CenterPoint Energy announced today that the February natural gas price for residential customers in Minnesota is $1.08 per therm.

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

Assuming normal temperatures, a typical residential customer can expect to use 160 therms during February, resulting in a bill of approximately $185. Actual bills will depend on how much natural gas individual customers use and how much temperatures deviate from what is considered normal for the month.

About 80 percent of the natural gas price on customers' bills is the wholesale cost of gas, which changes monthly based on commodity markets and is passed on directly to customers with no mark-up. The remaining 20 percent is the distribution charge, which includes the costs of maintaining the company's distribution system and is set by state regulators.

In order to help customers manage their energy use and lower their heating bills, CenterPoint Energy recommends a home energy audit. A state-certified inspector will check doors, windows, insulation, and heating and cooling equipment for energy-saving options. The Standard Audit costs $25 and provides homeowners with comprehensive recommendations on reducing home energy use, along with up to $20 worth of energy saving materials and products. The standard audit is provided at no charge for qualifying income levels. The Home Performance Audit costs $100 and includes a Standard Audit plus a blower door test to determine air leaks, a combustion safety test and carbon monoxide check, and an infrared inspection that uses a camera to further pinpoint the location of air leaks and moisture problems. Due to increased demand this time of year, it may take four to six weeks to have an energy audit completed.

For more information about programs and services offered by CenterPoint Energy, call (612) 372-4727 or (800) 245-2377 or visit the Web site at http://centerpointenergy.com/saveenergy. Customers concerned about paying their natural gas bill should contact the company immediately to learn about the Cold Weather Rule, energy assistance and payment options.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution, competitive natural gas sales and services, and pipeline and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total approximately $17 billion. With about 9,000 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. In Minnesota, CenterPoint Energy is the state's largest natural gas distribution company, serving more than 778,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in 259 communities. Home Service Plus(R), the company's non-regulated business in Minnesota, offers products and services in the categories of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) and appliance repair, and HVAC and hearth equipment sales. For more information, visit the Web site at http://www.centerpointenergy.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

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.