Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2)
Registration Statement No. 333-238617-01

The information in this preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus 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.

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 2, 2020

PRELIMINARY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(To Prospectus Dated May 22, 2020)

$        

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC

    % General Mortgage Bonds, Series AD, due 20    

The 20     general mortgage bonds will bear interest at a rate of     % per year from, and including, the date of issuance and will mature on             , 20    . We refer to the 20     general mortgage bonds as the mortgage bonds. We will pay interest on the mortgage bonds on                  and                  of each year, beginning on             , 2021. The mortgage bonds are subject to optional redemption prior to maturity at the applicable redemption price described under the caption “Description of the General Mortgage Bonds — Optional Redemption.”

The mortgage bonds will be our secured obligations under our general mortgage indenture dated October 10, 2002, as supplemented, and will be subject and junior to the prior lien of our first mortgage bonds. As of March 31, 2020, we had approximately $102 million aggregate principal amount of first mortgage bonds outstanding.

The mortgage bonds will be a new series of securities for which currently there is no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the mortgage bonds on any securities exchange or for quotation of the mortgage bonds on any dealer quotation system.

Investing in the mortgage bonds involves risks. See “Risk Factors” 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.

The underwriters expect to deliver the mortgage bonds to purchasers through the book-entry facilities of The Depository Trust Company and for the accounts of its participants, including Clearstream Banking, societé anonyme and Euroclear S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System, against payment in New York, New York on or about June     , 2020.

Joint Book-Running Managers

Co-Manager

Mischler Financial Group, Inc.

Prospectus Supplement dated June     , 2020

This document consists of two parts, which should be read together. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific terms of the mortgage bonds, the specific terms of this offering and supplements and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part, the accompanying prospectus, provides more general information about the general mortgage bonds and other securities that may be offered from time to time using such prospectus, some of which general information does not apply to this offering. Generally, when we refer to the prospectus, we are referring to both parts of this document combined. You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus together with any written communication prepared by us or on our behalf in connection with this offering together with the additional information described in the accompanying prospectus under the heading “Where You Can Find More Information” and in this prospectus supplement under the heading “Incorporation By Reference.”

We have not, and the underwriters have not, authorized anyone to provide any information or to make any representations other than those contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any written communication prepared by us or on our behalf. We and the underwriters take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not, and the underwriters are not, making an offer to sell the mortgage bonds and are not soliciting an offer to buy the mortgage bonds in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. 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 any information we have incorporated by reference is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since these respective dates.

Any information contained in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus or in a document incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement or in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes that statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the prospectus. See “Incorporation By Reference” in this prospectus supplement.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, in each of its capacities referenced herein, including, but not limited to, trustee, security registrar and paying agent, has not participated in the preparation of this prospectus supplement and assumes no responsibility for its content.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Prospectus Supplement

Prospectus

We expect that delivery of the mortgage bonds offered hereby will be made against payment therefor on or about June     , 2020, which will be the third business day following the date of pricing of the mortgage bonds (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the mortgage bonds on the initial pricing date of the mortgage bonds will be required, by virtue of the fact that the mortgage bonds initially will settle in T+3, to specify alternative settlement arrangements at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisors.

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RISK FACTORS

You should consider carefully the risk factors, including those related to the COVID-19 pandemic, identified in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 (2019 Form 10-K) and in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (1st Quarter 2020 Form 10-Q), the following information about risks, as well as risks arising from any legal proceedings identified or referenced in Part II, Item 1 “Legal Proceedings” of our 1st Quarter 2020 Form 10-Q and in “Legal Proceedings” in Part 1, Item 3 of our 2019 Form 10-K, as they may be amended, supplemented or superseded from time to time by other reports that we subsequently file with the SEC, together with the other information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, before making an investment in the mortgage bonds.

Risks Related to the Mortgage Bonds

We cannot assure you that an active trading market will develop for the mortgage bonds.

The mortgage bonds will be a new series of securities for which currently there is no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for the listing of the mortgage bonds on any securities exchange or for quotation of the mortgage bonds on any dealer quotation system. We cannot assure you that a trading market will develop for the mortgage bonds. Even if a market for the mortgage bonds does develop, we cannot assure you that there will be liquidity in that market or that the mortgage bonds might not trade for less than their original value or face amount. The liquidity of any market for the mortgage bonds will depend on the number of holders of those mortgage bonds, the interest of securities dealers in making a market in the mortgage bonds and other factors. If a liquid market for the mortgage bonds does not develop, you may be unable to resell the mortgage bonds for a long period of time, if at all. This means you may not be able to readily convert your mortgage bonds into cash, and the mortgage bonds may not be accepted as collateral for a loan.

Even if a market for the mortgage bonds develops, trading prices could be higher or lower than the initial offering price. The price of the mortgage bonds will depend on many factors, including prevailing interest rates, our operating results 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 mortgage bonds, independent of our financial performance.

The indenture limits the ability of security holders to bring suit, waive defaults and amend the indenture.

The indenture provides that the consent of holders of certain minimum percentages of the aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds and additional general mortgage bonds outstanding under the indenture is required to waive certain defaults, bring suit and, with exceptions, amend the indenture. Your consent to such actions will not be effective unless consents are received from the holders of the required minimum amount of such mortgage bonds and other general mortgage bonds. Further, even if you do not consent to such actions, those actions may still be taken if consented to by the holders of the required minimum amount of such mortgage bonds and other general mortgage bonds.

The indenture provides that the trustee or the holders of 33% or more in aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds and additional general mortgage bonds outstanding under the indenture may declare the principal amount of the mortgage bonds and additional general mortgage bonds to be due and payable immediately if an event of default shall occur and be continuing.

Ratings of the mortgage bonds may change and affect the market prices and marketability of the mortgage bonds.

Our debt securities are subject to periodic review by one or more independent credit rating agencies and may be subject to rating and periodic review by additional independent credit rating agencies in the future. Any

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such ratings are limited in scope and do not address all material risks relating to an investment in the mortgage bonds, but rather reflect only the view of the rating agency at the time the rating is issued. An explanation of the significance of such rating may be obtained from such rating agency. We cannot assure you that such credit rating will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any such rating will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if, in such rating agency’s judgment, circumstances so warrant. It is also possible that any such rating may be lowered in connection with future events. Holders of mortgage bonds will have no recourse against us or any other parties in the event of a change in or suspension or withdrawal of any such rating. Any lowering, suspension or withdrawal of such ratings may have an adverse effect on the market prices or marketability of the mortgage bonds.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We expect the net proceeds from this offering to be approximately $         million after deducting the underwriting discount and estimated expenses of the offering payable by us. We intend to use the net proceeds from this offering for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and the repayment of a portion of our borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool (through which we and certain of our affiliates can borrow or invest on a short-term basis). Proceeds from the borrowings from the CenterPoint Energy money pool were used for general limited liability company purposes, including capital expenditures and to make a distribution to CenterPoint Energy to true up to our new authorized capital structure. On March 31, 2020, we had approximately $133 million of borrowings under the CenterPoint Energy money pool at a weighted average annual interest rate of 1.98%.

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our short-term debt and capitalization as of March 31, 2020. No adjustments have been made for:

This table should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2020 and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our 1st Quarter 2020 Form 10-Q.

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DESCRIPTION OF THE GENERAL MORTGAGE BONDS

General

The mortgage bonds offered by this prospectus supplement will be issued as a new series of general mortgage bonds under the General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, between us and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank), as trustee (the trustee), as amended and supplemented (the indenture). The descriptions under this heading and under “Description of Our General Mortgage Bonds” in the accompanying prospectus are summaries of the material provisions of the mortgage bonds and the indenture. Such summaries do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the indenture and the mortgage bonds, forms of which have been or will be filed and incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus form a part. We urge you to read the indenture because it, not this description, defines your rights as a holder of the mortgage bonds. References to article and section numbers in this prospectus supplement, unless otherwise indicated, are references to article and section numbers of the indenture.

As of the date of this prospectus supplement, general mortgage bonds have been issued and are outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to approximately $4.0 billion and additional general mortgage bonds may be issued under the indenture, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount, on the basis of property additions, retired bonds or cash deposited with the trustee. Please read “— Issuance of Mortgage Bonds.” The mortgage bonds, the previously issued general mortgage bonds and any additional general mortgage bonds issued under the indenture are collectively referred to as the “indenture bonds.”

The mortgage bonds will bear interest at the rate of     % per annum. Interest on the mortgage bonds is payable semi-annually in arrears on each                      and                      , commencing              , 2021 (each such date, an interest payment date), to the persons in whose names they are registered at the close of business on the                      and                      , respectively, immediately preceding the applicable interest payment date; provided, however, that interest payable at maturity (whether at stated maturity, upon redemption or otherwise) will be payable to the registered bondholder to whom principal is payable. The mortgage bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof.

The mortgage bonds mature on              , 20    . The mortgage bonds are subject to optional redemption before their maturity as described below. The mortgage bonds are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

The mortgage bonds are initially issuable in book-entry form. Initially, Cede & Co., as nominee for The Depository Trust Company, or DTC, will be the registered owner of the mortgage bonds and references herein to the bondholders, holders, owners or registered owners of the mortgage bonds shall mean Cede & Co. and not the beneficial owners of the mortgage bonds. Beneficial owners of the mortgage bonds will not receive or have the right to receive bond certificates except as hereinafter provided. Please read “— Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement.”

The mortgage bonds are initially being offered in the principal amount of $        . We may, without the consent of the holders of the mortgage bonds, increase the principal amount of the series of mortgage bonds and issue additional mortgage bonds of such series having the same ranking, interest rate, maturity and other terms (other than the date of initial issuance, the price to public, and, in some circumstances, the initial interest accrual date and initial interest payment date) as the mortgage bonds being offered hereby, but we will not reopen a series unless the additional mortgage bonds are fungible with the previously issued mortgage bonds for U.S. federal income tax purposes or such additional mortgage bonds are issued with a separate CUSIP number. Any such additional mortgage bonds would, together with the mortgage bonds being offered hereby, constitute a single series of securities under the indenture and may be treated as a single class for all purposes under the indenture, including, without limitation, voting, waivers and amendments.

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Optional Redemption

The mortgage bonds may be redeemed in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at our option, on any date prior to             , 20     at a redemption price equal to the greater of:

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the redemption date.

At any time on or after             , 20    , we may redeem the mortgage bonds, in whole or in part, at our option, by paying 100% of the principal amount of mortgage bonds to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the redemption date.

“treasury rate” means, with respect to any redemption date:

The treasury rate will be calculated by the independent investment banker on the third business day preceding the date fixed for redemption.

“comparable treasury issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an independent investment banker as having an actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (remaining life) of the mortgage bonds to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the mortgage bonds matured on              , 20    ) that would be utilized, at the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the remaining term of such mortgage bonds.

“comparable treasury price” means (a) the average of five reference treasury dealer quotations for such redemption date, after excluding the highest and lowest reference treasury dealer quotations, or (b) if the independent investment banker obtains fewer than five such reference treasury dealer quotations, the average of all such quotations.

“independent investment banker” means one of the reference treasury dealers appointed by us.

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“reference treasury dealer” means each of (a) BofA Securities, Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “primary treasury dealer”) designated by MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and each of their respective successors, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a primary treasury dealer, we will substitute therefor another primary treasury dealer and (b) any other primary treasury dealer selected by us after consultation with the independent investment banker.

“reference treasury dealer quotations” means, with respect to each reference treasury dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by the independent investment banker, of the bid and asked prices for the applicable comparable treasury issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the independent investment banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third business day preceding such redemption date.

The trustee, at the written direction of the company, will send a notice of redemption to each holder of mortgage bonds to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to mortgage bonds registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption. Unless we default on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the mortgage bonds or portions thereof called for redemption on the date fixed for redemption. If fewer than all of the mortgage bonds are to be redeemed, not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, the particular mortgage bonds or portions thereof called for redemption will be selected from the outstanding mortgage bonds not previously called by such method as the trustee deems fair and appropriate. In the case of a partial redemption of mortgage bonds registered in the name of Cede & Co, the mortgage bonds to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement

We will issue the mortgage bonds in the form of one or more global securities in definitive, fully registered form. The global securities will be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust Company, and will remain in the custody of the trustee.

Beneficial interests in the global securities 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 securities 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:

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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:

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 mortgage bonds represented by a global security 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 mortgage bonds represented by a global security 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 security, DTC or that nominee will be considered the sole owner or holder of the mortgage bonds represented by that global security for all purposes under the indenture and under the mortgage bonds. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a global security will not be entitled to have mortgage bonds represented by that global security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of certificated mortgage bonds and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the indenture or under the mortgage bonds 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 security 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 mortgage bonds under the indenture or the global security.

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 mortgage bonds by DTC, or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records of DTC relating to the mortgage bonds.

Payments on the mortgage bonds represented by the global securities 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 mortgage bonds represented by a global security, will credit participants’ accounts with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in the global security 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 security held through such participants will be governed by standing instructions and customary practice as is now the case 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 mortgage bonds 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

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settled in immediately available funds. Although DTC has agreed to the foregoing procedures to facilitate transfers of the mortgage bonds 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.

Secondary market trading between Clearstream Banking, société anonyme (“Clearstream”) participants and/or Euroclear Bank S.A./N.V., as operator of the Euroclear System (“Euroclear”) participants will occur in the ordinary way in accordance with the applicable rules and operating procedures of Clearstream and Euroclear, as applicable.

Cross-market transfers between participants in DTC, on the one hand, and participants in Euroclear or Clearstream, on the other hand, will be effected through DTC in accordance with the DTC’s rules on behalf of Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by their respective U.S. depositaries; however, such cross-market transactions will require delivery of instructions to Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, by the counterparty in such system in accordance with the rules and procedures and within the established deadlines (European time) of such system. Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, will, if the transaction meets its settlement requirements, deliver instructions to its U.S. depositary to take action to effect final settlement on its behalf by delivering or receiving interests in the global securities through DTC, and making or receiving payment in accordance with normal procedures for same-day fund settlement. Participants in Euroclear or Clearstream may not deliver instructions directly to their respective U.S. depositaries.

Due to time zone differences, the securities accounts of a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream purchasing an interest in a global security from a direct participant in DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant participant in Euroclear or Clearstream, during the securities settlement processing day (which must be a business day for Euroclear or Clearstream) immediately following the settlement date of DTC. Cash received in Euroclear or Clearstream as a result of sales of interests in a global security by or through a participant in Euroclear or Clearstream to a direct participant in DTC will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available in the relevant Euroclear or Clearstream cash account only as of the business day for Euroclear or Clearstream following DTC’s settlement date.

Certificated Mortgage Bonds

Certificated mortgage bonds will be issued to each person that DTC identifies as the beneficial owner of the mortgage bonds represented by the global securities, upon surrender by DTC of the global securities, if (i) we notify the trustee in writing that DTC or any successor depositary (the “depositary”) is no longer willing or able to act as a depositary for the global securities or DTC ceases to be registered as a clearing agency under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, 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 mortgage bonds in definitive form under the indenture or (iii) upon the occurrence of certain other events as provided pursuant to the indenture.

Issuance of Mortgage Bonds

As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate principal amount of additional general mortgage bonds and first mortgage bonds that could be issued was approximately $4.2 billion based on retired bonds and 70% of property additions. We have contractually agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that we will not issue additional first mortgage bonds.

Outstanding General Mortgage Bonds and Basis for the Issuance of the Mortgage Bonds

As of March 31, 2020, we have outstanding approximately $4.0 billion aggregate principal amount of general mortgage bonds, including:

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The mortgage bonds will be established in the Twenty-Ninth Supplemental Indenture between us and the trustee and will be issued on the basis of property additions.

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association is the trustee under the indenture and will be the principal paying agent and registrar for the mortgage bonds. As of March 31, 2020, the trustee served as trustee for approximately $4.1 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt securities and pollution control bonds issued on our behalf. In addition, the trustee serves as trustee for debt securities of our parent company, CenterPoint Energy, and some of its subsidiaries, aggregating approximately $5.5 billion as of March 31, 2020. CenterPoint Energy maintains brokerage relationships with the trustee and its affiliates, each of whom may maintain other relationships with CenterPoint Energy or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business in the future.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

The following discussion is a summary of the material U.S. federal income tax consequences relevant to the acquisition, ownership and disposition of the mortgage bonds issued pursuant to this offering. This discussion is based upon the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applicable U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, judicial authority and administrative interpretations, all as of the date of this offering, and all of which are subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect, or are subject to different interpretations. We cannot assure you that the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) will not challenge one or more of the tax consequences described in this discussion, and we have not obtained, nor do we intend to obtain, a ruling from the IRS or an opinion of counsel with respect to the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning or disposing of the mortgage bonds.

This discussion is limited to holders who purchase the mortgage bonds in this offering for cash at a price equal to the issue price of the mortgage bonds (i.e., the first price at which a substantial amount of the mortgage bonds is sold for cash other than to bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers) and who hold the mortgage bonds as capital assets (generally, property held for investment). This discussion does not address any U.S. federal tax considerations other than U.S. federal income tax considerations (such as estate and gift tax considerations), or the tax considerations arising under the laws of any foreign, state, local or other jurisdiction or any income tax treaty. In addition, this discussion does not address all tax considerations that may be important to a particular holder in light of the holder’s circumstances, or to certain categories of investors that may be subject to special rules, such as:

If an entity or arrangement treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds mortgage bonds, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner of the partnership generally will depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership and upon certain determinations made at the partner level. If you are a partner of a partnership considering an investment in the mortgage bonds, you are urged to consult your own tax advisor about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of acquiring, owning and disposing of the mortgage bonds.

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INVESTORS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF MORTGAGE BONDS ARE URGED TO CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THE APPLICATION OF THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX LAWS TO THEIR PARTICULAR SITUATIONS AS WELL AS ANY TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE MORTGAGE BONDS UNDER OTHER U.S. FEDERAL TAX LAWS OR UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN JURISDICTION OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE TAX TREATY.

Certain Additional Payments

In certain circumstances (see “Description of the General Mortgage Bonds — Optional Redemption”), we may be obligated to pay amounts with respect to the mortgage bonds that are in excess of stated interest on or principal of the mortgage bonds and/or pay amounts in redemption of the mortgage bonds prior to their stated maturity. We intend to take the position that the likelihood that we will be required to make such payments is remote as of the issue date of the mortgage bonds and therefore that these provisions do not cause the mortgage bonds to be treated as “contingent payment debt instruments” within the meaning of the applicable Treasury Regulations. However, additional income will be recognized to a holder of mortgage bonds if any such additional payment is made. Our position that the contingencies described above are remote is binding on a holder, unless the holder discloses in the proper manner to the IRS that it is taking a different position. If the IRS successfully challenged our position, then the mortgage bonds could be treated as contingent payment debt instruments, in which case holders could be required to accrue interest income at a rate higher than the stated interest rate on the mortgage bonds and to treat as ordinary income, rather than capital gain, any gain recognized on a sale, exchange, retirement or redemption of a mortgage bond. The remainder of this discussion assumes that the mortgage bonds will not be treated as contingent payment debt instruments. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the possible application of the contingent payment debt instrument rules to the mortgage bonds.

Tax Consequences to U.S. Holders

The following summary will apply to you if you are a U.S. holder of the mortgage bonds. You are a “U.S. holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of a mortgage bond and you are for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

Interest on the Mortgage Bonds

Interest on the mortgage bonds generally will be taxable to you as ordinary income at the time it is received or accrued in accordance with your regular method of tax accounting for U.S. federal income tax purposes.

Disposition of the Mortgage Bonds

You will generally recognize capital gain or loss on the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a mortgage bond equal to the difference, if any, between the proceeds you receive

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(excluding any proceeds attributable to accrued but unpaid interest, which will be taxable as ordinary interest income to the extent you have not previously included such amounts in income) and your adjusted tax basis in the mortgage bond. The proceeds you receive will include the amount of any cash and the fair market value of any other property received for the mortgage bond. Your adjusted tax basis in the mortgage bond will generally equal the amount you paid for the mortgage bond. Any gain or loss will be long-term capital gain or loss if you held the mortgage bond for more than one year at the time of the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition. Long-term capital gains of individuals, estates and trusts currently are eligible for reduced rates of U.S. federal income tax. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Information reporting generally will apply to payments of interest on, and the proceeds of the sale or other disposition (including a redemption, exchange or retirement) of, mortgage bonds held by you, and backup withholding will apply to such payments unless you provide to the applicable withholding agent your taxpayer identification number, certified under penalties of perjury, as well as certain other information or otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained from the IRS if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you timely provide the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS.

Additional Tax on Net Investment Income

An additional 3.8% tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of certain United States citizens and resident aliens, and on the undistributed “net investment income” of certain estates and trusts. Among other items, “net investment income” generally includes gross income from interest and net gain from the disposition of property, such as the mortgage bonds, less certain deductions. You are encouraged to consult your tax advisor with respect to this additional tax and its applicability in your particular circumstances.

Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders

The following summary will apply to you if you are a non-U.S. holder of mortgage bonds. You are a “non-U.S. holder” for purposes of this discussion if you are a beneficial owner of mortgage bonds that is, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an individual, corporation, estate or trust that is not a U.S. holder.

Interest on the Mortgage Bonds

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding and FATCA withholding below, payments to you of interest on the mortgage bonds generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax and will be exempt from withholding of U.S. federal income tax under the “portfolio interest” exemption if you properly certify as to your foreign status, as described below, and:

The portfolio interest exemption generally applies only if you also appropriately certify as to your foreign status. You can generally meet the certification requirement by providing a properly executed IRS Form

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W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) to the applicable withholding agent. If you hold the mortgage bonds through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you may be required to provide appropriate certifications to the agent. Your agent will then generally be required to provide appropriate certifications to the applicable withholding agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. Special rules apply to foreign partnerships, estates and trusts, and in certain circumstances certifications as to the foreign status of partners, trust owners or beneficiaries may have to be provided to the applicable withholding agent. In addition, special rules apply to qualified intermediaries that enter into withholding agreements with the IRS.

If you cannot satisfy the requirements described above, payments of interest made to you will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate, unless (i) you provide the applicable withholding agent with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) claiming an exemption from (or a reduction of) withholding under an income tax treaty, or (ii) the payments of such interest are effectively connected with your conduct of a trade or business in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by you in the United States) and you meet the certification requirements described below. (See “— Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business.”)

The certifications described above and below must be provided to the applicable withholding agent prior to the payment of interest and must be updated periodically. If you do not timely provide the applicable withholding agent with the required certification, but you qualify for a reduced rate under an applicable income tax treaty, you may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld if you timely provide the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS.

Disposition of the Mortgage Bonds

Subject to the discussion of backup withholding below, you generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on any gain (excluding any amount attributable to accrued and unpaid interest, which generally will be treated as interest and may be subject to the rules discussed above in “— Interest on the Mortgage Bonds”) realized on the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of a mortgage bond unless:

If your gain is described in the first bullet point above, you generally will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described under “— Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business.” If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet point above, you will be subject to a flat 30% (or lower applicable income tax treaty rate) U.S. federal income tax on the gain derived from the sale or other disposition, which may be offset by certain U.S. source capital losses.

Income or Gain Effectively Connected with a U.S. Trade or Business

If any interest on the mortgage bonds or gain from the sale, redemption, exchange, retirement or other taxable disposition of the mortgage bonds is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business conducted by you (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, you maintain a permanent establishment in the United States to which such interest or gain is attributable), then the interest income or gain will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular graduated income tax rates generally in the same manner as if you were a U.S. holder. Effectively connected interest income will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if you satisfy certain certification requirements by providing to the applicable withholding agent a properly executed IRS Form

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W-8ECI (or successor form). In addition, if you are a corporation, that portion of your earnings and profits that is effectively connected with your U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate, unless an applicable income tax treaty provides for a lower rate. For this purpose, interest received on a mortgage bond and gain recognized on the disposition of a mortgage bond will be included in earnings and profits if the interest or gain is effectively connected with the conduct by you of a U.S. trade or business.

Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

Payments to you of interest on a mortgage bond, and amounts withheld from such payments, if any, generally will be required to be reported to the IRS and to you. Copies of the information returns reporting such interest payments and withholding may also be made available to the tax authorities of the country in which you reside or are established under the provisions of a specific treaty or agreement.

Backup withholding generally will not apply to payments to you of interest on a mortgage bond if the certification described in “— Tax Consequences to Non-U.S. Holders — Interest on the Mortgage Bonds” is duly provided or you otherwise establish an exemption.

Proceeds from the disposition of a mortgage bond effected by the U.S. office of a U.S. or foreign broker will be subject to information reporting requirements and backup withholding unless you properly certify under penalties of perjury as to your foreign status on IRS Form W-8BEN or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (or other applicable or successor form) and certain other conditions are met or you otherwise establish an exemption. Information reporting requirements and backup withholding generally will not apply to any proceeds from the disposition of a mortgage bond effected outside the United States by a foreign office of a broker. However, unless such a broker has documentary evidence in its records that you are not a United States person and certain other conditions are met, or you otherwise establish an exemption, information reporting will apply to a payment of the proceeds of the disposition of a mortgage bond effected outside the United States by such a broker if it has certain relationships with the United States.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amount withheld under the backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and a refund may be obtained from the IRS if the amounts withheld exceed your actual U.S. federal income tax liability and you timely provide the required information or appropriate claim form to the IRS.

Withholding on Payments to Certain Foreign Entities

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations and administrative guidance issued thereunder (referred to as “FATCA”) impose a 30% U.S. federal withholding tax on “withholdable payments” (as defined in the Code), including payments of interest on the mortgage bonds if paid to a “foreign financial institution” or a “non-financial foreign entity” (each as defined in the Code) (including, in some cases, when such foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity is acting as an intermediary), unless: (i) in the case of a foreign financial institution, such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments, and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners); (ii) in the case of a non-financial foreign entity, such entity certifies that it does not have any “substantial United States owners” (as defined in the Code) or provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying its direct and indirect substantial United States owners (generally by providing an IRS Form W-8BEN-E); or (iii) the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from these rules and provides appropriate documentation (such as an IRS Form W-8BEN-E). While withholdable payments would have originally included payments of gross proceeds from the sale or other disposition of a mortgage bond on or after January 1, 2019, proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations provide that such payments of gross proceeds (other than amounts treated as interest) do not constitute withholdable payments. Taxpayers may rely generally on these proposed U.S. Treasury Regulations until they are revoked or final U.S. Treasury Regulations are issued.

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Foreign financial institutions located in jurisdictions that have an intergovernmental agreement with the United States with respect to these rules may be subject to different rules. Under certain circumstances, a beneficial owner of mortgage bonds might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. You are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the effects of FATCA on your investment in the mortgage bonds.

THE PRECEDING DISCUSSION OF MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. WE URGE YOU TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE PARTICULAR U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING AND DISPOSING OF THE MORTGAGE BONDS, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAWS.

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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 the mortgage bonds, for whom BofA Securities, Inc., MUFG Securities Americas Inc., RBC Capital Markets, LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, 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 mortgage bonds set forth opposite its name below.

The underwriters are offering the mortgage bonds, subject to prior sale, when, as and if issued to and accepted by them, subject to approval of legal matters by counsel, including the validity of the mortgage bonds, and other conditions contained in the underwriting agreement, such as the receipt by the underwriters of officer’s certificates and legal opinions. The underwriters reserve the right to withdraw, cancel or modify offers to the public and to reject orders in whole or in part.

The underwriters have advised us that they propose to initially offer the mortgage bonds to the public at the offering price appearing on the cover page of this prospectus supplement and may also offer the mortgage bonds to dealers at a price that represents a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the mortgage bonds. Any underwriter may allow, and any of these dealers may re-allow, a concession not in excess of     % of the principal amount of the mortgage bonds. After the initial offering of the mortgage bonds, the underwriters may from time to time vary the offering pricing and other selling terms.

The obligations of the underwriters, including their agreement to purchase the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds if any are purchased. The underwriting agreement also provides that if an underwriter defaults, the purchase commitments of the non-defaulting underwriters under the agreement may be increased or the offering of mortgage bonds may be terminated.

The mortgage bonds will be a new series of securities for which currently there is no established trading market. We do not intend to apply for listing of the mortgage bonds on any securities exchange or for quotation of the mortgage bonds on any dealer quotation system.

The underwriters have advised us that they intend to make a market in the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds or that a public trading market for the mortgage bonds will develop.

In connection with the offering of the mortgage bonds, the underwriters may engage in transactions that stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the price of the mortgage bonds. Specifically, the underwriters may overallot in connection with the offering of the mortgage bonds, creating a syndicate short position. In addition, the underwriters may bid for, and purchase, the mortgage bonds in the open market to cover short positions or to stabilize the price of the mortgage bonds. Finally, the underwriters may reclaim selling concessions allowed for

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distributing the mortgage bonds in the offering, if the underwriters repurchase previously distributed mortgage bonds in transactions to cover short positions, in stabilization transactions or otherwise. Any of these activities may stabilize or maintain the market prices of the mortgage bonds 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 the underwriting discount will be approximately $0.8 million.

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.

We expect that delivery of the mortgage bonds offered hereby will be made against payment therefor on or about June     , 2020, which will be the third business day following the date of pricing of the mortgage bonds (this settlement cycle being referred to as “T+3”). Under Rule 15c6-1 of the Exchange Act, trades in the secondary market generally are required to settle in two business days, unless the parties to a trade expressly agree otherwise. Accordingly, purchasers who wish to trade the mortgage bonds on the initial pricing date of the mortgage bonds will be required, by virtue of the fact that the mortgage bonds initially will settle in T+3, to specify alternative settlement arrangements at the time of any such trade to prevent a failed settlement and should consult their own advisors.

The underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the underwriters and/or their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking, trust or investment management transactions with us and our affiliates for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary compensation.

In addition, in the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and instruments of ours or our affiliates. If any of the underwriters and their affiliates has a lending relationship with us, certain of these underwriters or their affiliates routinely hedge and certain of these underwriters or their affiliates may hedge their credit exposure to us consistent with their customary risk management policies. Typically, such underwriters and their affiliates would hedge such exposure by entering into transactions which consist of either the purchase of credit default swaps or the creation of short positions in our securities, including potentially the mortgage bonds offered hereby. Any credit default swaps or short positions could adversely affect future trading prices of the mortgage bonds offered hereby. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also make investment recommendations or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or financial instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long or short positions in such securities and instruments.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the European Economic Area

The mortgage bonds are not intended to be offered, sold or otherwise made available to and should not be offered, sold or otherwise made available to any retail investor in the European Economic Area (“EEA”) or the United Kingdom (the “UK”). For these purposes, a retail investor means a person who is one (or more) of: (i) a retail client as defined in point (11) of Article 4(1) of Directive 2014/65/EU (as amended, “MiFID II”); or (ii) a customer within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/97 (the “Insurance Distribution Directive”), where that

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customer would not qualify as a professional client as defined in point (10) of Article 4(1) of MiFID II; or (iii) not a qualified investor as defined in Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 (the “Prospectus Regulation”). Consequently no key information document required by Regulation (EU) No 1286/2014 (as amended, the “PRIIPs Regulation”) for offering or selling the mortgage bonds or otherwise making them available to retail investors in the EEA or in the UK has been prepared and therefore offering or selling the mortgage bonds or otherwise making them available to any retail investor in the EEA or in the UK may be unlawful under the PRIIPs Regulation. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been prepared on the basis that any offer of mortgage bonds in any Member State of the EEA or in the UK will be made pursuant to an exemption under the Prospectus Regulation from the requirement to publish a prospectus for offers of mortgage bonds. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation.

Each person in a member state of the EEA to whom any offer of the mortgage bonds is made or who receives any communication in respect of, or who initially acquires any mortgage bonds under, the offer to the public contemplated in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, or to whom the mortgage bonds are otherwise made available will be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed to and with the underwriters and us that they and any person on whose behalf they acquire mortgage bonds as a financial intermediary, as that term is defined in the Prospectus Regulation, is: (i) a “qualified investor” as defined above; and (ii) not a “retail investor” also as defined above.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Kingdom

In the UK, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are being distributed only to, and is directed only at, and any offer subsequently made may only be directed at persons who are “qualified investors” (within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19 (5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the “Order”) and/or (ii) who are high net worth companies falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order or (iii) are other persons to whom it may otherwise be lawfully communicated (all such persons together being referred to as “relevant persons”). This prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus must not be acted on or relied on in the United Kingdom by persons who are not relevant persons. In the United Kingdom, any investment or investment activity to which this prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus relates is only available to, and will be engaged in with, relevant persons.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Australia

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus:

The mortgage bonds may not be directly or indirectly offered for subscription or purchased or sold, and no invitations to subscribe for or buy the mortgage bonds may be issued, and no draft or definitive offering

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memorandum, advertisement or other offering material relating to any mortgage bonds may be distributed in Australia, except where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act or is otherwise in compliance with all applicable Australian laws and regulations. By submitting an application for the mortgage bonds, you represent and warrant to us that you are an Exempt Investor.

As any offer of mortgage bonds under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will be made without disclosure in Australia under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act, the offer of those securities for resale in Australia within 12 months may, under section 707 of the Corporations Act, require disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D.2 if none of the exemptions in section 708 applies to that resale. By applying for the mortgage bonds you undertake to us that you will not, for a period of 12 months from the date of issue of the mortgage bonds, offer, transfer, assign or otherwise alienate those securities to investors in Australia except in circumstances where disclosure to investors is not required under Chapter 6D.2 of the Corporations Act or where a compliant disclosure document is prepared and lodged with ASIC.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Canada

The mortgage bonds may be sold only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the mortgage bonds must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Switzerland

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus is not intended to constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase or invest in the mortgage bonds. The mortgage bonds may not be publicly offered, directly or indirectly, in Switzerland within the meaning of the Swiss Financial Services Act (“FinSA”) and no application has or will be made to admit the mortgage bonds to trading on any trading venue (exchange or multilateral trading facility) in Switzerland. Neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the mortgage bonds constitutes a prospectus pursuant to the FinSA, and neither this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the mortgage bonds may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Hong Kong

The contents of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory authority in Hong Kong. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute an offer or invitation to the public in Hong Kong to acquire the mortgage bonds. Accordingly, no person may issue or have in its possession for the purpose of issue, this prospectus supplement,

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the accompanying prospectus or any advertisement, invitation or document relating to the mortgage bonds which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong, except (i) where the mortgage bonds are only intended to be offered to “professional investors” (as such term is defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“SFO”) and the subsidiary legislation made thereunder), (ii) in circumstances which do not result in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance of Hong Kong (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) (“CO”), or (iii) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer or an invitation to the public for the purposes of the SFO or the CO. The offer of the mortgage bonds is personal to the person to whom this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have been delivered, and a subscription for the mortgage bonds will only be accepted from such person. No person to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is issued may copy, issue or distribute this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus to any other person. You are advised to exercise caution in relation to the offer. If you are in any doubt about the contents of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, you should obtain independent professional advice.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Japan

The mortgage bonds offered hereby have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) (the “Financial Instruments and Exchange Law”). The mortgage bonds have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the account or benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to or for the account or benefit of a resident of Japan, except (i) pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law and (ii) in compliance with any other applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by the relevant Japanese governmental and regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Singapore

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the mortgage bonds may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the mortgage bonds be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined in Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore (the “SFA”)) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

Where the mortgage bonds are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for 6 months after that corporation has acquired the Notes under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

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Singapore Securities and Futures Act Product Classification — Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to sections 309B(1)(a) and 309B(1)(c) of the SFA, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in Section 309A of the SFA) that the mortgage bonds are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the Securities and Futures (Capital Markets Products) Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Notice to Prospective Investors in Taiwan

The mortgage bonds have not been and will not be registered or filed with, or approved by, the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or any other regulatory authority of Taiwan pursuant to relevant securities laws and regulations and may not be sold, issued or offered within Taiwan through a public offering or in circumstances which could constitute an offer within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of Taiwan or relevant laws and regulations that requires a registration, filing or approval of the Financial Supervisory Commission of Taiwan and/or other regulatory authority of Taiwan. No person or entity in Taiwan has been authorized to offer or sell the mortgage bonds in Taiwan.

Notice to Prospective Investors in Korea

The mortgage bonds may not be offered, sold and delivered directly or indirectly, or offered or sold to any person for reoffering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Korea or to any resident of Korea except pursuant to the applicable laws and regulations of Korea, including the Korea Securities and Exchange Act and the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and the decrees and regulations thereunder. The mortgage bonds have not been and will not be registered with the Financial Services Commission of Korea for public offering in Korea. Furthermore, the mortgage bonds may not be resold to Korean residents unless the purchaser of the mortgage bonds complies with all applicable regulatory requirements (including but not limited to government approval requirements under the Foreign Exchange Transaction Law and its subordinate decrees and regulations) in connection with the purchase of the mortgage bonds.

Notice to Prospective Investors in the United Arab Emirates

The mortgage bonds have not been, and are not being, publicly offered, sold, promoted or advertised in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre or the Abu Dhabi Global Market) other than in compliance with the laws of the United Arab Emirates (and the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) governing the issue, offering and sale of securities. Further, this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not constitute a public offer of securities in the United Arab Emirates (including the Dubai International Financial Centre and the Abu Dhabi Global Market) and is not intended to be a public offer. The prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus have not been approved by or filed with the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates, the Securities and Commodities Authority, the Dubai Financial Services Authority or the Abu Dhabi Global Market’s Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA).

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LEGAL MATTERS

Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas will pass on the validity of the mortgage bonds offered in this prospectus supplement. Jason M. Ryan, Esq., our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, or Monica Karuturi, Esq., our Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, may pass on other legal matters for us. Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York will pass on certain legal matters for the underwriters.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus supplement by reference from CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2020, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

In this prospectus supplement, 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,” “target,” “will” or other similar words.

We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information reasonably 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 from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements:

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You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a Web site that contains information we filed electronically with the SEC, which you can access at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

Our Web site is located at http://investors.centerpointenergy.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our Web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports or filings are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our Web site or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and does not constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

This prospectus supplement, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference” below), is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the mortgage bonds 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 through the SEC’s Web site.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus supplement certain 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 (which does not include information deemed pursuant to the SEC’s rules 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, as amended (excluding information deemed pursuant to the SEC’s rules to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until all the mortgage bonds are sold:

From time to time, we, CenterPoint Energy and CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. file combined reports with the SEC. We do not intend to incorporate by reference into this prospectus supplement information relating to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries (other than us and our consolidated subsidiaries), and we make no representations as to the information relating to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries (other than us and our consolidated subsidiaries) contained in such combined reports.

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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 Houston Electric, LLC

Attn: Investor Relations

P.O. Box 4567

Houston, Texas 77210-4567

(713) 207-6500

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PROSPECTUS

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC

1111 Louisiana

Houston, Texas 77002

(713) 207-1111

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC

GENERAL MORTGAGE BONDS

This prospectus relates to general mortgage bonds that we may offer from time to time. We will provide additional terms of the general mortgage bonds in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the related prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in the general mortgage bonds. No person may use this prospectus to offer and sell the general mortgage bonds unless a prospectus supplement accompanies this prospectus.

Investing in the general mortgage bonds involves risks. See “Risk Factors” on page 3 of this prospectus.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The date of this prospectus is May 22, 2020.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

This prospectus is part of a registration statement we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) using a “shelf” registration process. Using this process, we may offer the general mortgage bonds (mortgage bonds) described in this prospectus in one or more offerings. Each time we use this prospectus to offer mortgage bonds, we will file a supplement to this prospectus with the SEC that will describe the specific terms of the offering and the mortgage bonds. The prospectus supplement may also add to, update or change the information contained in this prospectus. Before you invest, 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.”

We have not authorized anyone to provide any information or make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement and any communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We are not making an offer of these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer is not permitted. You should not assume that the information contained in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or any communication from us or any underwriter specifying the final terms of a particular offering 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.

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “us,” “our” or other similar terms mean CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC and its subsidiaries, and references to “CenterPoint Energy” mean our indirect parent, CenterPoint Energy, Inc., unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, in its capacity as trustee for the mortgage bonds, has not participated in the preparation of this prospectus and assumes no responsibility for its content.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the SEC. The SEC maintains a Web site that contains information we filed electronically with the SEC, which you can access at http://www.sec.gov. You can obtain information about us at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 11 Wall Street, New York, New York 10005.

Our Web site is located at http://investors.centerpointenergy.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and other filings with the SEC are available, free of charge, through our Web site, as soon as reasonably practicable after those reports or filings are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. Information on our Web site or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not constitute a part of this prospectus.

This prospectus, which includes information incorporated by reference (see “Incorporation by Reference” below), is part of a registration statement we have filed with the SEC relating to the mortgage bonds 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 through the SEC’s Web site.

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INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

We are “incorporating by reference” into this prospectus certain 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 (which does not include information deemed pursuant to the SEC’s rules 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 pursuant to the SEC’s rules to be furnished and not filed with the SEC) until all the mortgage bonds are sold:

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 Houston Electric, LLC

c/o CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Attn: Investor Relations

P.O. Box 4567

Houston, Texas 77210-4567

(713) 207-6500

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ABOUT CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC

We provide electric transmission and distribution services to retail electric providers (REPs) serving approximately 2.5 million metered customers in the Texas Gulf Coast area that includes the city of Houston. We are an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (CenterPoint Energy), a public utility holding company.

Our principal executive offices are located at 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002 (telephone number: (713) 207-1111).

RISK FACTORS

Our business is influenced by many factors that are difficult to predict and that involve uncertainties that may materially affect actual operating results, cash flows and financial condition. These risk factors include those described as such in the documents that are incorporated by reference in this prospectus (which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference), and could include additional uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently do not consider material. Before making an investment decision, you should carefully consider these risks as well as any other information we include or incorporate by reference in this prospectus or include in any applicable prospectus supplement.

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,” “target,” “will” or other similar words.

We have based our forward-looking statements on our management’s beliefs and assumptions based on information reasonably 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 from those expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements:

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You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

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USE OF PROCEEDS

Unless we inform you otherwise in the prospectus supplement, we anticipate using any net proceeds from the sale of the mortgage bonds offered by this prospectus for general corporate purposes. These purposes may include, but are not limited to:

Pending any specific application, we may initially invest funds, loan funds to affiliates or apply them to the reduction of short-term indebtedness or debt under our revolving credit facility.

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DESCRIPTION OF OUR GENERAL MORTGAGE BONDS

The mortgage bonds that we may offer from time to time by this prospectus will be issued under our General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, as amended and supplemented (the mortgage indenture), with The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank), as trustee. The lien of the mortgage indenture will be junior, subject and subordinate to the lien of our existing first mortgage indenture, so long as the existing first mortgage indenture is in effect. The term “first mortgage indenture” means the Mortgage and Deed of Trust, dated as of November 1, 1944, from our predecessor in interest, Houston Lighting & Power Company, to The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to South Texas Commercial National Bank of Houston), as trustee, as heretofore and hereafter amended and supplemented, and “first mortgage bonds” means the first mortgage bonds issued thereunder.

We have incorporated by reference the mortgage indenture and the first mortgage indenture as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. We have summarized selected provisions of the mortgage indenture, the mortgage bonds and the first mortgage indenture below. This summary is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the mortgage indenture and the first mortgage indenture. References to article and section numbers in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, are references to article and section numbers of the mortgage indenture. For purposes of this summary, the terms “we,” “our,” “ours,” and “us” refer only to CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC. and not to any of our subsidiaries.

We may issue mortgage bonds from time to time in one or more series under the mortgage indenture. We will describe the particular terms of each series of the mortgage bonds we offer in a supplement to this prospectus. The terms of the mortgage bonds will include those set forth in the mortgage indenture and those made a part of the mortgage indenture by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. You should carefully read the summary below, the applicable prospectus supplement and the provisions of the mortgage indenture that may be important to you before investing in our mortgage bonds.

As of the date of this prospectus, mortgage bonds have been issued and are outstanding in an aggregate principal amount equal to approximately $4.0 billion and additional mortgage bonds may be issued under the mortgage indenture, without limitation as to aggregate principal amount, on the basis of property additions, retired bonds or cash deposited with the trustee. Please read “— Issuance of Mortgage Bonds.”

Interest

Interest on the mortgage bonds will be payable on each interest payment date for each such mortgage bond for the period commencing on the next preceding interest payment date on which interest has been paid (or if no interest has been paid thereon, commencing on the date of issuance thereof) to, but not including, such interest payment date.

If any interest payment date or the date of maturity falls on a day that is not a business day, all payments to be made on such day shall be made on the next succeeding business day with the same force and effect as if made on the due date, and no additional interest shall be payable as a result of such delay in payment. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

Any interest payable on any interest payment date other than maturity and not so punctually paid or duly provided for will cease to be payable to the person in whose name the mortgage bond is registered at the close of business on the applicable regular record date and will instead be payable to the person in whose name the mortgage bond (or one or more predecessor mortgage bonds) is registered at the close of business on a special record date for the payment of such interest to be fixed by the trustee, notice of which will be given to the registered holder of the mortgage bond (or one or more predecessor mortgage bonds) not less than 10 days prior to such special record date. (Section 307)

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Payment of Mortgage Bonds; Transfers; Exchanges

Interest, if any, on each mortgage bond payable on each interest payment date will be paid to the person in whose name such mortgage bond is registered (the registered holder of any mortgage bond being hereinafter called a holder) as of the close of business on the regular record date relating to such interest payment date; provided, however, that interest payable at maturity will be paid to the person to whom principal is paid. However, if there has been a default in the payment of interest on any mortgage bond, such defaulted interest may be payable to the holder of such mortgage bond as of the close of business on a date selected by the trustee which is not more than 15 days or less than 10 days prior to the date proposed by us for payment of such defaulted interest and not less than 10 days after the receipt by the trustee of the notice of the proposed payment or in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which such mortgage bond may be listed, if the trustee deems such manner of payment practicable. (Section 307)

The principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the mortgage bonds at maturity will be payable upon presentation of the mortgage bonds at the corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York, New York as paying agent for us. We may change the place of payment on the mortgage bonds, may appoint one or more additional paying agents (including us) and may remove any paying agent, all at our discretion. (Section 602)

The transfer of mortgage bonds may be registered, and mortgage bonds may be exchanged for other mortgage bonds of the same series, of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, at the corporate trust office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York, New York, as bond registrar for the mortgage bonds. We may change the place for registration of transfer and exchange of the mortgage bonds, and may designate one or more additional places for such registration and exchange, all at our discretion. (Sections 602 and 305) No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange of the mortgage bonds; however, we may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any registration of transfer or exchange of mortgage bonds. We will not be required to execute or to provide for the registration of transfer of or the exchange of:

All moneys paid by us to a paying agent or the trustee (or held by us in trust) for the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on a mortgage bond which remain unclaimed at the end of two years after such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid to us at our request, and the holder of such mortgage bond thereafter may, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to us for payment thereof, and all liability of the paying agent, the trustee and us (as trustee) with respect thereto shall thereupon cease. (Section 603)

Book-Entry Delivery and Settlement

We may issue the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds 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.

Security

Except as otherwise contemplated below under this heading and subject to the exceptions specifically discussed under “— Release of Property” and “— Defeasance,” all outstanding mortgage bonds will be secured,

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equally and ratably, by the lien of the mortgage indenture on substantially all properties owned by us (and not excepted or released from the lien thereof), and improvements, extensions and additions to, and renewals and replacements of, such properties (the mortgaged property).

The lien of the mortgage indenture will be junior, subject and subordinate to the lien of our existing first mortgage indenture, so long as the existing first mortgage indenture is in effect. As of March 31, 2020, there was approximately $102 million aggregate principal amount of first mortgage bonds outstanding with a final stated maturity date of March 15, 2021.

The mortgage indenture provides that until the first mortgage collateralization date (as defined below), we will not issue any additional first mortgage bonds under the first mortgage indenture, except:

At any time, in our discretion, we may issue and deliver to the trustee as security under the mortgage indenture, first mortgage bonds in an aggregate principal amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds then outstanding; provided that such first mortgage bonds (the first mortgage collateral bonds) shall:

The date on which such first mortgage collateral bonds are delivered to the trustee is referred to herein as the “first mortgage collateralization date.”

The first mortgage indenture constitutes a first mortgage lien on all of our present properties (except as stated below), subject to excepted encumbrances. There are excepted from the lien of the first mortgage indenture all of the following: cash and securities; equipment, materials or supplies acquired for consumption in the operation of our properties or for resale in the ordinary course of our business; timber, minerals, mineral rights and royalties; and accounts receivable, contracts, leases and operating agreements.

The first mortgage indenture contains provisions for subjecting certain after-acquired property to the lien thereof, subject to any preexisting liens and to certain limitations in the case of our consolidation or merger or the sale of substantially all of our assets.

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The first mortgage indenture provides that the trustee thereunder will have a lien upon the mortgaged property, prior to the first mortgage bonds, for the payment of its reasonable compensation and expenses for indemnity against certain liabilities.

Lien of the Mortgage Indenture

General. The mortgage indenture constitutes a lien on substantially all our real property and tangible personal property, other than property excepted from such lien and such property as may be released from such lien in accordance with the terms of the mortgage indenture, subject to no liens prior to the lien of the mortgage indenture other than the lien of the first mortgage indenture (so long as the first mortgage indenture remains in effect) and other liens permitted to exist.

Permitted Liens and Certain Other Liens Permitted to Exist. The mortgage indenture provides that after-acquired property (other than excepted property) will be subject to the lien of the mortgage indenture; provided, however, that in the case of our consolidation or merger into another entity or transfer of the mortgaged property as or substantially as an entirety, the mortgage indenture will not be required to be a lien upon any of the properties then owned or thereafter acquired by the successor entity except properties acquired from us in or as a result of such transaction, and improvements, extensions and additions to such properties and renewals, replacements and substitutions of or for any part or parts thereof and that in the case of a consolidation or merger with respect to which we are the surviving entity, the mortgage indenture will not be required to be a lien on any properties acquired by us in or as a result of such transaction or any improvements, extensions or additions to such properties or any renewals, replacements or substitutions of or for any part or parts thereof. (Article Thirteen) Please read “— Consolidation, Merger, Etc.” below. In addition, after-acquired property may be subject to liens existing or placed thereon at the time of acquisition thereof, including, but not limited to, purchase money liens.

Without the consent of the holders, we and the trustee may enter into supplemental indentures in order to subject to the lien of the mortgage indenture additional property (including property which would otherwise be excepted from such lien). (Section 1401) Such property would thereupon constitute property additions (so long as it would otherwise qualify as property additions as described below) and be available as a basis for the issuance of additional mortgage bonds. Please read “— Issuance of Mortgage Bonds.”

Excepted Property. There are excepted from the lien of the mortgage indenture, among other things:

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Permitted Liens. The lien of the mortgage indenture is subject to permitted liens and certain other liens permitted to exist. Under the mortgage indenture, permitted liens include the following, among other, liens:

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“Prepaid lien” means any lien securing indebtedness for the payment, prepayment or redemption of which there shall have been irrevocably deposited in trust with the trustee or other holder of such lien moneys and/or

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investment securities which (together with the interest reasonably expected to be earned from the investment and reinvestment in investment securities of the moneys and/or the principal of and interest on the investment securities so deposited) shall be sufficient for such purpose; provided, however, that if such indebtedness is to be redeemed or otherwise prepaid prior to the stated maturity thereof, any notice requisite to such redemption or prepayment shall have been given in accordance with the instrument creating such lien or irrevocable instructions to give such notice shall have been given to such trustee or other holder; and provided, further, that the first mortgage indenture shall not be deemed to be a prepaid lien unless it shall have been satisfied and discharged and all first mortgage bonds issued thereunder shall be deemed to have been paid, all in accordance with the provisions thereof. (Section 101)

Trustee’s Lien. The mortgage indenture provides that the trustee will have a lien, prior to the lien on behalf of the holders of mortgage bonds, upon the mortgaged property for the payment of its reasonable compensation and expenses and for indemnity against certain liabilities. (Section 1107)

Issuance of Mortgage Bonds

The aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds that may be authenticated and delivered under the mortgage indenture is unlimited. (Section 301). Additional mortgage bonds of any series may be issued from time to time, provided that the first mortgage collateralization date has not occurred, on the basis of property additions, retired bonds (as such terms are defined below) and cash deposited with the trustee, and in an aggregate principal amount not exceeding:

As of March 31, 2020, the aggregate principal amount of additional mortgage bonds and first mortgage bonds that could be issued was approximately $4.2 billion based on retired bonds and 70% of property additions. We have contractually agreed, subject to certain exceptions, that we will not issue additional first mortgage bonds.

In addition, any issuance of additional mortgage bonds after March 31, 2003, other than any issuance on the basis of retired bonds having an applicable interest rate not less than the interest rate applicable to the additional mortgage bonds to be issued, requires that we provide a net earnings certificate demonstrating that the adjusted net earnings (as defined below) for the specified 12-month period are not less than 200% of the annual interest requirements (as defined below) for the specified 12-month period.

“Adjusted net earnings” means the amount for a period of 12 consecutive calendar months within the 18 calendar months immediately preceding the first day of the month in which we intend to issue additional mortgage bonds of:

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“Annual interest requirements” means the interest requirements for one year, at the respective stated interest rates, if any, borne before maturity, upon:

outstanding on the date of such computation and secured by a lien on a parity with or prior to the lien of the mortgage indenture upon property subject to the lien of the mortgage indenture, if such indebtedness has been issued, assumed or guaranteed by us or if we customarily pay the interest upon the principal thereof or collections from our customers are applied to, or pledged as security for the payment of such interest;

provided, however, that if any such indebtedness bears interest at a variable rate, then the interest requirement on such indebtedness shall be determined by reference to the rate in effect on the day immediately preceding the date of such computation in the case of outstanding indebtedness and by reference to the rate in effect at issuance in the case of indebtedness to be issued; and provided, further, that any amounts collected by others to be applied to debt service on our indebtedness, and not otherwise treated on our books as revenue, shall be added to our operating revenues when determining adjusted net earnings.

“Cost” with respect to property additions generally means the sum of:

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provided, however, that:

If any property additions include property which has been used or operated by third parties in a business similar to that in which it has been or is to be used or operated by us, the cost thereof need not be reduced by any amount in respect of any goodwill, going concern value rights and/or intangible property simultaneously acquired and in such case the term property additions as defined herein may include such goodwill, going concern value rights and intangible property.

“Fair value,” with respect to property, generally means the fair value of such property as may reasonably be determined by reference to:

provided, however, that:

Fair value may be determined, in the discretion of the expert certifying the same, without physical inspection, by the use of accounting and/or engineering records and/or other data maintained by us or otherwise available to such expert.

“Funded property” generally includes property additions which have been designated funded property in an expert’s certificate, made the basis of the authentication and delivery of mortgage bonds, made the basis for the release of mortgaged property, made the basis for the withdrawal of cash, substituted for retired funded property or used for other specified purposes under the mortgage indenture. (See Section 102)

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“Property additions” generally include any property which is owned by us and is subject to the lien of the mortgage indenture except (with certain exceptions) goodwill, going concern value rights or intangible property, or any property the cost of acquisition or construction of which is properly chargeable to one of our operating expense accounts. (See Section 103)

“Retired bonds” means, generally:

provided, however, that no first mortgage bond may be used as the basis for the authentication and delivery of both additional mortgage bonds and additional first mortgage bonds. (See Section 101)

Outstanding Mortgage Bonds

As of March 31, 2020, we have outstanding approximately $4.0 billion aggregate principal amount of mortgage bonds, including:

Release of Property

Unless an event of default (as defined below) has occurred and is continuing, we may obtain the release from the lien of the mortgage indenture of any funded property upon delivery to the trustee of certain certificates and an amount in cash equal to the amount, if any, by which 70% of the cost of the property to be released (or, if less at that time, the fair value of such property at the time it became funded property) exceeds the aggregate of:

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As used in the mortgage indenture, the term “purchase money lien” means, generally, a lien on the property being acquired, disposed of by us or being released from the lien of the mortgage indenture, which is taken or retained by the transferor of such property to secure all or part of the purchase price thereof or granted to one or more other persons (other than the transferor) who by making advances or incurring an obligation, give value to enable the grantor of the lien to acquire rights in such property, or granted to another person in connection with the release of property from the lien of the mortgage indenture on the basis of a deposit with the trustee or other holder of a lien prior to the lien of the mortgage indenture of obligations secured by such lien on such property, or held by a trustee or agent for the benefit of any such persons, and may include liens which cover property in addition to the property being released and/or which secure indebtedness in addition to indebtedness to the transferor of such property or which otherwise constitutes a purchase money lien under applicable law. (Section 101) Generally, the principal amount of obligations secured by purchase money liens used as the basis for the release of property may not exceed 75% of the fair value of such property unless no additional obligations are outstanding, or are permitted to be issued, under such purchase money lien. (Section 803)

Property that is not funded property may generally be released from the lien of the mortgage indenture without depositing any cash or property with the trustee as long as:

The mortgage indenture provides simplified procedures for the release of minor properties and property taken by eminent domain, and provides for dispositions of certain obsolete property and grants or surrender of certain rights without any release or consent by the trustee. (Sections 802, 805, 807 and 808)

If we retain any interest in any property released from the lien of the mortgage indenture, the mortgage indenture will not become a lien on such property or such interest therein or any improvements, extensions or additions to such property or renewals, replacements or substitutions of or for such property or any part or parts thereof unless we execute a supplemental indenture containing a grant, conveyance, transfer and mortgage thereof. (Section 809)

Withdrawal of Cash

Unless an event of default has occurred and is continuing and subject to certain limitations, cash held by the trustee may, generally:

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Consolidation, Merger, Etc.

We may not consolidate with or merge into any other entity or convey, transfer or lease, subject to the lien of this mortgage indenture, the mortgaged property as or substantially as an entirety to any entity unless:

In the case of the conveyance or other transfer of the mortgaged property as or substantially as an entirety to any other entity, upon the satisfaction of all the conditions described above, we would be released and discharged from all obligations under the mortgage indenture and on the mortgage bonds then outstanding unless we elect to waive such release and discharge. (Section 1304) For purposes of this section, “entity” means an individual, corporation, limited liability company, company, association, joint stock company, partnership, limited liability partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization or governmental authority.

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Modification of Mortgage Indenture

Modifications without Consent. Without the consent of any holders, we and the trustee may enter into one or more supplemental indentures for any of the following purposes, among others:

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, if the Trust Indenture Act is amended after the date of the mortgage indenture in such a way as to require changes to the mortgage indenture or the incorporation therein of

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additional provisions, the mortgage indenture will be deemed to have been amended so as to conform to such amendment or to effect such changes or elimination, and we and the trustee may, without the consent of any holders, enter into one or more supplemental indentures to evidence or effect such amendment. (Section 1401)

Modifications Requiring Consent. Except as provided above, the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the mortgage bonds of all series then outstanding, considered as one class, is required for the purpose of adding any provisions to, or changing in any manner, or eliminating any of the provisions of, the mortgage indenture pursuant to one or more supplemental indentures; provided, however, that if less than all of the series of mortgage bonds outstanding are directly affected by a proposed supplemental indenture, then the consent only of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, will be required; and provided, further, that if the mortgage bonds of any series have been issued in more than one tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture directly affects the rights of the holders of one or more, but less than all such tranches, then the consent only of the holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the outstanding mortgage bonds of all such tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, will be required; and provided, further, that no such amendment or modification may:

A supplemental indenture that changes or eliminates any covenant or other provision of the mortgage indenture that has expressly been included solely for the benefit of the holders of, or that is to remain in effect only so long as there shall be outstanding, mortgage bonds of one or more specified series or modifies the rights of the holders of mortgage bonds of such series with respect to such covenant or other provision, will be deemed not to affect the rights under the mortgage indenture of the holders of the mortgage bonds of any other series. (Section 1402)

Waiver

The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all mortgage bonds may waive our obligations to comply with certain covenants, including the covenants to maintain our corporate or other legal

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existence and properties, pay taxes and discharge liens and maintain certain insurance and our covenant with respect to merger, consolidation or the transfer or lease of the mortgaged property as or substantially as an entirety, described above, provided that such waiver occurs before the time such compliance is required. The holders of at least a majority of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding mortgage bonds of all affected series or tranches, considered as one class, may waive, before the time for such compliance, compliance with any covenant specified with respect to mortgage bonds of such series or tranches thereof. (Section 609) The holders of at least a majority in aggregate principal amount of all mortgage bonds outstanding may waive past defaults, not including defaults in the payment of principal, premium or interest or defaults with respect to provisions that cannot be modified without the consent of each holder affected thereby, under the mortgage indenture. (Section 1017)

Events of Default

Each of the following events constitutes an event of default under the mortgage indenture:

Each of the following events constitutes an event of default under the first mortgage indenture:

Remedies

Acceleration of Maturity. If an event of default occurs and is continuing, then the trustee or the holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of mortgage bonds then outstanding may declare the principal amount (or

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if the mortgage bonds are discount bonds, such portion of the principal amount as may be provided for such discount bonds pursuant to the terms of the mortgage indenture) of all of the mortgage bonds then outstanding, together with premium, if any, and accrued interest, if any, thereon to be immediately due and payable. At any time after such declaration of acceleration of the mortgage bonds then outstanding, but before the sale of any of the mortgaged property and before a judgment or decree for payment of money shall have been obtained by the trustee as provided in the mortgage indenture, the event or events of default giving rise to such 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:

Possession of Mortgaged Property

Under certain circumstances and to the extent permitted by law, if an event of default occurs and is continuing, the trustee has the power to take possession of, and to hold, operate and manage, the mortgaged property, or with or without entry, sell the mortgaged property. If the mortgaged property is sold, whether by the trustee or pursuant to judicial proceedings, the principal of the outstanding mortgage bonds (or if the mortgage bonds are discount bonds, such portion of the principal amount as may be provided for such discount bonds pursuant to the terms of the mortgage indenture), if not previously due, will become immediately due and payable, together with premium, if any, and any accrued interest. (Sections 1003, 1004 and 1005)

Right to Direct Proceedings

If an event of default occurs and is continuing, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the mortgage bonds then outstanding will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceedings for any remedy available to the trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on the trustee, provided that such direction does not conflict with any rule of law or with the mortgage indenture, and the trustee may take any other action deemed proper by it which is not inconsistent with such direction and the trustee may decline to follow such direction if it shall determine in good faith that the proceeding would involve it in personal liability. (Section 1016)

Limitation On Right to Institute Proceedings

No holder of any mortgage bond will have any right to institute any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to the mortgage indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or for any other remedy thereunder unless:

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Furthermore, no holder will be entitled to institute any such action if and to the extent that such action would disturb or prejudice the rights of other holders. (Section 1011)

No Impairment of Right to Receive Payment

Notwithstanding that the right of a holder to institute a proceeding with respect to the mortgage indenture is subject to certain conditions precedent, each holder of an mortgage bond has the absolute and unconditional right to receive payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such mortgage bond when due and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights may not be impaired without the consent of such holder. (Section 1012)

Notice of Default

The trustee is required to give the holders notice of any default under the mortgage indenture to the extent required by the Trust Indenture Act, unless such default shall have been cured or waived, except that no such notice to holders of a default of the character described in the third bullet point under “Events of Default” may be given until at least 75 days after the occurrence thereof. (Section 1102) The Trust Indenture Act currently permits the trustee to withhold notices of default (except for certain payment defaults) if the trustee in good faith determines the withholding of such notice to be in the interests of the holders.

Indemnification of Trustee

As a condition precedent to certain actions by the trustee in the enforcement of the lien of the mortgage indenture and institution of action on the mortgage bonds, the trustee may require adequate indemnity against costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in connection therewith. (Sections 1011, 1101 and 1103)

Remedies Limited By State Law

The laws of any jurisdiction where the mortgaged property is located may limit or deny the ability of the trustee or bondholders to enforce certain rights and remedies provided in the mortgage indenture in accordance with their terms.

Defeasance

Any mortgage bonds, or any portion of the principal amount thereof, will be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of the mortgage indenture, and the entirety of our indebtedness in respect thereof will be deemed to have been satisfied and discharged, if there has been irrevocably deposited with the trustee or any paying agent (other than us), in trust:

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to pay when due the principal of and premium, if any, and interest, if any, due and to become due on such mortgage bonds or portions thereof. (Section 901) For this purpose, eligible obligations include direct obligations of, or obligations unconditionally guaranteed by, the United States of America, entitled to the benefit of the full faith and credit thereof, and certificates, depositary receipts or other instruments that evidence a direct ownership interest in such obligations or in any specific interest or principal payments due in respect thereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, no mortgage bond shall be deemed to have been paid as aforesaid unless we shall have delivered to the trustee either:

Duties of the Trustee; Resignation; Removal

The trustee will have, and will be subject to, all the duties and responsibilities specified with respect to an indenture trustee under the Trust Indenture Act. Subject to such provisions, the trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of the powers vested in it by the mortgage indenture at the request of any holder of mortgage bonds, unless offered reasonable indemnity by such holder against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred thereby. (Section 1103) The trustee will not be required to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur financial liability in the performance of its duties if the trustee reasonably believes that repayment or adequate indemnity is not reasonably assured to it. (Section 1101)

The trustee may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to us or may be removed at any time by the holders of a majority in principal amount of mortgage bonds then outstanding delivered to the trustee and us. No resignation or removal of the trustee and no appointment of a successor trustee will become effective until the acceptance of appointment by a successor trustee in accordance with the requirements of the mortgage indenture. So long as no event of default or event which, after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become an event of default has occurred and is continuing, if we have delivered to the trustee a resolution of our board of directors appointing a successor trustee and such successor has accepted such appointment in accordance with the terms of the mortgage indenture, the trustee will be deemed to have resigned and the successor will be deemed to have been appointed as trustee in accordance with the mortgage indenture. (Section 1110)

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Evidence to Be Furnished to the Trustee

Compliance with mortgage indenture provisions is evidenced by written statements of our officers or persons selected or paid by us. In certain cases, opinions of counsel and certification of an engineer, accountant, appraiser or other expert (who in some cases must be independent) must be furnished. In addition, the mortgage indenture requires that we give the trustee, not less often than annually, a brief statement as to our compliance with the conditions and covenants under the mortgage indenture.

Governing Law

New York law governs the mortgage indenture and the mortgage bonds, except to the extent that the law of any jurisdiction where any portion of the mortgaged property is located will govern the creation, perfection, priority or enforcement of the lien of the mortgage indenture, or the exercise of remedies with respect to such portions of the mortgaged property. (Section 115)

The Trustee

The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association is the trustee under the mortgage indenture and will be the principal paying agent and registrar for the mortgage bonds. As of March 31, 2020, the trustee served as trustee for approximately $4.1 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt securities and pollution control bonds issued on our behalf. In addition, the trustee serves as trustee or fiscal agent for debt securities of our affiliates aggregating approximately $5.5 billion as of March 31, 2020. CenterPoint Energy maintains brokerage relationships with the trustee and its affiliates, each of whom may maintain other relationships with CenterPoint Energy or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business in the future.

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

We may sell the offered mortgage bonds in and outside the United States:

The prospectus supplement will include the following information:

Sale Through Underwriters or Dealers

If we use underwriters in the sale, the underwriters will acquire the mortgage bonds for their own account. The underwriters may resell the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds will be subject to certain conditions, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all the offered mortgage bonds 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.

During and after an offering through underwriters, the underwriters may purchase and sell the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds sold for their account may be reclaimed by the syndicate if the offered mortgage bonds are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the offered mortgage bonds, 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 mortgage bonds, we may sell the mortgage bonds to them as principals. They may then resell those mortgage bonds to the public at varying prices determined by the dealers at the time of

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resale. The dealers participating in any sale of the mortgage bonds may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933 with respect to any sale of these mortgage bonds. 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 mortgage bonds directly. In that event, no underwriters or agents would be involved. We may also sell the mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds, 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 mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds. 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 mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds 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 securities, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of securities. 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.

General Information

We may have agreements with the remarketing firms, 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. Such firms, agents, dealers and underwriters may be customers of, engage in transactions with or perform services for us in the ordinary course of their businesses.

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To the extent required, this prospectus may be amended or supplemented from time to time to describe a particular plan of distribution. The place and time of delivery for the mortgage bonds in respect of which this prospectus is delivered will be set forth in the accompanying prospectus supplement.

Each series of offered mortgage bonds will be a new issue and will have no established trading market. We may elect to list any series of offered mortgage bonds 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 mortgage bonds. 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 mortgage bonds will develop.

LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the mortgage bonds described in this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, Texas. Jason M. Ryan, Esq., our Senior Vice President and General Counsel, or Monica Karuturi, Esq., our Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, may pass upon other legal matters for us. Each of Mr. Ryan and Ms. Karuturi is the beneficial owner of less than 1% of CenterPoint Energy’s common stock. Any underwriters will be advised regarding issues relating to any offering by Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, New York, New York.

EXPERTS

The financial statements incorporated in this prospectus by reference from CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 19, 2020, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference. Such financial statements have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

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$                

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC

    % General Mortgage Bonds, Series AD, due 20    

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

Joint Book-Running Managers

BofA Securities

MUFG

RBC Capital Markets

Wells Fargo Securities

Co-Manager

Mischler Financial Group, Inc.

June     , 2020