UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): MARCH 28, 2006
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CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 1-31447 74-0694415
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
1111 LOUISIANA
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 1-13265 76-0511406
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Identification No.)
1111 LOUISIANA
HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (713) 207-1111
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
[ ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities
Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act
(17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
ITEM 8.01. OTHER EVENTS.
On March 28, 2006 the federal district court for the district of
Minnesota gave preliminary approval to a $13.5 million settlement by CenterPoint
Energy Resources Corp. ("CERC"), a wholly owned subsidiary of CenterPoint
Energy, Inc., to resolve previously disclosed claims that CERC's Minnesota Gas
division had violated the Minnesota Cold Weather Rule. If the settlement is
ultimately approved by the court following a hearing, the settlement will
resolve all claims against CERC which have or could have been asserted by
residential natural gas customers in the Cold Weather Rule class action now
pending before the federal district court. When also approved by the Minnesota
Public Utilities Commission, the settlement will also resolve related claims
made by the Minnesota Attorney General regarding the Minnesota Gas division's
conduct under the Cold Weather Rule. During the fourth quarter 2005, CERC
established a litigation reserve to cover CERC's anticipated settlement costs
under the terms of this settlement.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
Date: April 3, 2006 By: /s/ James S. Brian
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James S. Brian
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
Date: April 3, 2006 By: /s/ James S. Brian
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James S. Brian
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer