Trystan Casey
CenterPoint Energy, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading provider of electric transmission and distribution services. It serves over 2.5 million customers in the greater Houston area, including places like Katy, Richmond, Humble, and Tomball. CenterPoint Energy does not sell electricity directly to its customers but instead delivers it and maintains the wires and poles. In Wharton, Texas, customers must select a retail electricity provider (REP) from the over 70 REPs that serve the CenterPoint utility delivery area.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Does CenterPoint provide electricity in Wharton, TX | No explicit mention of Wharton, TX |
| Service Areas | Houston, Kingwood, Galveston, Sugar Land, Spring, Katy, Cypress, and Tomball |
| Services | Electric transmission and distribution, natural gas distribution, and maintenance of wires, poles, and electric infrastructure |
| Number of Customers | 2.3 million (in the Houston metropolitan area) |
| Outage Reporting | Phone, online, or through the CenterPoint outage map and outage tracker |
| Electricity Rates | Average of 16.37¢ per kWh as of 04/09/2025 |
| Fixed-Rate Plans | Starting at $0.12 per kilowatt-hour |
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What You'll Learn
CenterPoint Energy's history
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. is an American utility company that provides electric and natural gas utilities to customers across several markets in the United States. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, the company serves energy markets in Texas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
CenterPoint Energy was founded in 1882 by a franchise from the Houston City Council as Houston Electric Light & Power (HL&P). HL&P served the electricity generation, sales, and delivery needs of Houston customers until 1990 when it merged to form NorAm Energy. In 1997, NorAm merged with Houston Industries and was renamed Reliant Energy.
In 2002, Texas deregulated its electricity market, and Reliant Energy spun off its electricity generation assets and retail electric provider operations to focus solely on transmission and distribution. The company then adopted the name CenterPoint Energy to reflect its new role in the energy value chain. In 2003, HL&P was split into Reliant Energy, Texas Genco, and CenterPoint Energy. Until December 15, 2004, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessors operated under various names in their respective markets.
CenterPoint Energy has been involved in several mergers and acquisitions over the years. In 2004, Texas Genco was acquired from CenterPoint by four private equity firms and was later sold to NRG Energy in 2006. In 2018, CenterPoint Energy entered into a merger agreement with Vectren Corporation, with CenterPoint emerging as the head company. The merger was completed in 2019, and Vectren was delisted from the NYSE.
CenterPoint Energy has also worked on various initiatives to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy. They partnered with the Department of Energy for a pilot program in Texas, utilizing smart meters to reduce energy consumption. In 2010, they collaborated with Ford Motor Company to promote the adoption of electric vehicles and develop strategies to minimize emissions and distribution impacts of charging infrastructure.
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Power outages
CenterPoint Energy, a Fortune 500 energy utility company, provides electricity transmission and distribution in Houston, Texas, and its surrounding areas. This includes the maintenance of wires, poles, and electric infrastructure within the Houston metropolitan area.
CenterPoint also provides a free energy analysis tool, My Energy Analyzer, to help customers understand their household energy use and identify ways to reduce electricity consumption.
It is important to note that as a deregulated utility, CenterPoint does not sell electricity directly to consumers. Instead, they deliver it, and customers must select a retail electricity provider (REP) from the over 70 REPs in Texas that serve the CenterPoint utility delivery area.
If you are unsure whether CenterPoint provides electricity to your specific location in Wharton, Texas, you can visit their website or contact their customer service for more information.
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Transmission and distribution
CenterPoint Energy is a leading provider of electric transmission and distribution services. The company owns and operates a vast network of distribution and transmission lines, serving millions of customers in the greater Houston area and beyond.
Headquartered in Houston, Texas, CenterPoint Energy has a long history that dates back over 150 years. The company was initially founded in 1866 as Houston Gas Light Company, providing gas lighting to the city of Houston. Over the years, it expanded its operations and diversified its energy offerings. In 2002, following mergers and acquisitions, the company was renamed CenterPoint Energy, reflecting its focus on transmission and distribution.
Today, CenterPoint Energy provides electricity transmission and distribution services to more than 2.5 million metered customers in the Houston area alone. This includes maintaining the wires, poles, and electric infrastructure across over 5,000 square miles. CenterPoint Energy also serves as a major player in the natural gas distribution market, providing natural gas services to approximately 4.5 million customers across eight states.
As a deregulated utility in Texas, CenterPoint does not sell electricity directly to consumers. Instead, it delivers electricity and maintains the infrastructure for customers who have selected a retail electricity provider (REP) in the CenterPoint service area. There are over 70 REPs in Texas serving the CenterPoint utility delivery area, offering a range of competitive rates and plans. CenterPoint provides tools such as an energy analyzer to help customers understand their energy usage and make informed choices.
To ensure reliable service, CenterPoint offers a Power Outage Tracker that provides real-time updates on power outages and restoration efforts. Customers can also report outages and receive alerts via phone, online, or through the CenterPoint outage map. Additionally, CenterPoint prioritizes customer communication, designing systems to keep customers informed about electricity-related issues and their resolutions.
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Natural gas distribution
CenterPoint Energy is a leading provider of electric transmission and distribution services in the Houston area. It is important to note that CenterPoint does not sell electricity; it only delivers it and maintains the poles and wires. The company owns and operates a vast network of distribution and transmission lines, serving millions of customers in the greater Houston region and beyond.
Within the state of Texas, CenterPoint Energy provides electric transmission and distribution services, as well as natural gas distribution. The company serves energy markets in multiple states, including Texas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. CenterPoint maintains the electric infrastructure within the Houston metropolitan area, covering over 5,000 square miles and catering to more than 2 million customers.
In addition to its electric services, CenterPoint Energy is a significant player in the natural gas distribution market. The company provides natural gas services to approximately 4.5 million customers across eight states. This makes CenterPoint one of the largest natural gas distribution companies in the United States. They have a long history in the gas industry, initially founded as the Houston Gas Light Company in 1866, providing gas lighting to Houston.
CenterPoint Energy offers a range of tools and resources to support its customers. For instance, they provide a free energy analysis tool to help customers understand their energy usage and identify opportunities for reduction. Additionally, CenterPoint maintains a power outage tracker, providing transparency and keeping customers informed during power disruptions. The company also offers competitive energy services through its Home Service Plus (HSP) subsidiary, providing energy-related products, equipment, and solutions for residential and commercial customers.
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Customer service
CenterPoint Energy is a leading provider of electric transmission and distribution services, serving over 2.5 million customers in the greater Houston area. The company owns and operates a vast network of distribution and transmission lines, ensuring efficient electricity delivery to its customers.
As a customer-centric organization, CenterPoint Energy prioritizes keeping electricity supplies safe and maintaining open lines of communication. They have designed systems to keep customers informed about electricity-related issues and provide prompt updates on problem-solving efforts. CenterPoint Energy offers a reliable and safe electricity supply, with a strong focus on customer service and satisfaction.
In the event of a power outage, CenterPoint Energy provides multiple channels for customers to report the issue. Customers can call their outage hotline, report it online, or utilize the CenterPoint Outage Tracker, which offers real-time updates on power restoration efforts. Additionally, customers can sign up for no-cost outage alerts via email and text messages, ensuring they are well-informed about potential disruptions.
CenterPoint Energy also offers a free energy analysis tool, empowering customers to understand their household energy usage and identify opportunities to reduce their electricity consumption and costs. This tool aligns with the company's commitment to transparency and customer empowerment.
Furthermore, CenterPoint Energy provides competitive energy services through its Home Service Plus (HSP) subsidiary. HSP offers a range of energy-related products and services, including heating and cooling equipment, repair and maintenance, and energy efficiency solutions for both residential and commercial customers.
Overall, CenterPoint Energy demonstrates a strong commitment to customer service by offering a range of tools and resources to help customers manage their energy usage, stay informed about outages, and access efficient and reliable electricity services.
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Frequently asked questions
CenterPoint Energy provides electricity transmission and distribution services to over 2.5 million customers in the greater Houston area. Wharton, Texas is located within this service area, so CenterPoint Energy is likely to be the electricity provider for residents in Wharton.
To start your electricity service with CenterPoint, you must first choose and contract with a retail electricity provider (REP). There are over 70 REPs in Texas that serve the CenterPoint utility delivery area.
You can report a power outage with CenterPoint via phone, online, or through their outage map and tracker. You can also sign up for no-cost outage alerts via email and text.
