CenterPoint Energy reports minimal power outages

Houston – August 5, 2008 – 10 a.m. - As Tropical Storm Edouard continues moving through the greater Houston area, CenterPoint Energy is reporting about 4,000 customers, primarily in the southeast portion of its service territory, without power as a result of strong winds, lightning and heavy rain. CenterPoint Energy’s Emergency Operations Plan is designed to efficiently restore electric facilities and service in an orderly and timely manner. The company’s first priority in restoring service is to key facilities vital to safety, health and welfare, such as hospitals, water treatment plants and public service facilities. Then, the company repairs those major lines and circuits that will restore power to the greatest number of customers in the shortest amount of time. For electric and natural gas safety tips, visit CenterPoint Energy’s Storm Center at www.CenterPointEnergy.com. The company also provides the following safety tips: Electric Safety Tips Stay away from low-hanging or downed power lines. Treat all downed power lines as if they are energized. Stay away from standing water – energized power lines could be submerged in the water. Report any low-hanging or downed power lines to CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222.However, customers are asked NOT to call the company switchboard to report outages, except for emergencies. Through the company's outage analysis system and ties between the customer information system and call center operations, CenterPoint Energy dispatchers know when service outages occur, the locations of outages and the number of customers affected. Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If the water has risen above the electrical outlets in the home, contact a licensed electrician before turning on the main circuit breaker or trying to use power. Allow all electric appliances and equipment, once submerged in water, to dry thoroughly for at least one week. Then, have them checked by a qualified repair person before turning them on. Attempting to repair a flood-damaged appliance could result in electrical shock or death. If the outside unit of an air conditioning system has been under water, mud and water may have accumulated in the controls. Attempting to restart it could result in further damage and costly repairs. Have the unit checked by a qualified air conditioning technician. Natural Gas Safety Tips Be alert for the smell of natural gas. If you smell gas, leave the area immediately, and tell others to leave, too. Do not turn the lights on or off, smoke, strike a match, use a cell phone or operate anything that might cause a spark, including a flashlight or a generator. Also, do not attempt to turn natural gas valves on or off. Once safely away from the area, call CenterPoint Energy at 713-659-2111 and we will send a trained service technician immediately. If your home was flooded, call a licensed plumber or a gas appliance technician to inspect your appliances and gas piping to make sure that it is in good operating condition before calling CenterPoint Energy to reconnect service. This includes outdoor gas appliances also, such as pool heaters, gas grills and gas lights. 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, interstate pipelines and field services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. Assets total over $17 billion. With about 8,600 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 130 years. For more information, visit the Web site at www.CenterPointEnergy.com.