CenterPoint Energy, Inc. today announced that it has filed a universal shelf registration statement (Form S-3) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for the registration of offers and sales of up to $1 billion of its securities which may include common stock, preferred stock, and senior debt securities. Once the registration statement is declared effective by the SEC, the registration statement will allow the company to sell any of the securities covered by the registration statement in one or more offerings in the future. The company has no immediate plans to sell any securities under this shelf registration.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO )

A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. Additionally, depending on the amounts and types of securities being offered, the SEC may need to approve the company's issuance of the securities under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

At the time any of the securities covered by the registration statement are offered for sale, a prospectus supplement will be prepared and filed containing specific information about the terms of any such offering. When available, such a written prospectus may be obtained by contacting the underwriters which are named in any such prospectus supplement or by contacting CenterPoint Energy, Inc., 1111 Louisiana, Houston, Texas 77002, Attn: Marianne Paulsen, Investor Relations.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, interstate pipeline and gathering operations, and power generation in Texas. The company serves customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas.

This press release contains forward-looking statements and assumptions by CenterPoint Energy that involve risks and uncertainties, including the anticipated effectiveness of the shelf registration statement or benefits to be obtained by CenterPoint Energy from the use of such shelf registration. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and CenterPoint Energy assumes no obligation to update this information. In addition, the events described in these forward-looking statements may not actually arise or may occur in a different manner than anticipated as a result of various factors, including market conditions, as well as other factors described from time to time in CenterPoint Energy's filings with SEC, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the year-end December 31, 2003.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20020930/CNPLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

SOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.