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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): AUGUST 19, 2005
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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 HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
TEXAS 1-3187 22-3865106
(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))
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ITEM 8.01 OTHER EVENTS.
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. ("CenterPoint Energy") announced that the time
allowed for further appeals of the Texas Public Utility Commission's ("PUC")
financing order had expired on August 19, 2005 and no party to the proceeding
had filed an appeal. This clears the way for its electric transmission and
distribution subsidiary, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC ("CEHE"), to
issue what is expected to be more than $1.8 billion in transition bonds. CEHE
expects to complete the bond issuance in the fourth quarter of this year,
subject to, among other matters, market conditions, the completion of
documentation and rating agency reviews, receipt of a favorable tax ruling or
other assurance as to tax treatment and an order from the SEC under the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 (if bonds are issued prior to February 2006,
the effective date for repeal of that act).
Transition bonds allow CEHE to recover the stranded cost portion of its
true-up balance that the PUC has found it is entitled to recover in the
transition to a competitive retail electric market. Under the PUC's financing
order authorizing the issuance of these bonds, the principal and interest on the
bonds is recovered under a transition charge. This charge is added to the
electric delivery rate paid by retail electric providers to CEHE for power
delivered to Houston-area customers. The transition charge will begin when the
bonds are sold. Interest authorized under the financing order continues to
accrue until the bonds are sold, and has the effect of increasing the principal
amount of bonds that can be issued.
In anticipation of potential delays in issuing transition bonds caused
by appeals, CEHE established a $1.31 billion backstop credit facility (LIBOR +
75 basis points) in March 2005. It will be drawn if sufficient transition bonds
have not been issued by the November 11, 2005 maturity date of a $1.31 billion
term loan. If drawn, this backstop facility would term-out for two years.
Drawings under the backstop facility would be repaid with proceeds from the
transition bond offering when it is completed.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This report includes forward-looking statements. Actual events and
results may differ materially from those projected. The statements in this
report regarding timing and other aspects of the bond issuance that are not
historical facts are forward-looking statements. Factors that could affect
CenterPoint Energy's ability to complete the bond issuance include those
discussed above, general market conditions and other factors discussed in
CenterPoint Energy's and its subsidiaries' Form 10-Ks for the period ended
December 31, 2004, Form 10-Qs for the periods ended March 31 and June 30, 2005,
and other filings with the SEC.
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: August 22, 2005 By: /s/ James S. Brian
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James S. Brian
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer
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 HOUSTON
ELECTRIC, LLC
Date: August 22, 2005 By: /s/ James S. Brian
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James S. Brian
Senior Vice President and
Chief Accounting Officer