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    <filerInfo>
      <filer>
        <filerCredentials>
          <cik>0001304242</cik>
          <ccc>XXXXXXXX</ccc>
        </filerCredentials>
      </filer>
      <liveTestFlag>LIVE</liveTestFlag>



    </filerInfo>
  </headerData>
  <formData>
    <issuerInfo>
      <issuerCik>0001130310</issuerCik>
      <issuerName>CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC</issuerName>
      <secFileNumber>001-31447</secFileNumber>
      <issuerAddress>
        <com:street1>1111 LOUISIANA ST.</com:street1>
        <com:city>HOUSTON</com:city>
        <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
        <com:zipCode>77002</com:zipCode>
      </issuerAddress>
      <issuerContactPhone>7132073000</issuerContactPhone>
      <nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>Pound Ted</nameOfPersonForWhoseAccountTheSecuritiesAreToBeSold>
      <relationshipsToIssuer>
        <relationshipToIssuer>Officer</relationshipToIssuer>
      </relationshipsToIssuer>
    </issuerInfo>
    <securitiesInformation>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
        <name>Charles Schwab &amp; Co., Inc.</name>
        <address>
          <com:street1>3000 Schwab Way</com:street1>
          <com:city>Westlake</com:city>
          <com:stateOrCountry>TX</com:stateOrCountry>
          <com:zipCode>76262</com:zipCode>
        </address>
      </brokerOrMarketmakerDetails>
      <noOfUnitsSold>2770</noOfUnitsSold>
      <aggregateMarketValue>83266.00</aggregateMarketValue>
      <noOfUnitsOutstanding>631029243</noOfUnitsOutstanding>
      <approxSaleDate>05/02/2023</approxSaleDate>
      <securitiesExchangeName>NYSE</securitiesExchangeName>
    </securitiesInformation>
    <securitiesToBeSold>
      <securitiesClassTitle>Common</securitiesClassTitle>
      <acquiredDate>05/01/2019</acquiredDate>
      <natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>Vested RSA's</natureOfAcquisitionTransaction>
      <nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>Issuer</nameOfPersonfromWhomAcquired>
      <isGiftTransaction>N</isGiftTransaction>
      <amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>2770</amountOfSecuritiesAcquired>
      <paymentDate>05/01/2019</paymentDate>
      <natureOfPayment>Compensation</natureOfPayment>
    </securitiesToBeSold>
    <nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>Y</nothingToReportFlagOnSecuritiesSoldInPast3Months>
    <noticeSignature>
      <noticeDate>05/02/2023</noticeDate>
      <signature>Theodore F. Pound III</signature>
    </noticeSignature>
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144
0001304242
XXXXXXXX
LIVE
0001130310
CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC
001-31447
1111 LOUISIANA ST.
HOUSTON
TX
77002
7132073000
Pound Ted
Officer
Common
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
3000 Schwab Way
Westlake
TX
76262
2770
83266.00
631029243
05/02/2023
NYSE
Common
05/01/2019
Vested RSA's
Issuer
N
2770
05/01/2019
Compensation
Y
05/02/2023
Theodore F. Pound III