HOUSTON, Nov 14, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) announced today that its electric transmission and distribution subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric (CEHE), has repaid the $1.31 billion Berkshire Hathaway and Credit Suisse First Boston term loan by drawing on a $1.31 billion credit facility it obtained in March 2005.

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The new loan is secured by CEHE general mortgage bonds and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 75 basis points, a 900 basis point reduction from the rate on the loan that matured today. The borrowing costs are based on CEHE's current credit rating.

The company expects to repay the new loan in full once it receives the proceeds from the sale of transition bonds, which will securitize stranded costs. The transition bonds are expected to be issued by the end of the year.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, and interstate pipeline and gathering operations. The company serves nearly five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $16 billion. With more than 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.CenterPointEnergy.com .

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the words "believe," "will," "expect" or other similar words. Factors that could affect actual results include the timing and impact of future regulatory and legislative decisions, effects of competition, weather variations, changes in CenterPoint Energy's business plans, financial market conditions and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

SOURCE CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

media, Leticia Lowe, +1-713-207-7702, or investors, Marianne Paulsen,
+1-713-207-6500, both of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

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