Exhibit 99.1

		For more information contact Media:
		Leticia Lowe Phone 713.207.7702 Investors:
		Marianne Paulsen Phone 713.207.6500
For Immediate Release		Page 1 Of 5

CENTERPOINT ENERGY REPORTS FIRST QUARTER 2011 EARNINGS

Houston, TX — May 5, 2011 - CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) today reported net income of $148 million, or $0.35 per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $114 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, for the same period of 2010. Operating income for the first quarter of 2011 was $364 million compared to $357 million for the same period of 2010.

“This was a good quarter for our company,” said David M. McClanahan, president and chief executive officer of CenterPoint Energy. “We received a favorable decision from the Texas Supreme Court in our true-up case. Our regulated electric and natural gas utilities and our interstate pipelines performed well, and our field services unit continues to realize growth from the investments we have made in the Haynesville shale. I remain optimistic about future investment opportunities in our businesses.”

Electric Transmission & Distribution

The electric transmission & distribution segment reported operating income of $101 million for the first quarter of 2011, consisting of $68 million from the regulated electric transmission & distribution utility operations (TDU) and $33 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for the first quarter of 2010 was $107 million, consisting of $71 million from the TDU and $36 million related to securitization bonds. Operating income for the TDU benefited from growth of over 29,000 metered customers since March 2010, which was more than offset by higher operation and maintenance expenses primarily associated with system reliability programs.

Natural Gas Distribution

The natural gas distribution segment reported operating income of $142 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $139 million for the same period of 2010. The increase in operating income resulted primarily from lower bad debt expense, partially offset by increases in other operating expenses. Reduced throughput as a result of milder weather was mitigated by weather hedges, weather normalization adjustment mechanisms and increased throughput to large volume customers.

Interstate Pipelines

The interstate pipelines segment reported operating income of $76 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $72 million for the same period of 2010. Higher revenues from firm contracts associated with Phase IV of the Carthage to Perryville pipeline and new power plant transportation contracts were partially offset by reduced revenues from ancillary services. Operation and maintenance expenses were lower primarily due to an insurance settlement.

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		Leticia Lowe Phone 713.207.7702 Investors:
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For Immediate Release		Page 2 Of 5

In addition to operating income, this segment recorded equity income of $4 million for the first quarter of 2011 from its 50 percent interest in the Southeast Supply Header (SESH) compared to equity income of $3 million for the same period of 2010.

Field Services

The field services segment reported operating income of $36 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $23 million for the same period of 2010. Revenue growth from higher gathering volumes, primarily associated with projects in the Haynesville shale, was partially offset by increased operation and maintenance expenses primarily related to facility expansions.

In addition to operating income, this business had equity income of $2 million in each of the first quarters of 2011 and 2010 from its 50 percent interest in a gathering and processing joint venture (Waskom).

Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services

The competitive natural gas sales and services segment reported operating income of $10 million for the first quarter of 2011 compared to $15 million for the same period of 2010. Operating income for the first quarter of 2011 included charges of $2 million resulting from mark-to-market accounting for derivatives associated with certain forward natural gas purchases and sales used to lock in economic margins, compared to gains of $3 million for the same period of 2010.

True-up Decision

On March 18, 2011, the Texas Supreme Court issued its decision in the company’s true-up case, the proceeding in which the Texas Public Utility Commission (PUC) determined the amount of stranded costs and other amounts due to the company as a result of the restructuring of the Texas electric industry in 1999. The Supreme Court’s decision remains subject to motions for rehearing and must be implemented through a remand to the PUC. Based on the Court’s decision, the company plans to seek a Financing Order from the PUC to authorize securitization of approximately $1.85 billion, which includes interest through September 30, 2011.

Dividend Declaration

On April 21, 2011, CenterPoint Energy’s board of directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.1975 per share of common stock payable on June 10, 2011, to shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2011.

		For more information contact Media:
		Leticia Lowe Phone 713.207.7702 Investors:
		Marianne Paulsen Phone 713.207.6500
For Immediate Release		Page 3 Of 5

Outlook Reaffirmed for 2011

CenterPoint Energy reaffirmed its 2011 earnings guidance of $1.04 to $1.14 per diluted share. This guidance takes into consideration various economic and operational assumptions related to the business segments in which the company operates. The company has made certain assumptions regarding financing activities and the impact to earnings of various regulatory proceedings. In providing this guidance, the company has not included the impact of any changes in accounting standards, any impact from significant acquisitions or divestitures, any impact to income from the change in value of Time Warner stocks and the related ZENS securities, or the timing effects of mark-to-market or inventory accounting in the company’s competitive natural gas sales and services business. It also does not reflect the recording of the Texas Supreme Court’s decision in the TDU’s true-up appeal. For the impact of these factors on the company’s earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2011, see the attached reconciliation.

Filing of Form 10-Q for CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

Today, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2011. A copy of that report is available on the company’s website, under the Investors section. Other filings the company makes with the SEC and other documents relating to its corporate governance can also be found on that site.

Webcast of Earnings Conference Call

CenterPoint Energy’s management will host an earnings conference call on Thursday, May 5, 2011, at 10:30 a.m. Central time or 11:30 a.m. Eastern time. Interested parties may listen to a live audio broadcast of the conference call on the company’s website, under the Investors section. A replay of the call can be accessed approximately two hours after the completion of the call and will be archived on the website for at least one year.

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 more than $19 billion. With over 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 135 years. For more information, visit the company’s website at CenterPointEnergy.com.

		For more information contact Media:
		Leticia Lowe Phone 713.207.7702 Investors:
		Marianne Paulsen Phone 713.207.6500
For Immediate Release		Page 4 Of 5

This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The statements in this news release regarding the company’s earnings outlook for 2011 and future financial performance and results of operations, the expected request for future recovery as a result of the Texas Supreme Court’s true-up decision, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Factors that could affect actual results include (1) the resolution of the true-up proceedings, including, the outcome of requests to the Texas Supreme Court for rehearing, future actions by the Public Utility Commission of Texas in response to the decisions by the Texas Supreme Court and the Texas Third Court of Appeals, and any further appeals thereof; (2) state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments relating to the environment, including those related to global climate change; (3) other state and federal legislative and regulatory actions or developments affecting various aspects of CenterPoint Energy’s businesses, including, among others, energy deregulation or re-regulation, pipeline safety, health care reform, financial reform and tax legislation; (4) timely and appropriate rate actions and increases, allowing recovery of costs and a reasonable return on investment; (5) the timing and outcome of any audits, disputes or other proceedings related to taxes; (6) problems with construction, implementation of necessary technology or other issues with respect to major capital projects that result in delays or in cost overruns that cannot be recouped in rates; (7) industrial, commercial and residential growth in CenterPoint Energy’s service territories and changes in market demand, including the effects of energy efficiency measures, and demographic patterns; (8) the timing and extent of changes in commodity prices, particularly natural gas and natural gas liquids, and the effects of geographic and seasonal commodity price differentials; (9) the timing and extent of changes in the supply of natural gas, including supplies available for gathering by CenterPoint Energy’s field services business and transporting by its interstate pipelines; (10) weather variations and other natural phenomena; (11) the impact of unplanned facility outages; (12) timely and appropriate regulatory actions allowing securitization or other recovery of costs associated with any future hurricanes or natural disasters; (13) changes in interest rates or rates of inflation; (14) commercial bank and financial market conditions, CenterPoint Energy’s access to capital, the cost of such capital, and the results of our financing and refinancing efforts, including availability of funds in the debt capital markets; (15) actions by rating agencies; (16) effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy’s risk management activities; (17) inability of various counterparties to meet their obligations; (18) non-payment for services due to financial distress of CenterPoint Energy’s customers; (19) the ability of GenOn Energy, Inc. (formerly known as RRI Energy, Inc.) and its subsidiaries to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (20) the ability of retail electric providers, and particularly the two largest customers of the TDU, to satisfy their obligations to CenterPoint Energy and its subsidiaries; (21) the outcome of litigation brought by or against CenterPoint Energy; (22) CenterPoint Energy’s ability to control costs; (23) the investment performance of pension and postretirement benefit plans; (24) potential business strategies, including restructurings, acquisitions or dispositions of assets or businesses; (25) acquisition and merger activities; and (26) other factors discussed in CenterPoint Energy’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, and Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

		For more information contact
		Media:
		Leticia Lowe
		Phone 713.207.7702
		Investors:
		Marianne Paulsen
		Phone 713.207.6500

For Immediate Release		Page 5 of 5

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of reported Net Income and diluted EPS to the basis used in providing 2011 annual earnings guidance

		Quarter Ended
		March 31, 2011
		Net Income				EPS
		(in millions)
As reported		$	148			$	0.35
Timing effects impacting CES(1):
Mark-to-market (gains) losses — natural gas derivative contracts			1				0.00
Natural gas inventory write-downs			—				—
ZENS-related mark-to-market (gains) losses:
Marketable securities(2)			(21	)			(0.05	)
Indexed debt securities			15				0.04
Per the basis used in providing 2011 annual earnings guidance		$	143			$	0.34

⁽¹⁾ Competitive natural gas sales and services

⁽²⁾ Time Warner Inc., Time Warner Cable Inc. and AOL Inc.

###

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Statements of Consolidated Income
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended
		March 31,
		2010				2011
Revenues:
Electric Transmission & Distribution		$	482			$	489
Natural Gas Distribution			1,537				1,212
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services			852				706
Interstate Pipelines			138				147
Field Services			68				90
Other Operations			3				3
Eliminations			(57	)			(60	)
Total			3,023				2,587
Expenses:
Natural gas			1,935				1,476
Operation and maintenance			414				439
Depreciation and amortization			200				201
Taxes other than income taxes			117				107
Total			2,666				2,223
Operating Income			357				364
Other Income (Expense) :
Gain on marketable securities			38				32
Loss on indexed debt securities			(27	)			(23	)
Interest and other finance charges			(122	)			(116	)
Interest on transition and system restoration bonds			(36	)			(33	)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates			5				6
Other — net			1				5
Total			(141	)			(129	)
Income Before Income Taxes			216				235
Income Tax Expense			102				87
Net Income		$	114			$	148

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Selected Data From Statements of Consolidated Income
(Millions of Dollars, Except Share and Per Share Amounts)
(Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended
		March 31,
		2010				2011
Basic Earnings Per Common Share		$	0.29			$	0.35
Diluted Earnings Per Common Share		$	0.29			$	0.35
Dividends Declared per Common Share		$	0.1950			$	0.1975
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding (000):
- Basic			392,855				425,018
- Diluted			395,078				427,415
Operating Income (Loss) by Segment
Electric Transmission & Distribution:
Electric Transmission and Distribution Operations		$	71			$	68
Transition and System Restoration Bond Companies			36				33
Total Electric Transmission & Distribution			107				101
Natural Gas Distribution			139				142
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services			15				10
Interstate Pipelines			72				76
Field Services			23				36
Other Operations			1				(1	)
Total		$	357			$	364

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Electric Transmission & Distribution
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues:
Electric transmission and distribution utility		$	386			$	400				4	%
Transition and system restoration bond companies			96				89				(7	%)
Total			482				489				1	%
Expenses:
Operation and maintenance			190				208				(9	%)
Depreciation and amortization			73				71				3	%
Taxes other than income taxes			52				53				(2	%)
Transition and system restoration bond companies			60				56				7	%
Total			375				388				(3	%)
Operating Income		$	107			$	101				(6	%)
Operating Income:
Electric transmission and distribution operations		$	71			$	68				(4	%)
Transition and system restoration bond companies			36				33				(8	%)
Total Segment Operating Income		$	107			$	101				(6	%)
Electric Transmission & Distribution
Operating Data:
Actual MWH Delivered
Residential			5,172,997				4,871,253				(6	%)
Total			16,436,310				16,767,968				2	%
Weather (average for service area):
Percentage of 10-year average:
Cooling degree days			20	%			151	%			131	%
Heating degree days			163	%			109	%			(54	%)
Number of metered customers — end of period:
Residential			1,858,403				1,885,691				1	%
Total			2,104,786				2,134,285				1	%

		Natural Gas Distribution
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues		$	1,537			$	1,212				(21	%)
Expenses:
Natural gas			1,139				818				28	%
Operation and maintenance			167				168				(1	%)
Depreciation and amortization			40				42				(5	%)
Taxes other than income taxes			52				42				19	%
Total			1,398				1,070				23	%
Operating Income		$	139			$	142				2	%
Natural Gas Distribution Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Residential			96				90				(6	%)
Commercial and Industrial			87				88				1	%
Total Throughput			183				178				(3	%)
Weather (average for service area)
Percentage of 10-year average:
Heating degree days			117	%			108	%			(9	%)
Number of customers — end of period:
Residential			3,012,856				3,029,079				1	%
Commercial and Industrial			246,676				246,987				—
Total			3,259,532				3,276,066				1	%

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues		$	852			$	706				(17	%)
Expenses:
Natural gas			826				685				17	%
Operation and maintenance			9				10				(11	%)
Depreciation and amortization			1				1				—
Taxes other than income taxes			1				—				100	%
Total			837				696				17	%
Operating Income		$	15			$	10				(33	%)
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF			141				155				10	%
Number of customers — end of period			11,369				11,942				5	%

		Interstate Pipelines
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues		$	138			$	147				7	%
Expenses:
Natural gas			10				18				(80	%)
Operation and maintenance			35				31				11	%
Depreciation and amortization			13				13				—
Taxes other than income taxes			8				9				(13	%)
Total			66				71				(8	%)
Operating Income		$	72			$	76				6	%
Pipelines Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Transportation			438				461				5	%

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Results of Operations by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Field Services
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues		$	68			$	90				32	%
Expenses:
Natural gas			16				15				6	%
Operation and maintenance			21				29				(38	%)
Depreciation and amortization			6				9				(50	%)
Taxes other than income taxes			2				1				50	%
Total			45				54				(20	%)
Operating Income		$	23			$	36				57	%
Field Services Operating Data:
Throughput data in BCF
Gathering			128				183				43	%

		Other Operations
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,								% Diff
		2010				2011				Fav/(Unfav)
Results of Operations:
Revenues		$	3			$	3				—
Expenses			2				4				(100	%)
Operating Income		$	1			$	(1	)			(200	%)

Capital Expenditures by Segment
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended
		March 31,
		2010				2011
Capital Expenditures by Segment
Electric Transmission & Distribution		$	95			$	106
Natural Gas Distribution			29				51
Competitive Natural Gas Sales and Services			—				—
Interstate Pipelines			8				18
Field Services			121				69
Other Operations			4				9
Total		$	257			$	253

(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Quarter Ended
		March 31,
		2010				2011
Interest Expense Detail
Amortization of Deferred Financing Cost		$	7			$	7
Capitalization of Interest Cost			(1	)			(2	)
Transition and System Restoration Bond Interest Expense			36				33
Other Interest Expense			116				111
Total Interest Expense		$	158			$	149

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		December 31,				March 31,
		2010				2011
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	199			$	95
Other current assets			2,383				1,919
Total current assets			2,582				2,014
Property, Plant and Equipment, net			11,732				11,857
Other Assets:
Goodwill			1,696				1,696
Regulatory assets			3,446				3,385
Other non-current assets			655				642
Total other assets			5,797				5,723
Total Assets		$	20,111			$	19,594
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Short-term borrowings		$	53			$	—
Current portion of transition and system restoration bonds long-term debt			283				294
Current portion of indexed debt			126				127
Current portion of other long-term debt			19				—
Other current liabilities			2,139				1,780
Total current liabilities			2,620				2,201
Other Liabilities:
Accumulated deferred income taxes, net			2,934				2,998
Regulatory liabilities			989				1,015
Other non-current liabilities			1,369				1,382
Total other liabilities			5,292				5,395
Long-term Debt:
Transition and system restoration bonds			2,522				2,371
Other			6,479				6,361
Total long-term debt			9,001				8,732
Shareholders’ Equity			3,198				3,266
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity		$	20,111			$	19,594

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Condensed Statements of Consolidated Cash Flows
(Millions of Dollars)
(Unaudited)

		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2010				2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Net income		$	114			$	148
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			207				208
Deferred income taxes			(34	)			80
Changes in net regulatory assets			19				17
Changes in other assets and liabilities			127				173
Other, net			2				1
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities			435				627
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities			(303	)			(308	)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities			(543	)			(423	)
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents			(411	)			(104	)
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period			740				199
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period		$	329			$	95

Reference is made to the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of CenterPoint Energy, Inc.