EXHIBIT 32.2

                            CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
                             18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


         In connection with the Annual Report of CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (the
"Company") on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2005 (the "Report"), as
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof, I, Gary L.
Whitlock, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my
knowledge:

         (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a)
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

         (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all
material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the
Company.

Date: March 15, 2006



                                             /s/ Gary L. Whitlock
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Gary L. Whitlock
                                             Executive Vice President and
                                             Chief Financial Officer