HOUSTON - January 23, 2004 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE:CNP) was notified today by Reliant Resources, Inc. that they would not exercise their option to purchase CenterPoint Energy's 81 percent interest in Texas Genco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:TGN). As previously indicated, CenterPoint Energy intends to pursue alternatives to monetize its interest in Texas Genco that include seeking another purchaser and has engaged a financial advisor to assist in this effort.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, interstate pipeline and gathering operations, and more than 14,000 megawatts of power generation in Texas. The company serves nearly five million customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $20 billion. CenterPoint Energy became the new holding company for the regulated operations of the former Reliant Energy, Incorporated in August 2002. With more than 11,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

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