<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 24


                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                             /s/ Michael B. Bracy               
                                             ----------------------------------
<PAGE>   2




                                      
                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                   /s/ Joe E. Chenoweth 
                                                  -----------------------------
<PAGE>   3





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                /s/ O. Holcombe Crosswell       
                                                -------------------------------
<PAGE>   4





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                    /s/ Walter A. DeRoeck       
                                                    ---------------------------
<PAGE>   5





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                      /s/ Mickey P. Foret       
                                                      -------------------------
<PAGE>   6





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                      /s/ Joseph M. Grant       
                                                      -------------------------
<PAGE>   7





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                      /s/ Robert C. Hanna       
                                                      -------------------------
<PAGE>   8





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                   /s/ W. Jeffrey Hart          
                                                   ----------------------------
<PAGE>   9





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                              /s/ T. Milton Honea               
                                              ---------------------------------
<PAGE>   10





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                   /s/ Myra Jones       
                                                   ----------------------------
<PAGE>   11





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY
                                      

         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                    /s/ Weldon H. Johnson       
                                                    ---------------------------
<PAGE>   12





                              POWER OF ATTORNEY


         WHEREAS, NORAM ENERGY CORP., a Delaware corporation, (the "Company") 
intends to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission its Annual Report
on Form 10-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 for fiscal year ended December 31, 1996 together with any and all exhibits
and other documents having relation to said Annual Report on Form 10-K;
        
         NOW, THEREFORE, the undersigned, in the capacity of Director of the
Company, does hereby appoint, T. MILTON HONEA and MICHAEL B. BRACY, or either
of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, to execute in his or her name, place and stead
in the capacity of Director of the Company, said Annual Report on Form 10-K and
all documents necessary or incidental in connection therewith and to file the
same with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Said attorneys-in-fact shall
have full power and authority to do and perform in the name and on behalf of
the undersigned in any and all capacities every act whatsoever necessary or
desirable to be done in the premises as fully and to all intents and purposes
as the undersigned might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
the acts that said attorneys-in-fact may lawfully do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof.
        
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this instrument as
of the 14th day of March, 1997.



                                                   /s/ Bruce W. Wilkinson       
                                                   ----------------------------