Plan of Distribution
    17  
Legal Matters
    19  
Experts
    19  


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SUMMARY
 
This summary highlights information from this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you should consider before investing in the notes. We encourage you to read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in their entirety before making an investment decision, including the information set forth under the heading “Risk Factors.” References in this prospectus supplement to “we,” “us,” “our,” or other similar terms mean CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
 
We are a public utility holding company. Our operating subsidiaries own and operate electric transmission and distribution facilities, natural gas distribution facilities, interstate pipelines and natural gas gathering, processing and treating facilities. As of the date of this prospectus supplement, our principal indirect wholly owned subsidiaries include:
 
  •  CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (CenterPoint Houston), which engages in the electric transmission and distribution business in a 5,000-square mile area of the Texas Gulf Coast that includes Houston; and
 
  •  CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (CERC Corp., and, together with its subsidiaries, CERC), which owns and operates natural gas distribution systems in six states. Subsidiaries of CERC Corp. own interstate natural gas pipelines and gas gathering systems and provide various ancillary services. A wholly owned subsidiary of CERC Corp. offers variable and fixed-price physical natural gas supplies primarily to commercial and industrial customers and electric and gas utilities.
 
Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002 (telephone number: (713) 207-1111).
 
Recent Developments
 
Redemption of 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023
 
In April 2008, we called our 3.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2023 (3.75% Convertible Notes) for redemption on May 30, 2008 at 100% of their principal amount. Substantially all of such notes are expected to be converted by holders prior to the redemption date, and substantially all of such conversions are expected to be settled with a cash payment for the principal amount and delivery of shares of our common stock for the excess value due converting holders. If our closing stock price of $15.57 at April 25, 2008 were unchanged at the dates of the conversions, assuming the conversion of approximately $391 million aggregate principal amount of the notes at the current conversion rate, common stock reflecting a conversion premium of $153 million would be issued to the converting holders. The conversion rate will be increased as a result of our April 24, 2008 declaration of a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1825 per share. Under the terms of the indenture governing such notes, the new conversion rate will be determined on May 13, 2008.


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The Offering
 
Issuer CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
 
Notes Offered $      aggregate principal amount of     % senior notes due 2018.
 
Maturity Date           , 2018.
 
Interest Payment Dates and          , commencing on          , 2008.
 
Ranking The notes will:
 
• be general unsecured obligations;
 
• rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness; and
 
• with respect to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries, effectively rank below all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we, on an unconsolidated basis, had approximately $3.3 billion aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding, including approximately $678 million of obligations relating to pollution control bonds issued on our behalf, which are secured by general mortgage bonds and first mortgage bonds of CenterPoint Houston. Such amount of outstanding indebtedness excludes $11 million of convertible debt which was submitted for conversion in the first quarter of 2008 but settled in April 2008. Excluding subsidiaries issuing transition bonds, as of March 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had approximately $4.4 billion aggregate principal amount of third-party indebtedness outstanding, of which approximately $1.6 billion was secured and $200 million represented advances for the purchase of receivables, as well as other liabilities.
 
Current Ratings (Outlook) Moody’s: Ba1 (Stable)
Standard & Poor’s: BBB– (Stable)
Fitch: BBB– (Stable)
 
These credit ratings may not remain in effect for any given period of time and one or more of these ratings may be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency. We note that these credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Any future reduction or withdrawal of one or more of our credit ratings could have a material adverse impact on our ability to access capital on acceptable terms.
 
Optional Redemption We may redeem all or a part of the notes at any time and from time to time as specified under the heading “Description of the Notes — Optional Redemption” beginning on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement.
 
Significant Covenant We will issue the notes under an indenture containing a restrictive covenant for your benefit. This covenant, which is described under “Description of the Notes — Restrictive Covenant” beginning on page S-17 of this prospectus supplement and is subject to termination as described, initially restricts our ability, with some exceptions, to incur certain debt secured by liens.


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In addition, the indenture restricts our ability to merge, consolidate or transfer substantially all of our assets. See “Description of Our Senior Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” on page 5 of the accompanying prospectus.
 
Lack of Public Markets for the Notes There is no existing market for the notes. We cannot provide any assurance about:
 
• the liquidity of any markets that may develop for the notes;
 
• your ability to sell the notes; or
 
• the prices at which you will be able to sell the notes.
 
Future trading prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including:
 
• prevailing interest rates;
 
• our operating results;
 
• the ratings of the notes; and
 
• the market for similar securities.
 
We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes in any automated dealer quotation system.
 
Risk Factors You should consider carefully all the information set forth and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and, in particular, you should evaluate the specific factors set forth under “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement before deciding whether to invest in the notes.
 
Governing Law The indenture and the notes are governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
 
Use of Proceeds The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $     , after deducting underwriters’ discounts and estimated expenses of the offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including the satisfaction of cash payment obligations in connection with future conversions of our 3.75% Convertible Notes or in connection with the May 30, 2008 redemption of our 3.75% Convertible Notes. See “Use of Proceeds” on page S-14 of this prospectus supplement.
 
Further Issues The notes are initially limited to $      in aggregate principal amount. However, we may issue additional notes of the same series from time to time without the consent of the holders. See “Description of the Notes — Principal, Maturity and Interest” on page S-16 of this prospectus supplement.
 
Trustee and Paying Agent The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association (as successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association).


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RISK FACTORS
 
You should consider carefully the following information about risks, as well as risks arising from any legal proceedings identified in Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008 (1st Quarter 2008 Form 10-Q), together with the other information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment in the notes.
 
We are a holding company that conducts all of our business operations through subsidiaries, primarily CenterPoint Houston and CERC. The following summarizes the principal risk factors associated with the businesses conducted by each of these subsidiaries:
 
Risk Factors Affecting Our Electric Transmission & Distribution Business
 
CenterPoint Houston may not be successful in ultimately recovering the full value of its true-up components, which could result in the elimination of certain tax benefits and could have an adverse impact on CenterPoint Houston’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
In March 2004, CenterPoint Houston filed its true-up application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (Texas Utility Commission), requesting recovery of $3.7 billion, excluding interest, as allowed under the Texas electric restructuring law. In December 2004, the Texas Utility Commission issued the True-Up Order allowing CenterPoint Houston to recover a true-up balance of approximately $2.3 billion, which included interest through August 31, 2004, and provided for adjustment of the amount to be recovered to include interest on the balance until recovery, along with the principal portion of additional excess mitigation credits (EMCs) returned to customers after August 31, 2004 and in certain other respects.
 
CenterPoint Houston and other parties filed appeals of the True-Up Order to a district court in Travis County, Texas. In August 2005, that court issued its judgment on the various appeals. In its judgment, the district court:
 
  •  reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s ruling that had denied recovery of a portion of capacity auction true-up amounts;
 
  •  reversed the Texas Utility Commission’s ruling that precluded CenterPoint Houston from recovering the interest component of the EMCs paid to retail electric providers; and
 
  •  affirmed the True-Up Order in all other respects.
 
The district court’s decision would have had the effect of restoring approximately $650 million, plus interest, of the $1.7 billion the Texas Utility Commission had disallowed from CenterPoint Houston’s initial request.
 
CenterPoint Houston and other parties appealed the district court’s judgment to the Texas Third Court of Appeals, which issued its decision in December 2007. In its decision, the court of appeals:
 
  •  reversed the district court’s judgment to the extent it restored the capacity auction true-up amounts;
 
  •  reversed the district court judgment to the extent it upheld the Texas Utility Commission’s decision to allow CenterPoint Houston to recover EMCs paid to Reliant Energy, Inc. (RRI);
 
  •  ordered that the tax normalization issue described below be remanded to the Texas Utility Commission; and
 
  •  affirmed the district court judgment in all other respects.
 
CenterPoint Houston and two other parties filed motions for rehearing with the court of appeals. On April 17, 2008, the court of appeals denied those motions and reissued substantially the same opinion as it had rendered in December 2007. CenterPoint Houston now plans to seek further review by the Texas Supreme Court. Although we and CenterPoint Houston believe that CenterPoint Houston’s true-up request is consistent with applicable statutes and regulations and, accordingly, that it is reasonably possible that it will be successful


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in its further appeal, we can provide no assurance as to the ultimate court rulings on the issues to be considered in the appeal or with respect to the ultimate decision by the Texas Utility Commission on the tax normalization issue described below.
 
To reflect the impact of the True-Up Order, in 2004 and 2005 we recorded a net after-tax extraordinary loss of $947 million. No amounts related to the district court’s judgment or the decision of the court of appeals have been recorded in our consolidated financial statements. However, if the court of appeals decision is not reversed or modified as a result of further review by the Texas Supreme Court, we anticipate that we would be required to record an additional loss to reflect the court of appeals decision. The amount of that loss would depend on several factors, including ultimate resolution of the tax normalization issue described below and the calculation of interest on any amounts CenterPoint Houston ultimately is authorized to recover or is required to refund beyond the amounts recorded based on the True-Up Order, but could range from $130 million to $350 million plus interest subsequent to December 31, 2007.
 
In the True-Up Order the Texas Utility Commission reduced CenterPoint Houston’s stranded cost recovery by approximately $146 million, which was included in the extraordinary loss discussed above, for the present value of certain deferred tax benefits associated with its former electric generation assets. We believe that the Texas Utility Commission based its order on proposed regulations issued by the IRS in March 2003 which would have allowed utilities owning assets that were deregulated before March 4, 2003 to make a retroactive election to pass the benefits of Accumulated Deferred Investment Tax Credits (ADITCs) and Excess Deferred Federal Income Taxes (EDFIT) back to customers. However, the IRS subsequently withdrew those proposed normalization regulations and in March 2008 adopted final regulations that would not permit CenterPoint Houston to pass the tax benefits back to customers without creating normalization violations. In addition, the Company received a Private Letter Ruling from the IRS in August 2007, prior to adoption of the final regulations that confirmed that the Texas Utility Commission’s order reducing CenterPoint Houston’s stranded cost recovery by $146 million for ADITC and EDFIT would cause normalization violations with respect to the ADITC and EDFIT.
 
If the Texas Utility Commission’s order relating to the ADITC reduction is not reversed or otherwise modified on remand so as to eliminate the normalization violation, the IRS could require us to pay an amount equal to CenterPoint Houston’s unamortized ADITC balance as of the date that the normalization violation is deemed to have occurred. In addition, the IRS could deny CenterPoint Houston the ability to elect accelerated tax depreciation benefits beginning in the taxable year that the normalization violation is deemed to have occurred. Such treatment, if required by the IRS, could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows in addition to any potential loss resulting from final resolution of the True-Up Order. However, we and CenterPoint Houston will continue to pursue a favorable resolution of this issue through the appellate or administrative process. Although the Texas Utility Commission has not previously required a company subject to its jurisdiction to take action that would result in a normalization violation, no prediction can be made as to the ultimate action the Texas Utility Commission may take on this issue on remand.
 
CenterPoint Houston’s receivables are concentrated in a small number of retail electric providers, and any delay or default in payment could adversely affect CenterPoint Houston’s cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
 
CenterPoint Houston’s receivables from the distribution of electricity are collected from retail electric providers that supply the electricity CenterPoint Houston distributes to their customers. As of March 31, 2008, CenterPoint Houston did business with 80 retail electric providers. Adverse economic conditions, structural problems in the market served by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. or financial difficulties of one or more retail electric providers could impair the ability of these retail providers to pay for CenterPoint Houston’s services or could cause them to delay such payments. CenterPoint Houston depends on these retail electric providers to remit payments on a timely basis. Applicable regulatory provisions require that customers be shifted to a provider of last resort if a retail electric provider cannot make timely payments. Applicable Texas Utility Commission regulations limit the extent to which CenterPoint Houston can demand credit protection from retail electric providers for payments not made prior to the shift to the provider of last resort.


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RRI, through its subsidiaries, is CenterPoint Houston’s largest customer. Approximately 48% of CenterPoint Houston’s $133 million in billed receivables from retail electric providers at March 31, 2008 was owed by subsidiaries of RRI. Any delay or default in payment could adversely affect CenterPoint Houston’s cash flows, financial condition and results of operations.
 
Rate regulation of CenterPoint Houston’s business may delay or deny CenterPoint Houston’s ability to earn a reasonable return and fully recover its costs.
 
CenterPoint Houston’s rates are regulated by certain municipalities and the Texas Utility Commission based on an analysis of its invested capital and its expenses in a test year. Thus, the rates that CenterPoint Houston is allowed to charge may not match its expenses at any given time. The regulatory process by which rates are determined may not always result in rates that will produce full recovery of CenterPoint Houston’s costs and enable CenterPoint Houston to earn a reasonable return on its invested capital.
 
In this regard, pursuant to the Stipulation and Settlement Agreement approved by the Texas Utility Commission in September 2006, until June 30, 2010 CenterPoint Houston is limited in its ability to request rate relief. For more information on the Stipulation and Settlement Agreement, please read “Business — Regulation — State and Local Regulation — Electric Transmission & Distribution — CenterPoint Houston Rate Agreement” in Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 (2007 Form 10-K).
 
Disruptions at power generation facilities owned by third parties could interrupt CenterPoint Houston’s sales of transmission and distribution services.
 
CenterPoint Houston transmits and distributes to customers of retail electric providers electric power that the retail electric providers obtain from power generation facilities owned by third parties. CenterPoint Houston does not own or operate any power generation facilities. If power generation is disrupted or if power generation capacity is inadequate, CenterPoint Houston’s sales of transmission and distribution services may be diminished or interrupted, and its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely affected.
 
CenterPoint Houston’s revenues and results of operations are seasonal.
 
A significant portion of CenterPoint Houston’s revenues is derived from rates that it collects from each retail electric provider based on the amount of electricity it distributes on behalf of such retail electric provider. Thus, CenterPoint Houston’s revenues and results of operations are subject to seasonality, weather conditions and other changes in electricity usage, with revenues being higher during the warmer months.
 
Risk Factors Affecting Our Natural Gas Distribution, Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services, Interstate Pipelines and Field Services Businesses
 
Rate regulation of CERC’s business may delay or deny CERC’s ability to earn a reasonable return and fully recover its costs.
 
CERC’s rates for its natural gas distribution business (Gas Operations) are regulated by certain municipalities and state commissions, and for its interstate pipelines by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), based on an analysis of its invested capital and its expenses in a test year. Thus, the rates that CERC is allowed to charge may not match its expenses at any given time. The regulatory process in which rates are determined may not always result in rates that will produce full recovery of CERC’s costs and enable CERC to earn a reasonable return on its invested capital.


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CERC’s businesses must compete with alternative energy sources, which could result in CERC marketing less natural gas, and its interstate pipelines and field services businesses must compete directly with others in the transportation, storage, gathering, treating and processing of natural gas, which could lead to lower prices, either of which could have an adverse impact on CERC’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
CERC competes primarily with alternate energy sources such as electricity and other fuel sources. In some areas, intrastate pipelines, other natural gas distributors and marketers also compete directly with CERC for natural gas sales to end-users. In addition, as a result of federal regulatory changes affecting interstate pipelines, natural gas marketers operating on these pipelines may be able to bypass CERC’s facilities and market, sell and/or transport natural gas directly to commercial and industrial customers. Any reduction in the amount of natural gas marketed, sold or transported by CERC as a result of competition may have an adverse impact on CERC’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
CERC’s two interstate pipelines and its gathering systems compete with other interstate and intrastate pipelines and gathering systems in the transportation and storage of natural gas. The principal elements of competition are rates, terms of service, and flexibility and reliability of service. They also compete indirectly with other forms of energy, including electricity, coal and fuel oils. The primary competitive factor is price. The actions of CERC’s competitors could lead to lower prices, which may have an adverse impact on CERC’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
CERC’s natural gas distribution and competitive natural gas sales and services businesses are subject to fluctuations in natural gas pricing levels, which could affect the ability of CERC’s suppliers and customers to meet their obligations or otherwise adversely affect CERC’s liquidity.
 
CERC is subject to risk associated with increases in the price of natural gas. Increases in natural gas prices might affect CERC’s ability to collect balances due from its customers and, for Gas Operations, could create the potential for uncollectible accounts expense to exceed the recoverable levels built into CERC’s tariff rates. In addition, a sustained period of high natural gas prices could apply downward demand pressure on natural gas consumption in the areas in which CERC operates and increase the risk that CERC’s suppliers or customers fail or are unable to meet their obligations. Additionally, increasing natural gas prices could create the need for CERC to provide collateral in order to purchase natural gas.
 
A decline in CERC’s credit rating could result in CERC’s having to provide collateral in order to purchase gas.
 
If CERC’s credit rating were to decline, it might be required to post cash collateral in order to purchase natural gas. If a credit rating downgrade and the resultant cash collateral requirement were to occur at a time when CERC was experiencing significant working capital requirements or otherwise lacked liquidity, CERC might be unable to obtain the necessary natural gas to meet its obligations to customers, and its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows would be adversely affected.
 
The revenues and results of operations of CERC’s interstate pipelines and field services businesses are subject to fluctuations in the supply of natural gas.
 
CERC’s interstate pipelines and field services businesses largely rely on natural gas sourced in the various supply basins located in the Mid-continent region of the United States. To the extent the availability of this supply is substantially reduced, it could have an adverse effect on CERC’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
CERC’s revenues and results of operations are seasonal.
 
A substantial portion of CERC’s revenues is derived from natural gas sales and transportation. Thus, CERC’s revenues and results of operations are subject to seasonality, weather conditions and other changes in natural gas usage, with revenues being higher during the winter months.


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The actual cost of pipelines under construction and related compression facilities may be significantly higher than CERC’s current estimates.
 
Subsidiaries of CERC Corp. are involved in significant pipeline construction projects. The construction of new pipelines and related compression facilities requires the expenditure of significant amounts of capital, which may exceed CERC’s estimates. These projects may not be completed at the budgeted cost, on schedule or at all. The construction of new pipeline or compression facilities is subject to construction cost overruns due to labor costs, costs of equipment and materials such as steel and nickel, labor shortages or delays, weather delays, inflation or other factors, which could be material. In addition, the construction of these facilities is typically subject to the receipt of approvals and permits from various regulatory agencies. Those agencies may not approve the projects in a timely manner or may impose restrictions or conditions on the projects that could potentially prevent a project from proceeding, lengthen its expected completion schedule and/or increase its anticipated cost. As a result, there is the risk that the new facilities may not be able to achieve CERC’s expected investment return, which could adversely affect CERC’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
The states in which CERC provides regulated local gas distribution may, either through legislation or rules, adopt restrictions similar to or broader than those under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 regarding organization, financing and affiliate transactions that could have significant adverse impacts on CERC’s ability to operate.
 
The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, to which we were subject prior to its repeal in the Energy Policy Act of 2005, provided a comprehensive regulatory structure governing the organization, capital structure, intracompany relationships and lines of business that could be pursued by registered holding companies and their member companies. Following repeal of that Act, some states in which CERC does business have sought to expand their own regulatory frameworks to give their regulatory authorities increased jurisdiction and scrutiny over similar aspects of the utilities that operate in their states. Some of these frameworks attempt to regulate financing activities, acquisitions and divestitures, and arrangements between the utilities and their affiliates, and to restrict the level of non-utility businesses that can be conducted within the holding company structure. Additionally they may impose record keeping, record access, employee training and reporting requirements related to affiliate transactions and reporting in the event of certain downgrading of the utility’s bond rating.
 
These regulatory frameworks could have adverse effects on CERC’s ability to operate its utility operations, to finance its business and to provide cost-effective utility service. In addition, if more than one state adopts restrictions over similar activities, it may be difficult for CERC and us to comply with competing regulatory requirements.
 
Risk Factors Associated with Our Consolidated Financial Condition
 
If we are unable to arrange future financings on acceptable terms, our ability to refinance existing indebtedness could be limited.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we had $9.7 billion of outstanding indebtedness on a consolidated basis, which includes $2.7 billion of non-recourse transition bonds. As of March 31, 2008, approximately $613 million principal amount of this debt, excluding our 3.75% Convertible Notes discussed below, is required to be paid through 2010. This amount excludes principal repayments of approximately $511 million on transition bonds, for which a dedicated revenue stream exists. As of March 31, 2008, we had $401.6 million of outstanding 3.75% Convertible Notes, which we have called for redemption on May 30, 2008, and on which holders could exercise their conversion rights prior to such redemption. Our future financing activities may depend, at least in part, on:
 
  •  the resolution of the true-up components, including, in particular, the results of appeals to the courts regarding rulings obtained to date;
 
  •  general economic and capital market conditions;


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  •  credit availability from financial institutions and other lenders;
 
  •  investor confidence in us and the markets in which we operate;
 
  •  maintenance of acceptable credit ratings;
 
  •  market expectations regarding our future earnings and cash flows;
 
  •  market perceptions of our ability to access capital markets on reasonable terms;
 
  •  our exposure to RRI in connection with its indemnification obligations arising in connection with its separation from us; and
 
  •  provisions of relevant tax and securities laws.
 
As of March 31, 2008, CenterPoint Houston had outstanding $2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of general mortgage bonds, including approximately $527 million held in trust to secure pollution control bonds for which we are obligated and approximately $229 million held in trust to secure pollution control bonds for which CenterPoint Houston is obligated. Additionally, CenterPoint Houston had outstanding approximately $253 million aggregate principal amount of first mortgage bonds, including approximately $151 million held in trust to secure certain pollution control bonds for which we are obligated. CenterPoint Houston may issue additional general mortgage bonds on the basis of retired bonds, 70% of property additions or cash deposited with the trustee. Approximately $2.3 billion of additional first mortgage bonds and general mortgage bonds in the aggregate could be issued on the basis of retired bonds and 70% of property additions as of March 31, 2008. However, CenterPoint Houston has contractually agreed that it will not issue additional first mortgage bonds, subject to certain exceptions.
 
Our current credit ratings are discussed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries — Liquidity and Capital Resources — Future Sources and Uses of Cash — Impact on Liquidity of a Downgrade in Credit Ratings” in Item 2 of our 1st Quarter 2008 Form 10-Q. These credit ratings may not remain in effect for any given period of time and one or more of these ratings may be lowered or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency. We note that these credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold our securities. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating. Any future reduction or withdrawal of one or more of our credit ratings could have a material adverse impact on our ability to access capital on acceptable terms.
 
As a holding company with no operations of our own, we will depend on distributions from our subsidiaries to meet our payment obligations, and provisions of applicable law or contractual restrictions could limit the amount of those distributions.
 
We derive all our operating income from, and hold all our assets through, our subsidiaries. As a result, we will depend on distributions from our subsidiaries in order to meet our payment obligations. In general, these subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. In addition, provisions of applicable law, such as those limiting the legal sources of dividends, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make payments or other distributions to us, and our subsidiaries could agree to contractual restrictions on their ability to make distributions.
 
Our right to receive any assets of any subsidiary, and therefore the right of our creditors to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any subsidiary, our rights as a creditor would be subordinated to any security interest in the assets of that subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to that held by us.


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The use of derivative contracts by us and our subsidiaries in the normal course of business could result in financial losses that could negatively impact our results of operations and those of our subsidiaries.
 
We and our subsidiaries use derivative instruments, such as swaps, options, futures and forwards, to manage our commodity, weather and financial market risks. We and our subsidiaries could recognize financial losses as a result of volatility in the market values of these contracts, or should a counterparty fail to perform. In the absence of actively quoted market prices and pricing information from external sources, the valuation of these financial instruments can involve management’s judgment or use of estimates. As a result, changes in the underlying assumptions or use of alternative valuation methods could affect the reported fair value of these contracts.
 
Risks Common to Our Businesses and Other Risks
 
We are subject to operational and financial risks and liabilities arising from environmental laws and regulations.
 
Our operations are subject to stringent and complex laws and regulations pertaining to health, safety and the environment. As an owner or operator of natural gas pipelines and distribution systems, gas gathering and processing systems, and electric transmission and distribution systems we must comply with these laws and regulations at the federal, state and local levels. These laws and regulations can restrict or impact our business activities in many ways, such as:
 
  •  restricting the way we can handle or dispose of wastes;
 
  •  limiting or prohibiting construction activities in sensitive areas such as wetlands, coastal regions, or areas inhabited by endangered species;
 
  •  requiring remedial action to mitigate pollution conditions caused by our operations, or attributable to former operations; and
 
  •  enjoining the operations of facilities deemed in non-compliance with permits issued pursuant to such environmental laws and regulations.
 
In order to comply with these requirements, we may need to spend substantial amounts and devote other resources from time to time to:
 
  •  construct or acquire new equipment;
 
  •  acquire permits for facility operations;
 
  •  modify or replace existing and proposed equipment; and
 
  •  clean up or decommission waste disposal areas, fuel storage and management facilities and other locations and facilities.
 
Failure to comply with these laws and regulations may trigger a variety of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement measures, including the assessment of monetary penalties, the imposition of remedial actions and the issuance of orders enjoining future operations. Certain environmental statutes impose strict, joint and several liability for costs required to clean up and restore sites where hazardous substances have been disposed or otherwise released. Moreover, it is not uncommon for neighboring landowners and other third parties to file claims for personal injury and property damage allegedly caused by the release of hazardous substances or other waste products into the environment.
 
Our insurance coverage may not be sufficient. Insufficient insurance coverage and increased insurance costs could adversely impact our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
We currently have general liability and property insurance in place to cover certain of our facilities in amounts that we consider appropriate. Such policies are subject to certain limits and deductibles and do not include business interruption coverage. Insurance coverage may not be available in the future at current costs or on commercially reasonable terms, and the insurance proceeds received for any loss of, or any damage to,


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any of our facilities may not be sufficient to restore the loss or damage without negative impact on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
In common with other companies in its line of business that serve coastal regions, CenterPoint Houston does not have insurance covering its transmission and distribution system because CenterPoint Houston believes it to be cost prohibitive. If CenterPoint Houston were to sustain any loss of, or damage to, its transmission and distribution properties, it may not be able to recover such loss or damage through a change in its regulated rates, and any such recovery may not be timely granted. Therefore, CenterPoint Houston may not be able to restore any loss of, or damage to, any of its transmission and distribution properties without negative impact on its results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
 
We, CenterPoint Houston and CERC could incur liabilities associated with businesses and assets that we have transferred to others.
 
Under some circumstances, we, CenterPoint Houston and CERC could incur liabilities associated with assets and businesses we, CenterPoint Houston and CERC no longer own. These assets and businesses were previously owned by Reliant Energy, a predecessor of CenterPoint Houston, directly or through subsidiaries and include:
 
  •  those transferred to RRI or its subsidiaries in connection with the organization and capitalization of RRI prior to its initial public offering in 2001; and
 
  •  those transferred to Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. (Texas Genco) in connection with its organization and capitalization.
 
In connection with the organization and capitalization of RRI, RRI and its subsidiaries assumed liabilities associated with various assets and businesses Reliant Energy transferred to them. RRI also agreed to indemnify, and cause the applicable transferee subsidiaries to indemnify, us and our subsidiaries, including CenterPoint Houston and CERC, with respect to liabilities associated with the transferred assets and businesses. These indemnity provisions were intended to place sole financial responsibility on RRI and its subsidiaries for all liabilities associated with the current and historical businesses and operations of RRI, regardless of the time those liabilities arose. If RRI were unable to satisfy a liability that has been so assumed in circumstances in which Reliant Energy and its subsidiaries were not released from the liability in connection with the transfer, we, CenterPoint Houston or CERC could be responsible for satisfying the liability.
 
Prior to the distribution of our ownership in RRI to our shareholders, CERC had guaranteed certain contractual obligations of what became RRI’s trading subsidiary. Under the terms of the separation agreement between the companies, RRI agreed to extinguish all such guaranty obligations prior to separation, but at the time of separation in September 2002, RRI had been unable to extinguish all obligations. To secure CERC against obligations under the remaining guaranties, RRI agreed to provide cash or letters of credit for the benefit of CERC, and undertook to use commercially reasonable efforts to extinguish the remaining guaranties. In December 2007, we, CERC and RRI amended the agreement and CERC released the letters of credit it held as security. Under the revised agreement, RRI agreed to provide cash or new letters of credit to secure CERC against exposure under the remaining guaranties as calculated under the new agreement if and to the extent changes in market conditions exposed CERC to a risk of loss on those guaranties.
 
The remaining exposure to CERC under the guaranties relates to payment of demand charges related to transportation contracts. The present value of the demand charges under these transportation contracts, which will be effective until 2018, was approximately $135 million as of March 31, 2008. RRI continues to meet its obligations under the contracts, and on the basis of current market conditions, we and CERC believe that additional security is not needed at this time. However, if RRI should fail to perform its obligations under the contracts or if RRI should fail to provide adequate security in the event market conditions change adversely, we would retain our exposure to the counterparty under the guaranty.
 
RRI’s unsecured debt ratings are currently below investment grade. If RRI were unable to meet its obligations, it would need to consider, among various options, restructuring under the bankruptcy laws, in


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which event RRI might not honor its indemnification obligations and claims by RRI’s creditors might be made against us as its former owner.
 
Reliant Energy and RRI are named as defendants in a number of lawsuits arising out of energy sales in California and other markets and financial reporting matters. Although these matters relate to the business and operations of RRI, claims against Reliant Energy have been made on grounds that include the effect of RRI’s financial results on Reliant Energy’s historical financial statements and liability of Reliant Energy as a controlling shareholder of RRI. We or CenterPoint Houston could incur liability if claims in one or more of these lawsuits were successfully asserted against us or CenterPoint Houston and indemnification from RRI were determined to be unavailable or if RRI were unable to satisfy indemnification obligations owed with respect to those claims.
 
In connection with the organization and capitalization of Texas Genco, Texas Genco assumed liabilities associated with the electric generation assets Reliant Energy transferred to it. Texas Genco also agreed to indemnify, and cause the applicable transferee subsidiaries to indemnify, us and our subsidiaries, including CenterPoint Houston, with respect to liabilities associated with the transferred assets and businesses. In many cases the liabilities assumed were obligations of CenterPoint Houston and CenterPoint Houston was not released by third parties from these liabilities. The indemnity provisions were intended generally to place sole financial responsibility on Texas Genco and its subsidiaries for all liabilities associated with the current and historical businesses and operations of Texas Genco, regardless of the time those liabilities arose. In connection with the sale of Texas Genco’s fossil generation assets (coal, lignite and gas-fired plants) to Texas Genco LLC, the separation agreement we entered into with Texas Genco in connection with the organization and capitalization of Texas Genco was amended to provide that all of Texas Genco’s rights and obligations under the separation agreement relating to its fossil generation assets, including Texas Genco’s obligation to indemnify us with respect to liabilities associated with the fossil generation assets and related business, were assigned to and assumed by Texas Genco LLC. In addition, under the amended separation agreement, Texas Genco is no longer liable for, and we have assumed and agreed to indemnify Texas Genco LLC against, liabilities that Texas Genco originally assumed in connection with its organization to the extent, and only to the extent, that such liabilities are covered by certain insurance policies or other similar agreements held by us. If Texas Genco or Texas Genco LLC were unable to satisfy a liability that had been so assumed or indemnified against, and provided Reliant Energy had not been released from the liability in connection with the transfer, CenterPoint Houston could be responsible for satisfying the liability.
 
We or our subsidiaries have been named, along with numerous others, as a defendant in lawsuits filed by a large number of individuals who claim injury due to exposure to asbestos. Most claimants in such litigation have been workers who participated in construction of various industrial facilities, including power plants. Some of the claimants have worked at locations we own, but most existing claims relate to facilities previously owned by our subsidiaries but currently owned by Texas Genco LLC, which is now known as NRG Texas LP. We anticipate that additional claims like those received may be asserted in the future. Under the terms of the arrangements regarding separation of the generating business from us and its sale to Texas Genco LLC, ultimate financial responsibility for uninsured losses from claims relating to the generating business has been assumed by Texas Genco LLC and its successor, but we have agreed to continue to defend such claims to the extent they are covered by insurance maintained by us, subject to reimbursement of the costs of such defense by Texas Genco LLC.
 
Risk Factors Related to the Notes
 
An active trading market for the notes may not develop.
 
The notes will be a new issue of securities for which there is currently no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the notes on any securities exchange or for quotation of the notes on any dealer quotation system. Even if a market for the notes does develop, we cannot assure you that there will be liquidity in that market, or that the notes might not trade for less than their original value or face amount. The liquidity of any market for the notes will depend on the number of holders of those notes, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the notes and other factors. If a liquid market for the notes does not


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develop, you may be unable to resell the notes for a long period of time, if at all. Accordingly, we cannot assure you as to the development or liquidity of any trading market for the notes or as to your ability to sell your notes.
 
Even if a market for the notes develops, trading prices could be higher or lower than the initial offering price. The prices of the notes will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our operating results and financial conditions and the market for similar securities. Declines in the market prices for debt securities generally may also materially and adversely affect the liquidity of the notes, independent of our financial performance.
 
The notes will be effectively subordinated to existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of our subsidiaries.
 
We derive all our operating income from, and hold all our assets through, our subsidiaries. As a result, we will depend on distributions from our subsidiaries in order to meet our payment obligations under any debt securities, including the notes and our other obligations. In general, these subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to pay any amounts due on our debt securities or to provide us with funds for our payment obligations, whether by dividends, distributions, loans or otherwise. In addition, provisions of applicable law, such as those limiting the legal sources of dividends, limit our subsidiaries’ ability to make payments or other distributions to us, and they could agree to contractual restrictions on their ability to make distributions.
 
Our right to receive any assets of any subsidiary, and therefore the right of our creditors to participate in those assets, will be effectively subordinated to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors, including trade creditors. In addition, even if we were a creditor of any subsidiary, our rights as a creditor would be subordinated to any security interest in the assets of that subsidiary and any indebtedness of the subsidiary senior to that held by us. Excluding subsidiaries issuing transition bonds, as of March 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had approximately $4.4 billion aggregate principal amount of third-party indebtedness outstanding, of which approximately $1.6 billion was secured and $200 million represented advances for the purchase of receivables.


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USE OF PROCEEDS
 
The net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $     , after deducting underwriters’ discounts and estimated expenses of the offering. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general corporate purposes, including the satisfaction of cash payment obligations in connection with future conversions of the $401.6 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.75% Convertible Notes outstanding at March 31, 2008 or in connection with the May 30, 2008 redemption of any such 3.75% Convertible Notes not converted on or prior to that date.
 
CAPITALIZATION
 
The following table sets forth our short-term debt and capitalization as of March 31, 2008. No adjustments have been made for:
 
  •  the issuance of notes in this offering or the use of proceeds therefrom, as discussed in “Use of Proceeds” above;
 
  •  conversions of approximately $11 million of our 3.75% Convertible Notes since March 31, 2008 and the resulting issuance of shares of our common stock and cash payments, or future conversions of such notes or the redemption of any such notes not converted on or prior to May 30, 2008; or
 
  •  any changes in short-term debt after March 31, 2008.
 
This table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 2007 Form 10-K, and our 1st Quarter 2008 Form 10-Q.
 
                 
    March 31, 2008  
    (In millions)        
 
Short-Term Debt
               
Short-term borrowings
  $ 200       1.7 %
Current portion of transition bond long-term debt
    186       1.6 %
Current portion of other long-term debt
    724       6.3 %
                 
Total short-term debt
    1,110       9.6 %
                 
Long-Term Debt
               
Transition bonds
    2,485       21.5 %
Other
    6,061       52.6 %
                 
Total long-term debt
    8,546       74.1 %
                 
Total Debt
    9,656       83.7 %
Shareholders’ Equity
    1,880       16.3 %
                 
Total Capitalization and Short-Term Debt
  $ 11,536       100.0 %
                 


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DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
The following description of the particular terms of the notes (referred to in the accompanying prospectus as the debt securities) supplements, and to the extent inconsistent therewith replaces, the description of the general terms and provisions of the debt securities set forth in the accompanying prospectus, to which we refer you.
 
We will issue the notes under an indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003, as supplemented, and as to be further supplemented in connection with establishing the terms of the notes (the “indenture”), between us and The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association), as trustee. The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the notes and the indenture. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture and the notes. For a complete description of the notes, you should refer to the indenture, including the form of supplemental indenture establishing the terms of the notes, copies of which are available from us. In addition, we have filed the current indenture and will file the supplemental indenture with the SEC. Please read “Where You Can Find More Information.” For purposes of this summary, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and not any of our subsidiaries.
 
We may issue additional series of debt securities from time to time under the indenture. There is no limitation on the amount of debt securities we may issue under the indenture. As of March 31, 2008, approximately $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of debt securities were outstanding under the indenture, although the $401.6 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.75% Convertible Notes has been called for redemption on May 30, 2008, unless earlier converted.
 
We have included cross-references in the summary below to refer you to the section numbers of the indenture we are describing.
 
Ranking of the Notes
 
The notes will:
 
  •  be general unsecured obligations,
 
  •  rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and
 
  •  with respect to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries, effectively rank below all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries.
 
As of March 31, 2008, we, on an unconsolidated basis, had approximately $3.3 billion aggregate principal amount of indebtedness outstanding, including approximately $678 million of obligations relating to pollution control bonds issued on our behalf, which are secured by general mortgage bonds and first mortgage bonds of CenterPoint Houston. Such amount of outstanding indebtedness excludes $11 million of convertible debt which was submitted for conversion in March, 2008 but settled in April, 2008. Excluding subsidiaries issuing transition bonds, as of March 31, 2008, our subsidiaries had approximately $4.4 billion aggregate principal amount of third-party indebtedness outstanding, of which approximately $1.6 billion was secured and $200 million represented advances for the purchase of receivables, as well as other liabilities.
 
Subject to exceptions, and subject to compliance with the applicable requirements, set forth in the indenture, we may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to the notes as described below under “— Defeasance.”
 
Structural Subordination
 
We are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our only significant assets are the capital stock of our subsidiaries, and our subsidiaries generate substantially all of our operating income and cash flow. As a result, dividends or advances from our subsidiaries are the principal source of funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, as


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well as our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we may require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the notes. In addition, the notes will be effectively subordinated to all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries with regard to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries.
 
Principal, Maturity and Interest
 
The notes will mature on          , 2018 and are initially limited to $      in aggregate principal amount. However, we may issue additional notes of the same series as the notes from time to time, without the consent of the holders of the notes. The notes will be issued only in denominations of $1,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount.
 
Interest on the notes will:
 
  •  accrue at the rate of     % per annum;
 
  •  be payable semi-annually in arrears on each           and          , with the initial interest payment date being          , 2008,
 
  •  be payable to the person in whose name the notes are registered at the close of business on the           and           immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date, which we refer to with respect to the notes as “regular record dates,”
 
  •  be computed on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, and
 
  •  be payable on overdue interest to the extent permitted by law at the same rate as interest is payable on principal.
 
If any interest payment date, the maturity date or any redemption date falls on a day that is not a business day, the required payment will be made on the next business day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant interest payment date, maturity date or redemption date and no additional amounts will accrue on that payment for the period from and after the interest payment date, maturity date or redemption date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding business day. Unless we default on a payment, no interest will accrue for the period from and after the applicable maturity date or redemption date.
 
Optional Redemption
 
We may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at our option exercisable at any time and from time to time upon not less than 30 and not more than 60 days’ notice as provided in the indenture, on any date prior to their maturity at a redemption price equal to:
 
  •  100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed, plus
 
  •  accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date, plus
 
  •  the make-whole premium described below, if any.
 
The redemption price will never be less than 100% of the principal amount of the notes redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.
 
The amount of the make-whole premium with respect to any note to be redeemed will be equal to the excess, if any, of:
 
(1) the sum of the present values, calculated as of the redemption date, of:
 
  •  each interest payment that, but for such redemption, would have been payable on the note or portion thereof being redeemed on each interest payment date occurring after the redemption date (excluding any accrued and unpaid interest for the period prior to the redemption date), and


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  •  the principal amount that, but for such redemption, would have been payable at the final maturity of the note or portion thereof being redeemed, over
 
(2) the principal amount of the note or portion thereof being redeemed.
 
The present values of interest and principal payments referred to in clause (1) above will be determined in accordance with generally accepted principles of financial analysis. These present values will be calculated by discounting the amount of each payment of interest or principal from the date that each such payment would have been payable, but for the redemption, to the redemption date at a discount rate equal to the comparable treasury yield (as defined below) plus           basis points.
 
The make-whole premium will be calculated by an independent investment banking institution of national standing appointed by us. If we fail to appoint an independent investment banking institution at least 45 days prior to the redemption date, or if the independent investment banking institution we appoint is unwilling or unable to calculate the make-whole premium, the calculation will be made by Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. or Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC. If Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC are unwilling or unable to make the calculation, we will appoint a different independent investment banking institution of national standing to make the calculation.
 
For purposes of determining the make-whole premium, “comparable treasury yield” means a rate of interest per annum equal to the weekly average yield to maturity of United States Treasury Securities that have a constant maturity that corresponds to the remaining term to maturity of the notes to be redeemed, calculated to the nearest 1/12th of a year. The comparable treasury yield will be determined as of the third business day immediately preceding the applicable redemption date.
 
The weekly average yields of United States Treasury Securities will be determined by reference to the most recent statistical release published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and designated “H.15(519) Selected Interest Rates” or any successor release. If this statistical release sets forth a weekly average yield for United States Treasury Securities having a constant maturity that is the same as the remaining term calculated as set forth above, then the comparable treasury yield will be equal to such weekly average yield. In all other cases, the comparable treasury yield will be calculated by interpolation on a straight-line basis, between the weekly average yields on the United States Treasury Securities that have a constant maturity closest to and greater than the remaining term and the United States Treasury Securities that have a constant maturity closest to and less than the remaining term (in each case as set forth in the H.15 statistical release or any successor release). Any weekly average yields calculated by interpolation will be rounded to the nearest 1/100th of 1%, with any figure of 1/200th of 1% or above being rounded upward. If weekly average yields for United States Treasury Securities are not available in the H.15 statistical release or otherwise, then the comparable treasury yield will be calculated by interpolation of comparable rates selected by an independent investment banking institution selected in the manner described in the second preceding paragraph.
 
If we redeem less than all the notes, the trustee will select the notes for redemption on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such other method as the trustee in its sole discretion deems fair and appropriate. We will only redeem notes in multiples of $1,000 in original principal amount. If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption will state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original note will be issued upon the cancellation of the original note.
 
Sinking Fund
 
We are not obligated to make mandatory redemption or sinking fund payments with respect to the notes.
 
Restrictive Covenant
 
Other than the covenant described below, the indenture does not contain financial covenants and does not restrict us from paying dividends, incurring additional indebtedness or issuing or repurchasing any of our other securities. The indenture also does not protect holders in the event of a highly leveraged transaction, except to the extent described in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Description of Our Senior Debt —


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Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets.” The restrictive covenant summarized below is applicable to the notes; provided, however, that it will terminate pursuant to the termination provision of the indenture and will no longer be applicable to the notes on and after the date, which we refer to as the “termination date,” on which there remains outstanding, in the aggregate, no more than $200 million in principal amount of our:
 
  •  5.875% Senior Notes due 2008 ($200 million outstanding as of March 31, 2008),
 
  •  6.850% Senior Notes due 2015 ($200 million outstanding as of March 31, 2008),
 
  •  7.25% Senior Notes due 2010 ($200 million outstanding as of March 31, 2008),
 
  •  3.75% Convertible Notes ($402 million outstanding as of March 31, 2008), and
 
  •  long-term indebtedness (but excluding for this purpose any long-term indebtedness incurred pursuant to any revolving credit facility, letter of credit facility or other similar bank credit facility) issued subsequent to the issuance of the notes and prior to the termination date containing a covenant substantially similar to the restrictive covenant summarized below, or an event of default substantially similar to the event of default described in the fourth bullet under “Events of Default” below, but not containing the termination provision.
 
Our 5.875% Senior Notes due 2008, our 6.850% Senior Notes due 2015, our 7.25% Senior Notes due 2010 and our 3.75% Convertible Notes have a covenant similar to the restrictive covenant summarized below. The terms of our 5.95% Senior Notes due 2017 include a similar covenant and the termination provision described above.
 
Limitations on Liens.  So long as any of the notes is outstanding, we will not pledge, mortgage, hypothecate or grant a security interest in, or permit any mortgage, pledge, security interest or other lien upon, any capital stock or other equity interests now or hereafter owned by us in any Significant Subsidiary to secure any Indebtedness, without making effective provision whereby the outstanding notes shall be equally and ratably secured. This restriction shall not apply to:
 
  •  any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon the capital stock or other equity interests of CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC, CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC or any other special purpose subsidiary hereafter created by us in connection with the issuance of securitization bonds for the economic value of generation-related regulatory assets and stranded costs,
 
  •  any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance upon any capital stock or other equity interests in an entity which was not affiliated with us prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance (or the capital stock or other equity interests of a holding company formed to acquire or hold such capital stock or other equity interests) created at the time of our acquisition of the capital stock or other equity interests or within one year after such time to secure all or a portion of the purchase price for such capital stock or other equity interests; provided that the principal amount of any Indebtedness secured by such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not exceed 100% of such purchase price and the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such acquisition and acquisition financing,
 
  •  any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existing upon capital stock or other equity interests in an entity which was not affiliated with us prior to one year before the grant of such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance at the time of our acquisition of such capital stock or other equity interests (whether or not the obligations secured thereby are assumed by us or such subsidiary becomes a Significant Subsidiary); provided that (i) such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance existed at the time such entity became a Significant Subsidiary and was not created in anticipation of the acquisition and (ii) any such mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance does not by its terms secure any Indebtedness other than Indebtedness existing or committed immediately prior to the time such entity becomes a Significant Subsidiary,


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  •  liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies to the extent not past due or which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for which we have provided adequate reserves for the payment thereof in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
 
  •  pledges or deposits in the ordinary course of business to secure obligations under workers’ compensation laws or similar legislation,
 
  •  materialmen’s, mechanics’, carriers’, workers’ and repairmen’s liens imposed by law and other similar liens arising in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet due or currently being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted,
 
  •  attachment, judgment or other similar liens, which have not been effectively stayed, arising in connection with court proceedings; provided that such liens, in the aggregate, shall not secure judgments which exceed $50,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding; provided further that the execution or enforcement of each such lien is effectively stayed within 30 days after entry of the corresponding judgment (or the corresponding judgment has been discharged within such 30 day period) and the claims secured thereby are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings timely commenced and diligently prosecuted,
 
  •  other liens not otherwise referred to in the above bullets, provided that the Indebtedness secured by such liens in the aggregate, shall not exceed 1% of consolidated gross assets appearing in our most recent audited consolidated financial statements at any one time outstanding,
 
  •  any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance on the capital stock or other equity interests of any subsidiary that was otherwise permitted hereunder if such subsidiary subsequently becomes a Significant Subsidiary, or
 
  •  any extension, renewal or refunding of Indebtedness secured by any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or encumbrance described in the above bullets; provided that the principal amount of any such Indebtedness is not increased by an amount greater than the fees, expenses and costs incurred in connection with such extension, renewal or refunding.
 
Defined Terms
 
An “affiliate” of, or a person “affiliated” with, a specific person is a person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the person specified.
 
The term “control” (including the terms “controlled by” and “under common control with”) means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise.
 
“Indebtedness,” as applied to any person, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by such person, in respect of:
 
  •  obligations for money borrowed, other than unamortized debt discount or premium,
 
  •  obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets of any kind,
 
  •  obligations as lessee under a capital lease, and
 
  •  any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in the three immediately preceding bullet points.
 
All indebtedness of such type secured by a lien upon property owned by such person, although such person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, is also deemed to be indebtedness of such person. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such person will for all purposes of the indenture be deemed


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to be indebtedness of such person, but no other contingent obligation of such person in respect of indebtedness incurred by any other persons shall be deemed indebtedness of such person.
 
“Significant Subsidiary” means CERC and CenterPoint Houston, and any other subsidiary which, at the time of the creation of a pledge, mortgage, security interest or other lien upon any capital stock or other equity interests of such subsidiary, has consolidated gross assets (having regard to our beneficial interest in the shares, or the like, of that subsidiary) that represent at least 25% of our consolidated gross assets appearing in our most recent audited consolidated financial statements.
 
A “subsidiary” of any entity means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (i) the issued and outstanding capital stock or comparable interests having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors or comparable governing body of such entity (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock or comparable interests of any other class or classes of such entity shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (ii) the interest in the capital or profits of such limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other entity or (iii) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate, is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such entity, by such entity and one or more of its other subsidiaries or by one or more of such entity’s other subsidiaries.
 
Events of Default
 
Each of the following is an event of default under the indenture with respect to the notes; provided, however, that the event of default described in the fourth bullet point below will terminate pursuant to the termination provision of the indenture and will no longer be applicable to the notes on and after the termination date referred to under “Restrictive Covenant” above:
 
  •  our failure to pay the principal of or premium, if any, on the notes when due, including at maturity or upon redemption,
 
  •  our failure to pay any interest on the notes for 30 days after the interest becomes due,
 
  •  our failure to perform, or our breach in any material respect of, any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, other than a covenant or warranty included in the indenture solely for the benefit of another series of our debt securities issued under the indenture, for 90 days after either the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have given us written notice of the breach in the manner required by the indenture,
 
  •  the default by us, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise in the aggregate principal amount of $50 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness, or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of us, CERC or CenterPoint Houston in such aggregate principal amount so that it becomes due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such payment default is not cured or such acceleration default is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to us in accordance with the terms of the Indebtedness; provided that such payment default or acceleration of CERC or CenterPoint Houston will not be an event of default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, is not affiliated with us, and
 
  •  specified events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of us, CERC or CenterPoint Houston; provided that any specified event involving CERC or CenterPoint Houston will not be an event of default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC or CenterPoint Houston, as the case may be, is not affiliated with us,
 
provided, however, that no event described in the third bullet point above will be an event of default until an officer of the trustee, assigned to and working in the trustee’s corporate trust department, has actual knowledge of the event or until the trustee receives written notice of the event. (Section 501)
 
If an event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to the notes, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes may declare the principal amount of the notes due and immediately payable. In order to declare the principal amount of the notes due and immediately


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payable, the trustee or the holders must deliver a notice that satisfies the requirements of the indenture. Upon a declaration by the trustee or the holders, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount of the notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any.
 
This right does not apply if an event of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs, or an event of default described in the fourth bullet point above that applies to all notes outstanding under the indenture occurs. If one of the events of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing, the notes then outstanding under the indenture will be due and payable immediately. In addition, if the event of default described in the fourth bullet point occurs and is continuing and is common to all notes outstanding under the indenture, either the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all of the notes then outstanding under the indenture, treated as one class, may declare the principal amount of all of the notes then outstanding under the indenture due and payable immediately.
 
At any time after any declaration of acceleration of the notes, but before a judgment or decree for payment of the money due has been obtained by the trustee, the event of default giving rise to the declaration of acceleration will, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled if:
 
  •  we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
 
  •  all overdue installments of interest on the notes,
 
  •  the principal of (and premium, if any, on) the notes that have become due otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates prescribed therefor,
 
  •  to the extent lawfully permitted, interest upon overdue interest, and
 
  •  all sums paid or advanced by, and certain sums owed to, the trustee under the indenture, and
 
  •  all events of default, other than the non-payment of the principal amount of the notes that became due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in the indenture. (Section 502)
 
For more information regarding waiver of defaults, please read “Description of Our Senior Debt Securities — Modification and Waiver” in the accompanying prospectus.
 
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will generally have no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee. (Section 603) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding notes will generally have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee for the notes, provided that:
 
  •  the direction is not in conflict with any law or the indenture,
 
  •  the trustee may take any other action it deems proper which is not inconsistent with the direction, and
 
  •  the trustee will generally have the right to decline to follow the direction if an officer of the trustee determines, in good faith, that the proceeding would involve the trustee in personal liability or would otherwise be contrary to applicable law. (Section 512)
 
A holder of a note may only pursue a remedy under the indenture if:
 
  •  the holder has previously given the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default for the notes,
 
  •  holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding notes have made a written request to the trustee to pursue that remedy,
 
  •  the holders have offered reasonable indemnity to the trustee,
 
  •  the trustee fails to pursue that remedy within 60 days after receipt of the request, and


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  •  during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the notes do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. (Section 507)
 
However, these limitations do not apply to a suit by a holder of a note demanding payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on a note on or after the date the payment is due. (Section 508)
 
We will be required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement by some of our officers regarding our performance or observance of any of the terms of the indenture and specifying all of our known defaults, if any. (Section 1004)
 
Satisfaction and Discharge
 
We may discharge our obligations under the indenture while notes remain outstanding if (1) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture have become due and payable, (2) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture have or will become due and payable at their scheduled maturity within one year, or (3) all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture are scheduled for redemption in one year, and in each case, we have deposited with the trustee an amount sufficient to pay and discharge all outstanding debt securities issued under the indenture on the date of their scheduled maturity or the scheduled date of redemption.
 
Defeasance
 
If we deposit with the trustee funds or government securities sufficient to make payments on the notes on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:
 
  •  we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the notes (“legal defeasance”), or
 
  •  we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default in the third bullet point under “— Events of Default” above, the events of default described in the fourth bullet point under “Event of Default” above and the restrictions described under “Description of Our Senior Debt Securities — Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets” in the accompanying prospectus will no longer apply to us, but some of our other obligations under the indenture and the notes, including our obligation to make payments on those notes, will survive.
 
If we defease the notes, the holders of the notes will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for our obligations to:
 
  •  register the transfer or exchange of the notes,
 
  •  replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen notes, and
 
  •  maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.
 
We will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the notes to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect. (Sections 1401, 1402, 1403 and 1404)
 
Payment and Paying Agent
 
We have designated the trustee as the sole paying agent for the notes.
 
Exchange and Transfer of the Notes
 
We will issue the notes in registered form, without coupons. We will only issue notes in denominations of integral multiples of $1,000.


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Holders may present notes for exchange or for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. The security registrar or designated transfer agent will exchange or transfer the notes if it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any exchange or registration of transfer of notes. However, we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable for the exchange or registration of transfer. The trustee will serve as the security registrar. (Section 305) At any time we may:
 
  •  designate additional transfer agents,
 
  •  rescind the designation of any transfer agent, or
 
  •  approve a change in the office of any transfer agent.
 
However, we are required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the notes at all times. (Sections 305 and 1002)
 
In the event we elect to redeem the notes, neither we nor the trustee will be required to register the transfer or exchange of the notes:
 
  •  during the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption for the notes and ending at the close of business on the day the notice is mailed, or
 
  •  if we have selected the notes for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of the notes. (Section 305)
 
Regarding the Trustee
 
The Bank of New York Trust Company, National Association, successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, is the trustee, security registrar and paying agent under the indenture for the notes. As of March 31, 2008, the trustee served as trustee for approximately $2.1 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt securities and pollution control bonds issued on our behalf aggregating approximately $1.2 billion. In addition, the trustee serves as trustee for debt securities issued by or on behalf of our subsidiaries, aggregating approximately $5.0 billion as of March 31, 2008. We maintain brokerage relationships and a rabbi trust with the trustee and its affiliates.
 
Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement
 
We will issue the notes in the form of one or more permanent global notes in definitive, fully registered, book-entry form. The global notes will be deposited with or on behalf of The Depository Trust Company and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of DTC, or will remain in the custody of the trustee in accordance with the FAST Balance Certificate Agreement between DTC and the trustee.
 
Beneficial interests in the global notes will be represented through book-entry accounts of financial institutions acting on behalf of beneficial owners as direct and indirect participants in DTC. Investors may hold interests in the global notes through DTC either directly if they are participants in DTC or indirectly through organizations that are participants in DTC. DTC has advised us as follows:
 
  •  DTC is a limited-purpose trust company organized under the New York Banking Law, a “banking organization” within the meaning of the New York Banking Law, a member of the Federal Reserve System, a “clearing corporation” within the meaning of the New York Uniform Commercial Code and a “clearing agency” registered under Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
  •  DTC holds securities that its participants deposit with DTC and facilitates the settlement among participants of securities transactions, such as transfers and pledges, in deposited securities through electronic computerized book-entry changes in participants’ accounts, thereby eliminating the need for physical movement of securities certificates.


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  •  Direct participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies, clearing corporations and other organizations.
 
  •  DTC is owned by a number of its direct participants and by The New York Stock Exchange, Inc., the American Stock Exchange LLC and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.
 
  •  Access to the DTC system is also available to others such as securities brokers and dealers, banks and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a direct participant, either directly or indirectly.
 
  •  The rules applicable to DTC and its direct and indirect participants are on file with the SEC.
 
We have provided the description of the operations and procedures of DTC in this prospectus supplement solely as a matter of convenience. These operations and procedures are solely within the control of DTC and are subject to change by it from time to time. Neither we nor the underwriters or the trustee takes any responsibility for these operations or procedures, and you are urged to contact DTC or its participants directly to discuss these matters.
 
We expect that under procedures established by DTC:
 
  •  upon deposit of the global notes with DTC or its custodian, DTC will credit on its internal system the accounts of direct participants designated by the underwriters with portions of the principal amounts of the global notes; and
 
  •  ownership of the notes will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by DTC or its nominee, with respect to interests of direct participants, and the records of direct and indirect participants, with respect to interests of persons other than participants.
 
The laws of some jurisdictions may require that purchasers of securities take physical delivery of those securities in definitive form. Accordingly, the ability to transfer interests in the notes represented by a global note to those persons may be limited. In addition, because DTC can act only on behalf of its participants, who in turn act on behalf of persons who hold interests through participants, the ability of a person having an interest in notes represented by a global note to pledge or transfer those interests to persons or entities that do not participate in DTC’s system, or otherwise to take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the lack of a physical definitive security in respect of such interest.
 
So long as DTC or its nominee is the registered owner of a global note, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the notes represented by that global note for all purposes under the indenture and under the notes. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global note will not be entitled to have notes represented by that global note registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated notes and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture or under the notes for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any direction, instruction or approval to the trustee. Accordingly, each holder owning a beneficial interest in a global note must rely on the procedures of DTC and, if that holder is not a direct or indirect participant, on the procedures of the participant through which that holder owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder of notes under the indenture or the global note.
 
Neither we nor the trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account of notes by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the notes.
 
Payments on the notes represented by the global notes will be made to DTC or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner thereof. We expect that DTC or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment on the notes represented by a global note, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global note as shown in the records of DTC or its nominee. We also expect that payments by participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global note held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case


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with securities held for the accounts of customers registered in the names of nominees for such customers. The participants will be responsible for those payments.
 
Initial settlement for the notes will be made in immediately available funds. Secondary market trading between DTC participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC rules and will be settled in immediately available funds. Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of the notes among its participants, it is under no obligation to perform or continue to perform such procedures and such procedures may be changed or discontinued at any time.
 
Certificated Notes
 
Certificated notes will be issued to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the notes represented by the global notes, upon surrender by DTC of the global notes, if (i) DTC or any successor depositary (the “depositary”) notifies us that it is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for the global notes or DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and a successor depositary is not appointed within 90 days of such notice or cessation, (ii) we, at our option and subject to DTC procedures, notify the trustee in writing that we elect to cause the issuance of notes in definitive form under the indenture or (iii) upon the occurrence of certain other events as provided pursuant to the indenture.


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UNDERWRITING
 
Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in an underwriting agreement between us and the underwriters named below, for whom Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc., Lehman Brothers Inc. and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC are acting as representatives, we have agreed to sell to each of the underwriters, and each of the underwriters has severally agreed to purchase from us, the principal amount of notes set forth opposite its name below.
 
         
Underwriter
  Principal Amount  
 
Greenwich Capital Markets, Inc. 
       
Lehman Brothers Inc. 
       
Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC
       
Barclays Capital Inc. 
       
HSBC Securities (USA) Inc. 
       
Lazard Capital Markets LLC
       
RBC Capital Markets Corporation
       
SunTrust Robinson Humphrey, Inc. 
       
Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
       
         
Total
  $             
         
 
The obligations of the underwriters, including their agreement to purchase the notes from us, are several and not joint. The underwriting agreement provides that the obligations of the underwriters are subject to certain conditions and that the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of the notes if any are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters may be increased or the offering of notes may be terminated.
 
The underwriters have advised us that they propose to initially offer the notes to the public at the offering price appearing on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may also offer the notes to dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes. Any underwriter may allow, and any of these dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the notes. After the initial offering of the notes, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering price and other selling terms.
 
The notes are a new issue of securities with no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the notes on any national securities exchange. The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the notes after the offering, although they are under no obligation to do so. The underwriters may discontinue any market-making activities at any time without any notice. We can give no assurance as to the liquidity of the trading market for the notes or that a public trading market for the notes will develop.
 
In connection with the offering of the notes, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the notes. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the notes, creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the notes in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the notes. Finally, the underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed for distributing the notes in the offering, if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed notes in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market prices of the notes above independent market levels. The underwriters are not required to engage in any of these activities, and may end any of them at any time without notice.
 
We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $487,000.
 
We have agreed to indemnify the underwriters against, or contribute to payments that the underwriters may be required to make in respect of, certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.


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Lazard Capital Markets LLC (Lazard Capital Markets) has entered into an agreement with Mitsubishi UFJ Securities (USA), Inc. (MUS(USA)) pursuant to which MUS(USA) provides certain advisory and/or other services to Lazard Capital Markets, including in respect of this offering. In return for the provision of such services by MUS(USA) to Lazard Capital Markets, Lazard Capital Markets will pay to MUS(USA) a mutually agreed upon fee.
 
In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, the underwriters and/or their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking or investment management transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary compensation. Certain of the underwriters or their affiliates are lenders under our revolving credit facility.


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LEGAL MATTERS
 
Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas will pass on the validity of the notes offered in this prospectus supplement. Scott E. Rozzell, Esq., our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, or Rufus S. Scott, Esq., our Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, may pass on other legal matters for us. Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP will pass on certain legal matters for the underwriters.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial statement schedules, incorporated in this document by reference from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports (which reports (1) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statements and include an explanatory paragraph regarding the adoption of new accounting standards related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans in 2006 and conditional asset retirement obligations in 2005, (2) express an unqualified opinion on the consolidated financial statement schedules and (3) express an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting), which are incorporated herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
From time to time we make statements concerning our 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 our forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “will,” or other similar words.
 
We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.
 
The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements:
 
  •  the resolution of the true-up proceedings, including, in particular, the results of appeals to the courts regarding rulings obtained to date;
 
  •  state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including deregulation, re-regulation, environmental regulations, including regulations related to global climate change, and changes in or application of laws or regulations applicable to the various aspects of our business;
 
  •  timely and appropriate rate actions and increases, allowing recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment;
 
  •  cost overruns on major capital projects that cannot be recouped in prices;
 
  •  industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territory and changes in market demand and demographic patterns;
 
  •  the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas;


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  •  the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas;
 
  •  the timing and extent of changes in natural gas basis differentials;
 
  •  weather variations and other natural phenomena;
 
  •  changes in interest rates or rates of inflation;
 
  •  commercial bank and financial market conditions, our access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of our financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets;
 
  •  actions by rating agencies;
 
  •  effectiveness of our risk management activities;
 
  •  inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to us;
 
  •  non-payment for our services due to financial distress of our customers, including RRI;
 
  •  the ability of RRI and its subsidiaries to satisfy their other obligations to us, including indemnity obligations, or in connection with the contractual arrangements pursuant to which we are their guarantor;
 
  •  the outcome of litigation brought by or against us;
 
  •  our ability to control costs;
 
  •  the investment performance of our employee benefit plans;
 
  •  our potential business strategies, including acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses, which we cannot assure will be completed or will have the anticipated benefits to us;
 
  •  acquisition and merger activities involving us or our competitors; and
 
  •  other factors we discuss in “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-4 of this prospectus supplement.
 
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement.
 
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain further information regarding the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s Internet site located at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
This prospectus supplement is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities we may offer. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus supplement does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, the exhibits and the schedules for more information about us and our securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its Internet site.


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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
 
We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus supplement information we file with the SEC. This means we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to the documents containing the information. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus supplement. Information that we file later with the SEC that is deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement (but not information deemed to be furnished to and not filed with the SEC) will automatically update and supersede information previously included.
 
We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus supplement the documents listed below and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until all the securities are sold:
 
  •  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007,
 
  •  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2008, and
 
  •  our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2008, January 29, 2008, February 25, 2008, and March 19, 2008.
 
You may also obtain a copy of our filings with the SEC at no cost by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
P.O. Box 4567
Houston, Texas 77210-4567
(713) 207-6500


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PROSPECTUS
 
 
(CenterPoint Energy Logo)
 
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 207-1111
 
 
$1,000,000,000
Senior Debt Securities
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
 
 
We will provide the specific terms of the securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange under the symbol “CNP.”
 
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined whether this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
 
 
The date of this prospectus is December 16, 2004.


 

YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANYONE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT INFORMATION. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER IS NOT PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD NOT ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IS ACCURATE AS OF ANY DATE OTHER THAN THE DATE ON THE FRONT OF THAT DOCUMENT. ANY INFORMATION WE HAVE INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THE DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE.
 
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may offer any combination of the securities described in this prospectus in one or more offerings with a total initial offering price of up to $1,000,000,000. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a supplement to this prospectus that will describe the specific terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement and the information contained in the documents we refer to under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information.”


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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any document we file with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room located at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain further information regarding the operation of the SEC’s public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings are also available to the public on the SEC’s Internet site located at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.
 
This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the securities we may offer. As permitted by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all of the information we have included in the registration statement and the accompanying exhibits and schedules we file with the SEC. You may refer to the registration statement, the exhibits and the schedules for more information about us and our securities. The registration statement, exhibits and schedules are available at the SEC’s public reference room or through its Internet site.
 
We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus information we file with the SEC. This means we are disclosing important information to you by referring you to the documents containing the information. The information we incorporate by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus. Information that we file later with the SEC that is deemed incorporated by reference into this prospectus (but not information deemed to be furnished to and not filed with the SEC) will automatically update and supersede information previously included.
 
We are incorporating by reference into this prospectus the documents listed below and any subsequent filings we make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (excluding information deemed to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until all the securities are sold:
 
  •  our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 (our “2003 Form 10-K”),
 
  •  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2004,
 
  •  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2004.
 
  •  our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed January 29, 2004,
 
  •  Item 5 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 12, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 10, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2004 which reports that our subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., entered into a new credit agreement,
 
  •  Item 5 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2004 which reports the filing of our final true-up application,
 
  •  Item 5 of our Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 22, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 2, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed July 22, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 21, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 3, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 9, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 19, 2004,
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 7, 2004 (the “December 7, 2004 Form 8-K”),
 
  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 13, 2004,


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  •  our Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 16, 2004, and
 
  •  the description of our common stock (including the related preferred share purchase rights) contained in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 6, 2002, as we may update that description from time to time.
 
Our December 7, 2004 Form 8-K contains the Selected Financial Data, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and Financial Statements and Supplementary Data of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. from our 2003 Form 10-K with revisions to give effect to certain reclassifications necessary to present our electric generation operations as discontinued operations (as a result of the pending sale of these operations announced on July 21, 2004) in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.”
 
You may also obtain a copy of our filings with the SEC at no cost by writing to or telephoning us at the following address:
 
CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Attn: Investor Relations
P.O. Box 4567
Houston, Texas 77210-4567
(713) 207-6500
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
 
In this prospectus, including the information we incorporate by reference, we make statements concerning our 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 our forward-looking statements by the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “goal,” “intend,” “may,” “objective,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “projection,” “should,” “will” or other similar words.
 
We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available to our management at the time the statements are made. We caution you that assumptions, beliefs, expectations, intentions and projections about future events may and often do vary materially from actual results. Therefore, we cannot assure you that actual results will not differ materially from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements.
 
The following are some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements:
 
  •  the outcome of the regulatory process related to the 1999 Texas Electric Choice Law leading to the determination and recovery of the true-up components and the securitization of these amounts, and any legal proceedings related thereto,
 
  •  the successful consummation and the timing of the sale of our interest in Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. (“Texas Genco”);
 
  •  nonperformance by the counterparty to the master power purchase and sale agreement that Texas Genco, LP, a subsidiary of Texas Genco, entered into in connection with the sale of our interest in Texas Genco;
 
  •  state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments, including deregulation, re-regulation and restructuring of the electric utility industry, constraints placed on our activities or business by the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (“1935 Act”), changes in or


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  application of laws or regulations applicable to other aspects of our business and actions with respect to:
 
  •  allowed rates of return,
 
  •  rate structures,
 
  •  recovery of investments, and
 
  •  operation and construction of facilities,
 
  •  industrial, commercial and residential growth in our service territory and changes in market demand and demographic patterns,
 
  •  the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas,
 
  •  changes in interest rates or rates of inflation,
 
  •  weather variations and other natural phenomena,
 
  •  the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas,
 
  •  commercial bank and financial market conditions, our access to capital, the cost of such capital, receipt of certain approvals under the 1935 Act, and the results of our financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets,
 
  •  actions by rating agencies,
 
  •  inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations to us,
 
  •  non-payment for our services due to financial distress of our customers, including Reliant Energy, Inc. (formerly named Reliant Resources, Inc.) (“RRI”),
 
  •  the outcome of the pending lawsuits against us, Reliant Energy, Incorporated and RRI,
 
  •  the ability of RRI to satisfy its obligations to us, including indemnity obligations and obligations to pay the “price to beat” clawback, and
 
  •  other factors we discuss in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 26 of our 2003 Form 10-K.
 
Additional risk factors are described in other documents we file with the SEC and incorporate by reference in this prospectus.
 
You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement.


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ABOUT CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
 
We are a public utility holding company. Our indirect wholly owned subsidiaries include (i) CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, which provides electric transmission and distribution services in a 5,000-square mile area of the Texas Gulf Coast that includes Houston, and (ii) CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (“CERC”), which owns gas distribution systems serving approximately 3 million customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. Through wholly owned subsidiaries, CERC also owns two interstate natural gas pipelines and gas gathering systems and provides various ancillary services. We also have an approximately 81% indirect ownership interest in Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. (“Texas Genco”), which owns and operates electric generating plants in Texas. We distributed approximately 19% of the outstanding common stock of Texas Genco to our shareholders in January 2003. On July 21, 2004, we announced a definitive agreement for the sale of our interest in Texas Genco. We currently expect that the sale of Texas Genco’s non-nuclear assets and liabilities will occur during December 2004 and the sale of Texas Genco’s nuclear assets and liabilities will occur in the first half of 2005.
 
We are a registered public utility holding company under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended (“1935 Act”). The 1935 Act and related rules and regulations impose a number of restrictions on our activities and those of our subsidiaries. The 1935 Act, among other things, limits our ability and the ability of our regulated subsidiaries to issue debt and equity securities without prior authorization, restricts the source of dividend payments to current and retained earnings without prior authorization, regulates sales and acquisitions of certain assets and businesses and governs affiliate transactions.
 
Our executive offices are located at 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002, and our main telephone number at that address is 713-207-1111.
 
RATIOS OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND
PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS
 
The following table sets forth ratios of earnings to fixed charges for each of the periods indicated and ratios of earnings to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends for the 1999, 2000 and 2001 periods, each calculated pursuant to SEC rules. Our predecessor redeemed all shares of its outstanding cumulative preferred stock on December 14, 2001. Earnings from continuing operations in 2002 and 2003 include $697 million and $661 million, respectively, of non-cash ECOM true-up.
 
                                                 
                                  Nine
 
                                  Months Ended
 
    Year Ended December 31,     September 30,
 
    1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004  
 
Ratio of earnings from continuing operations to fixed charges(1)
    5.36       1.39       1.99       2.03       1.81       1.11  
Ratio of earnings from continuing operations to fixed charges and preferred stock dividends
    5.35       1.39       1.99                    
 
 
(1) We do not believe that the ratio for the nine-month period is necessarily indicative of the ratios for the twelve-month periods due to the seasonal nature of our business. The ratios were calculated pursuant to applicable rules of the SEC.
 
USE OF PROCEEDS
 
Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we anticipate using any net proceeds from the sale of our securities offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:
 
  •  working capital,
 
  •  capital expenditures,


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  •  acquisitions,
 
  •  the repayment or refinancing of debt or trust preferred securities, and
 
  •  loans or advances to subsidiaries.
 
Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds in short-term marketable securities or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness.
 
DESCRIPTION OF OUR SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
 
The debt securities offered by this prospectus will be issued under an indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003, between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank, as trustee. We have filed or incorporated by reference the indenture as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have summarized selected provisions of the indenture and the debt securities below. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the indenture. References to section numbers in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, are references to section numbers of the indenture. For purposes of this summary, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer only to CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and not to any of our subsidiaries.
 
We may issue debt securities from time to time in one or more series under the indenture. There is no limitation on the amount of debt securities we may issue under the indenture. We will describe the particular terms of each series of debt securities we offer in a supplement to this prospectus. The terms of our debt securities will include those set forth in the indenture and those made a part of the indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the indenture that may be important to you before investing in our debt securities.
 
Ranking
 
The debt securities offered by this prospectus will:
 
  •  be general unsecured obligations,
 
  •  rank equally in right of payment with all of our other existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness, and
 
  •  with respect to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries, effectively rank below all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries.
 
Subject to the exceptions, and subject to compliance with the applicable requirements, set forth in the indenture, we may discharge our obligations under the indenture with respect to our debt securities as described below under “— Defeasance.”
 
Structural Subordination
 
We are a holding company that conducts substantially all of our operations through our subsidiaries. Our only significant assets are the capital stock of our subsidiaries, and our subsidiaries generate substantially all of our operating income and cash flow. As a result, dividends or advances from our subsidiaries are the principal source of funds necessary to meet our debt service obligations. Contractual provisions or laws, including the 1935 Act, as well as our subsidiaries’ financial condition and operating requirements, may limit our ability to obtain cash from our subsidiaries that we may require to pay our debt service obligations, including payments on the debt securities. In addition, the debt securities will be effectively subordinated to all of the liabilities of our subsidiaries with regard to the assets and earnings of our subsidiaries.


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Terms
 
We will describe the specific terms of the series of debt securities being offered in a supplement to this prospectus. These terms will include some or all of the following:
 
  •  the title of the debt securities,
 
  •  any limit on the total principal amount of the debt securities,
 
  •  the date or dates on which the principal of the debt securities will be payable or the method used to determine or extend those dates,
 
  •  any interest rate on the debt securities, any date from which interest will accrue, any interest payment dates and regular record dates for interest payments, or the method used to determine any of the foregoing, and the basis for calculating interest if other than a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months,
 
  •  the place or places where payments on the debt securities will be payable, the debt securities may be presented for registration of transfer or exchange, and notices and demands to or upon us relating to the debt securities may be made,
 
  •  any provisions for redemption of the debt securities,
 
  •  any provisions that would allow or obligate us to redeem or purchase the debt securities prior to their maturity,
 
  •  the denominations in which we will issue the debt securities, if other than denominations of an integral multiple of $1,000,
 
  •  any provisions that would determine payments on the debt securities by reference to an index or a formula,
 
  •  any foreign currency, currencies or currency units in which payments on the debt securities will be payable and the manner for determining the equivalent amount in $U.S.,
 
  •  any provisions for payments on the debt securities in one or more currencies or currency units other than those in which the debt securities are stated to be payable,
 
  •  the portion of the principal amount of the debt securities that will be payable if the maturity of the debt securities is accelerated, if other than the entire principal amount,
 
  •  if the principal amount to be paid at the stated maturity of the debt securities is not determinable as of one or more dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount that will be deemed to be the principal amount as of any such date for any purpose,
 
  •  any variation of the defeasance and covenant defeasance sections of the indenture and the manner in which our election to defease the debt securities will be evidenced, if other than by a board resolution,
 
  •  whether we will issue the debt securities in the form of temporary or permanent global securities, the depositories for the global securities, and provisions for exchanging or transferring the global securities,
 
  •  whether the interest rate of the debt securities may be reset,
 
  •  whether the stated maturity of the debt securities may be extended,
 
  •  any addition to or change in the events of default for the debt securities and any change in the right of the trustee or the holders of the debt securities to declare the principal amount of the debt securities due and payable,
 
  •  any addition to or change in the covenants in the indenture,
 
  •  any additions or changes to the indenture necessary to issue the debt securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or without interest coupons,
 
  •  the appointment of any paying agents for the debt securities, if other than the trustee,


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  •  the terms of any right to convert or exchange the debt securities into any other securities or property,
 
  •  the terms and conditions, if any, pursuant to which the debt securities are secured,
 
  •  any restriction or condition on the transferability of the debt securities, and
 
  •  any other terms of the debt securities consistent with the indenture. (Section 301)
 
Any limit on the maximum total principal amount for any series of the debt securities may be increased by resolution of our board of directors. (Section 301). We may sell the debt securities, including original issue discount securities, at a substantial discount below their stated principal amount. If there are any special United States federal income tax considerations applicable to debt securities we sell at an original issue discount, we will describe them in the prospectus supplement. In addition, we will describe in the prospectus supplement any special United States federal income tax considerations and any other special considerations for any debt securities we sell which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than $U.S.
 
Form, Exchange and Transfer
 
We will issue the debt securities in registered form, without coupons. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will only issue debt securities in denominations of integral multiples of $1,000. (Section 302)
 
Holders generally will be able to exchange debt securities for other debt securities of the same series with the same total principal amount and the same terms but in different authorized denominations. (Section 305)
 
Holders may present debt securities for exchange or for registration of transfer at the office of the security registrar or at the office of any transfer agent we designate for that purpose. The security registrar or designated transfer agent will exchange or transfer the debt securities if it is satisfied with the documents of title and identity of the person making the request. We will not charge a service charge for any exchange or registration of transfer of debt securities. However, we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable for the registration of transfer or exchange. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will appoint the trustee as security registrar. We will identify any transfer agent in addition to the security registrar in the prospectus supplement. (Section 305) At any time we may:
 
  •  designate additional transfer agents,
 
  •  rescind the designation of any transfer agent, or
 
  •  approve a change in the office of any transfer agent.
 
However, we are required to maintain a transfer agent in each place of payment for the debt securities at all times. (Sections 305 and 1002)
 
If we elect to redeem a series of debt securities, neither we nor the trustee will be required:
 
  •  to issue, register the transfer of or exchange any debt securities of that series during the period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption for the series and ending at the close of business on the day the notice is mailed, or
 
  •  to register the transfer or exchange of any debt security of that series if we have selected the series for redemption, in whole or in part, except for the unredeemed portion of the series. (Section 305)
 
Book-entry
 
We may issue the debt securities of a series in the form of one or more global debt securities that would be deposited with a depositary or its nominee identified in the prospectus supplement. We may issue global debt securities in either temporary or permanent form. We will describe in the prospectus supplement the terms of any depositary arrangement and the rights and limitations of owners of beneficial interests in any global debt security.


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Payment and Paying Agents
 
Under the indenture, we will pay interest on the debt securities to the persons in whose names the debt securities are registered at the close of business on the regular record date for each interest payment. However, unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will pay the interest payable on the debt securities at their stated maturity to the persons to whom we pay the principal amount of the debt securities. The initial payment of interest on any series of debt securities issued between a regular record date and the related interest payment date will be payable in the manner provided by the terms of the series, which we will describe in the prospectus supplement. (Section 307)
 
Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities at the offices of the paying agents we designate. However, except in the case of a global security, we may pay interest by:
 
  •  check mailed to the address of the person entitled to the payment as it appears in the security register, or
 
  •  by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the place and account designated in writing by the person entitled to the payment as specified in the security register.
 
We will designate the trustee as the sole paying agent for the debt securities unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement. If we initially designate any other paying agents for a series of debt securities, we will identify them in the prospectus supplement. At any time, we may designate additional paying agents or rescind the designation of any paying agents. However, we are required to maintain a paying agent in each place of payment for the debt securities at all times. (Sections 307 and 1002)
 
Any money deposited with the trustee or any paying agent for the payment of principal, premium, if any, and interest on the debt securities that remains unclaimed for two years after the date the payments became due, may be repaid to us upon our request. After we have been repaid, holders entitled to those payments may only look to us for payment as our unsecured general creditors. The trustee and any paying agents will not be liable for those payments after we have been repaid. (Section 1003)
 
Restrictive Covenants
 
We will describe any restrictive covenants for any series of debt securities in the prospectus supplement.
 
Consolidation, Merger and Sale of Assets
 
Under the indenture, we may not consolidate with or merge into, or convey, transfer or lease our properties and assets substantially as an entirety to, any person, referred to as a “successor person” unless:
 
  •  the successor person is a corporation, partnership, trust or other entity organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
 
  •  the successor person expressly assumes our obligations with respect to the debt securities and the indenture,
 
  •  immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no event of default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an event of default, would occur and be continuing, and
 
  •  we have delivered to the trustee the certificates and opinions required under the indenture. (Section 801)
 
As used in the indenture, the term “corporation” means a corporation, association, company, limited liability company, joint-stock company or business trust.


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Events of Default
 
Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, each of the following will be an event of default under the indenture for a series of debt securities:
 
  •  our failure to pay principal or premium, if any, on that series when due,
 
  •  our failure to pay any interest on that series for 30 days after the interest becomes due,
 
  •  our failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, relating to that series,
 
  •  our failure to perform, or our breach, in any material respect, of any other covenant or warranty in the indenture, other than a covenant or warranty included in the indenture solely for the benefit of another series of debt securities, for 90 days after either the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series have given us written notice of the breach in the manner required by the indenture,
 
  •  specified events involving our bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization, and
 
  •  any other event of default we may provide for that series,
 
provided, however, that no event described in the fourth bullet point above will be an event of default until an officer of the trustee, assigned to and working in the trustee’s corporate trust department, has actual knowledge of the event or until the trustee receives written notice of the event at its corporate trust office. (Section 501)
 
If an event of default for a series of debt securities occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all the debt securities of that series due and immediately payable. In order to declare the principal amount of that series of debt securities due and immediately payable, the trustee or the holders must deliver a notice that satisfies the requirements of the indenture. Upon a declaration by the trustee or the holders, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount of the series of debt securities.
 
The right described in the preceding paragraph does not apply if an event of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs, or an event of default described in the sixth bullet point above that applies to all outstanding debt securities occurs. If one of the events of default described in the fifth bullet point above occurs and is continuing with respect to the debt securities of any series, the debt securities of that series then outstanding under the indenture will be due and payable immediately. If any of the events of default described in the sixth bullet point above that apply to all outstanding debt securities occurs and is continuing, either the trustee or holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all of the debt securities then outstanding, treated as one class, may declare the principal amount of all of the debt securities then outstanding to be due and payable immediately. In order to declare the principal amount of the debt securities due and immediately payable, the trustee or the holders must deliver a notice that satisfies the requirements of the indenture. Upon a declaration by the trustee or the holders, we will be obligated to pay the principal amount of the debt securities.
 
However, after any declaration of acceleration of a series of debt securities, but before a judgment or decree for payment has been obtained, the event of default giving rise to the declaration of acceleration will, without further act, be deemed to have been waived, and such declaration and its consequences will, without further act, be deemed to have been rescinded and annulled if:
 
  •  we have paid or deposited with the trustee a sum sufficient to pay:
 
  •  all overdue interest,
 
  •  the principal and premium, if any, due otherwise than by the declaration of acceleration and any interest on such amounts,
 
  •  any interest on overdue interest, to the extent legally permitted, and
 
  •  all amounts due to the trustee under the indenture, and


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  •  all events of default with respect to that series of debt securities, other than the nonpayment of the principal which became due solely by virtue of the declaration of acceleration, have been cured or waived. (Section 502)
 
If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee will generally have no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request or direction of any of the holders, unless the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee. (Section 603) The holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series will generally have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee for the debt securities of that series, provided that:
 
  •  the direction is not in conflict with any law or the indenture,
 
  •  the trustee may take any other action it deems proper which is not inconsistent with the direction, and
 
  •  the trustee will generally have the right to decline to follow the direction if an officer of the trustee determines, in good faith, that the proceeding would involve the trustee in personal liability or would otherwise be contrary to applicable law. (Section 512)
 
A holder of a debt security of any series may only pursue a remedy under the indenture if:
 
  •  the holder gives the trustee written notice of a continuing event of default for that series,
 
  •  holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series make a written request to the trustee to institute proceedings with respect to the event of default,
 
  •  the holders offer reasonable indemnity to the trustee,
 
  •  the trustee fails to pursue that remedy within 60 days after receipt of the notice, request and offer of indemnity, and
 
  •  during that 60-day period, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the debt securities of that series do not give the trustee a direction inconsistent with the request. (Section 507)
 
However, these limitations do not apply to a suit by a holder of a debt security demanding payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on a debt security on or after the date the payment is due. (Section 508)
 
We will be required to furnish to the trustee annually a statement by some of our officers regarding our performance or observance of any of the terms of the indenture and specifying all of our known defaults, if any. (Section 1004)
 
Modification and Waiver
 
We may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the trustee without the consent of the holders of the debt securities in order to:
 
  •  evidence the succession of another corporation to us, or successive successions and the assumption of our covenants, agreements and obligations by a successor,
 
  •  add to our covenants for the benefit of the holders of any series of debt securities or to surrender any of our rights or powers,
 
  •  add events of default for any series of debt securities,
 
  •  add to or change any provision of the indenture to the extent necessary to issue debt securities in bearer form,
 
  •  add to, change or eliminate any provision of the indenture applying to one or more series of debt securities, provided that if such action adversely affects the interests of any holder of any series of debt securities, the addition, change or elimination will become effective with respect to that series only when no security of that series remains outstanding,


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  •  convey, transfer, assign, mortgage or pledge any property to or with the trustee or to surrender any right or power conferred upon us by the indenture,
 
  •  establish the form or terms of any series of debt securities,
 
  •  provide for uncertificated securities in addition to certificated securities,
 
  •  evidence and provide for successor trustees or to add to or change any provisions to the extent necessary to appoint a separate trustee or trustees for a specific series of debt securities,
 
  •  correct any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency under the indenture, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities,
 
  •  supplement any provisions of the indenture necessary to defease and discharge any series of debt securities, provided that such action does not adversely affect the interests of the holders of any series of debt securities,
 
  •  comply with the rules or regulations of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which any debt securities are listed or traded, or
 
  •  add, change or eliminate any provisions of the indenture in accordance with any amendments to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, provided that the action does not adversely affect the rights or interests of any holder of debt securities. (Section 901)
 
We may enter into one or more supplemental indentures with the trustee in order to add to, change or eliminate provisions of the indenture or to modify the rights of the holders of one or more series of debt securities if we obtain the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of each series affected by the supplemental indenture, treated as one class. However, without the consent of the holders of each outstanding debt security affected by the supplemental indenture, we may not enter into a supplemental indenture that:
 
  •  changes the stated maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any debt security, except to the extent permitted by the indenture,
 
  •  reduces the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any debt security,
 
  •  reduces the amount of principal of an original issue discount security or any other debt security payable upon acceleration of the maturity thereof,
 
  •  changes the place or currency of payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest,
 
  •  impairs the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on any note,
 
  •  reduces the percentage in principal amount of outstanding debt securities of any series, the consent of whose holders is required for modification of the indenture, for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or for waiver of certain defaults,
 
  •  makes certain modifications to the provisions for modification of the indenture and for certain waivers, except to increase the principal amount of debt securities necessary to consent to any such charge,
 
  •  makes any change that adversely affects the right to convert or exchange any debt security or decreases the conversion or exchange rate or increases the conversion price of any convertible or exchangeable debt security, or
 
  •  changes the terms and conditions pursuant to which any series of debt securities is secured in a manner adverse to the holders of the debt securities. (Section 902)
 
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of any series may waive past defaults or noncompliance with restrictive provisions of the indenture. However, the consent of holders of each outstanding debt security of a series is required to:
 
  •  waive any default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or interest, or


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  •  waive any covenants and provisions of the indenture that may not be amended without the consent of the holder of each outstanding debt security of the series affected. (Sections 513 and 1006)
 
In order to determine whether the holders of the requisite principal amount of the outstanding debt securities have taken an action under the indenture as of a specified date:
 
  •  the principal amount of an “original issue discount security” that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the amount of the principal that would be due and payable as of that date upon acceleration of the maturity to that date,
 
  •  if, as of that date, the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of a debt security is not determinable, for example, because it is based on an index, the principal amount of the debt security deemed to be outstanding as of that date will be an amount determined in the manner prescribed for the debt security,
 
  •  the principal amount of a debt security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency units that will be deemed to be outstanding will be the $U.S. equivalent, determined as of that date in the manner prescribed for the debt security, of the principal amount of the debt security or, in the case of a debt security described in the two preceding bullet points, of the amount described above, and
 
  •  debt securities owned by us or any other obligor upon the debt securities or any of our or their affiliates will be disregarded and deemed not to be outstanding.
 
An “original issue discount security” means a debt security issued under the indenture which provides for an amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of maturity. Some debt securities, including those for the payment or redemption of which money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the holders and those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1402 of the indenture, will not be deemed to be outstanding. (Section 101)
 
We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for determining the holders of outstanding debt securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the indenture. In limited circumstances, the trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by holders of outstanding debt securities. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by holders of a particular series, the action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding debt securities of that series on the record date. To be effective, the action must be taken by holders of the requisite principal amount of debt securities within a specified period following the record date. For any particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such shorter period as we may specify, or the trustee may specify, if it set the record date. This period may be shortened or lengthened by not more than 180 days. (Section 104)
 
Defeasance
 
When we use the term defeasance, we mean discharge from some or all of our obligations under the indenture. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, if we deposit with the trustee funds or government securities sufficient to make payments on the debt securities of a series on the dates those payments are due and payable, then, at our option, either of the following will occur:
 
  •  we will be discharged from our obligations with respect to the debt securities of that series (“legal defeasance”), or
 
  •  we will no longer have any obligation to comply with the restrictive covenants under the indenture, and the related events of default will no longer apply to us, but some of our other obligations under the indenture and the debt securities of that series, including our obligation to make payments on those debt securities, will survive.


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If we defease a series of debt securities, the holders of the debt securities of the series affected will not be entitled to the benefits of the indenture, except for our obligations to:
 
  •  register the transfer or exchange of debt securities,
 
  •  replace mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen debt securities, and
 
  •  maintain paying agencies and hold moneys for payment in trust.
 
Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we will be required to deliver to the trustee an opinion of counsel that the deposit and related defeasance would not cause the holders of the debt securities to recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes and that the holders would be subject to federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if the deposit and related defeasance had not occurred. If we elect legal defeasance, that opinion of counsel must be based upon a ruling from the United States Internal Revenue Service or a change in law to that effect. (Sections 1401, 1402, 1403 and 1404)
 
Notices
 
Holders will receive notices by mail at their addresses as they appear in the security register. (Section 106)
 
Title
 
We may treat the person in whose name a debt security is registered on the applicable record date as the owner of the debt security for all purposes, whether or not it is overdue. (Section 309)
 
Governing Law
 
New York law will govern the indenture and the debt securities. (Section 112)
 
Regarding the Trustee
 
As of December 1, 2004, the trustee served as trustee for $2.3 billion aggregate principal amount of our outstanding debt securities and $1.2 billion aggregate principal amount of outstanding pollution control bonds issued on our behalf. In addition, the trustee serves as trustee for debt securities of some of our subsidiaries. The trustee and its affiliates are also parties to credit agreements under which we and our affiliates have bank lines of credit. We and our affiliates also maintain depository and other banking, investment banking and investment management relationships with the trustee and its affiliates. The trustee also serves as rights agent under our shareholder rights plan.
 
If an event of default occurs under the indenture and is continuing, the trustee will be required to use the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of that person’s own affairs. The trustee will become obligated to exercise any of its powers under the indenture at the request of any of the holders of any debt securities issued under the indenture only after those holders have offered the trustee indemnity satisfactory to it.
 
If the trustee becomes one of our creditors, its rights to obtain payment of claims in specified circumstances, or to realize for its own account on certain property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise will be limited under the terms of the indenture. (Section 613) The trustee may engage in certain other transactions; however, if the trustee acquires any conflicting interest (within the meaning specified under the Trust Indenture Act), it will be required to eliminate the conflict or resign. (Section 608)


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DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK
 
The following descriptions are summaries of material terms of our common stock, preferred stock, articles of incorporation and bylaws. This summary is qualified by reference to our amended and restated articles of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, each as amended to date, copies of which we have filed or incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and by the provisions of applicable law. As of December 1, 2004, our authorized capital stock consisted of:
 
  •  1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which approximately 307,860,111 shares were outstanding, excluding 166 shares held as treasury stock, and
 
  •  20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, of which no shares were outstanding.
 
A series of our preferred stock, designated Series A Preferred Stock, has been reserved for issuance upon exercise of the preferred stock purchase rights attached to each share of our common stock pursuant to the shareholder rights plan discussed below.
 
Common Stock
 
Voting Rights.  Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders, including the election of directors. There are no cumulative voting rights. Subject to the voting rights expressly conferred under prescribed conditions to the holders of our preferred stock, the holders of our common stock possess exclusive full voting power for the election of directors and for all other purposes.
 
Dividends.  Subject to preferences that may be applicable to any of our outstanding preferred stock, the holders of our common stock are entitled to dividends when, as and if declared by the board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose.
 
Liquidation Rights.  If we are liquidated, dissolved or wound up, the holders of our common stock will be entitled to a pro rata share in any distribution to shareholders, but only after satisfaction of all of our liabilities and of the prior rights of any outstanding class of our preferred stock, which may include the right to participate further with the holders of our common stock in the distribution of any of our remaining assets.
 
Preemptive Rights.  Holders of our common stock are not entitled to any preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights.
 
Transfer Agent and Registrar.  Our shareholder services division serves as transfer agent and registrar for our common stock.
 
Other Provisions.  There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. No personal liability will attach to holders of such shares under the laws of the State of Texas. Subject to the provisions of our articles of incorporation and bylaws imposing certain supermajority voting provisions, the rights of the holders of shares of our common stock may not be modified except by a vote of at least a majority of the shares outstanding, voting together as a single class.
 
Preferred Stock
 
Our board of directors may cause us to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and may fix the number of shares and the terms of each series without the approval of our shareholders. Our board of directors may determine the terms of each series, including:
 
  •  the designation of the series,
 
  •  dividend rates and payment dates,
 
  •  redemption rights,
 
  •  liquidation rights,
 
  •  sinking fund provisions,


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  •  conversion rights,
 
  •  voting rights, and
 
  •  any other terms.
 
The prospectus supplement relating to any series of preferred stock we are offering will include specific terms relating to the offering. We will file the form of the preferred stock with the SEC before we issue any of it, and you should read it for provisions that may be important to you. The prospectus supplement will include some or all of the following terms:
 
  •  the title of the preferred stock,
 
  •  the maximum number of shares of the series,
 
  •  the dividend rate or the method of calculating the dividend, the date from which dividends will accrue and whether dividends will be cumulative,
 
  •  any liquidation preference,
 
  •  any optional redemption provisions,
 
  •  any sinking fund or other provisions that would obligate us to redeem or purchase the preferred stock,
 
  •  any terms for the conversion or exchange of the preferred stock for other securities of us or any other entity,
 
  •  any voting rights, and
 
  •  any other preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights or any qualifications, limitations or restrictions on the rights of the shares.
 
The issuance of preferred stock, while providing desired flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other corporate purposes, could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock. It could also affect the likelihood that holders of our common stock will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. The issuance of shares of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase shares of preferred stock, could be used to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us. For example, if, in the exercise of its fiduciary obligations, our board were to determine that a takeover proposal was not in our best interest, the board could authorize the issuance of a series of preferred stock containing class voting rights that would enable the holder or holders of the series to prevent or make the change of control transaction more difficult. Alternatively, a change of control transaction deemed by the board to be in our best interest could be facilitated by issuing a series of preferred stock having sufficient voting rights to provide a required percentage vote of the shareholders.
 
For purposes of the rights plan described below, our board of directors has designated a series of preferred stock to constitute the Series A Preferred Stock. For a description of the rights plan, see “—  Anti-Takeover Effects of Texas Laws and Our Charter and Bylaw Provisions” and “—  Shareholder Rights Plan.”
 
Anti-Takeover Effects of Texas Laws and Our Charter and Bylaw Provisions
 
Some provisions of Texas law and our articles of incorporation and bylaws could make the following actions more difficult:
 
  •  acquisition of us by means of a tender offer,
 
  •  acquisition of control of us by means of a proxy contest or otherwise, or
 
  •  removal of our incumbent officers and directors.
 
These provisions, as well as our shareholder rights plan, are designed to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of this


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increased protection gives us the potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us, and that the benefits of this increased protection outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging those proposals, because negotiation of those proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.
 
Charter and Bylaw Provisions
 
Election and Removal of Directors.  The exact number of members of our board of directors will be fixed from time to time by resolution of the board of directors. Our board of directors is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III. Each class is as nearly equal in number of directors as possible. The terms of office of the directors of Class I expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2006, of Class II expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2007 and of Class III expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2005. At each annual meeting, the shareholders elect the number of directors equal to the number in the class whose term expires at the meeting to hold office until the third succeeding annual meeting. This system of electing and removing directors may discourage a third party from making a tender offer for or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for shareholders to replace a majority of the directors. In addition, no director may be removed except for cause, and, subject to the voting rights expressly conferred under prescribed conditions to the holders of our preferred stock, directors may be removed for cause only by the holders of a majority of the shares of capital stock entitled to vote at an election of directors. Subject to the voting rights expressly conferred under prescribed conditions to the holders of our preferred stock, any vacancy occurring on the board of directors and any newly created directorship may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors in office or by election by the shareholders.
 
Shareholder Meetings.  Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that special meetings of holders of common stock may be called only by the chairman of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, the president, the secretary, a majority of our board of directors or the holders of at least 50% of the shares outstanding and entitled to vote.
 
Modification of Articles of Incorporation.  In general, amendments to our articles of incorporation that are recommended by the board of directors require the affirmative vote of holders of at least a majority of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors. The provisions described above under “—  Election and Removal of Directors” and “—  Shareholder Meetings” may be amended only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 662/3% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors. The provisions described below under “—  Modification of Bylaws” may be amended only by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors.
 
Modification of Bylaws.  Our board of directors has the power to alter, amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of all directors then in office at any regular or special meeting of the board of directors called for that purpose. The shareholders also have the power to alter, amend or repeal the bylaws or adopt new bylaws by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80% of the voting power of all outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.
 
Other Limitations on Shareholder Actions.  Our bylaws also impose some procedural requirements on shareholders who wish to:
 
  •  make nominations in the election of directors,
 
  •  propose that a director be removed,
 
  •  propose any repeal or change in the bylaws, or
 
  •  propose any other business to be brought before an annual or special meeting of shareholders.


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Under these procedural requirements, a shareholder must deliver timely notice to our corporate secretary of the nomination or proposal along with evidence of:
 
  •  the shareholder’s status as a shareholder,
 
  •  the number of shares beneficially owned by the shareholder,
 
  •  a list of the persons with whom the shareholder is acting in concert, and
 
  •  the number of shares such persons beneficially own.
 
To be timely, a shareholder must deliver notice:
 
  •  in connection with an annual meeting of shareholders, not less than 90 nor more than 180 days prior to the date on which the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders was held; provided that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 60 days after the date on which the immediately preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders was held, not less than 180 days prior to the annual meeting and not later than the last to occur of (i) the 90th day prior to the annual meeting or (ii) the 10th day following the day on which we first make public announcement of the date of the annual meeting, or
 
  •  in connection with a special meeting of shareholders, not less than 40 nor more than 60 days prior to the date of the special meeting.
 
In order to submit a nomination for the board of directors, a shareholder must also submit information with respect to the nominee that we would be required to include in a proxy statement, as well as some other information. If a shareholder fails to follow the required procedures, the shareholder’s nominee or proposal will be ineligible and will not be voted on by our shareholders.
 
Limitation on Liability of Directors.  Our articles of incorporation provide that no director will be personally liable to us or our shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except as required by law as in effect from time to time. Currently, Texas law requires that liability be imposed for the following actions:
 
  •  any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our shareholders,
 
  •  any act or omission not in good faith that constitutes a breach of duty of the director to the corporation or an act or omission that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law,
 
  •  a transaction from which the director received an improper benefit, whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of a director’s office, and
 
  •  an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly provided for by statute.
 
Our bylaws provide that we will indemnify our officers and directors and advance expenses to them in connection with proceedings and claims, to the fullest extent permitted by the Texas Business Corporation Act (“TBCA”). The bylaws authorize our board of directors to indemnify and advance expenses to people other than our officers and directors in certain circumstances.
 
Texas Anti-Takeover Law
 
We are subject to Article 13.03 of the TBCA. That section prohibits Texas corporations from engaging in a wide range of specified transactions with any affiliated shareholder during the three-year period immediately following the affiliated shareholder’s acquisition of shares in the absence of certain board of director or shareholder approvals. An affiliated shareholder of a corporation is any person, other than the corporation and any of its wholly owned subsidiaries, that is or was within the preceding three-year period the beneficial owner of 20% or more of any class or series of stock entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Article 13.03 may deter any potential unfriendly offers or other efforts to obtain control of us that are not approved by our board. This may deprive our shareholders of opportunities to sell shares of our common stock at a premium to the prevailing market price.


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Shareholder Rights Plan
 
Each share of our common stock includes one right to purchase from us a unit consisting of one one-thousandth of a share of our Series A Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $42.50 per unit, subject to adjustment. The rights are issued pursuant the Rights Agreement dated as of January 1, 2002 between us and JPMorgan Chase Bank (the “Rights Agreement”). We have summarized selected portions of the Rights Agreement and the rights below. This summary is qualified by reference to the Rights Agreement, a copy of which we have filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
 
Detachment of Rights; Exercisability.  The rights will attach to all certificates representing our common stock issued prior to the “release date.” That date will occur, except in some cases, on the earlier of:
 
  •  ten days following a public announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated persons, whom we refer to collectively as an “acquiring person,” has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, or
 
  •  ten business days following the start of a tender offer or exchange offer that would result in a person becoming an acquiring person.
 
Our board of directors may defer the release date in some circumstances. Also, some inadvertent acquisitions of our common stock will not result in a person becoming an acquiring person if the person promptly divests itself of sufficient common stock.
 
Until the release date:
 
  •  common stock certificates will evidence the rights,
 
  •  the rights will be transferable only with those certificates,
 
  •  new common stock certificates will contain a notation incorporating the Rights Agreement by reference, and
 
  •  the surrender for transfer of any common stock certificate will also constitute the transfer of the rights associated with the common stock represented by the certificate.
 
The rights are not exercisable until the release date and will expire at the close of business on December 31, 2011, unless we redeem or exchange them at an earlier date as described below.
 
As soon as practicable after the release date, the rights agent will mail certificates representing the rights to holders of record of common stock as of the close of business on the release date. From that date on, only separate rights certificates will represent the rights. We will also issue rights with all shares of common stock issued prior to the release date. We will also issue rights with shares of common stock issued after the release date in connection with some employee benefit plans or upon conversion of some securities. Except as otherwise determined by our board of directors, we will not issue rights with any other shares of common stock issued after the release date.
 
Flip-in Event.  A “flip-in event” will occur under the Rights Agreement when a person becomes an acquiring person other than pursuant to a “permitted offer.” The Rights Agreement defines “permitted offer” as a tender or exchange offer for all outstanding shares of our common stock at a price and on terms that a majority of the independent directors of our board of directors determines to be fair to and otherwise in the best interests of us and the best interests of our shareholders.
 
If a flip-in event occurs, each right, other than any right that has become null and void as described below, will become exercisable to receive (in lieu of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock otherwise purchasable) the number of shares of common stock, or in certain circumstances, cash, property or other securities, which has a “current market price” equal to two times the exercise price of the right. Please refer to the Rights Agreement for the definition of “current market price.”


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Flip-Over Event.  A “flip-over event” will occur under the Rights Agreement when, at any time from and after the time a person becomes an acquiring person:
 
  •  we are acquired or we acquire any person in a merger or other business combination transaction, other than specified mergers that follow a permitted offer, or
 
  •  50% or more of our assets, cash flow or earning power is sold or transferred.
 
If a flip-over event occurs, each holder of a right, except rights that are voided as described below, will thereafter have the right to receive, on exercise of the right, a number of shares of common stock of the acquiring company that has a current market price equal to two times the exercise price of the right.
 
When a flip-in event or a flip-over event occurs, all rights that then are, or under the circumstances the Rights Agreement specifies previously were, beneficially owned by an acquiring person or specified related parties will become null and void in the circumstances the Rights Agreement specifies.
 
Series A Preferred Stock.  After the release date, each right will entitle the holder to purchase a one one-thousandth share of our Series A Preferred Stock, which fraction will be essentially the economic equivalent of one share of common stock.
 
Anti-Dilution.  The number of outstanding rights associated with a share of common stock, the number of fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of a right and the exercise price of the right are subject to adjustment in the event of certain stock dividends on, or a subdivision, combination or reclassification of, our common stock occurring prior to the release date. The exercise price of the rights and the number of fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock or other securities or property issuable on exercise of the rights are subject to adjustment from time to time to prevent dilution in the event of certain transactions affecting the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
With some exceptions, we will not be required to adjust the exercise price of the rights until cumulative adjustments amount to at least 1% of the exercise price. The Rights Agreement also will not require us to issue fractional shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are not integral multiples of the specified fractional share and, in lieu thereof, we will make a cash adjustment based on the market price of the Series A Preferred Stock on the last trading date prior to the date of exercise. Pursuant to the Rights Agreement, we reserve the right to require prior to the occurrence of any flip-in event or flip-over event that, on any exercise of rights, a number of rights must be exercised so that it will issue only whole shares of Series A Preferred Stock.
 
Redemption of Rights.  At any time until the time a person becomes an acquiring person, we may redeem the rights in whole, but not in part at a price of $.005 per right, payable, at our option, in cash, shares of common stock or such other consideration as our board of directors may determine. Upon such redemption, the rights will terminate and the only right of the holders of rights will be to receive the $.005 redemption price.
 
Exchange of Rights.  At any time after the occurrence of a flip-in event, and prior to a person’s becoming the beneficial owner of 50% or more of our outstanding common stock or the occurrence of a flip-over event, we may exchange the rights (other than rights owned by an acquiring person or an affiliate or an associate of an acquiring person, which will have become void, in whole or in part), at an exchange ratio of one share of common stock, and/or other equity securities deemed to have the same value as one share of common stock, per right, subject to adjustment.
 
Substitution.  If we have an insufficient number of authorized but unissued shares of common stock available to permit an exercise or exchange of rights upon the occurrence of a flip-in event, we may substitute certain other types of property for common stock so long as the total value received by the holder of the rights is equivalent to the value of the common stock that the shareholder would otherwise have received. We may substitute cash, property, equity securities or debt, reduce the exercise price of the rights or use any combination of the foregoing.
 
No Rights as a Shareholder.  Until a right is exercised, a holder of rights will have no rights to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a holder of our preferred or common stock.


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Amendment of Terms of Rights.  Our board of directors may amend any of the provisions of the Rights Agreement, other than the redemption price, at any time prior to the time a person becomes an acquiring person. Thereafter, the board of directors may only amend the Rights Agreement in order to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency or to make changes that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of holders of the rights, excluding the interests of any acquiring person.
 
Rights Agent.  JPMorgan Chase Bank will serve as rights agent with regard to the rights.
 
Anti-Takeover Effects.  The rights will have anti-takeover effects. They will cause substantial dilution to any person or group that attempts to acquire us without the approval of our board of directors. As a result, the overall effect of the rights may be to make more difficult or discourage any attempt to acquire us even if such acquisition may be favorable to the interests of our shareholders. Because our board of directors can redeem the rights or approve a permitted offer, the rights should not interfere with a merger or other business combination approved by the board of directors.
 
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
We may sell the offered securities in and outside the United States:
 
  •  through underwriters or dealers,
 
  •  directly to purchasers, including our affiliates,
 
  •  through agents, or
 
  •  through a combination of any of these methods.
 
The prospectus supplement will include the following information:
 
  •  the terms of the offering,
 
  •  the names of any underwriters or agents,
 
  •  the name or names of any managing underwriter or underwriters,
 
  •  the purchase price of the securities,
 
  •  the net proceeds to us from the sale of the securities,
 
  •  any delayed delivery arrangements,
 
  •  any underwriting discounts, commissions and other items constituting underwriters’ compensation,
 
  •  any initial public offering price,
 
  •  any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers, and
 
  •  any commissions paid to agents.
 
Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers
 
If we use underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the securities for their own account. The underwriters may resell the securities from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated transactions, at a fixed public offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Underwriters may offer securities to the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more managing underwriters or directly by one or more firms acting as underwriters. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, the obligations of the underwriters to purchase the securities will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered securities if they purchase any of them. The underwriters may change from time to time any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers.


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During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the securities in the open market. These transactions may include overallotment and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions created in connection with the offering. The underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, which means that selling concessions allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers for the offered securities sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered securities are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered securities, which may be higher than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue these activities at any time.
 
If we use dealers in the sale of securities, we will sell the securities to them as principals. They may then resell those securities to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the securities may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of these securities. We will include in the prospectus supplement the names of the dealers and the terms of the transaction.
 
Direct Sales and Sales Through Agents
 
We may sell the securities directly.  In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the securities through agents we designate from time to time. In the prospectus supplement, we will name any agent involved in the offer or sale of the offered securities, and we will describe any commissions payable by us to the agent. Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, any agent will agree to use its reasonable best efforts to solicit purchases for the period of its appointment.
 
We may sell the securities directly to institutional investors or others who may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of those securities. We will describe the terms of any such sales in the prospectus supplement.
 
Delayed Delivery Contracts
 
If we so indicate in the prospectus supplement, we may authorize agents, underwriters or dealers to solicit offers from certain types of institutions to purchase securities from us at the public offering price under delayed delivery contracts. These contracts would provide for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future. The contracts would be subject only to those conditions described in the prospectus supplement. The prospectus supplement will describe the commission payable for solicitation of those contracts.
 
Remarketing
 
We may offer and sell any of the offered securities in connection with a remarketing upon their purchase, in accordance with a redemption or repayment by their terms or otherwise by one or more remarketing firms acting as principals for their own accounts or as our agents. We will identify any remarketing firm, the terms of any remarketing agreement and the compensation to be paid to the remarketing firm in the prospectus supplement. Remarketing firms may be deemed underwriters under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
Derivative Transactions
 
We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third parties may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in these sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement or in a post-effective amendment to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.


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General Information
 
We may have agreements with the agents, dealers and underwriters to indemnify them against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to contribute with respect to payments that the agents, dealers or underwriters may be required to make. Agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.
 
Each series of offered securities will be a new issue, and other than the common stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange, will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered securities on an exchange, but we are not obligated to do so. It is possible that one or more underwriters may make a market in a series of offered securities. However, they will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue market making at any time without notice. We cannot assure you that a liquid trading market for any of our offered securities will develop.
 
LEGAL MATTERS
 
The validity of the securities described in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Scott E. Rozzell, Esq., our Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, or Rufus S. Scott, our Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary, may pass upon other legal matters for us. Any underwriters will be advised about other issues relating to any offering by their own legal counsel.
 
EXPERTS
 
The consolidated financial statements of CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2002 and 2003, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2003, incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports (which reports express an unqualified opinion and include explanatory paragraphs relating to the distribution of Reliant Energy, Inc. (formerly named Reliant Resources, Inc.), the definitive agreement to sell Texas Genco, the change in method of accounting for goodwill and certain intangible assets and the recording of asset retirement obligations), and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.


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$          
 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
 
% Senior Notes due 2018
 
(COMPANY LOGO)
 
 
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
 
 
Lehman Brothers RBS Greenwich Capital Wachovia Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Barclays Capital  
  HSBC  
  Lazard Capital Markets  
  RBC Capital Markets  
  SunTrust Robinson Humphrey  
  Wells Fargo Securities
 
May   , 2008