<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>sv8</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April&nbsp;21, 2011
</DIV>


<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Registration No.&nbsp;333-
</DIV>
<DIV align="right" style="font-size: 1pt; margin-top: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>

<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>




<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 14pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B>Washington, D.C. 20549</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 18pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 24pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)</DIV>


<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="47%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Texas</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>74-0694415</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(State or other jurisdiction of
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(I.R.S. Employer</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">incorporation or organization)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Identification No.)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>1111 Louisiana</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom"></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><B>Houston, Texas</B>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><B>77002</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Address of Principal Executive Offices)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Zip Code)</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. STOCK PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS</B><BR>
(Full title of the plan)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Rufus S. Scott<BR>
Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary<BR>
1111 Louisiana<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002</B><BR>
(Name and address of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>(713)&nbsp;207-1111</B><BR>
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><I>Copy to</I>:</DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Gerald M. Spedale<BR>
Baker Botts L.L.P.<BR>
One Shell Plaza<BR>
910 Louisiana<BR>
Houston, Texas 77002-4995<BR>
(713)&nbsp;229-1234</B></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><DIV align="center"><DIV style="FONT-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 26%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV></DIV></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of &#147;large
accelerated filer,&#148; &#147;accelerated filer&#148; and &#147;smaller reporting company&#148; in Rule&nbsp;12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="22%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR></TR>
<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Large accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#254;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Non-accelerated filer <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT>
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">Smaller reporting company <FONT style="font-family: Wingdings">&#111;</FONT></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT style="white-space: nowrap">(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)</FONT></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom" style="font-size:3pt">
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="46%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD><!-- VRule -->
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-bottom: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Proposed maximum</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount to be</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>offering price per</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>aggregate offering</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Amount of</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>

    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Title of securities to be registered</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registered (1)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>share (2)</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>price</B></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>registration fee</B></TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
                    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000"><DIV style="margin-left:15px; text-indent:-15px">Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)</DIV></TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000" nowrap>350,000 shares</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">17.67</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">6,184,500</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">$</TD>
    <TD align="right" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">718.03</TD>
    <TD style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%" style="border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 1px" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="left" colspan="23" style="border-top: 3px double #000000">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 3pt; width: 18%; border-top: 0px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also
covers any additional shares of the Common Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., along with the
associated preferred stock purchase rights, that may become issuable under the plan as a
result of the antidilution provisions thereof.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(2)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(c) and (h)&nbsp;of the Securities Act based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Common Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on April
18, 2011.</TD>
</TR>

<TR style="font-size: 3pt"><TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">(3)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Each share of Common Stock to be registered includes one associated preferred stock purchase
right. No separate consideration is payable for the preferred stock purchase rights.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>



<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 1pt solid black; margin-top: 10pt; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV style="width: 100%; border-bottom: 2pt solid black; font-size: 1pt">&nbsp;</DIV>









<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">




<!-- TOC -->
<A name="H81482toc"><DIV align="CENTER" style="page-break-before:always"><U><B>TABLE OF CONTENTS</B></U></DIV></A>

<P><CENTER>
<TABLE border="0" width="90%" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0">
<TR>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="3%"></TD>
	<TD width="76%"></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#H81482000">Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD></TD><TD colspan="8"><A HREF="#H81482001">Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#H81482002">SIGNATURES</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="#H81482003">EXHIBIT INDEX</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h81482exv4w6.htm">EX-4.6</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h81482exv5w1.htm">EX-5.1</A></TD></TR>
<TR><TD colspan="9"><A HREF="h81482exv23w1.htm">EX-23.1</A></TD></TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<!-- /TOC -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>







<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 350,000 shares of common stock of
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (&#147;CenterPoint Energy&#148;) issuable pursuant to the CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Stock Plan for Outside Directors (as amended, the &#147;Plan&#148;). These shares are in addition to the
250,000 shares of common stock of CenterPoint Energy registered pursuant to the Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-8 (No.&nbsp;333-105773) relating to the Plan filed on June&nbsp;2, 2003, and the contents
of which are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Experts</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial statement
schedules, incorporated in this document by reference from CenterPoint Energy&#146;s Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December&nbsp;31, 2010, and the effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated
herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement
schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="H81482000"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Title 1, Chapter&nbsp;8 of the Texas Business Organizations Code (&#147;TBOC&#148;) and Article&nbsp;V of
CenterPoint Energy&#146;s Amended and Restated Bylaws provide CenterPoint Energy with broad powers and
authority to indemnify its directors and officers and to purchase and maintain insurance for such
purposes. Pursuant to such statutory and Bylaw provisions, CenterPoint Energy has purchased
insurance against certain costs of indemnification that may be incurred by it and by its officers
and directors.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Additionally, Article&nbsp;IX of CenterPoint Energy&#146;s Restated Articles of Incorporation provides
that no director of CenterPoint Energy is liable to CenterPoint Energy or its shareholders for
monetary damages for any act or omission in the director&#146;s capacity as director, except as required
by law as in effect from time to time. Currently, Section&nbsp;7.001 of the TBOC requires that liability
be imposed for the following actions: (i)&nbsp;any breach of such director&#146;s duty of loyalty to
CenterPoint Energy or its shareholders, (ii)&nbsp;any act or omission not in good faith that constitutes
a breach of duty of such director to CenterPoint Energy or that involves intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law, (iii)&nbsp;a transaction from which such director received an improper
benefit, regardless of whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of
the director&#146;s duties or (iv)&nbsp;an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly
provided for by statute.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Article&nbsp;IX also provides that any subsequent amendments to Texas statutes that further limit
the liability of directors will inure to the benefit of the directors, without any further action
by shareholders. Any repeal or modification of Article&nbsp;IX shall not adversely affect any right of
protection of a director of CenterPoint Energy existing at the time of the repeal or modification.
</DIV>
<!-- link2 "Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits." -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="H81482001"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 12pt"><B>Item&nbsp;8. Exhibits.</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form S-8 or
incorporated by reference herein:
</DIV>

<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">



<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="4%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="32%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="11%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>SEC File or</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Report or</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registration</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Document Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Registration Statement</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Reference</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Articles of
Incorporation of CenterPoint
Energy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;8-K dated July
24, 2008
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of
CenterPoint Energy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2010
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>3(b)</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement dated as of
January&nbsp;1, 2002 between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Rights
Agent
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2001
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc. Stock Certificate
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">333-69502
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap>4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Stock
Plan for Outside Directors
(including the First Amendment
thereto)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule
14A filed on March
11, 2011
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="0" align="left" valign="top">Appendix&nbsp;A
</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.6 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amendment to CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. Stock Plan for
Outside Directors</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on
the signature page herein)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->&nbsp;<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>



<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>
<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "SIGNATURES" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="H81482002"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</DIV>


<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, the State of Texas, on the 21st day of April,
2011.
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="48%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD valign="top" align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="3" align="left">CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.<BR>
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000" align="left">/s/ David M. McClanahan
&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">David M. McClanahan&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR><TR>
    <TD align="left">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD colspan="2" align="left">President and Chief Executive Officer&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR>
    <TD colspan="5">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>POWER OF ATTORNEY</B>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Gary L. Whitlock, David M. McClanahan and Rufus S. Scott, and each of them, each of whom
may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them
or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
</DIV>

<DIV align="left" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 6pt">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on April&nbsp;21, 2011.
</DIV>
<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR>    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ David M. McClanahan
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">President, Chief Executive Officer and Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">David M. McClanahan
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Executive Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Gary L. Whitlock
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Gary L. Whitlock
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Financial Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Walter L. Fitzgerald
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">(Principal Accounting Officer)</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Donald R. Campbell
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Donald R. Campbell</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Milton Carroll
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Milton Carroll</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ O. Holcombe Crosswell
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">O. Holcombe Crosswell</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->5<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="40%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Signature</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000">Title</TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR>    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Michael P. Johnson
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Michael P. Johnson</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Janiece M. Longoria
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Janiece M. Longoria</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Susan O. Rheney
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Susan O. Rheney</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ R.A. Walker
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">R.A. Walker</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Peter S. Wareing
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Peter S. Wareing</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">/s/ Sherman M. Wolff
<DIV style="font-size: 1pt; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">Director&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top" align="center"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">Sherman M. Wolff</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>


<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->6<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>

<!-- PAGEBREAK -->
<P><HR noshade><P>
<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always"><A HREF="#H81482toc">Table of Contents</A></H5><P>

<DIV style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif">

<!-- link1 "EXHIBIT INDEX" -->
<DIV align="left"><A NAME="H81482003"></A></DIV>

<DIV align="center" style="font-size: 10pt; margin-top: 18pt"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</DIV>

<DIV align="center">
<TABLE style="font-size: 10pt" cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%">
<!-- Begin Table Head -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="20%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>SEC File or</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Exhibit</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Report or</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><B>Registration</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR style="font-size: 8pt" valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Document Description</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Registration Statement</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Number</B></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000"><B>Exhibit Reference</B></TD>
</TR>

<!-- End Table Head -->
<!-- Begin Table Body -->
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.1* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Restated Articles of
Incorporation of CenterPoint
Energy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;8-K dated July
24, 2008
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">3.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.2* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Amended and Restated Bylaws of
CenterPoint Energy
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2010
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top" nowrap>3(b)</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.3* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Rights Agreement dated as of
January&nbsp;1, 2002 between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Rights
Agent
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Form&nbsp;10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2001
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">4.2</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.4* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Form of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc. Stock Certificate
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Registration
Statement on Form&nbsp;S-4
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">333-69502
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">4.1</TD>
    <TD nowrap valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.5* -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Stock
Plan for Outside Directors
(including the First Amendment
thereto)
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">CenterPoint Energy&#146;s
Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule
14A filed on March
11, 2011
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top">1-31447
</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="3" align="center" valign="top">Appendix&nbsp;A
</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">4.6 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Second Amendment to CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. Stock Plan for
Outside Directors</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">5.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Deloitte &#038; Touche LLP</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">23.2 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom"><!-- Blank Space -->
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">&nbsp;</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><DIV style="margin-left:0px; text-indent:-0px">24.1 -
</DIV></TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">Powers of Attorney (included on
the signature page herein)</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD nowrap align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD align="right" valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD valign="top">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<!-- End Table Body -->
</TABLE>
</DIV>



<DIV align="left">
<DIV style="font-size: 3pt; margin-top: 16pt; width: 18%; border-top: 1px solid #000000">&nbsp;</DIV>
</DIV>

<TABLE width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="font-size: 10pt">
<TR>
    <TD width="3%"></TD>
    <TD width="1%"></TD>
    <TD width="96%"></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap align="left">*</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.</TD>
</TR>

</TABLE>




<P align="center" style="font-size: 10pt"><!-- Folio -->7<!-- /Folio -->
</DIV>




</BODY>
</HTML>
[{"type": "S-8", "sequence": "1", "filename": "h81482sv8.htm", "description": "FORM S-8", "secsgml_size_bytes": 59045}]
{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CENTERPOINT ENERGY INC", "cik": "0001130310", "assigned-sic": "4911", "irs-number": "740694415", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-173660", "film-number": "11774078"}, "business-address": {"street1": "1111 LOUISIANA ST.", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77002", "phone": "7132073000"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "1111 LOUISIANA ST.", "city": "HOUSTON", "state": "TX", "zip": "77002"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "RELIANT ENERGY REGCO INC", "date-changed": "20001220"}}
sv8
Table of Contents
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2011
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Texas
74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas
77002
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. STOCK PLAN FOR OUTSIDE DIRECTORS
(Full title of the plan)
Rufus S. Scott
Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Assistant Corporate Secretary
1111 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002
(Name and address of agent for service)
(713) 207-1111
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copy to
:
Gerald M. Spedale
Baker Botts L.L.P.
One Shell Plaza
910 Louisiana
Houston, Texas 77002-4995
(713) 229-1234
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated
filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large
accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the
Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
þ
Accelerated filer
o
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Proposed maximum
Proposed maximum
Amount to be
offering price per
aggregate offering
Amount of
Title of securities to be registered
registered (1)
share (2)
price
registration fee
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (3)
350,000 shares
$
17.67
$
6,184,500
$
718.03
(1)
Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement also
covers any additional shares of the Common Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc., along with the
associated preferred stock purchase rights, that may become issuable under the plan as a
result of the antidilution provisions thereof.
(2)
Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule
457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act based upon the average of the high and low prices of the
Common Stock of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. as reported by the New York Stock Exchange on April
18, 2011.
(3)
Each share of Common Stock to be registered includes one associated preferred stock purchase
right. No separate consideration is payable for the preferred stock purchase rights.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Item 8. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-4.6
EX-5.1
EX-23.1
Table of Contents
REGISTRATION OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES
This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8 under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, to register an additional 350,000 shares of common stock of
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy") issuable pursuant to the CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
Stock Plan for Outside Directors (as amended, the "Plan"). These shares are in addition to the
250,000 shares of common stock of CenterPoint Energy registered pursuant to the Registration
Statement on Form S-8 (No. 333-105773) relating to the Plan filed on June 2, 2003, and the contents
of which are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
Experts
The consolidated financial statements and the related consolidated financial statement
schedules, incorporated in this document by reference from CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and the effectiveness of CenterPoint Energy's
internal control over financial reporting have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their reports, which are incorporated
herein by reference. Such consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement
schedules have been so incorporated in reliance upon the reports of such firm given upon their
authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Title 1, Chapter 8 of the Texas Business Organizations Code ("TBOC") and Article V of
CenterPoint Energy's Amended and Restated Bylaws provide CenterPoint Energy with broad powers and
authority to indemnify its directors and officers and to purchase and maintain insurance for such
purposes. Pursuant to such statutory and Bylaw provisions, CenterPoint Energy has purchased
insurance against certain costs of indemnification that may be incurred by it and by its officers
and directors.
Additionally, Article IX of CenterPoint Energy's Restated Articles of Incorporation provides
that no director of CenterPoint Energy is liable to CenterPoint Energy or its shareholders for
monetary damages for any act or omission in the director's capacity as director, except as required
by law as in effect from time to time. Currently, Section 7.001 of the TBOC requires that liability
be imposed for the following actions: (i) any breach of such director's duty of loyalty to
CenterPoint Energy or its shareholders, (ii) any act or omission not in good faith that constitutes
a breach of duty of such director to CenterPoint Energy or that involves intentional misconduct or
a knowing violation of law, (iii) a transaction from which such director received an improper
benefit, regardless of whether or not the benefit resulted from an action taken within the scope of
the director's duties or (iv) an act or omission for which the liability of a director is expressly
provided for by statute.
Article IX also provides that any subsequent amendments to Texas statutes that further limit
the liability of directors will inure to the benefit of the directors, without any further action
by shareholders. Any repeal or modification of Article IX shall not adversely affect any right of
protection of a director of CenterPoint Energy existing at the time of the repeal or modification.
Item 8. Exhibits.
The following documents are filed as part of this Registration Statement on Form S-8 or
incorporated by reference herein:
Table of Contents
SEC File or
Exhibit
Report or
Registration
Exhibit
Number
Document Description
Registration Statement
Number
Reference
4.1* -
Restated Articles of
Incorporation of CenterPoint
Energy
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 8-K dated July
24, 2008
1-31447
3.2
4.2* -
Amended and Restated Bylaws of
CenterPoint Energy
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2010
1-31447
3(b)
4.3* -
Rights Agreement dated as of
January 1, 2002 between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Rights
Agent
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2001
1-31447
4.2
4.4* -
Form of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc. Stock Certificate
CenterPoint Energy's
Registration
Statement on Form S-4
333-69502
4.1
4.5* -
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Stock
Plan for Outside Directors
(including the First Amendment
thereto)
CenterPoint Energy's
Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule
14A filed on March
11, 2011
1-31447
Appendix A
4.6 -
Second Amendment to CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. Stock Plan for
Outside Directors
5.1 -
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1 -
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2 -
Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 -
Powers of Attorney (included on
the signature page herein)
*
Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
Table of Contents
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it
has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and
has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, the State of Texas, on the 21st day of April,
2011.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
By:
/s/ David M. McClanahan
David M. McClanahan
President and Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and
appoints Gary L. Whitlock, David M. McClanahan and Rufus S. Scott, and each of them, each of whom
may act without the joinder of the other, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and
agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name,
place and stead, in any and all capacities to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and all
other documents in connection therewith, with the Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact
and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and
necessary to be done, as fully and for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in
person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them
or their substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has
been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on April 21, 2011.
Signature
Title
/s/ David M. McClanahan
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director
David M. McClanahan
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Gary L. Whitlock
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Gary L. Whitlock
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Walter L. Fitzgerald
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Walter L. Fitzgerald
(Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Donald R. Campbell
Director
Donald R. Campbell
/s/ Milton Carroll
Director
Milton Carroll
/s/ O. Holcombe Crosswell
Director
O. Holcombe Crosswell
5
Table of Contents
Signature
Title
/s/ Michael P. Johnson
Director
Michael P. Johnson
/s/ Janiece M. Longoria
Director
Janiece M. Longoria
/s/ Susan O. Rheney
Director
Susan O. Rheney
/s/ R.A. Walker
Director
R.A. Walker
/s/ Peter S. Wareing
Director
Peter S. Wareing
/s/ Sherman M. Wolff
Director
Sherman M. Wolff
6
Table of Contents
EXHIBIT INDEX
SEC File or
Exhibit
Report or
Registration
Number
Document Description
Registration Statement
Number
Exhibit Reference
4.1* -
Restated Articles of
Incorporation of CenterPoint
Energy
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 8-K dated July
24, 2008
1-31447
3.2
4.2* -
Amended and Restated Bylaws of
CenterPoint Energy
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2010
1-31447
3(b)
4.3* -
Rights Agreement dated as of
January 1, 2002 between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and
JPMorgan Chase Bank, as Rights
Agent
CenterPoint Energy's
Form 10-K for the
year ended December
31, 2001
1-31447
4.2
4.4* -
Form of CenterPoint Energy,
Inc. Stock Certificate
CenterPoint Energy's
Registration
Statement on Form S-4
333-69502
4.1
4.5* -
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. Stock
Plan for Outside Directors
(including the First Amendment
thereto)
CenterPoint Energy's
Definitive Proxy
Statement on Schedule
14A filed on March
11, 2011
1-31447
Appendix A
4.6 -
Second Amendment to CenterPoint
Energy, Inc. Stock Plan for
Outside Directors
5.1 -
Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.
23.1 -
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2 -
Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P.
(included in Exhibit 5.1)
24.1 -
Powers of Attorney (included on
the signature page herein)
*
Incorporated herein by reference as indicated.
7