# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001042773
**File Stem:** 0001193125-23-044960
**Filing Date:** 2023-2
**Character Count:** 193372
**Document Hash:** 5c4790cfd145fe9f216cb196802c8ab2
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001193125-23-044960.hdr.sgml**: 20230222

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001193125-23-044960

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: 8-K

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 17

**CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT**: 20230221

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

**ITEM INFORMATION**: Financial Statements and Exhibits

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20230222

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20230222

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001042773
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** ELECTRIC SERVICES [4911]
- **IRS NUMBER:** 760511406
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** TX
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** 8-K
- **SEC ACT:** 1934 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 001-13265
- **FILM NUMBER:** 23654570

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1111 LOUISIANA ST
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77002
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 713-207-3000

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 1111 LOUISIANA ST
- **CITY:** HOUSTON
- **STATE:** TX
- **ZIP:** 77002

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** RELIANT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19990317

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** NORAM ENERGY CORP/
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19970808

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** HI MERGER INC
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 19970721

?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8" ? 8-K

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### UNITED STATES

### SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

#### Washington, D.C. 20549

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### FORM 8-K

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#### CURRENT REPORT

#### Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

#### of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

#### Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 21, 2023

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## CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

#### (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Delaware** | **1-13265** | **76-0511406** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction**<br> **of incorporation)** | **(Commission**<br> **File Number)** | **(IRS Employer**<br> **Identification No.)** |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **1111 Louisiana**<br> **Houston, Texas** | **77002** |
| **(Address of principal executive offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

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#### 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))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Title of each class** | **Trading<br>Symbol(s)** | **Name of each exchange**<br> **on which registered** |
| 6.625% Senior Notes due 2037 | n/a | The New York Stock Exchange |

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2).

Emerging Growth Company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 1.01** | **Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.** |

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On February 21, 2023, CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. ("CERC") entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriting Agreement") with Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., as representatives of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I to the Underwriting Agreement (the "Underwriters"), relating to the underwritten public offering of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of CERC's 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028 and $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of CERC's 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033 (collectively, the "Notes"). The offering is being made pursuant to CERC's registration statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-238617-02).

The Notes are being issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998 (the "Base Indenture"), between CERC (formerly NorAm Energy Corp.) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as trustee (the "Trustee"), and Supplemental Indenture No. 23 to the Base Indenture to be dated as of February 23, 2023 between CERC and the Trustee (the "Supplemental Indenture"). The form, terms and provisions of the Notes are further described in the Supplemental Indenture and the prospectus supplement of CERC dated February 21, 2023, together with the related prospectus dated May 22, 2020, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under Rule 424(b)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on February 22, 2023, which description is incorporated herein by reference.

The Underwriters and their affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include securities trading, commercial and investment banking, financial advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, financing and brokerage activities. In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the Underwriters and/or their affiliates have engaged, and may in the future engage, in commercial banking, investment banking, trust or investment management transactions with CERC and its affiliates for which they have received, and will in the future receive, customary compensation.

A copy of the Underwriting Agreement, the Indenture and the form of Supplemental Indenture (including the form of Notes) have been filed as Exhibits 1.1, 4.1 and 4.2, respectively, to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated by reference herein.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Item 9.01.** | **Financial Statements and Exhibits.** |

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The exhibits listed below are filed herewith.

Agreements and forms of agreements included as exhibits are included only to provide information to investors regarding their terms. Agreements and forms of agreements listed below may contain representations, warranties and other provisions that were made, among other things, to provide the parties thereto with specified rights and obligations and to allocate risk among them, and no such agreement or form of agreement should be relied upon as constituting or providing any factual disclosures about CERC, any other persons, any state of affairs or other matters.

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(d) Exhibits.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **EXHIBIT** <br>**NUMBER** | **EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION** |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1.1 | [Underwriting Agreement dated February 21, 2023, among CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., as representatives of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I thereto.](d472221dex11.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.1 | [Indenture dated as of February 1, 1998, between CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. (formerly NorAm Energy Corp.) and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas)), as trustee (the "Indenture") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to CERC's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 5, 1998).](http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1042773/0000899243-98-000159.txt) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.2 | [Form of Supplemental Indenture No. 23, to be dated as of February 23, 2023, to the Indenture between CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee.](d472221dex42.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4.3 | [Form of Notes (included in Exhibit 4.2 hereto).](d472221dex42.htm) |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5.1 | [Opinion of Baker Botts L.L.P.](d472221dex51.htm) |
| 23.1 | [Consent of Baker Botts L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.1 hereto).](d472221dex51.htm) |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document). |

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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.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. |
| Date: February 22, 2023 | By: | /s/ Kara Gostenhofer Ryan |
|  |  | Kara Gostenhofer Ryan |
|  |  | Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer |

---

## Exhibit 1.1

**Exhibit 1.1** 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

$600,000,000 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028

$600,000,000 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033

Underwriting Agreement

February 21, 2023

Mizuho Securities USA LLC

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

250 Vesey Street

New York, New York 10281

TD Securities (USA) LLC

1 Vanderbilt Avenue, 11<sup>th</sup> Floor

New York, New York 10017

Truist Securities, Inc.

3333 Peachtree Road, NE

Atlanta, Georgia 30326

U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.

214 North Tryon Street, 26<sup>th</sup> Floor

Charlotte, North Carolina 28202

c/o Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.

250 Vesey Street

New York, New York 10281

as the Representatives of the several Underwriters

Ladies and Gentlemen:

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "**Company**"), confirms, subject to the terms and conditions stated herein, its agreement to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "**Underwriters**") $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028 (the "**2028 Notes**") and $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033 (the "**2033 Notes**" and, together with the 2028 Notes, the "**Notes**") to be issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of February 1, 1998 (the "**Base Indenture**") between the Company, formerly NorAm Energy Corp., and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association

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(formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as trustee (the "**Trustee**"), a Supplemental Indenture No. 23 to the Base Indenture dated as of February 23, 2023 (the "**Supplemental Indenture**") (the Supplemental Indenture, together with the Base Indenture and any amendments or supplements thereto, the "**Indenture**"), between the Company and the Trustee. The Company understands that the several Underwriters propose to offer the Notes for sale upon the terms and conditions contemplated by this Agreement and by the documents listed in Schedule III (such documents herein called the "**Pricing Disclosure Package**").

**1. Representations and Warranties of the Company.** 

(a) The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters, on and as of the date hereof and the Closing Date (as defined in Section 2) that:

(i) A joint registration statement on Form S-3 with respect to the Notes and other securities (File Nos. 333-238617, 333-238617-01 and 333-238617-02), copies of which have been made available to the Underwriters, has been prepared and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "**Commission**") by the Company, together with CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a Texas corporation ("**CenterPoint Energy**"), and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company. Such registration statement, including a prospectus relating to the Notes, has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "**1933 Act**"), and no stop order suspending its effectiveness has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering has been initiated or, to the best knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission. The term "**Registration Statement**" means such registration statement, as deemed revised pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(1) under the 1933 Act on the date of such registration statement's effectiveness for purposes of Section 11 of the 1933 Act, as such section applies to the Company and the Underwriters for the Notes pursuant to Rule 430B(f)(2) under the 1933 Act (the "**Effective Date**"). The base prospectus relating to the Notes included in the Registration Statement (exclusive of any supplement filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act) is herein called the "**Basic Prospectus**." The Basic Prospectus as amended and supplemented by a preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 21, 2023 relating to the Notes immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined below) is hereinafter called the "**Preliminary Prospectus**." The Company proposes to file together with the Basic Prospectus and pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act a prospectus supplement specifically relating to the Notes and reflecting the terms of the Notes and plan of distribution arising from this Agreement (herein called the "**Pricing Supplement**") and has previously advised the Underwriters of all the information to be set forth therein. The term "**Prospectus**" means the Basic Prospectus together with the Pricing Supplement, as first filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act.

Any reference herein to the Basic Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein, or deemed to be incorporated by reference therein, and filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "**1934 Act**"), on or before the date of such Basic Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as applicable; any reference herein to the terms "amend," "amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Basic Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include, without limitation, the filing of any document under the 1934 Act deemed to be incorporated therein by reference after the date of such Basic Prospectus, Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus.

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For purposes of this Agreement, the "**Applicable Time**" is 3:35 p.m. (New York City Time) on the date of this Agreement.

(ii) The Registration Statement, each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus (as defined in Section 3(a)), the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus conform, and any amendments or supplements thereto will conform, in all material respects, to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "**TIA**"), and the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act and the TIA; and (A) the Registration Statement will not, as of the Effective Date, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and (B) (i) the Pricing Disclosure Package does not, as of the Applicable Time, (ii) the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto will not, as of their dates, and (iii) the Prospectus, as it may be amended or supplemented pursuant to Section 4 hereof, as of the Closing Date will not, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; *provided, however,* that this representation and warranty shall not apply to: (A) any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information furnished in writing by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter for use therein, and (B) any Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification included as an exhibit to the Registration Statement;

(iii) Each document filed, and to the extent such document has been amended, as so amended, or to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act and incorporated by reference, or deemed to be incorporated by reference in the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus (including, without limitation, any document to be filed pursuant to the 1934 Act which will be incorporated by reference in the Prospectus) conformed or, when so filed, will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the 1934 Act and the applicable rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and none of such documents included, and to the extent such document has been amended, as so amended, or, when so filed, will include any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or, when so filed, will omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

(iv) Any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (such term having the meaning assigned to it by Rule 433 under the 1933 Act ("**Rule 433**")) does not include anything that conflicts with the information contained or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus; and any such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, when taken together with the information contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus, did not, when issued or filed pursuant to Rule 433, and does not, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with any information furnished in writing by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter for use therein;

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(v) (A) At the time of filing of the Registration Statement, (B) at the time of the most recent amendment to the Registration Statement for the purposes of complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the 1933 Act (whether such amendment was by post-effective amendment, incorporated report filed pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act or form of prospectus) and (C) at the time the Company or any person acting on its behalf (within the meaning, for this clause only, of Rule 163(c) under the 1933 Act) made any offer relating to the Notes in reliance on the exemption of Rule 163 under the 1933 Act, each of the Company and CenterPoint Energy was a "well-known seasoned issuer" (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act);

(vi) With respect to the Registration Statement, (A) the Registration Statement is an "automatic shelf registration statement" (as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act), (B) the Company has not received from the Commission any notice pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the 1933 Act objecting to the use of the automatic shelf registration statement and (C) the conditions for use of Form S-3 have been, and continue to be, satisfied by the Company;

(vii) At the determination date for purposes of the Notes within the meaning of Rule 164(h) under the 1933 Act, the Company was not an "ineligible issuer" as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act;

(viii) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus;

(ix) Each Significant Subsidiary (as defined in Regulation S-X under the 1933 Act) (each such subsidiary, a "**Significant Subsidiary**") of the Company has been duly formed, and each Significant Subsidiary is validly existing in good standing (if applicable) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, except to the extent that the failure to be in good standing or to have such power or authority would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial condition, business or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole ("**Material Adverse Effect**"); and each Significant Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except to the extent that the failure to be so qualified would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect;

(x) This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(xi) The Notes and the Indenture have been duly authorized by the Company and, when the Supplemental Indenture has been duly executed and delivered by the Company in accordance with its terms, and assuming the valid execution and delivery thereof by the Trustee, the Indenture will constitute, and, in the case of the Notes, when they are delivered by the Company, paid for pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, the Notes will, on the Closing Date, constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,

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insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles (regardless of whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law); the Notes, when delivered by the Company, paid for pursuant to this Agreement and the Indenture and duly authenticated and delivered by the Trustee, will be entitled to the benefits of the Indenture; and the Notes and the Indenture conform to the descriptions thereof in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; the Indenture has been qualified under the TIA;

(xii) The issuance by the Company of the Notes, the compliance by the Company with all of the applicable provisions of this Agreement, the Notes and the Indenture, and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated herein and therein (a) will not conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the Company or any subsidiary is a party or by which the Company or any subsidiary is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any subsidiary is subject, which conflict, breach, violation, or default would individually, or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect; and (b) will not result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or other organizational documents of the Company, the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of any subsidiary of the Company or any existing statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company's or any of its or its subsidiaries' properties;

(xiii) No consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issuance of the Notes or the consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Indenture, except such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the issuance by the Company of the Notes and the purchase and distribution of the Notes by the Underwriters;

(xiv) The Company and its subsidiaries possess certificates, authorities or permits issued by appropriate governmental agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated by them and have not received any notice of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such certificate, authority or permit that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect;

(xv) Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any statute, any rule, regulation, decision or order of any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic substances or relating to the protection or restoration of the environment or human exposure to hazardous or toxic substances (collectively, "**Environmental Laws**"), owns or operates any real property contaminated with any substance that is subject to any Environmental Laws, is liable for any off-site disposal or contamination pursuant to any Environmental Laws, or is subject to any claim relating to any Environmental Laws, which violation, contamination, liability or claim would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect; and the Company is not aware of any pending investigation which has a reasonable possibility of leading to such a claim;

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(xvi) Except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no pending actions, suits or proceedings against or affecting the Company, any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective properties that, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a Material Adverse Effect, or would materially and adversely affect the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under the Indenture or this Agreement, or which are otherwise material in the context of the sale of the Notes; and except as disclosed in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, no such actions, suits or proceedings are threatened or, to the Company's knowledge, contemplated;

(xvii) The financial statements of the Company included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus present fairly the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates shown and their results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown, and, except as otherwise disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis. The interactive data in eXtensible Business Reporting Language included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus fairly presents the information called for in all material respects and is prepared in accordance with the Commission's rules and guidelines applicable thereto;

(xviii) Since the date of the latest audited financial statements of the Company incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and there has been no dividend or distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class of its equity interests (other than as set forth in CenterPoint Energy's financing plan or as consistent with past practice);

(xix) The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls and maintains disclosure controls and procedures in conformity with the requirements of the 1934 Act and is otherwise in compliance in all material respects with the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations promulgated in connection therewith;

(xx) Deloitte & Touche LLP, who have certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the applicable rules and regulations adopted by the Commission and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and as required by the 1933 Act;

(xxi) The Company is not, and after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Prospectus under the caption "Use of Proceeds," will not be an "investment company" as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "**Investment Company Act**");

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(xxii) The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and, since January 1, 2006, have been conducted at all times in compliance with applicable financial recordkeeping and reporting requirements and the money laundering statutes and the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulations or guidelines, issued, administered or enforced by any governmental agency (collectively, the "**Money Laundering Laws**") and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened; and

(xxiii) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any director, officer, agent, employee or affiliate of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is currently subject to any sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury Department ("**OFAC**"); and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity, for the purpose of financing the activities of any person currently subject to any U.S. sanctions administered by OFAC.

**2. Sale and Delivery.** 

(a) Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, the principal amount of the Notes set forth on Schedule I opposite the name of such underwriter (plus the respective additional amount of Notes that each such Underwriter may become obligated to purchase pursuant to the provisions of Section 8 hereof) at, (i) with respect to the 2028 Notes, a price equal to 99.080% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from February 23, 2023 to the Closing Date and (ii) with respect to the 2033 Notes, a price equal to 99.325% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest, if any, from February 23, 2023 to the Closing Date.

(b) The 2028 Notes and the 2033 Notes to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder will be represented by one or more registered global securities in book-entry form which will be deposited by or on behalf of the Company with The Depository Trust Company ("**DTC**") or its designated custodian. The Company will deliver the Notes to Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., acting on behalf of the Underwriters for the account of each Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the amount therefor, as set forth above, by wire transfer of Federal (same day) funds to a commercial bank account located in the United States and designated in writing at least forty-eight hours prior to the Closing Date by the Company to Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., by causing DTC to credit the Notes to the account of Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., at DTC. The Company will cause the global certificates representing the Notes to be made available to Mizuho Securities USA LLC, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Truist Securities, Inc. and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., as joint-book running managing underwriters (together, the "**Representatives**"), acting on behalf of the Underwriters, for checking at least twenty-four hours prior to the Closing Date at the office of DTC or its designated custodian (the "**Designated Office**"). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on February 23, 2023 or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing. Such time and date are herein called the "**Closing Date**."

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(c) The documents to be delivered on the Closing Date by or on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 6 hereof, including the cross-receipt for the Notes and any additional certificates requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 6(h) hereof, will be delivered at such time and date at the offices of Baker Botts L.L.P., 910 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002-4995 or such other location as the Representatives and the Company may agree in writing (the "**Closing Location**"), and the Notes will be delivered at the Designated Office, all on the Closing Date. A meeting will be held at the Closing Location at 1:00 p.m., New York City time or at such other time as the Representatives and the Company may agree in writing, on the New York Business Day next preceding the Closing Date, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by the parties hereto. For the purposes of this Section 2, "**New York Business Day**" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

**3. Free Writing Prospectuses.** 

(a) The Company represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Notes that would constitute a "free writing prospectus" as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, other than a free writing prospectus (which shall include the Pricing Term Sheet discussed in Section 3(b) hereof and as defined below), the use of which has been consented to by the Company and the Representatives; provided that the prior written consent of the parties hereto shall be deemed to have been given in respect of the free writing prospectuses listed on Schedule IV hereto. Any such free writing prospectus consented to by the Representatives and the Company is herein called a "**Permitted Free Writing Prospectus**"; each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Notes that would constitute a "free writing prospectus" as defined in Rule 405 under the 1933 Act, other than a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or a free writing prospectus that is not required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433.

(b) The Company agrees to prepare a term sheet specifying the terms of the Notes not contained in the Preliminary Prospectus, substantially in the form of Schedule II hereto and approved by the Representatives (the "**Pricing Term Sheet**"), and to file the Pricing Term Sheet pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the 1933 Act within the time period prescribed by such Rule.

(c) The Company and the Representatives have complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the 1933 Act applicable to any free writing prospectus, including timely Commission filing where required and legending.

(d) The Company agrees that if at any time following issuance of a Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus any event has occurred that results in such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicting, or it becomes known that such Permitted Free Writing Prospectus or other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus conflicts with the information in the Registration Statement, the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus, or the Pricing Disclosure Package including an untrue statement of a material fact or omitting to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof

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to the Representatives and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter a free writing prospectus or other document, the use of which has been consented to by the Representatives, which will correct such conflict, statement or omission; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions in the Pricing Disclosure Package made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter expressly for use therein.

**4. Covenants and Agreements.** 

The Company covenants and agrees with each of the Underwriters:

(a) That the Company will furnish without charge to the Underwriters a copy of the Registration Statement, including all documents incorporated by reference therein and exhibits filed with the Registration Statement (other than exhibits which are incorporated by reference and have previously been so furnished), and, during the period mentioned in paragraph (c) below, as many written and electronic copies of the Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference therein at or after the date thereof (including documents from which information has been so incorporated) and any supplements and amendments thereto as each Underwriter may reasonably request;

(b) That the Company will cause the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus to be filed pursuant to, and in compliance with, Rule 424(b) and will promptly advise the Underwriters (i) when any amendment to the Registration Statement shall have been filed; provided, that, with respect to documents filed pursuant to the 1934 Act and incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement, such notice shall only be required during such time as the Underwriters are required in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives, based on advice of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act), (ii) of any request by the Commission for any amendment of the Registration Statement, (iii) of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering, (iv) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Notes for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose, and (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notice from the Commission pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the 1933 Act. So long as any Underwriter is required in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives, based on advice of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act), the Company will not file any amendment to the Registration Statement or supplement to the Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus to which the Representatives or Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP shall have reasonably objected in writing and the Company shall furnish one copy of every such amendment or supplement to each of the Representatives and to Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP. If the Commission shall issue a stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, the Company will take such steps to obtain the lifting of that order as promptly as practical. If the Company receives a notice from the Commission pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the 1933 Act, the Company will promptly take such steps including, without limitation, amending the Registration Statement or filing a new registration statement, at its own expense, as may be necessary to permit offers and sales of the Notes by the Underwriters (references herein to the Registration Statement shall include any such amendment or new registration statement);

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(c) That if, at any time when in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives, based on advice of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, the information in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act) is required by law to be delivered by an Underwriter or a dealer, any event shall occur as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of the Representatives, based on advice of Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, or counsel for the Company, to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or modify the information incorporated by reference therein in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances existing when the information in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act) is delivered to a purchaser, not misleading, or if it shall be necessary in the reasonable opinion of any such counsel, to amend or supplement the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or modify such information to comply with law, the Company will forthwith (i) prepare and furnish, at its own expense, to the Underwriters and to the dealers (whose names and addresses the Underwriters will furnish to the Company) to whom Notes may have been sold by the Underwriters and to any other dealers upon reasonable request, either amendments or supplements to the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus or (ii) file with the Commission documents incorporated by reference in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Prospectus, which shall be so supplied to the Underwriters and such dealers, in either case so that the statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus as so amended, supplemented or modified will not, in light of the circumstances when the information in the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the 1933 Act) is delivered to a purchaser, be misleading or so that the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus will comply with law;

(d) That the Company will endeavor to qualify, at its expense, the Notes for offer and sale under the securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as the Underwriters shall reasonably request and to pay all filing fees, reasonable expenses and legal fees in connection therewith and in connection with the determination of the eligibility for investment of the Notes; provided, that the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or a dealer in securities or to file any consents to service of process under the laws of any jurisdiction;

(e) That the Company will make generally available to its security holders and the holders of the Notes as soon as practicable an earnings statement of the Company covering a twelve-month period beginning after the Closing Date which shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including Rule 158 under the 1933 Act); and

(f) That during the period beginning on the date of this Agreement and continuing to and including the Closing Date, the Company will not offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise distribute any notes, any security convertible into or exchangeable into or exercisable for notes or any other debt securities substantially similar to the Notes (except for the Notes issued pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Representatives.

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**5. Expenses.** 

The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) all expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto; (ii) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the issue of the Notes and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Basic Prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus , any other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, and any amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (iii) all reasonable expenses in connection with the qualification of the Notes for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 4(d) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment surveys; (iv) any fees charged by rating services for rating the Notes; (v) the cost of preparing the Notes; (vi) costs and expenses relating to investor presentations or any "road show" in connection with the offering and sale of the Notes including, without limitation, any travel expenses of the Company's officers and employees; (vii) the fees and expenses of the Trustee and any agent of the Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the Indenture; and (viii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 7 and 10 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make and the fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel for the Underwriters.

**6. Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations.** 

The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder shall be subject to the accuracy, at and (except as otherwise stated herein) as of the date hereof, at and as of the Applicable Time, and at and as of the Closing Date, of the representations and warranties made herein by the Company, to compliance at and as of the Closing Date by the Company with its covenants and agreements herein contained and the other provisions hereof to be satisfied at or prior to the Closing Date, and to the following additional conditions:

(a) (i) No stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement shall be in effect, and no proceeding for such purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering shall be pending before or threatened by the Commission and no notice from the Commission pursuant to Rule 401(g)(2) of the 1933 Act shall have been received, (ii) the Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for filing by the rules and regulations under the 1933 Act and in accordance herewith and each Permitted Free Writing Prospectus shall have been filed by the Company with the Commission within the applicable time periods prescribed for such filings by, and otherwise in compliance with Rule 433 under the 1933 Act to the extent so required and (iii) the Underwriters shall have received on and as of the Closing Date, a certificate dated such date, signed by an executive officer (including, without limitation, the Treasurer) of the Company or an executive officer of CenterPoint Energy, to the foregoing effect (which certificate may be to the best of such officer's knowledge after reasonable investigation).

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(b) Subsequent to the execution and delivery of this Agreement, there shall not have occurred (i) any change in the business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as one enterprise which, in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives, is material and adverse and makes it impractical to proceed with completion of the offering or the sale of and payment for the Notes on the terms set forth herein; (ii) any downgrading in the rating of any debt securities of the Company by any "nationally recognized statistical rating organization" (as defined under the 1934 Act), or any public announcement that any such organization has newly placed under surveillance or review its rating of any debt securities of the Company (other than an announcement with positive implications of a possible upgrading, and no implication of a possible downgrading, of such rating); (iii) any material suspension or material limitation of trading in securities generally on the New York Stock Exchange, or on the over-the-counter market or any suspension of trading of any securities of the Company on any exchange or in the over-the-counter market; (iv) any general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by U.S. Federal or New York State authorities; (v) any major disruption of settlements of securities or clearance services in the United States or (vi) any act of terrorism in the United States, any attack on, outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States, any declaration of war by Congress or any other national or international calamity or crisis if, in the judgment of the Representatives, the effect of any such attack, outbreak, escalation, act, declaration, calamity or crisis on the financial markets makes it impractical to proceed with completion of the offering or sale of and payment for the Notes on the terms set forth herein.

(c) Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to you such opinion or opinions, dated the Closing Date, with respect to such matters as you may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters.

(d) Monica Karuturi, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel of the Company, shall have furnished to you her written opinion, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

(i) The Company is validly existing in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes and the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(ii) Each Significant Subsidiary of the Company is validly existing in good standing (if any) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its formation, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and each Significant Subsidiary of the Company is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation, limited partnership or limited liability company in good standing in all other jurisdictions in which its ownership or lease of property or the conduct of its business requires such qualification, except where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected, individually or in the aggregate, to have a Material Adverse Effect;

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(iii) No consent, approval, authorization or other order of, or registration with, any governmental regulatory body (other than such as may be required under applicable state securities laws, as to which such counsel need not express an opinion) is required for the issuance and sale of the Notes being delivered at the Closing Date or for the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the Indenture and the Notes;

(iv) To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending or threatened to which the Company is subject, which, individually or in the aggregate, have a reasonable possibility of having a Material Adverse Effect;

(v) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement, the Indenture and the issuance and sale of the Notes, will not result in the breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, (a) the Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws or other organizational documents of the Company, each as amended to date, (b) any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust or other agreement or instrument for borrowed money to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound or to which its property is subject or (c) any law, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or its property, in any manner which, in the case of clause (b), individually or in the aggregate, would have a Material Adverse Effect;

(vi) The description of statutes and regulations set forth in Part I of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 under the captions "Business—Regulation" and "Business—Environmental Matters," and those described elsewhere in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, fairly describe in all material respects the portions of the statutes and regulations addressed thereby; and

(vii) Such counsel does not know of any contracts or documents of a character required to be described in the Registration Statement, Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement which are not so described or filed.

(e) Baker Botts L.L.P., counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to you their written opinion, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to you, to the effect that:

(i) The statements set forth in (A) the Pricing Disclosure Package under the caption "Description of the Notes" and those in the Basic Prospectus under the caption "Description of Our Senior Debt Securities," taken together, and (B) the Prospectus under the caption "Description of the Notes" and those in the Basic Prospectus under the caption "Description of Our Senior Debt Securities," taken together, accurately summarize in all material respects the terms of the Notes;

(ii) The Notes are in the form prescribed in or pursuant to the Indenture, have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and, when duly executed, issued and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms and

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will be entitled to the benefits afforded by the Indenture, except as such enforceability and entitlement are subject to the effect of (a) any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, arrangement, fraudulent transfer or conveyance, moratorium, conservatorship and similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, (b) general principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and (c) principles of materiality and reasonableness and implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing (together, the "**Enforceability Exceptions**");

(iii) The execution and delivery of the Indenture have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company; the Indenture has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company; the Indenture constitutes a valid and binding instrument enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability is subject to the Enforceability Exceptions;

(iv) The Indenture has been duly qualified under the TIA;

(v) The Registration Statement has become effective under the 1933 Act, and, to such counsel's knowledge, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the 1933 Act against the Company or related to the offering of the Notes have been instituted and are pending by the Commission under the 1933 Act;

(vi) The execution, delivery and performance by the Company of this Agreement has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company, and this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by the Company;

(vii) The Company is not and, immediately after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Notes and the application of the proceeds therefrom as described in the Pricing Disclosure Package and Prospectus, will not be required to register as an "investment company" as defined in the Investment Company Act; and

(viii) Although the discussion set forth in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus under the heading "Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences" does not purport to discuss all possible United States Federal tax consequences of the purchase, ownership, and disposition of the Notes, such discussion constitutes, in all material respects, a fair and accurate summary of the United States Federal income tax consequences of the ownership of the Notes and the disposition of the Notes by the holders addressed therein, based upon current law and subject to the qualifications set forth therein.

In addition, the opinion shall contain a section or paragraph substantially to the following effect:

Such counsel has reviewed the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus and has participated in conferences with officers and other representatives of the Company, with representatives of the Company's independent registered public accounting firm and with the Underwriters and their counsel, at which the contents of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus and related matters were discussed. The purpose of their professional engagement was not to establish or confirm factual matters set forth in the

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Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package or the Prospectus, and they have not undertaken to verify independently any of the factual matters in such documents. Moreover, many of the determinations required to be made in the preparation of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus involve matters of a non-legal nature. Accordingly, they are not passing upon, and do not assume any responsibility for, the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the statements contained or included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus (except to the extent stated in subparagraphs (i) and (viii) above). Subject to the foregoing and on the basis of the information they gained in the course of performing the services referred to above, they advise the Underwriters that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;I. the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Time, the Preliminary Prospectus, as of the Applicable Time, the Pricing Term Sheet, as of its date, and the Prospectus, as of its date and the Closing Date, appear on their face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the 1933 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and each document incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Time, and the Prospectus, as of its date and the Closing Date, as originally filed pursuant to the 1934 Act, appears on its face to be appropriately responsive in all material respects to the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;II. nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1) the Registration Statement, as of the Effective Time, contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, included an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(3) the Prospectus, as of its date or as of the Closing Date, included or includes an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

it being understood that in each case they have not been asked to, and do not, express any belief with respect to (a) the financial statements and schedules or other financial, accounting or statistical information contained or included or incorporated by reference therein or omitted therefrom, (b) representations and warranties and other statements of fact contained in the exhibits to the Registration Statement or documents incorporated by reference therein or (c) that part of the Registration Statement that constitutes the Form T-1.

For purposes of such opinion, the term "Effective Time" shall mean the earlier of the date the Prospectus is first used or the date and time of the first contract of sale for the Notes.

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(f) At the time of execution of this Agreement, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished to you a letter dated the date of such execution, substantially in the form heretofore supplied and deemed satisfactory to you with respect to the audited and unaudited consolidated financial statements and certain financial information of the Company included or incorporated by reference into the Registration Statement.

(g) At the Closing Date, Deloitte & Touche LLP shall have furnished you a letter, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that such accountants reaffirm, as of the Closing Date and as though made on the Closing Date, the statements made in the letter furnished by such accountants pursuant to paragraph (f) of this Section 6, except that the specified date referred to in such letter will be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Date.

(h) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to you at the Closing Date certificates of the President or any Vice President and a principal financial or accounting officer of the Company in which such officers, to the best of their knowledge after reasonable investigation, shall state that (i) the representations and warranties of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct, (ii) the Company has complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date, (iii) subsequent to the date of the most recent financial statements in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, there has been no material adverse change in the business, financial condition, prospects or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole except as set forth in or contemplated by the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus or as described in such certificate and (iv) as to such other matters as you may reasonably request.

(i) No action shall have been taken and no statute, rule, regulation or order shall have been enacted, adopted or issued by any governmental agency or body which would as of the Closing Date, prevent the issuance or the sale of the Notes; and no injunction, restraining order or order of any other nature by any court of competent jurisdiction shall have been issued as of the Closing Date which would prevent the issuance or sale of the Notes.

(j) The Notes shall be eligible for clearance and settlement through DTC.

**7. Indemnification and Contribution.** 

(a) The Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter, its affiliates, the directors and officers of each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls each Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending against any claims therefor and counsel fees incurred in connection therewith as such expenses are incurred), joint or several, which may be based upon either the 1933 Act, or the 1934 Act, or any other statute or at common law, on the ground or alleged ground that the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Basic Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (or any such document, as from time to time amended, or deemed to be amended, supplemented or modified) includes or allegedly includes an untrue statement of material fact or omits or allegedly omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, unless such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with,

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written information furnished to the Company by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, any Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood and agreed that the only such information consists of the information described as such in subsection (b) below; provided that in no case is the Company to be liable with respect to any claims made against any Underwriter or any such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person unless such Underwriter or such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person shall have notified the Company in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon such Underwriter or such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person, but failure to notify the Company of any such claim (i) shall not relieve the Company from liability under this paragraph unless and to the extent the Company did not otherwise learn of such claim and such failure results in the forfeiture by the Company of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) shall not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to such Underwriter or such affiliate, director, officer or controlling person otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph.

The Company will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, but, if the Company elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it; provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Underwriters. In the event that the Company elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retains such counsel, the Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers, controlling person or persons, defendant or defendants in the suit, may retain additional counsel but shall bear the fees and expenses of such counsel unless (i) the Company shall have specifically authorized the retaining of such counsel or (ii) the parties to such suit include the Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers or controlling person or persons and the Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers or controlling person or persons and the Company have been advised by such counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it or them which may not be available to the Company, in which case the Company shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such suit on behalf of such Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers or controlling person or persons, notwithstanding their obligation to bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, it being understood, however, that the Company shall not, in connection with any one such suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (and not more than one local counsel) at any time for all such Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers or controlling person or persons, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Representatives. The Company shall not be liable to indemnify any person for any settlement of any such claim effected without the Company's prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Company shall not, without the prior written consent of the Underwriter or Underwriters or affiliate or affiliates, director or directors, officer or officers or controlling person or persons, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which any Underwriter or affiliate, director, officer or controlling person is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by such Underwriter or affiliate, director, officer or controlling person, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (x) includes an unconditional release of such indemnified party

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from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (y) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any Underwriter or affiliate, director, officer or controlling person. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company might otherwise have.

(b) Each Underwriter agrees severally and not jointly to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of the Company's directors, each of the Company's officers who have signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses (including the reasonable cost of investigating and defending against any claims therefor and counsel fees incurred in connection therewith as such expenses are incurred), joint or several, which may be based upon the 1933 Act, or any other statute or at common law, on the ground or alleged ground that the Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus, the Basic Prospectus, the Preliminary Prospectus, any Permitted Free Writing Prospectus, the Prospectus or any other Issuer Free Writing Prospectus (or any such document, as from time to time amended, or deemed to be amended, supplemented or modified) includes or allegedly includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits or allegedly omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading, but only insofar as any such statement or omission was made in reliance upon, and in conformity with, written information furnished to the Company by, or through the Representatives on behalf of, such Underwriter specifically for use in the preparation thereof, it being understood and agreed that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus: the information in the third paragraph, the third and fourth sentences of the fifth paragraph, the sixth paragraph and the seventh paragraph, under the heading "Underwriting (Conflicts of Interest)"; provided that in no case is such Underwriter to be liable with respect to any claims made against the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person unless the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person shall have notified such Underwriter in writing within a reasonable time after the summons or other first legal process giving information of the nature of the claim shall have been served upon the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person, but failure to notify such Underwriter of any such claim (i) shall not relieve such Underwriter from liability under this paragraph unless and to the extent such Underwriter did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in the forfeiture by such Underwriter of substantial rights and defenses and (ii) shall not relieve such Underwriter from any liability which it may have to the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person otherwise than on account of the indemnity agreement contained in this paragraph. Such Underwriter will be entitled to participate at its own expense in the defense, or, if it so elects, to assume the defense of any suit brought to enforce any such liability, but, if such Underwriter elects to assume the defense, such defense shall be conducted by counsel chosen by it; provided, however, that such counsel shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Company. In the event that such Underwriter elects to assume the defense of any such suit and retain such counsel, the Company or such director, officer or controlling person, defendant or defendants in the suit, may retain additional counsel but shall bear the fees and expenses of such counsel unless (i) such Underwriter shall have specifically authorized the retaining of such counsel or (ii) the parties to such suit include the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person and such Underwriter and the Company or such director, officer or controlling person have been advised by such counsel that one or more legal defenses may be available to it or them which may not be available to such Underwriter, in which case such Underwriter shall not be entitled to assume the defense of such

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suit on behalf of the Company or such director, officer or controlling person, notwithstanding its obligation to bear the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel, it being understood, however, that such Underwriter shall not, in connection with any one such suit or proceeding or separate but substantially similar or related actions or proceedings in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the reasonable fees and expenses of more than one separate firm of attorneys (and not more than one local counsel) at any time for all of the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person, which firm shall be designated in writing by the Company. Such Underwriter shall not be liable to indemnify any person for any settlement of any such claim effected without such Underwriter's prior written consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. No Underwriter shall, without the prior written consent of the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person, effect any settlement, compromise or consent to the entry of judgment in any pending or threatened action, suit or proceeding in respect of which the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person is or could have been a party and indemnity was or could have been sought hereunder by the Company or director, officer or controlling person, unless such settlement, compromise or consent (x) includes an unconditional release of the Company or director, officer or controlling person from all liability on claims that are the subject matter of such action, suit or proceeding and (y) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or failure to act by or on behalf of the Company or any such director, officer or controlling person. This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which such Underwriter might otherwise have.

(c) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in subsection (a) or (b) above (i) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Notes or (ii) if the allocation provided by clause (i) above is not permitted by applicable law, in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters from the Company under this Agreement. The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company or the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such untrue statement or omission. The amount paid by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to in the first sentence of this subsection (c) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any action or claim which is the subject of this subsection (c). Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (c), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Notes purchased by it were resold exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person

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guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The Underwriters' obligations in this subsection (c) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective purchase obligations and not joint.

**8. Substitution of Underwriters.** 

If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Notes which it has agreed to purchase hereunder and the aggregate principal amount of such Notes which such defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase does not exceed 10% of the total principal amount of Notes, the non-defaulting Underwriters may make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the purchase of the aggregate principal amount of such Notes by other persons, including any of the non-defaulting Underwriters, but if no such arrangements are made by the Closing Date, the non-defaulting Underwriters shall be obligated severally, in proportion to their respective commitments hereunder, to purchase the Notes that such defaulting Underwriter agreed but failed to purchase. If any Underwriter or Underwriters shall so default and the aggregate principal amount of Notes with respect to which such default or defaults occur exceeds 10% of the total principal amount of Notes and arrangements satisfactory to the non-defaulting Underwriters and the Company for the purchase of such Notes by other persons are not made within 36 hours after such default, this Agreement will terminate.

If the non-defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters or substituted underwriter or underwriters are required hereby or agree to take up all or part of the Notes of the defaulting Underwriter as provided in this Section 8, (i) the Company shall have the right to postpone the Closing Date for a period of not more than five full business days, in order that the Company may effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement, Pricing Disclosure Package or Prospectus or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to promptly file any amendments to the Registration Statement or supplements to the Prospectus which may thereby be made necessary, and (ii) the respective aggregate principal amount of Notes which the non-defaulting Underwriters or substituted purchaser or purchasers shall thereafter be obligated to purchase shall be taken as the basis of their underwriting obligation for all purposes of this Agreement. Nothing herein contained shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its liability to the Company or the non-defaulting Underwriters for damages occasioned by its default hereunder. Any termination of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 8 shall be without liability on the part of the non-defaulting Underwriters or the Company, other than as provided in Sections 7 and 10.

**9. Survival of Indemnities, Representations, Warranties, etc.** 

The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Notes.

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**10. Termination.** 

If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 8 or if for any reason the purchase of the Notes by the Underwriters is not consummated, the Company shall remain responsible for the expenses to be paid or reimbursed by it pursuant to Section 5 and the respective obligations of the Company and the Underwriters pursuant to Section 7 shall remain in effect. If the purchase of the Notes by the Underwriters is not consummated for any reason other than solely because of the termination of this Agreement pursuant to Section 8 or the occurrence of any event specified in clause (iii), (iv), (v) or (vi) of Section 6(b), the Company will reimburse the Underwriters for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) reasonably incurred by them in connection with the offering of the Notes.

**11. Notices.** 

In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by the Representatives.

All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and (i) if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail or facsimile transmission to the Underwriters in care of Mizuho Securities USA LLC, 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10020, Attention: Debt Capital Markets, Fax No.: (212) 205-7812; Scotia Capital (USA) Inc., 250 Vesey Street, New York, New York 10281, Attention: Debt Capital Markets, E-mail: US.legal@scotiabank.com and TAG@scotiabank.com; TD Securities (USA) LLC, 1 Vanderbilt Avenue, 11<sup>th</sup> Floor, New York, New York 10017, Attention: Transaction Management Group, E-mail: UStransactionadvisorygroup@tdsecurities.com; Truist Securities, Inc., 3333 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30326, Attention: Investment Grade Capital Markets, Fax No. (404) 926-5027; U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc., 214 North Tryon Street, 26th Floor, EX-NC-WSTC, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, Attention: High Grade Syndicate, Fax No.: (704) 335-2393; and (ii) if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, e-mail or facsimile transmission to the Company, 1111 Louisiana Street, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Monica Karuturi, Esq., E-mail: monica.karuturi@centerpointenergy.com, Fax No.: (713) 207-0141. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

**12. Successors.** 

This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the several Underwriters and the Company and their respective successors and the directors, officers and controlling persons referred to in Section 7 of this Agreement. Nothing expressed or mentioned in this Agreement is intended or shall be construed to give any person other than the persons mentioned in the preceding sentence any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in respect of this Agreement, or any provisions herein contained; this Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof being intended to be, and being, for the sole and exclusive benefit of such persons and for the benefit of no other person; except that the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the Company contained in this Agreement shall also be for the benefit of the person or persons, if any, who control any Underwriter within the meaning of the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, and the representations, warranties, covenants, agreements and indemnities of the several Underwriters shall also be for the benefit of each director of the Company, each person who has signed the Registration Statement and the person or persons, if any, who control the Company within the meaning of the 1933 Act.

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**13. Relationship.** 

The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Notes pursuant to this Agreement is an arm's-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement and (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate. The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

**14. Applicable Law.** 

This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

The Company hereby submits to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal and state courts in the Borough of Manhattan in The City of New York in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

**15. Waiver of Jury Trial.** 

Each of the parties hereto hereby waives any right to trial by jury in any suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement.

**16. Patriot Act.** 

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the names and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the Underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

**17. Counterparts.** 

This Agreement may be executed by any one or more of the parties hereto in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts shall together constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or any other rapid transmission device designed to produce a written record of the communication transmitted shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart thereof.

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The words "execution," "executed," "signed," signature," and words of like import in this Agreement or in any other certificate, agreement or document related to this Agreement shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, "pdf," "tif" or "jpg") and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code.

**18. Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.** 

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) For purpose of this Section 18, (A) the term "BHC Act Affiliate" has the meaning assigned to the term "affiliate" in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k); (B) the term "Covered Entity" means any of the following: (1) a "covered entity" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b); (2) a "covered bank" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or (3) a "covered FSI" as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b); (C) the term "Default Rights" has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable; and (D) the term "U.S. Special Resolution Regime" means each of (1) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (2) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

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If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof and upon the acceptance hereof by you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on your part as to the authority of the signers thereof.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Very truly yours, | Very truly yours, |
| CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. |
| By: | /s/ Jason P. Wells |
| Name: | Jason P. Wells |
| Title: | President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Accepted as of the date hereof: | Accepted as of the date hereof: |
| MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC | MIZUHO SECURITIES USA LLC |
| By: | /s/ W. Scott Trachsel |
|  | Name: W. Scott Trachsel |
|  | Title: Managing Director |
| SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC. | SCOTIA CAPITAL (USA) INC. |
| By: | /s/ Elsa Wang |
|  | Name: Elsa Wang |
|  | Title: Managing Director |
| TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC | TD SECURITIES (USA) LLC |
| By: | /s/ Luiz Lanfredi |
|  | Name: Luiz Lanfredi |
|  | Title: Director |
| TRUIST SECURITIES, INC. | TRUIST SECURITIES, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Robert Nordlinger |
|  | Name: Robert Nordlinger |
|  | Title: Director |
| U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC. | U.S. BANCORP INVESTMENTS, INC. |
| By: | /s/ Brent Kreissl |
|  | Name: Brent Kreissl |
|  | Title: Managing Director |

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For Themselves and as Representatives of the Underwriters Listed on Schedule I

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**SCHEDULE I** 

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Underwriters** | **Principal Amount of<br>Underwriters' 2028<br>Notes** | **Principal Amount of<br>Underwriters' 2033<br>Notes** |
|  Mizuho Securities USA LLC | $84000000 | 84000000 |
|  Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. | 84000000 | 84000000 |
|  TD Securities (USA) LLC | 84000000 | 84000000 |
|  Truist Securities, Inc. | 84000000 | 84000000 |
|  U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. | 84000000 | 84000000 |
|  BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC | 36000000 | 36000000 |
|  Citigroup Global Markets Inc. | 36000000 | 36000000 |
|  Comerica Securities, Inc. | 36000000 | 36000000 |
|  PNC Capital Markets LLC | 36000000 | 36000000 |
|  Academy Securities, Inc. | 18000000 | 18000000 |
|  Loop Capital Markets LLC | 18000000 | 18000000 |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Total: | $600000000 | 600000000 |

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**SCHEDULE II** 

**PRICING TERM SHEET** 

(to Preliminary Prospectus Supplement dated February 21, 2023)

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Issuer: | CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp. |  |
| Legal Format: | SEC Registered |  |
| Anticipated Ratings\*: | Intentionally omitted in exhibit format |  |
| Security: | 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028 | 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033 |
| Size: | $600000000 | $600000000 |
| Maturity Date: | March 1, 2028 | March 1, 2033 |
| Interest Payment Dates: | Semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1, commencing September 1, 2023 | Semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1, commencing September 1, 2023 |
| Coupon Rate: | 5.25% | 5.40% |
| Price to Public: | 99.680% | 99.975% |
| Benchmark Treasury: | 3.500% due January 31, 2028 | 3.500% due February 15, 2033 |
| Benchmark Treasury Yield: | 4.173% | 3.953% |
| Spread to Benchmark Treasury: | +115 basis points | +145 basis points |
| Re-offer Yield: | 5.323% | 5.403% |
| Optional Redemption: | Prior to February 1, 2028, greater of: (1)(a) make-whole at treasury rate<sup>[1]</sup> plus 20 basis points (calculated to February 1, 2028), less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption and (2) 100%, plus in either case, accrued and unpaid interest. On or after February 1, 2028, 100% plus accrued and unpaid interest. | Prior to December 1, 2032, greater of: (1)(a) make-whole at treasury rate<sup>[1]</sup> plus 25 basis points (calculated to December 1, 2032), less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption and (2) 100%, plus in either case, accrued and unpaid interest. On or after December 1, 2032, 100% plus accrued and unpaid interest. |
| CUSIP: | 15189YAG1 | 15189YAH9 |
| Trade Date: | February 21, 2023 |  |
| Expected Settlement Date: | February 23, 2023 (T+2) |  |
| Joint Book-Running Managers: | Mizuho Securities USA LLC<br> Scotia Capital (USA) Inc.<br> TD Securities (USA) LLC<br> Truist Securities, Inc.<br> U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc.<br> BNY Mellon Capital Markets, LLC<br> Citigroup Global Markets Inc.<br> Comerica Securities, Inc.<br> PNC Capital Markets LLC |  |
| Co-Managers: | Academy Securities, Inc.<br> Loop Capital Markets LLC |  |

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<sup>[1]</sup> The term "treasury rate" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in the issuer's preliminary prospectus supplement dated February 21, 2023.

\* Note: A securities rating is not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal at any time.

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The issuer has filed a registration statement (including a prospectus) with the SEC for the offering to which this communication relates. Before you invest, you should read the prospectus in that registration statement and other documents the issuer has filed with the SEC for more complete information about the issuer and this offering. You may get these documents for free by visiting EDGAR on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Alternatively, the issuer, any underwriter or any dealer participating in the offering will arrange to send you the prospectus if you request it by calling Mizuho Securities USA LLC toll-free at (866) 271-7403, Scotia Capital (USA) Inc. toll-free at (800) 372-3930, TD Securities (USA) LLC toll-free at (855) 495-9846, Truist Securities, Inc. toll-free at (800) 685-4786 or U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. toll-free at (877) 558-2607.

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**SCHEDULE III** 

**PRICING DISCLOSURE PACKAGE** 

1) Preliminary Prospectus dated February 21, 2023

2) Pricing Term Sheet attached as Schedule II hereto

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**SCHEDULE IV** 

**PERMITTED FREE WRITING PROSPECTUSES** 

1. Pricing Term Sheet attached as Schedule II hereto

## Exhibit 4.2

**Exhibit 4.2** 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

(formerly known as NorAm Energy Corp.)

To

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.

(successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association))

Trustee

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SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 23

Dated as of February 23, 2023

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$600,000,000 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028

$600,000,000 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033

------

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 23

5.25% Senior Notes due 2028

5.40% Senior Notes due 2033

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 23, dated as of February 23, 2023, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., a Delaware corporation formerly known as NorAm Energy Corp. (the "<u>Company</u>"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as Trustee (the "<u>Trustee</u>").

RECITALS

The Company has heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998 (the "<u>Original Indenture</u>" and, as previously and hereby supplemented and amended, the "<u>Indenture</u>"), providing for the issuance from time to time of one or more series of the Company's Securities.

The Company has changed its name from "NorAm Energy Corp." to "CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp." and all references in the Indenture to the "Company" or "NorAm Energy Corp." shall be deemed to refer to CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.

Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide for the establishment of two new series of Securities to be designated as the "5.25% Senior Notes due 2028" (the "<u>2028 Notes</u>") and the "5.40% Senior Notes due 2033" (the "<u>2033 Notes</u>" and, together with the 2028 Notes, the "<u>Notes</u>"), the form and substance of such Notes and the terms, provisions and conditions thereof to be set forth as provided in the Original Indenture and this Supplemental Indenture No. 23.

Section 301 of the Original Indenture provides that various matters with respect to any series of Securities issued under the Indenture may be established in an indenture supplemental to the Indenture.

Subparagraph (7) of Section 901 of the Original Indenture provides that the Company and the Trustee may enter into an indenture supplemental to the Indenture to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted by Sections 201 and 301 of the Original Indenture.

For and in consideration of the premises and the issuance of the series of Securities provided for herein, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of the Holders of the Securities of such series, as follows:

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ARTICLE ONE

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions

Section 101 *Relation to Indenture*. This Supplemental Indenture No. 23 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

Section 102 *Additional Definitions.* For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 23:

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Supplement Indenture No. 23 have the meaning given such terms in the Original Indenture. Capitalized terms defined in both this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 and in the Original Indenture have the meaning given such terms in this Supplemental Indenture No. 23.

"<u>2028 Notes</u>" has the meaning set forth in the third paragraph of the Recitals hereof.

"<u>2033 Notes</u>" has the meaning set forth in the third paragraph of the Recitals hereof.

"<u>2028 Notes Maturity Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof.

"<u>2033 Notes Maturity Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof.

"<u>2028 Notes Par Call Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 401 hereof.

"<u>2033 Notes Par Call Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 401 hereof.

"<u>Authorized Officers</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 606 hereof.

"<u>Business Day</u>" means, with respect to any Note, any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions or trust companies in The City of New York are generally authorized or required by law or executive order to remain closed. If any Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date of a Note falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the required payment will be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on the relevant date that the payment was due and no interest will accrue on such payment for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date, Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be, to the date of that payment on the next succeeding Business Day.

"<u>Consolidated Net Tangible Assets</u>" means the total amount of assets of the Company, including the assets of its Subsidiaries, less, without duplication: (a) total current liabilities (excluding indebtedness due within 12 months); (b) all reserves for depreciation and other asset valuation reserves, but excluding reserves for deferred federal income taxes; (c) all intangible assets such as goodwill, trademarks, trade names, patents and unamortized debt discount and expense carried as an asset; and (d) all appropriate adjustments on account of minority interests of other Persons holding common stock of any Subsidiary, all as reflected in the Company's most recent audited consolidated balance sheet preceding the date of such determination.

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"<u>control</u>" (including the terms "controlled by" and "under common control with") means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting shares, by contract, or otherwise.

"<u>Corporate Trust Office</u>" means the principal office of the Trustee at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be administered, which office as of the date hereof is located at: 601 Travis Street, 16th Floor, Houston, Texas 77002, Attention: Global Corporate Trust; telephone: (713) 483-6817; telecopy: (713) 483-7038.

"<u>Electronic Means</u>" means the following communications methods: e-mail, facsimile transmission, secure electronic transmission containing applicable authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys issued by the Trustee, or another method or system specified by the Trustee as available for use in connection with its services hereunder.

"<u>Equity Interests</u>" means any capital stock, partnership, joint venture, member or limited liability or unlimited liability company interest, beneficial interest in a trust or similar entity or other equity interest or investment of whatever nature.

"<u>H.15</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 402 hereof.

"<u>H.15 TCM</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 402 hereof.

"<u>Finance Lease</u>" means a lease that, in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, would be recorded as a finance lease on the balance sheet of the lessee, but excluding, for the avoidance of doubt, any operating leases or any other non-finance leases.

"<u>indebtedness</u>" means, as applied to the Company or any Subsidiary, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by the Company or any such Subsidiary, including any and all: (i) obligations for money borrowed (other than unamortized debt discount or premium); (ii) obligations evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any business, properties or assets of any kind; (iii) obligations as lessee under a Finance Lease; and (iv) amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligation listed in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness secured by a lien upon property owned by the Company or any Subsidiary and upon which indebtedness the Company or any such Subsidiary customarily pays interest, although the Company or any such Subsidiary has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of the Company or any such Subsidiary. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by other Persons which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by the Company or any

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Subsidiary shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of the Company or any such Subsidiary, as applicable, but no other contingent obligation of the Company or any such Subsidiary in respect of indebtedness incurred by other Persons shall for any purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of the Company or any such Subsidiary.

"<u>Instructions</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 606 hereof.

"<u>Interest Payment Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof.

"<u>Issue Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof.

"<u>Lien</u>" means any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit arrangement, charge, security interest, encumbrance or lien of any kind whatsoever (including any Finance Lease).

"<u>Maturity Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof.

"<u>Non-Recourse Debt</u>" means (i) any indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any Project Finance Subsidiary to finance the acquisition, improvement, installation, design, engineering, construction, development, completion, maintenance or operation of, or otherwise to pay costs and expenses relating to or providing financing for, any project, which indebtedness for borrowed money does not provide for recourse against the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than a Project Finance Subsidiary and such recourse as exists under a Performance Guaranty) or any property or asset of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company (other than Equity Interests in, or the property or assets of, a Project Finance Subsidiary and such recourse as exists under a Performance Guaranty) and (ii) any refinancing of such indebtedness for borrowed money that does not increase the outstanding principal amount thereof (other than to pay costs incurred in connection therewith and the capitalization of any interest or fees) at the time of the refinancing or increase the property subject to any lien securing such indebtedness for borrowed money or otherwise add additional security or support for such indebtedness for borrowed money.

"<u>Notes</u>" has the meaning set forth in the third paragraph of the Recitals hereof.

"<u>Original Indenture</u>" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof.

"<u>Par Call Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 401 hereof.

"<u>Performance Guaranty</u>" means any guaranty issued in connection with any Non-Recourse Debt that (i) if secured, is secured only by assets of or Equity Interests in a Project Finance Subsidiary, and (ii) guarantees to the provider of such Non-Recourse Debt or any other person (a) performance of the improvement, installation, design, engineering, construction, acquisition, development, completion, maintenance or operation of, or otherwise affects any such act in respect of, all or any portion of the project that is financed by such Non-Recourse Debt, (b) completion of the minimum agreed equity or other contributions or support to the relevant Project Finance Subsidiary, or (c) performance by a Project Finance Subsidiary of obligations to persons other than the provider of such Non-Recourse Debt.

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"<u>Project Finance Subsidiary</u>" means any Subsidiary designated by the Company whose principal purpose is to incur Non-Recourse Debt and/or construct, lease, own or operate the assets financed thereby, or to become a direct or indirect partner, member or other equity participant or owner in a Person created for such purpose, and substantially all the assets of which Subsidiary or Person are limited to (x) those assets being financed (or to be financed), or the operation of which is being financed (or to be financed), in whole or in part by Non-Recourse Debt, or (y) Equity Interests in, or indebtedness or other obligations of, one or more other such Subsidiaries or Persons, or (z) indebtedness or other obligations of the Company or any Subsidiary or other Persons. At the time of designation of any Project Finance Subsidiary, the sum of the net book value of the assets of such Subsidiary and the net book value of the assets of all other Project Finance Subsidiaries then existing shall not in the aggregate exceed 10 percent of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.

"<u>Regular Record Date</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof.

"<u>Remaining Life</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 402 hereof.

"<u>Subsidiary</u>" of any entity means any corporation, partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust or estate of which (or in which) more than 50% of (i) the issued and outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the Board of Directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether at the time capital stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency), (ii) the interest in the capital or profits of such limited liability company, partnership, joint venture or other entity or (iii) the beneficial interest in such trust or estate is at the time directly or indirectly owned or controlled by such entity, by such entity and one or more of its other subsidiaries or by one or more of such entity's other subsidiaries.

"<u>Treasury Rate</u>" has the meaning set forth in Section 402 hereof.

All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 23.

The terms "herein," "hereof," "hereunder" and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 23.

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ARTICLE TWO

The Series of Securities

Section 201 *Title of the Securities.* The 2028 Notes shall be designated as the "5.25% Senior Notes due 2028" and the 2033 Notes shall be designated as the "5.40% Senior Notes due 2033."

Section 202 *Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount*. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) the 2028 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000 and (ii) the 2033 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $600,000,000, upon a Company Order for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Sections 301 and 303 of the Original Indenture. Such order shall specify the amount of the Notes to be authenticated, the date on which the original issue of Notes is to be authenticated and the name or names of the initial Holder or Holders. The aggregate principal amount of the 2028 Notes and 2033 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $600,000,000 and $600,000,000, respectively; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of either series of the Notes may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Section 203 *Stated Maturity*. The Stated Maturity of the 2028 Notes shall be March 1, 2028 (the "<u>2028 Notes Maturity Date</u>"), and the Stated Maturity of the 2033 Notes shall be March 1, 2033 (the "<u>2033 Notes Maturity Date</u>").

Section 204 *Interest and Interest Rates.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The 2028 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 5.25% per year, from and including February 23, 2023 (the "<u>Issue Date</u>") to, but excluding, the 2028 Notes Maturity Date. The 2033 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 5.40% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2033 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semi-annually in arrears on March 1 and September 1 of each year (each an "<u>Interest</u> <u>Payment Date</u>"), beginning September 1, 2023, to the persons in whose names the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on February 15 and August 15 (each a "<u>Regular Record Date</u>") (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either (i) be paid to the Person in whose name such Note (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of such Notes not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or (ii) be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which such Notes may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in the Indenture.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c) The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on a Note is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable.

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d) Any principal and premium, if any, and any installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 5.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2028 Notes, or 5.40% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2033 Notes, in each case from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand.

Section 205 *Paying Agent; Place of Payment*. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Paying Agent for the Notes. The Company may appoint and change any Paying Agent or approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts without notice, other than notice to the Trustee. The Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates may act as Paying Agent. The Place of Payment where the Notes may be presented or surrendered for payment shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee. At the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Section 206 *Place of Registration or Exchange; Notices and Demands With Respect to the Notes*. The place where the Holders of the Notes may present the Notes for registration of transfer or exchange and may make notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Notes shall be the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

Section 207 *Percentage of Principal Amount*. The 2028 Notes and 2033 Notes shall be initially issued at 99.680% and 99.975% of their principal amount, respectively, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date.

Section 208 *Global Securities*. The Notes shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities. Such Global Securities shall be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, which shall act as Depositary with respect to the Notes. Such Global Securities shall bear the legends set forth in the forms of Security attached as <u>Exhibit A</u> and <u>Exhibit B</u> hereto.

Section 209 *Form of Securities*. The 2028 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as <u>Exhibit A</u> hereto and the 2033 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as <u>Exhibit B</u> hereto.

Section 210 *Securities Registrar*. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes.

Section 211 *Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance.*

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by Section 211(b) hereof), shall apply to each series of the Notes.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Solely with respect to each series of the Notes issued hereby, the first sentence of Section 1403 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

"Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section 1403 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1) the Company shall be released from its obligations under Article Eight and under any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, including without limitation, the covenants provided for in Article Three of Supplemental Indenture No. 23 to the Indenture, and (2) the occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to Article Eight and to any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(20), 901(2) or 901(7)) and 501(7) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section 1403 on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1404 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance")."

Section 212 *Sinking Fund Obligations*. The Company shall have no obligation to redeem or purchase any Notes pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous requirement or upon the happening of a specified event or at the option of a Holder thereof.

ARTICLE THREE

Additional Covenants

Section 301. *Maintenance of Properties.* The Company shall cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment and shall cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all times; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that nothing in this Section 301 shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the business of any Subsidiary.

Section 302. *Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.* The Company shall pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company or any Subsidiary; <u>provided</u>, <u>however</u>, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings.

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ARTICLE FOUR

Optional Redemption of the Notes

Section 401 *Redemption Price*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Prior to February 1, 2028, in the case of the 2028 Notes (the "<u>2028 Notes Par Call Date</u>"), or December 1, 2032, in the case of the 2033 Notes (the "<u>2033 Notes Par Call Date</u>"; each of the 2028 Notes Par Call Date and the 2033 Notes Par Call Date, a "<u>Par Call Date</u>"), the Company may redeem the 2028 Notes or the 2033 Notes, respectively, at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes of such series to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Notes to be redeemed matured on the applicable Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points for the 2028 Notes or 25 basis points for the 2033 Notes less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) On or after the 2028 Notes Par Call Date, in the case of the 2028 Notes, or the 2033 Notes Par Call Date, in the case of the 2033 Notes, the Company may redeem, at its option, the 2028 Notes or the 2033 Notes, respectively, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

Section 402 *Calculation.* 

"<u>Treasury Rate</u>" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication) ("<u>H.15</u>") under the caption "U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("<u>H.15 TCM</u>"). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the applicable Par Call Date (the "<u>Remaining Life</u>"); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly

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equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the applicable Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the applicable Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM or any successor designation or publication is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the applicable Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the applicable Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the applicable Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the applicable Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the applicable Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the applicable Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company's actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

Section 403 *Partial Redemption*. If fewer than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Article Four, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Notes or portions thereof called for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Notes of such series not previously called by lot by the Trustee. The Trustee may select for redemption Notes and portions of Notes in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. A new Note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of the original Note shall be issued upon the cancellation of the original Note. In the case of a partial redemption of Notes of a series registered in the name of Cede & Co., the Notes to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company.

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Section 404 *Notice of Optional Redemption*.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption by first-class mail (or otherwise transmitted in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 10 days and not more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for redemption to each holder of Notes to be redeemed. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Notes or portions thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption shall state the portion of the principal amount to be redeemed.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Notice of any redemption of Notes may, at the Company's discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to, completion of a corporate transaction that is pending (such as an equity or equity-linked offering, an incurrence of indebtedness or an acquisition or other strategic transaction involving a change of control in the Company or another Person). If such redemption is so subject to satisfaction of one or more conditions precedent, such notice shall describe each such condition, and such notice may be rescinded in the event that any or all such conditions shall not have been satisfied or otherwise waived on or prior to the Business Day immediately preceding the relevant redemption date. The Company shall notify holders of Notes of any such rescission as soon as practicable after it determines that such conditions precedent will not be able to be satisfied or the Company is not able or willing to waive such conditions precedent.

ARTICLE FIVE

Remedies

Section 501 *Additional Event of Default; Acceleration of Maturity.*

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof as an Event of Default in addition to the other events set forth in Section 501 of the Original Indenture:

"(7) the default by the Company or any Subsidiary, other than a Project Finance Subsidiary, in the payment, when due, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of principal of indebtedness for money borrowed, other than Non-Recourse Debt, in the aggregate principal amount then outstanding of $125 million or more, or acceleration of any indebtedness for money borrowed in such aggregate principal amount so that it becomes due and payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable and such acceleration is not rescinded or such default is not cured within 30 days after there has been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the holders of at least 33% in principal amount of the Notes of such series Outstanding written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such acceleration to be rescinded or such default to be cured and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" under the Indenture;".

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&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, the first paragraph of Section 502 of the Original Indenture is hereby deleted in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

"If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to the Notes of either series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Notes of such series Outstanding may declare the principal amount of all the Notes of such series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5) or 501(6) with respect to the Notes of such series at the time Outstanding occurs and is continuing, the principal amount of all the Notes of such series shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable."

Section 502 *Amendment of Certain Provisions*. Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, references to "25%" in Article Five of the Indenture are hereby deleted in their entirety and "33%" is substituted in lieu thereof.

ARTICLE SIX

Miscellaneous Provisions

Section 601 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 23, is in all respects hereby adopted, ratified and confirmed.

Section 602 This Supplemental Indenture No. 23 may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument. The words "execution," "executed," "signed," signature," and words of like import in this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 shall include images of manually executed signatures transmitted by facsimile, email or other electronic format (including, without limitation, "pdf," "tif" or "jpg") and other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign and AdobeSign). The use of electronic signatures and electronic records (including, without limitation, any contract or other record created, generated, sent, communicated, received, or stored by electronic means) shall be of the same legal effect, validity and enforceability as a manually executed signature or use of a paper-based record-keeping system to the fullest extent

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permitted by applicable law, including the Federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the New York State Electronic Signatures and Records Act and any other applicable law, including, without limitation, any state law based on the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or the Uniform Commercial Code. Without limitation to the foregoing, and anything in this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 to the contrary notwithstanding, (a) any Officers' Certificate, Company Order, Opinion of Counsel, Security, certificate of authentication appearing on or attached to any Security or other certificate, Opinion of Counsel, instrument, agreement or other document delivered pursuant to this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 may be executed, attested and transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means and formats, (b) all references in Section 303 or elsewhere in the Indenture to the execution, attestation or authentication of any Security or any certificate of authentication appearing on or attached to any Security by means of a manual or facsimile signature shall be deemed to include signatures that are made or transmitted by any of the foregoing electronic means or formats, and (c) any requirement in Section 303 or elsewhere in the Indenture that any signature be made under a corporate seal (or facsimile thereof) shall not be applicable to the Securities of such series.

Section 603 THIS SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 23 AND EACH NOTE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

Section 604 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision hereof which is required to be included herein by any provisions of the Trust Indenture Act, such required provision shall control.

Section 605 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 or the Notes shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 606 The Trustee shall have the right to accept and act upon instructions, including funds transfer instructions ("<u>Instructions</u>") given pursuant to this Indenture and delivered using Electronic Means; provided, however, that the Company shall provide to the Trustee an incumbency certificate listing officers with the authority to provide such Instructions ("<u>Authorized Officers</u>") and containing specimen signatures of such Authorized Officers, which incumbency certificate shall be amended by the Company whenever a person is to be added or deleted from the listing. If the Company elects to give the Trustee Instructions using Electronic Means and the Trustee in its discretion elects to act upon such Instructions, the Trustee's understanding of such Instructions shall be deemed controlling. The Company understands and agrees that the Trustee cannot determine the identity of the actual sender of such Instructions and that the Trustee shall conclusively presume that directions that purport to have been sent by an Authorized Officer listed on the incumbency certificate provided to the Trustee have been sent by such Authorized Officer, unless the Trustee has knowledge to the contrary or the Trustee is acting in bad faith. The Company shall be responsible for ensuring that only Authorized Officers transmit such Instructions to the Trustee and that the Company and all Authorized Officers are solely responsible to safeguard the use and confidentiality of applicable user and authorization codes, passwords and/or authentication keys upon receipt by the Company. Absent gross negligence, willful

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misconduct or bad faith by the Trustee, the Trustee shall not be liable for any losses, costs or expenses arising directly or indirectly from the Trustee's reliance upon and compliance with such Instructions notwithstanding such directions conflict or are inconsistent with a subsequent written instruction. The Company agrees, absent gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith by the Trustee: (i) to assume all risks arising out of the use of Electronic Means to submit Instructions to the Trustee, including the risk of the Trustee acting on unauthorized Instructions and the risk of interception and misuse by third parties; (ii) that it is fully informed of the protections and risks associated with the various methods of transmitting Instructions to the Trustee and that there may be more secure methods of transmitting Instructions than the method(s) selected by the Company; (iii) that the security procedures (if any) to be followed in connection with its transmission of Instructions provide to it a commercially reasonable degree of protection in light of its particular needs and circumstances; and (iv) to notify the Trustee as soon as practicable upon learning of any compromise or unauthorized use of the security procedures.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 23 to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. |
| By: |  |
|  | Jason P. Wells |
|  | President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |

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Attest:

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| |
|:---|
|  Vincent A. Mercaldi |
|  Secretary |

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,<br>As Trustee | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,<br>As Trustee |
| By: |  |
|  | Authorized Signatory |

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<u>Exhibit A</u> 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

[FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("<u>DTC</u>"), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

**CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.** 

5.25% Senior Notes due 2028

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Original Interest Accrual Date: February 23, 2023<br> Stated Maturity: March 1, 2028<br> Interest Rate: 5.25%<br> Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1<br> Initial Interest Payment Date: September 1, 2023<br> Regular Record Dates: February 15 and August 15 immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date | Redeemable: Yes ☒ No ☐<br> Redemption Date: At any time.<br> Redemption Price: (1) Prior to February 1, 2028 (the "<u>Par Call Date</u>"), at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed, that would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption; and |

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(ii) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or (2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.

------

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| Principal Amount | Registered No. T-1 |
|  $______<sup>\*</sup> | CUSIP 15189Y AG1 |

---

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, formerly known as NorAm Energy Corp. (herein called the "<u>Company</u>," which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

\*\*\*CEDE & Co.\*\*\*

, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on September 1, 2023, and at Stated Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, *provided* that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 5.25% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the

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<sup>\*</sup> Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby. 

------

days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A "<u>Business Day</u>" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be March 1 or September 1 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; *provided*, *however*, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

------

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| Dated: February 23, 2023 | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. |
|  | By: |  |
|  | Name: | Jason P. Wells |
|  | Title: | President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |

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Attest:

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| |
|:---|
| Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi |
| Title: Secretary |

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CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., |
|  | As Trustee | As Trustee |
| Dated: February 23, 2023 | By: |  |
|  |  | Authorized Signatory |

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SCHEDULE A

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $. The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Date of<br> Adjustment | Decrease in Aggregate<br>Principal Amount of<br>Securities | Increase in Aggregate<br>Principal Amount of<br>Securities | Aggregate Principal<br>Amount of Securities<br>Remaining After<br> Such Decrease or Increase | Notation by<br> Security<br> Registrar |

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

5.25% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2028

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "<u>Securities</u>"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998, as previously supplemented and amended including by the Supplemental Indenture No. 23, dated as of February 23, 2023 (collectively herein called the "<u>Indenture</u>," which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as Trustee (herein called the "<u>Trustee</u>," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $600,000,000; *provided*, *however*, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Prior to February 1, 2028 (the "<u>Par Call Date</u>"), the Company may redeem this Security at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of: (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security, or such portion to be redeemed, matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of this Security to be redeemed; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

"<u>Treasury Rate</u>" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day

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in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication) ("<u>H.15</u>") under the caption "U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("<u>H.15 TCM</u>"). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the "<u>Remaining Life</u>"); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM or any successor designation or publication is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company's actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

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The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

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As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

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<u>Exhibit B</u> 

[FORM OF FACE OF SECURITY]

[IF THIS SECURITY IS TO BE A GLOBAL SECURITY -] THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE OF A DEPOSITARY. THIS SECURITY IS EXCHANGEABLE FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A PERSON OTHER THAN THE DEPOSITARY OR ITS NOMINEE ONLY IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT AS A WHOLE BY THE DEPOSITARY TO A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY OR BY A NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY TO THE DEPOSITARY OR ANOTHER NOMINEE OF THE DEPOSITARY.

[FOR AS LONG AS THIS GLOBAL SECURITY IS DEPOSITED WITH OR ON BEHALF OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY IT SHALL BEAR THE FOLLOWING LEGEND.] UNLESS THIS CERTIFICATE IS PRESENTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE DEPOSITORY TRUST COMPANY, A NEW YORK CORPORATION ("<u>DTC</u>"), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. OR ITS AGENT FOR REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER, EXCHANGE, OR PAYMENT, AND ANY CERTIFICATE ISSUED IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF CEDE & CO. OR IN SUCH OTHER NAME AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC (AND ANY PAYMENT IS MADE TO CEDE & CO. OR TO SUCH OTHER ENTITY AS IS REQUESTED BY AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL INASMUCH AS THE REGISTERED OWNER HEREOF, CEDE & CO., HAS AN INTEREST HEREIN.

**CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.** 

5.40% Senior Notes due 2033

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Original Interest Accrual Date: February 23, 2023<br> Stated Maturity: March 1, 2033<br> Interest Rate: 5.40%<br> Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1<br> Initial Interest Payment Date: September 1, 2023<br> Regular Record Dates: February 15 and August 15 immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date | Redeemable: Yes ☒ No ☐<br> Redemption Date: At any time.<br> Redemption Price: (1) Prior to December 1, 2032 (the "Par Call Date"), at a redemption price equal to the greater of: (i)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on this Security, or the portion thereof to be redeemed, that would be due if this Security matured on the Par Call Date but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on a semiannual basis at the applicable Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued to |

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the date of redemption; and (ii) 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or (2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security or the portion thereof to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
|  Principal Amount | Registered No. T-1 |
|  $_________<sup>†</sup> | CUSIP 15189Y AH9 |

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CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware, formerly known as NorAm Energy Corp. (herein called the "<u>Company</u>," which term includes any successor Person under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to

\*\*\*CEDE & Co.\*\*\*

, or its registered assigns, the principal sum of DOLLARS on the Stated Maturity specified above, and to pay interest thereon from the Original Interest Accrual Date specified above or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on September 1, 2023, and at Stated Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment, *provided* that any principal and premium, and any such installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 5.40% per annum (to the extent permitted by applicable law), from the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand. The amount of interest payable for any period shall be computed on the basis of twelve 30-day months and a 360-day year. The amount of interest payable for any partial period shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months and the days elapsed in any partial month. In the event that any date on which interest is payable on this

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| <sup>†</sup> | Reference is made to Schedule A attached hereto with respect to decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced hereby.  |

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Security is not a Business Day, then a payment of the interest payable on such date will be made on the next succeeding day which is a Business Day (and without any interest or other payment in respect of any such delay) with the same force and effect as if made on the date the payment was originally payable. A "<u>Business Day</u>" shall mean any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which banking institutions in The City of New York are authorized or required by law, regulation or executive order to close. The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be February 15 or August 15 (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and shall either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Securities of this series may be listed or traded, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange or automated quotation system, all as more fully provided in said Indenture.

Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and any such interest on this Security will be made at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts; *provided*, *however*, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be made (i) by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register or (ii) by wire transfer in immediately available funds at such place and to such account as may be designated in writing by the Person entitled thereto as specified in the Security Register.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly executed.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| Dated: February 23, 2023 | CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. |
|  | By: |
|  | Name: Jason P. Wells |
|  | Title: President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer |

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| |
|:---|
| Attest: |
|  Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi |
|  Title: Secretary |

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CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture.

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| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
|  | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,<br> As Trustee | THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,<br> As Trustee |
| Dated: February 23, 2023 | By: |  |
|  |  | Authorized Signatory |

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SCHEDULE A

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $. The notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate.

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| | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| Date of<br> Adjustment | Decrease in Aggregate<br>Principal Amount of<br>Securities | Increase in Aggregate<br>Principal Amount of<br>Securities | Aggregate Principal<br>Amount of Securities<br>Remaining After Such<br>Decrease or Increase | Notation by<br> Security<br> Registrar |

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[FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY]

CENTERPOINT ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.

5.40% SENIOR NOTES DUE 2033

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the "<u>Securities</u>"), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998, as previously supplemented and amended including by the Supplemental Indenture No. 23, dated as of February 23, 2023 (collectively herein called the "<u>Indenture</u>," which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as Trustee (herein called the "<u>Trustee</u>," which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a statement of the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on the face hereof, initially limited in aggregate principal amount to $600,000,000; *provided*, *however*, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect.

Prior to December 1, 2032 (the "<u>Par Call Date</u>"), the Company may redeem this Security at its option, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price (expressed as a percentage of principal amount and rounded to three decimal places) equal to the greater of: (1)(a) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security, or such portion to be redeemed, matured on the Par Call Date) on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate plus 25 basis points less (b) interest accrued to the date of redemption, and (2) 100% of the principal amount of this Security to be redeemed; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, in whole or in part, at any time and from time to time, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed) plus accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

"<u>Treasury Rate</u>" means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield determined by the Company in accordance with the following two paragraphs.

The Treasury Rate shall be determined by the Company after 4:15 p.m., New York City time (or after such time as yields on U.S. government securities are posted daily by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System), on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date based upon the yield or yields for the most recent day that appear after such time on such day

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in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as "Selected Interest Rates (Daily)—H.15" (or any successor designation or publication) ("<u>H.15</u>") under the caption "U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal" (or any successor caption or heading) ("<u>H.15 TCM</u>"). In determining the Treasury Rate, the Company shall select, as applicable: (1) the yield for the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the period from the Redemption Date to the Par Call Date (the "<u>Remaining Life</u>"); or (2) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 exactly equal to the Remaining Life, the two yields – one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately shorter than and one yield corresponding to the Treasury constant maturity on H.15 immediately longer than the Remaining Life – and shall interpolate to the Par Call Date on a straight-line basis (using the actual number of days) using such yields and rounding the result to three decimal places; or (3) if there is no such Treasury constant maturity on H.15 shorter than or longer than the Remaining Life, the yield for the single Treasury constant maturity on H.15 closest to the Remaining Life. For purposes of this paragraph, the applicable Treasury constant maturity or maturities on H.15 shall be deemed to have a maturity date equal to the relevant number of months or years, as applicable, of such Treasury constant maturity from the Redemption Date.

If on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date H.15 TCM or any successor designation or publication is no longer published, the Company shall calculate the Treasury Rate based on the rate per annum equal to the semi-annual equivalent yield to maturity at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the second Business Day preceding such Redemption Date of the United States Treasury security maturing on, or with a maturity that is closest to, the Par Call Date, as applicable. If there is no United States Treasury security maturing on the Par Call Date but there are two or more United States Treasury securities with a maturity date equally distant from the Par Call Date, one with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date and one with a maturity date following the Par Call Date, the Company shall select the United States Treasury security with a maturity date preceding the Par Call Date. If there are two or more United States Treasury securities maturing on the Par Call Date or two or more United States Treasury securities meeting the criteria of the preceding sentence, the Company shall select from among these two or more United States Treasury securities the United States Treasury security that is trading closest to par based upon the average of the bid and asked prices for such United States Treasury securities at 11:00 a.m., New York City time. In determining the Treasury Rate in accordance with the terms of this paragraph, the semi-annual yield to maturity of the applicable United States Treasury security shall be based upon the average of the bid and asked prices (expressed as a percentage of principal amount) at 11:00 a.m., New York City time, of such United States Treasury security, and rounded to three decimal places.

The Company's actions and determinations in determining the redemption price shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount.

In the event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.

The Securities of this series are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.

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The Indenture contains provisions for satisfaction and discharge of the entire indebtedness of this Security upon compliance by the Company with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance at any time of the entire indebtedness of this Security or certain restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security, in each case upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.

If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 33% in principal amount of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60 days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein prescribed.

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As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register, upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed by the Holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in minimum denominations of $2,000 principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 principal amount in excess thereof. As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth, Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

THE INDENTURE AND THIS SECURITY SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1** 

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| ![LOGO](g472221g0222113014091.jpg) | 910 LOUISIANA<br> HOUSTON, TEXAS<br> 77002-4995<br>TEL +1 713.229.1234<br> FAX +1 713.229.1522<br> BakerBotts.com | AUSTIN<br> BRUSSELS<br> DALLAS<br> DUBAI<br> **HOUSTON**<br> LONDON | NEW YORK<br> PALO ALTO<br> RIYADH<br> SAN FRANCISCO<br> SINGAPORE<br> WASHINGTON |

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February 22, 2023

CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp.

1111 Louisiana Street

Houston, Texas 77002

Ladies and Gentlemen:

In connection with the issuance by CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), of $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.25% Senior Notes due 2028 and $600,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 5.40% Senior Notes due 2033 (collectively, the "Notes"), pursuant to (a) the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Nos. 333-238617-02, 333-238617 and 333-238617-01) (the "Registration Statement"), which was filed by the Company, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and (b) the related prospectus of the Company dated May 22, 2020, as supplemented by the prospectus supplement of the Company relating to the sale of the Notes dated February 21, 2023 (as so supplemented, the "Prospectus"), as filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, certain legal matters with respect to the Notes are being passed upon for you by us. At your request, this opinion is being furnished to you for filing as Exhibit 5.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K to be filed with the Commission on the date hereof (the "Form 8-K").

The Notes are to be issued pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of February 1, 1998 (the "Base Indenture"), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly Chase Bank of Texas, National Association)), as trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by Supplemental Indenture No. 23 thereto, to be dated as of February 23, 2023 (the "Supplemental Indenture"), between the Company and the Trustee.

In our capacity as your counsel in the connection referred to above, we have examined originals, or copies certified or otherwise identified, of (i) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company and the Bylaws of the Company, each as amended to date; (ii) the Underwriting Agreement, dated February 21, 2023 (the "Underwriting Agreement"), by and among the Company and the Underwriters named in Schedule I thereto (the "Underwriters"), relating to the issuance and sale of the Notes; (iii) the Registration Statement and the Prospectus; (iv) the Base Indenture and the form of Supplemental Indenture, as filed as exhibits to the Form 8-K; and (v) records of the Company, including certain resolutions of the board of directors of the Company, as furnished to us by you, certificates of governmental and public officials and of representatives of the Company, statutes and other instruments and documents as we have deemed necessary or advisable for purposes of the opinions hereinafter expressed. In giving the opinions set forth below, we have relied, to the extent we deemed appropriate without independent investigation or

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![LOGO](g472221g0222113013811.jpg)

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verification, upon certificates, statements or other representations of officers or other authorized representatives of the Company and of governmental and public officials with respect to the accuracy of the factual matters contained in or covered by such certificates, statements or representations. In giving the opinions set forth below, we have assumed that all signatures on all documents examined by us are genuine, all documents submitted to us as originals are authentic and complete, all documents submitted to us as copies are true, correct and complete copies of the originals thereof and all information submitted to us was accurate and complete.

On the basis of the foregoing, and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set forth herein, we are of the opinion that the Notes will, when duly executed, issued and delivered by the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and duly purchased and paid for by the Underwriters in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as that enforcement is subject to any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent transfer or conveyance or other laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally, general principles of equity (regardless of whether that enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law) and any implied covenants of good faith and fair dealing.

The opinions set forth above in this letter are limited in all respects to matters of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, applicable federal law of the United States and the contract law of the State of New York as in effect on the date hereof. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as Exhibit 5.1 to the Form 8-K. We also consent to the references to our Firm under the heading "Legal Matters" in the Prospectus. In giving this consent, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

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|  Very truly yours, |
|  /s/ BAKER BOTTS L.L.P. |

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