CenterPoint Energy, Inc.'s board of directors today declared a dividend of $0.07 per common share, payable on June 30, 2005, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2005. When added to the two $0.10 per share dividends declared and paid in the first quarter, dividends declared to date this year total $0.27 per share.

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"In 2003 and 2004, we paid an annual dividend of $0.40 per share," said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. "We are pleased to be able to pay a $0.07 dividend at this time. It's our goal to pay a 2005 annual dividend in keeping with our historic levels while remaining in compliance with the dividend payment limitations imposed under the Public Utility Holding Company Act. Under these limitations, the company may declare and pay dividends only from earnings in the specific quarter in which the dividend is paid. This action will give the company additional flexibility in determining the third and fourth quarter dividend payments."

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and sales, and interstate pipeline and gathering operations. The company serves nearly five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total over $17 billion. With more than 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/ .

This news release includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this news release regarding future events and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect actual results include the financial performance CenterPoint Energy, the timing and impact of future regulatory decisions, and other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Form 10-Ks for the period ended Dec. 31, 2004, and Form 10-Qs for the period ended March 31, 2005, and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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SOURCE: CenterPoint Energy, Inc.