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Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2009
 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Texas
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  1-31447
(Commission File Number)
  74-0694415
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)
  77002
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Texas
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  1-3187
(Commission File Number)
  22-3865106
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)
  77002
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
 
CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
         
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)
  1-13265
(Commission File Number)
  76-0511406
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
     
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas

(Address of principal executive offices)
  77002
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
 
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
 
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
 
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
SIGNATURE
SIGNATURE
SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-99.1


Table of Contents

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure.
     A copy of the slide presentation that CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (“CenterPoint Energy”) expects will be presented to various members of the financial and investment community from time to time is attached to this report as Exhibit 99.1.
     The slide presentation is being furnished, not filed, pursuant to Regulation FD. Accordingly, the slide presentation will not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement filed by CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC (“CenterPoint Houston”) or CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (“CERC”) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, unless specifically identified therein as being incorporated therein by reference. The furnishing of the slide presentation is not intended to, and does not, constitute a determination or admission by CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Houston or CERC that the information in the slide presentation is material or complete, or that investors should consider this information before making an investment decision with respect to any security of CenterPoint Energy, CenterPoint Houston, CERC or any of their affiliates.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
     The exhibit listed below is furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of this Form 8-K.
          (d) Exhibits.
  99.1   CenterPoint Energy, Inc. slide presentation

 


Table of Contents

SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
 
 
Date: November 3, 2009  By:   /s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald    
    Walter L. Fitzgerald   
    Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
 
Date: November 3, 2009  By:   /s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald    
    Walter L. Fitzgerald   
    Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 
 
SIGNATURE
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
 
 
Date: November 3, 2009  By:   /s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald    
    Walter L. Fitzgerald   
    Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
 
 

 


Table of Contents

         
EXHIBIT INDEX
     
EXHIBIT    
NUMBER   EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
 
   
99.1
  CenterPoint Energy, Inc. slide presentation

 

exv99w1
Exhibit 99.1
NYSE: CNP www.CenterPointEnergy.com The Benefits of a Balanced Electric & Gas Portfolio 44th EEI Financial Conference Hollywood, Florida November 1-3, 2009 RIGHT STRATEGY. RIGHT ASSETS. RIGHT PEOPLE. David M. McClanahan President and CEO


 

This presentation contains 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 currently 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. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied by our forward- looking statements include the timing and amount of our recovery of the true-up components, including, in particular, the results of appeals to the courts of determination on rulings obtained to date, the timing and amount of our recovery of restoration costs arising from Hurricane Ike, the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and IRS decisions, financial market conditions and other factors described in CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2008, under "Risk Factors" and under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings", in CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s Forms 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended March 31, 2009, June 30, 2009, and September 30, 2009, under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries - Certain Factors Affecting Future Earnings", and in other filings with the SEC by CenterPoint Energy. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this presentation, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information


 

Strategically located assets and attractive service territories which provide operating scale and diversification of risk Regulated operations providing ~80% of operating income and stable earnings and cash flow Opportunity to leverage market position as a leading provider of gas infrastructure services Organic growth opportunities across all businesses Committed to a secure, competitive dividend with growth while improving financial strength and flexibility Electric TDU Natural Gas LDCs Interstate Pipelines Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services Gathering basins Investment Highlights Carthage to Perryville Southeast Supply Header


 

Focused on domestic energy delivery businesses Continental U.S. market Regulated energy delivery Electric transmission and distribution (TDU) Natural gas local distribution companies (LDCs) Natural gas interstate pipelines Unregulated energy delivery Natural gas field services (gas gathering) To Be Recognized As America's Leading Energy Delivery Company...and More Our Vision "... America's Energy Delivery..." "... and More" Pursue complementary businesses that leverage our core businesses/business skills Competitive natural gas sales and services Our Corporate Vision Remains...


 

To build a domestic energy company with a balanced portfolio of electric and natural gas businesses Seek geographic, economic and regulatory diversity Capture organic growth in our attractive electric and natural gas service territories and seek opportunities to acquire other regulated electric and natural gas businesses Take advantage of our strategically located interstate pipeline assets and their access to active natural gas supply basins and attractive end-use markets Invest in gas gathering, treating and processing facilities in attractive gas producing areas, especially in the new shale plays (Haynesville, Fayetteville and Woodford) Optimize our competitive natural gas sales and services business Our Strategy is... Remain committed to our investment thesis of providing a secure, competitive dividend with growth


 

Natural Gas Distribution Electric Transmission & Distribution Regulated local gas distribution companies in AR, LA, MN, MS, OK, TX 3.2 million customers Solid growth in key urban areas 411 Bcf throughput in 2008 Regulated 'wires only' business 5,000 sq. mile service territory in and around Houston Over 2 million metered customers in the Houston area Solid, consistent customer growth Non-rate regulated Markets natural gas and services 10,900 commercial, industrial and utility customers in 18 states 528 Bcf throughput in 2008 Complementary Electric and Natural Gas Portfolio Natural Gas Pipelines FERC regulated pipelines Strategically located at the center of the nation's gas transportation infrastructure Connected to over 20 other pipelines 1,538 Bcf throughput in 2008 Natural Gas Field Services Non-rate regulated; primarily fee-based business Gathering, treating and processing Primarily focused on mid-continent production basins and new shale plays 421 Bcf throughput in 2008 Natural Gas Sales & Services (1) Results exclude operating income from the Transition Bond Companies and the Final Fuel Reconciliation (see reconciliation on page 20). Adjusted Operating Income (in millions) 2008: $412(1) 2007: $425(1) 2006: $450(1) 2005: $448(1) 2004: $441(1) 2008: $215 2007: $218 2006: $124 2005: $175 2004: $178 2008: $293 2007: $237 2006: $181 2005: $165 2004: $129 2008: $147 2007: $ 99 2006: $ 89 2005: $ 70 2004: $ 51 2008: $62 2007: $75 2006: $77 2005: $60 2004: $44


 

Attractive and Balanced Portfolio with Stability and Growth Balanced Portfolio Growth Electric Transmission & Distribution Natural Gas Interstate Pipelines Natural Gas Distribution Natural Gas Field Services Natural Gas Sales & Services 2008 Adjusted Operating Income: $1,140(1) 2004 - 2008 Adjusted Operating Income(2) (1) In millions; excludes operating income from Transition Bond Companies (see reconciliation on page 20). (2) In millions; excludes operating income from Transition Bond Companies and the Final Fuel Reconciliation (see reconciliation on page 20). Other Operations


 

Distribution rates frozen through June 2010 Transmission rates increased by $22.5 million in November 2008 Distribution rate freeze precludes recovery of the portion of increased transmission rates attributable to our service territory until new distribution rates implemented; net benefit of rate increase to operating income in 2009 ~$17 million New capital expenditures drive growth in rate base Current rate base ~$3.4 billion; capital expenditures expected to be between $400 and $500 million annually for the next 5 years, excluding ~$640 million for advanced metering program (before the impact of stimulus funding) Advanced meter deployment progressing Over 100,000 advanced meters installed; on target to install 145,000 by year end 2009 If funded in accordance with application for stimulus funds, deployment will be accelerated to be complete in 2012 Provides remote meter reading and connect/disconnect capability Provides real-time pricing capability and communication with home area network devices Grant for $200 million in DOE stimulus funding awarded $150 million to be used to accelerate advanced metering deployment $50 million to be dedicated to intelligent grid technology (remote system monitoring, outage detection, intelligent switching and restoration) Texas Supreme Court heard oral arguments on true-up appeal in October 2009 PUC has approved recovery of ~$663 million of storm restoration costs from Hurricane Ike, plus carrying costs from September 1, 2009 ~$643 million in distribution system costs to be recovered through storm securitization bonds; expected to be issued before year-end 2009 Credits to customer bills to reflect benefit of deferred taxes beginning when system restoration charges go into effect; negative impact to 2010 operating income estimated at ~$24 million and declining over life of bonds Remaining $20 million in transmission system costs, plus carrying costs, to be recovered through existing rate mechanisms CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric Electric Transmission & Distribution


 

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Natural Gas Distribution Focused on implementation of rate strategies designed to earn allowed return, while limiting rate case frequency, and decoupling revenues from consumption Align company and customers' interests on conservation and energy efficiency Significant progress in a number of jurisdictions Arkansas: revenue stabilization mechanism; weather normalization adjustment; energy efficiency rider Louisiana: cost of service adjustment mechanism; weather normalization adjustment Oklahoma: cost of service adjustment mechanism; weather normalization adjustment Mississippi: pending rate case to be withdrawn as part of agreement for company to keep benefits from asset management agreement Minnesota: rate case pending; filed for $60 million in November 2008; implemented interim rates of $51.2 million in January 2009, subject to refund; decoupling mechanism requested Texas: Houston rate case pending; filed for $25.4 million in July 2009; cost of service adjustment requested Other Texas jurisdictions: some have cost of service adjustments Execution of asset management agreements - minimize gas inventory working capital; sharing of benefits between company and customers being requested Continue to promote natural gas as the clean fuel of choice for cooking, space and water heating Operations are structured to capture synergies across all six states Current rate base ~$2 billion; capital expenditures expected to be between $200 and $250 million annually for the next 5 years, including ~$90 million for automated meter reading in the Houston area


 

Maintain core customer base through effective and timely re-contracting Long-term agreements with affiliated LDCs and Laclede in place Focused on shifting short-term contracts to longer term arrangements Continue to invest in pipeline expansions and greenfield development projects to provide access to markets for new gas supplies Carthage to Perryville Pipeline 172-mile, 70,000 HP compression, ~1.55 Bcf per day pipeline Phase I, II and III in service and fully subscribed 274 MMcf per day Phase IV compression expansion under construction; target in service April 2010 Over 80 percent contracted with major producer (Chesapeake) Southeast Supply Header (SESH); joint venture with Spectra 270-mile, 1 Bcf per day pipeline; connects Perryville Hub to Southeast and Northeast markets In August 2009, SESH sold $375 million, 4.85% senior notes due 2014; $186 million returned to CNP Potential future expansion opportunities Continue to capture expansion opportunities to maximize value of core pipelines Backhaul contract for up to 0.5 Bcf per day with Chesapeake Continuing to evaluate Haynesville and other shale opportunities Contracted nearly 0.6 Bcf per day of power generation load since 2007 Maintenance capital expenditures expected to average ~$80 million annually, not including pending environmental regulations; additional capital investment dependent on growth opportunities CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Interstate Pipelines Carthage to Perryville Southeast Supply Header


 

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Field Services Secure core business through superior customer service and product offerings Attractive margins despite highly competitive business dynamics Relatively low risk business model Majority of new capital supported by agreements with guaranteed throughput or return provisions Positioned to capture value from commodity up-swings Strategic footprint in both traditional and shale basins Drilling in shale areas remains steady Significant decline in traditional drilling due to low gas price environment Significant investment opportunities driven primarily by shale gas plays (Haynesville, Fayetteville and Woodford) Executed agreements with EnCana and Shell for gathering and treating Haynesville shale production Strategic footprint and recent long-term contracts position business for solid long-term growth 2009 capital expenditures expected to be ~$300 million, including new contracts; capital investments for 2010 estimated to be ~$250 - $300 million


 

CenterPoint Energy Field Services Shell/EnCana Haynesville Project Overview In September 2009, CenterPoint Energy Field Services (CEFS) signed long-term agreements with Shell and EnCana to provide gathering and treating services Establishes new relationships with 2 high quality producers Terms include volume throughput commitments and acreage dedication Agreements to provide gathering and treating facilities: up to 700 MMcf per day with the potential for expansion of up to an additional 1 Bcf per day at the producers' election Capital Investment Initial phase (700 MMcf per day): $300 - $325 million over ~18 months Acquired over 100 MMcf per day of existing facilities at close Installation of ~226 miles of pipelines; nearly 25,500 horsepower of compression; ~800 MMcf per day treating capacity Expansion (up to 1 Bcf per day): up to additional $250 - $300 million Producers have option to request expansion of up to an additional 1 Bcf per day Expansion could require ~60 miles of pipeline and ~40,200 horsepower of compression Aligns with CNP risk profile and augments investment thesis Fee-based revenue structure with volume throughput commitments or guaranteed returns for all capital deployed Significant revenue growth potential Project scale provides competitive advantage to capture significant long-term opportunities CEFS gains first mover advantage in potentially the largest US production play Extends North Louisiana footprint Leverages core commercial and operating competencies


 

Risk management and internal controls essential to success Principally a physical gas provider using back-to-back contracting strategy Disciplined risk management model Low Value at Risk (VaR) limit of $4 million Rigorous credit scoring and collateral management Economic gains locked in through the use of financial derivatives Retail customer base growing; slight sales volume declines in 2009; wholesale opportunities impacted by reduced basis differentials; storage margins remain attractive due to seasonal basis spreads CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services


 

Third Quarter 2009 Consolidated Results (unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)


 

Third Quarter 2009 Operating Income by Segment (unaudited, in millions)


 

(unaudited, in millions) Interstate Pipelines $9 Field Services $(21) Other $(2) Competitive Natural Gas Sales & Service ($43) Higher pension expense Higher other O&M Rate increases Higher revenue from new contracts on Carthage to Perryville pipeline New contracts for deliveries to gas-fired power generators 2008 write- down associated with pipeline assets removed from service Higher O&M, in part from pension expense Natural Gas Distribution ($9) Electric TDU $16 Significantly lower commodity prices in 2009 versus 2008 Lower natural gas throughput from traditional basins Increased throughput from shale plays 3Q 2008 Customer growth Favorable weather Higher net transmission revenues 2008 loss due to Hurricane Ike Higher O&M 3Q 2009 Mark-to- market charges in 2009 compared to large mark-to- market gains in 2008 Reduced locational price differentials Lower retail sales volumes 2008 Inventory write-down $337 $287 Third Quarter 2009 Operating Income Drivers 3 mos. ended 9/30/09 vs. 3 mos. ended 9/30/08


 

CenterPoint Energy Objectives for 2009 and beyond Maximize return on regulated utilities portfolio Pursue growth projects in interstate pipelines and field services Capture profitability of competitive natural gas sales and services while maintaining appropriate level of risk Maintain and improve strong liquidity and credit profile Provide secure, competitive dividend with growth Consistently achieve top quartile shareholder returns


 

NYSE: CNP www.CenterPointEnergy.com The Benefits of a Balanced Electric & Gas Portfolio Q & A RIGHT STRATEGY. RIGHT ASSETS. RIGHT PEOPLE.


 

Appendix


 

Reconciliation of Operating Income to Adjusted Operating Income (in millions) Consolidated (in millions) Electric Transmission & Distribution Note: Pursuant to financing orders issued by the Texas Utility Commission in accordance with the Texas Electric Choice Plan (Texas electric restructuring law), subsidiaries of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric have issued $749 million, $1.85 billion, and $488 million in transition bonds in October 2001, December 2005 and February 2008, respectively. Final maturity dates on the bonds range from September 2015 to February 2023. The transition bonds are non-recourse to CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric and are serviced through dedicated amounts included in revenues. The transition bonds were issued to recover certain costs determined by the Texas Utility Commission to be recoverable in connection with the transition to competition under the Texas electric restructuring law.


 

Debentures / Notes $2,747 Convertible Subordinated Debentures 45 Commercial Paper 15 Bank Loans 10 (5) Advances for Purchases of Receivables 40 (6) Total $2,857 Principal amounts of external debt As of September 30, 2009 CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC First Mortgage Bonds General Mortgage Bonds Collateralized Pollution Control Bonds Bank Loans Total Transition Bonds $376 $ 103 1,762 229 0 $2,094 CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company, LLC ($ in millions) Utility Holding, LLC (7) (8) Transition Bonds $1,550 CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company II, LLC The principal amount on which 2% interest is paid is $840.3 million. The debt component reflected on the financial statements is $120 million. The contingent principal amount payable at maturity is $814.5 million. The collateralized pollution control bonds aggregating $678 million are obligations of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. However, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC has issued first mortgage bonds aggregating $151 million and general mortgage bonds aggregating $527 million as collateral for the CenterPoint Energy, Inc. obligations. Excludes $175 million of tax-exempt bonds issued on behalf of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. which were purchased by CenterPoint Energy, Inc. in April 2008 and are held for future remarketing. (4) Borrowings under $1.156 billion bank facility. (5) Borrowings under $950 million bank facility. (6) Advances under $150 million receivables facility. (7) The pollution control bonds are collateralized by general mortgage bonds. (8) Borrowings under $289 million and $600 million bank facilities. Transition Bonds $455 CenterPoint Energy Transition Bond Company III, LLC


 

Principal amounts of maturing external debt As of September 30, 2009


 

Liquidity and Credit Ratings Available Liquidity ($MM) Credit Ratings Moody's S&P Fitch Rating Outlook Rating Outlook Rating Outlook CenterPoint Energy (Senior Unsecured) Ba1 Stable BBB- Negative BBB- Stable CEHE (Senior Secured) Baa1 Positive BBB+ Negative A- Stable CERC (Senior Unsecured) Baa3 Stable BBB Negative BBB Stable (1) General mortgage bonds and first mortgage bonds (1)