Document:

EX-4.5

 Exhibit 4.5 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC 

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE 

FEBRUARY 28, 2022 
 I, the
undersigned officer of CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company (the “Company”), do hereby certify that I am an Authorized Officer of the Company as such term is defined in the Indenture (as defined
herein). I am delivering this certificate pursuant to the authority granted in the Resolutions adopted by written consent of the sole Manager of the Company dated February 21, 2022, and Sections 105, 201, 301, 401(1), 401(5) and 1403 of the
General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, as heretofore supplemented to the date hereof (as heretofore supplemented, the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National
Association (successor in trust to JPMorgan Chase Bank), as Trustee (the “Trustee”). Terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture, unless the context clearly requires
otherwise. Based upon the foregoing, I hereby certify on behalf of the Company as follows: 
 1. The terms and conditions of the Securities of the series
described in this Officer’s Certificate are as follows (the numbered subdivisions set forth in this Paragraph 1 corresponding to the numbered subdivisions of Section 301 of the Indenture): 

(1) The Securities of the thirty-third series to be issued under the Indenture shall be designated as the “3.00% General Mortgage Bonds,
Series AG, due 2032” (the “Series AG Mortgage Bonds”), as set forth in the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Trustee. The Securities of the thirty-fourth series to be issued
under the Indenture shall be designated as the “3.60% General Mortgage Bonds, Series AH, due 2052” (the “Series AH Mortgage Bonds” and together with the Series AG Mortgage Bonds, the “Bonds”), as set forth in the
Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Trustee. 
 (2) The Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver the Series AG Mortgage Bonds and Series AH Mortgage Bonds for original issue on February 28, 2022 (the “Issue Date”) in the aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 and $500,000,000, respectively, upon a Company Order
for the authentication and delivery thereof and satisfaction of Section 401 of the Indenture; provided, however, that, as contemplated in the second paragraph of Section 301 of the Indenture and the definition of “Tranche” in
Section 101 of the Indenture, additional Securities of a series or Tranche may be subsequently issued from time to time, without any consent of Holders of the Securities of such series, pursuant to Section 1401(4) of the Indenture. 

(3) Interest on the Bonds shall be payable to the Persons in whose names such Securities are registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest (as specified in (5) below), except as otherwise expressly provided in the form of such Securities attached hereto as Exhibit A. 

 (4) The Series AG Mortgage Bonds shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and
payable together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon on March 1, 2032. The Series AH Mortgage Bonds shall mature and the principal thereof shall be due and payable together with all accrued and unpaid interest thereon on March 1,
2052. 
 (5) The Series AG Mortgage Bonds shall bear interest at the rate of 3.00% per annum. The Series AH Mortgage Bonds shall bear
interest at the rate of 3.60% per annum. Interest shall accrue on the Bonds from the Issue Date, or the most recent date to which interest has been paid or duly provided for. The Interest Payment Dates for the Bonds shall be March 1 and
September 1 in each year commencing September 1, 2022, and the Regular Record Dates with respect to the Interest Payment Dates for the Bonds shall be the February 15 and August 15, respectively, immediately preceding each
Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day); provided however that interest payable at maturity, upon redemption or when principal is otherwise due will be payable to the Holder to whom principal is payable. 

(6) The Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York, New York shall be the place at
which (i) the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the Bonds shall be payable, (ii) registration of transfer of the Bonds may be effected, (iii) exchanges of the Bonds may be effected, and (iv) notices and demands to
or upon the Company in respect of the Bonds and the Indenture may be served; and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association shall be the Security Registrar and Paying Agent for the Bonds; provided, however, that the Company
reserves the right to change, by one or more Officer’s Certificates, any such place or the Security Registrar; and provided, further, that the Company reserves the right to designate, by one or more Officer’s Certificates, its principal
office in Houston, Texas as any such place or itself as the Security Registrar; provided, however, that there shall be only a single Security Registrar for each series of Bonds. 

(7) Prior to December 1, 2031, in the case of the Series AG Mortgage Bonds (the “Series AG Par Call Date”), or September 1,
2051, in the case of the Series AH Mortgage Bonds (the “Series AH Par Call Date”; the Series AG Par Call Date and the Series AH Par Call Date are each a “Par Call Date”), the Company may redeem the Series AG Mortgage Bonds or the
Series AH Mortgage Bonds, respectively, 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 Bonds
of such series to be redeemed discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming the Bonds 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 Treasury Rate plus 20 basis points in the case of the Series AG Mortgage Bonds and 25 basis points in the case of the Series AH Mortgage Bonds; less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption
Date; and 

  

	 	•	 	 (2) 100% of the principal amount of the Bonds to be redeemed; 

plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. 

 On or after the Series AG Par Call Date, in the case of the Series AG Mortgage Bonds, or the
Series AH Par Call Date, in the case of the Series AH Mortgage Bonds, the Company may redeem the Series AG Mortgage Bonds or the Series AH Mortgage Bonds, respectively, 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 Bonds being redeemed plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. 

“Treasury Rate” 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) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S. government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). 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 “Remaining Life”); 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 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 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., 

  
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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, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption to
each holder of Bonds to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Bonds registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the
date fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Bonds or portions thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If fewer than all of the Bonds of a series are to
be redeemed, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Bonds of that series or portions thereof called for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Bonds of that series not previously called by such method as the
Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Bonds and portions of Bonds in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. In the case of a partial redemption of Bonds registered in the name of Cede & Co., the
Bonds to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. 
 (8) Not applicable. 

(9) The Bonds will be issued in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. 

(10) Not applicable. 
 (11) Not
applicable. 
 (12) Not applicable. 

(13) See subsection (7) above. 

(14) Not applicable. 
 (15) Not
applicable. 
 (16) Not applicable. 

(17) The Bonds shall be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities (as defined below). The Depository Trust
Company shall initially serve as Depositary (as defined below) with respect to the Global Securities. “Depositary” means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a
clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as depositary for such Securities. “Global Security” means a Security that evidences all or part of the Securities of a series and bears a legend in substantially
the following form: 

  
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 THIS SECURITY IS IN GLOBAL FORM 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. 

The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to Global Securities: 

(1) Each Global Security authenticated under the Indenture shall be registered in the name of the Depositary designated for
such Global Security or a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single Security for all purposes of the Indenture. 

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision in the Indenture, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof unless (A) the Company has notified the Trustee
that the Depositary is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security, the Depositary defaults in the performance of its duties as Depositary, or the Depositary has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange
Act, in each case, unless the Company has approved a successor Depositary within 90 days, (B) the Company in its sole discretion determines that such Global Security will be so exchangeable or transferable or (C) there shall exist such
circumstances, if any, in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as contemplated by the Indenture. 

(3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for other Securities may be made in whole or in part,
and all Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct. 

(4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global
Security or any portion thereof, whether pursuant to Sections 304, 305, 306, 507 or 1406 of the Indenture or otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the
name of a Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof. 
 (18) Not applicable. 

(19) Not applicable. 
 (20) For
purposes of the Bonds, “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks and foreign exchange markets are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York, New York.

  
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 (21) Not applicable. 

(22) The Bonds shall have such other terms and provisions as are provided in the forms thereof attached hereto as Exhibit A and shall be
issued in substantially such forms. 
 2. The undersigned has read all of the covenants and conditions contained in the Indenture, and the definitions in the
Indenture relating thereto, relating to the authentication, delivery and issuance of the Bonds and the execution and delivery of the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture and in respect of compliance with which this certificate is made. 

3. The statements contained in this certificate are based upon the familiarity of the undersigned with the Indenture, the documents accompanying this
certificate, and upon discussions by the undersigned with officers and employees of the Company familiar with the matters set forth herein. 
 4. In the
opinion of the undersigned, she has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable her to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenants and conditions have been complied with. 

5. In the opinion of the undersigned, such conditions and covenants have been complied with. 

6. To my knowledge, no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. 

7. The execution of the Thirty-First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of the date hereof, between the Company and the Trustee is authorized or permitted by the
Indenture. 
 8. With respect to Section 403(2)(B) of the Indenture, General Mortgage Bonds, due June 1, 2021, having an aggregate principal amount
of $300,000,000 out of an aggregate principal amount of $300,000,000 remaining from the $300,000,000 original aggregate principal amount (the “Retired Mortgage Bonds”), have heretofore been authenticated and delivered and as of the date of
this certificate, constitute Retired Securities. $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of such Retired Mortgage Bonds are the basis for the authentication and delivery of $300,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series AG Mortgage Bonds.

 9. With respect to Section 402(2)(B) of the Indenture, Property Additions of $6,254,718,809.82 are the basis for authentication and delivery of
$500,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Series AH Mortgage Bonds. 
 10. The First Mortgage Collateralization Date has not occurred. 

11. No certificate of an Independent Accountant pursuant to Section 104 of the Indenture is required in connection with the authentication and delivery of
the Bonds because (i) the Net Earnings Certificate covers a period different from that required to be covered by annual reports required to be filed by the Company and (ii) an Independent Accountant has provided the Company with a letter
addressed to the Company containing the results of procedures on financial information included in the Net Earnings Certificate that are agreed upon by the Authorized Officer signing the Net Earnings Certificate. 

12. Pursuant to the resolutions adopted by the Sole Manager of the Company by written consent on February 21, 2022, Jacqueline M. Richert, Vice President,
Investor Relations & Treasurer, has been named an Authorized Officer, as defined under the Indenture, including for purposes of executing the Net Earnings Certificate. 

  
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 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Officer’s Certificate as of the
date first written above. 
  

	
	  

	Jacqueline M. Richert
	Vice President, Investor Relations & Treasurer

  

	
	Acknowledged and Received as of the date first written above
	
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK
	MELLON TRUST COMPANY,
	NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
	As Trustee
	
	  

 Signature Page to Officer’s Certificate Under the Indenture 

 EXHIBIT A 

FORM OF BONDS 

 THIS SECURITY IS IN GLOBAL FORM 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. 
 Unless this certificate is presented
by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC 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 HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC 

3.00% General Mortgage Bonds, Series AG, due 2032 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: February 28, 2022

Stated Maturity: March 1, 2032
 Interest Rate: 3.00%

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1
 Regular
Record Dates: February 15 and August 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
 Redemption Date: At
any time.
 Redemption Price: Prior to December 1, 2031 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 discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) on a semiannual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 20
basis points, less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and (ii) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed); plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption
Date; or on or after December 1, 2031, 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 thereon 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
	$300,000,000*	  	CUSIP 15189X AX6

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State
of Texas (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 

***CEDE & Co.*** 

 

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

 , or its registered assigns, the principal sum of THREE HUNDRED MILLION 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, 2022, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, 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 specified above
(whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable at Maturity shall be paid to the Person to whom principal shall be paid. Except as otherwise provided in said Indenture, any
such interest not so paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may 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 of which 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 on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in said Indenture. 
 Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, on this Security and interest hereon at Maturity shall be made upon
presentation of this Security at the office of the Corporate Trust Administration of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, located in New York, New York or at such other office or agency as may be designated for such
purpose by the Company from time to time. Payment of interest on this Security (other than interest at Maturity) shall be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register,
except that if such Person shall be a securities depositary, such payment may be made by such other means in lieu of check, as shall be agreed upon by the Company, the Trustee and such Person. Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on this Security, as aforesaid, shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and issuable in one or more
series under and equally secured by a General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, as supplemented and amended (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter,
together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor in trust to
JPMorgan Chase Bank), trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the
property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms
and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Security shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of
the Indenture. This Security is one of the series designated above. 
 If any Interest Payment Date, any Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity shall not be
a Business Day (as hereinafter defined), payment of the amounts due on this Security on such date may be made on the next succeeding Business Day; and, if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on
such amounts for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. 
 Prior to December 1, 2031 (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 (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 this
Security (or such portion to be redeemed) discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security 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 Redemption Date; and 

  

	 	•	 	 (2) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion 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 thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount. 

“Treasury Rate” 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) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S.
government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). 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 “Remaining Life”); 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, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption to each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If fewer than all of the Securities of this
series are to be redeemed, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Securities of this series or portions thereof for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Securities of this series not previously called by such
method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Securities of this series and portions of Securities of this series in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. In the case of a partial redemption of
Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co, the Securities to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding
any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the
Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders
of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be
required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or
more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and
provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, 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 therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. 
 As provided in the Indenture and
subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this Security or any portion of the principal amount hereof will be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of the Indenture and to be no longer Outstanding thereunder, and, at the election of the
Company, the Company’s entire indebtedness in respect thereof will be satisfied and discharged, if there has been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust, money in an amount which will be
sufficient and/or Eligible Obligations, the principal of and interest on which when due, without regard to any reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys which, together with moneys so deposited, will be sufficient to pay when due the principal of
and interest on this Security when due. 
 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 Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York, New York, or such other office or
agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, 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 of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. 

The Securities of this series are issuable only as registered Securities, without coupons, and in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000 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 the same series and Tranche, of any
authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same, and of like tenor upon surrender of the Security or Securities to be exchanged at the office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York,
New York, or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time. 

 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 absolute 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 are not entitled to the
benefit of any sinking fund. 
 As used herein, “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks and
foreign exchange markets are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York, New York. All other terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture. 
 As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities,
or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall
attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, member, manager, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a
predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all
the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.

 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual or electronic signature, this
Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 
 [The remainder of this page
is intentionally left blank.] 

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

 

									
		 		 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
					
	Attest:	 	  
	 		 	By:	 	  

		 	Vincent A. Mercaldi	 		 		 	Stacey L. Peterson
		 	Secretary	 		 		 	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 (SEAL) 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 
 This is
one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. 
 Date of Authentication: ______________, 2022 

 

			
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
		
	By:	 	      

 SCHEDULE A 

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $300,000,000. The notations on the
following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate. 
  

									
	 Date of

Adjustment
	  	 Decrease in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Increase in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Aggregate Principal
Amount of Securities
Remaining After
Such
Decrease or Increase
	  	 Notation by

Security

Registrar

 THIS SECURITY IS IN GLOBAL FORM 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. 
 Unless this certificate is presented
by an authorized representative of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation (“DTC”), to CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC 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 HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC 

3.60% General Mortgage Bonds, Series AH, due 2052 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: February 28, 2022

Stated Maturity: March 1, 2052
 Interest Rate: 3.60%

Interest Payment Dates: March 1 and September 1
 Regular
Record Dates: February 15 and August 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
 Redemption Date: At
any time.
 Redemption Price: Prior to September 1, 2051 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 discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) on a semiannual basis at the Treasury Rate plus 25
basis points, less (b) interest accrued to the Redemption Date, and (ii) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion to be redeemed); plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption
Date; or on or after September 1, 2051, 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 thereon 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
	$500,000,000*	  	CUSIP 15189X AY4

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC, a limited liability company duly organized and existing under the laws of the State
of Texas (herein called the “Company,” which term includes any successor under the Indenture referred to below), for value received, hereby promises to pay to 

***CEDE & Co.*** 

 

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

 , or its registered assigns, the principal sum of FIVE HUNDRED MILLION 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, 2022, and at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or duly provided for. The interest so payable, and paid or duly provided
for, on any Interest Payment Date shall, 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 specified above
(whether or not a Business Day) next preceding such Interest Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, interest payable at Maturity shall be paid to the Person to whom principal shall be paid. Except as otherwise provided in said Indenture, any
such interest not so paid or duly provided for shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date and may 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 of which 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 on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully
provided in said Indenture. 
 Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, on this Security and interest hereon at Maturity shall be made upon
presentation of this Security at the office of the Corporate Trust Administration of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association, located in New York, New York or at such other office or agency as may be designated for such
purpose by the Company from time to time. Payment of interest on this Security (other than interest at Maturity) shall be made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address shall appear in the Security Register,
except that if such Person shall be a securities depositary, such payment may be made by such other means in lieu of check, as shall be agreed upon by the Company, the Trustee and such Person. Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and
interest on this Security, as aforesaid, shall be made in such coin or currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment shall be legal tender for the payment of public and private debts. 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and issuable in one or more
series under and equally secured by a General Mortgage Indenture, dated as of October 10, 2002, as supplemented and amended (such Indenture as originally executed and delivered and as supplemented or amended from time to time thereafter,
together with any constituent instruments establishing the terms of particular Securities, being herein called the “Indenture”), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor in trust to
JPMorgan Chase Bank), trustee (herein called the “Trustee,” which term includes any successor trustee under the Indenture), to which Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto reference is hereby made for a description of the
property mortgaged, pledged and held in trust, the nature and extent of the security and the respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company, the Trustee and the Holders of the Securities thereunder and of the terms
and conditions upon which the Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered and secured. The acceptance of this Security shall be deemed to constitute the consent and agreement by the Holder hereof to all of the terms and provisions of
the Indenture. This Security is one of the series designated above. 
 If any Interest Payment Date, any Redemption Date or the Stated Maturity shall not be
a Business Day (as hereinafter defined), payment of the amounts due on this Security on such date may be made on the next succeeding Business Day; and, if such payment is made or duly provided for on such Business Day, no interest shall accrue on
such amounts for the period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be, to such Business Day. Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months. 
 Prior to September 1, 2051 (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 (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 this
Security (or such portion to be redeemed) discounted to the Redemption Date (assuming this Security 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 Redemption Date; and 

  

	 	•	 	 (2) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or such portion 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 thereon to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount. 

“Treasury Rate” 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) (“H.15”) under the caption “U.S.
government securities–Treasury constant maturities–Nominal” (or any successor caption or heading) (“H.15 TCM”). 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 “Remaining Life”); 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, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption to each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 10 and not more than 60 days prior to the date
fixed for redemption. Unless the Company defaults on payment of the redemption price, interest will cease to accrue on the Securities or portions thereof called for redemption on the Redemption Date. If fewer than all of the Securities of this
series are to be redeemed, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Securities of this series or portions thereof for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Securities of this series not previously called by such
method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Securities of this series and portions of Securities of this series in amounts of $2,000 or whole multiples of $1,000. In the case of a partial redemption of
Securities registered in the name of Cede & Co, the Securities to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. 

The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for the purpose of adding
any provisions to, or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of, the Indenture with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Securities of all series then Outstanding under the
Indenture, considered as one class; provided, however, that if there shall be Securities of more than one series Outstanding under the Indenture and if a proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders
of Securities of one or more, but less than all, of such series, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all series so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be
required; and provided, further, that if the Securities of any series shall have been issued in more than one Tranche and if the proposed supplemental indenture shall directly affect the rights of the Holders of Securities of one or
more, but less than all, of such Tranches, then the consent only of the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of all Tranches so directly affected, considered as one class, shall be required; and
provided, further, that the Indenture permits the Trustee to enter into one or more supplemental indentures for limited purposes without the consent of any Holders of Securities. The Indenture also contains provisions permitting the
Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then Outstanding, on behalf of the Holders of all Securities, 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 therefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security. 
 As provided in the Indenture and
subject to certain limitations therein set forth, this Security or any portion of the principal amount hereof will be deemed to have been paid for all purposes of the Indenture and to be no longer Outstanding thereunder, and, at the election of the
Company, the Company’s entire indebtedness in respect thereof will be satisfied and discharged, if there has been irrevocably deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent (other than the Company), in trust, money in an amount which will be
sufficient and/or Eligible Obligations, the principal of and interest on which when due, without regard to any reinvestment thereof, will provide moneys which, together with moneys so deposited, will be sufficient to pay when due the principal of
and interest on this Security when due. 
 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 Corporate Trust Office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York, New York, or such other office or
agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time, 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 of authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees. 

The Securities of this series are issuable only as registered Securities, without coupons, and in minimum denominations of $2,000 and integral multiples of
$1,000 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 the same series and Tranche, of any
authorized denominations, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same, and of like tenor upon surrender of the Security or Securities to be exchanged at the office of The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association in New York,
New York, or such other office or agency as may be designated by the Company from time to time. 

 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 absolute 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 are not entitled to the
benefit of any sinking fund. 
 As used herein, “Business Day” shall mean any day, other than Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banks and
foreign exchange markets are open for business, including dealings in deposits in U.S. dollars, in New York, New York. All other terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture. 
 As provided in the Indenture, no recourse shall be had for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or interest on any Securities,
or any part thereof, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect thereof, or of the indebtedness represented thereby, or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement under the Indenture, against, and no personal liability whatsoever shall
attach to, or be incurred by, any incorporator, member, manager, stockholder, officer, director or employee, as such, past, present or future of the Company or of any predecessor or successor corporation (either directly or through the Company or a
predecessor or successor corporation), whether by virtue of any constitutional provision, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly agreed and understood that the Indenture and all
the Securities are solely corporate obligations and that any such personal liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of, and as part of the consideration for, the execution of the Indenture and the issuance of the Securities.

 Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the Trustee or an Authenticating Agent by manual or electronic signature, this
Security shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or obligatory for any purpose. 
 [The remainder of this page
is intentionally left blank.] 

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

 

									
		 		 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY HOUSTON ELECTRIC, LLC
					
	Attest:	 	  
	 		 	By:	 	  

		 	Vincent A. Mercaldi	 		 		 	Stacey L. Peterson
		 	Secretary	 		 		 	Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer

 (SEAL) 

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 
 This is
one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to in the within-mentioned Indenture. 
 Date of Authentication: ______________, 2022 

 

			
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee
		
	By:	 	          

 SCHEDULE A 

The initial aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by the Certificate to which this Schedule is attached is $500,000,000. The
notations on the following table evidence decreases and increases in the aggregate principal amount of Securities evidenced by such Certificate. 
  

									
	 Date of

Adjustment
	  	 Decrease in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Increase in Aggregate
Principal Amount
of
Securities
	  	 Aggregate Principal
Amount of Securities
Remaining After
Such
Decrease or Increase
	  	 Notation by

Security

RegistrarExhibit 10.62
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited
Executive Officer Restricted Stock Unit Grant Agreement
 
THIS AGREEMENT, made as of February 23, 2021, between GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED (the “Company”) and John C. Wobensmith (the “Participant”).
 
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted and maintains the Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Amended and Restated 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to provide certain key persons, on whose initiative and efforts the successful conduct of the business of the Company depends, with incentives to: (a) enter into and remain in the service of the Company, (b) acquire a proprietary interest in the success of the Company, (c) maximize their performance and (d) enhance the long-term performance of the Company;
 
WHEREAS, the Plan provides that the Board of Directors of the Company or a committee to which the Board of Directors has delegated such authority (the Board of Directors or such committee, as applicable, the “Administrator”) shall administer the Plan and determine the key persons to whom awards shall be granted and the amount and type of such awards; 
​
WHEREAS, the Administrator has determined that the purposes of the Plan would be furthered by granting the Participant an award under the Plan as set forth in this Agreement;
 
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
 
1.Grant of Restricted Stock Units.  Pursuant to, and subject to, the terms and conditions set forth herein (including without limitation Section 17 hereof) and in the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Participant 60,545 restricted stock units (the “Restricted Stock Units”).  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive one share of Common Stock or, in the discretion of the Administrator, an amount of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such share of Common Stock, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan.  
2.Grant Date.  The Grant Date of the Restricted Stock Units is February 23, 2021.
3.Incorporation of Plan.  All terms, conditions and restrictions of the Plan are incorporated herein and made part hereof as if stated herein.  If there is any conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan, as interpreted by the Administrator, shall govern.  Except as otherwise provided herein, all capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning given to such terms in the Plan.
4. Vesting.

(a) Subject to Section 4(b) and Section 6 hereof and the further provisions of this Agreement,  1/3 of the total number of Restricted Stock Units shall vest on each of the first three anniversaries of February 23, 2021 (rounding down to the nearest whole Restricted Stock Unit on each of the first two anniversaries and rounding up on the third anniversary) (each such date, a “Vesting Date”), in each case subject to the Participant’s continued service with the Company on the applicable Vesting Date.
(b)In the event of the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested in full on the date six months after the date of such Change in Control (to the extent not previously vested in accordance with Section 4(a), Section 6(b), or Section 6(c)), subject to the Participant’s continued service with the Company on the vesting date; provided, however, that if (i) this award is not assumed, continued or substituted for an equivalent award by the acquirer in such Change in Control or (ii) the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in the Plan) or by the Participant for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement) at a time when the Company is a party to a definitive business combination transaction agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control, then the 

Restricted Stock Units shall become vested in full upon the consummation of the Change in Control or at the time of such termination, as applicable.  For the purposes of this Agreement, Change in Control will have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s Employment Agreement with the Company dated as of September 21, 2007, as amended from time to time (the “Employment Agreement”), provided, however that subclauses (iv) and (v) of such definition shall not apply for purposes of this Agreement.  For the avoidance of doubt, if the preceding sentence does not apply to a termination of employment, then the provisions of Section 6 shall apply to the Participant’s termination of employment.
5.Restrictions on Transferability.  No Restricted Stock Units may be transferred, pledged, assigned, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of in any way by the Participant, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. In the event that the Participant becomes legally incapacitated, the Participant’s rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units shall be exercisable by the Participant’s legal guardian or legal representative.  The Restricted Stock Units shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process.  Any attempted assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Restricted Stock Units contrary to the provisions hereof, and the levy of any execution, attachment or similar process upon an Restricted Stock Units, shall be null and void and without effect. All shares of Common Stock underlying the Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to the transfer restrictions and rights of the Company set forth in the Company’s Articles of Incorporation. 
6.Termination of Service.

(a)In the event that the Participant’s Service with the Company terminates before all the Restricted Stock Units are vested for any reason other than a termination by the Company without cause (as defined in the Plan), by the Participant for Good Reason (as defined in the Employment Agreement), or the Participant’s death or disability (as defined in the Plan), all unvested Restricted Stock Units, together with any Dividend Equivalents related to such Restricted Stock Units, as set forth in Section 9 hereof, shall be forfeited as of the date such Service terminates and the Participant shall not be entitled to any compensation or other amount with respect to such forfeited Restricted Stock Units.  For purposes hereof, “Service” means a continuous time period during which the Participant is at least one of the following:  an employee or a director of, or a consultant to, the Company.
(b)In the event that, before all the Restricted Stock Units are vested, the Participant’s Service with the Company is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in the Plan) or by the Participant for Good Reason, then, subject to 4(b)(ii) hereof, the number of Restricted Stock Units that would have vested on the Vesting Date immediately following the date of such termination shall vest as of the date of such termination of Service, and any remaining unvested Restricted Stock Units, together with any Dividend Equivalents related to such Restricted Stock Units, as set forth in Section 9 hereof, shall be forfeited as of the date such Service terminates.
(c)In the event that, before all the Restricted Stock Units are vested, the Participant’s Service with the Company terminates for reason of the Participant’s death or disability (as defined in the Plan), a Pro Rata Portion of the Restricted Stock Units shall become vested as of the date such Service terminates in addition to the portion of the Restricted Stock Units which have already become vested as of such date, and all other Restricted Stock Units which are not and have not become vested, together with any Dividend Equivalents related to such Restricted Stock Units, as set forth in Section 9 hereof, shall be forfeited as of the date such Service terminates.  For purposes hereof, “Pro Rata Portion” shall mean that number of Restricted Stock Units that would become vested on the next Vesting Date multiplied by a fraction, the denominator of which is 12 and the numerator of which is the number of completed months (measured from the day of the month of the Vesting Date to the same day of the following month) between the immediately preceding Vesting Date (or the Grant Date if there is no preceding Vesting Date) and the date of termination of Service.
7.Settlement.

(a)All vested Restricted Stock Units shall be settled within 30 days following the applicable vesting date by the Company’s issuance and delivery to the Participant of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of vested Restricted Stock Units or, in the discretion of the Administrator, by the payment 

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of an amount in cash equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares of Common Stock (with Fair Market Value determined as of the applicable date of vesting).
(b)Notwithstanding the above, if the Participant is subject to any Company “blackout” policy or other trading restriction imposed by the Company on the date such distribution would otherwise be made pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof and the shares in such distribution are not subject to a trading plan to which the Recipient and the Company are parties adopted under Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, amended, pursuant to which at least a sufficient number of such shares are to be sold at the time of such distribution to cover the Participant’s tax obligations with respect to such distribution, such distribution shall instead be made on the earlier of (i) the date that the Participant is not subject to any such policy or restriction and (ii) the later of (1) the last business day of the calendar year in which the vesting in respect of such distribution occurred and (2) the 90th day after the date of the vesting in respect of such distribution (or, if such 90th day is not a business day, the immediately preceding business day).  
(c) The Participant shall not be deemed for any purpose to be, or have rights as, a shareholder of the Company by virtue of the grant of Restricted Stock Units, unless and until shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant in respect of such Restricted Stock Units.
8.Securities Matters.  The Company shall be under no obligation to effect the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) of any interests in the Plan or any shares of Common Stock to be issued thereunder or to effect similar compliance under any state laws.  The Company shall not be obligated to cause to be issued any shares, whether by means of stock certificates or appropriate book entries, unless and until the Company is advised by its counsel that the issuance of such shares is in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations of governmental authority and the requirements of any securities exchange on which shares of Common Stock are traded.  The Administrator may require, as a condition of the issuance of shares of Common Stock pursuant to the terms hereof, that the recipient of such shares make such covenants, agreements and representations, and that any certificates bear such legends and any book entries be subject to such electronic coding, as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, deems necessary or desirable.  The Participant specifically understands and agrees that the shares of Common Stock, if and when issued, may be “restricted securities,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the 1933 Act and, accordingly, the Participant may be required to hold the shares indefinitely unless they are registered under such Act or an exemption from such registration is available.
9.Dividend Equivalents.  Notwithstanding anything herein, each Restricted Stock Unit granted hereunder is hereby granted in tandem with a corresponding dividend equivalent applicable to all types of dividends, whether extraordinary, ordinary, in cash, stock, or other property (a “Dividend Equivalent”), which Dividend Equivalent shall remain outstanding from the Grant Date until the earlier of the settlement or forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Unit to which it corresponds.  If a Restricted Stock Unit is forfeited, the corresponding Dividend Equivalent shall be forfeited as well.  At such time as a Restricted Stock Unit is settled pursuant to Section 7, the corresponding Dividend Equivalent shall be settled for a payment in cash equal to the aggregate value of dividends declared, if any, on the Common Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Unit; provided, however, if any dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, the Administrator, in its discretion, may settle such Dividend Equivalent in cash or shares of Common Stock.  Dividend Equivalents shall not entitle the Participant to any payments relating to dividends declared after the earlier to occur of the settlement or forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units underlying such Dividend Equivalents.
10.Delays or Omissions.  No delay or omission to exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any party hereto upon any breach or default of any party under this Agreement, shall impair any such right, power or remedy of such party, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach or default, or an acquiescence therein, or of or in any similar breach or default thereafter occurring, nor shall any waiver of any single breach or default be deemed a waiver of any other breach or default theretofore or thereafter occurring.  Any waiver, permit, consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any party of any breach or default under this Agreement, or any waiver on the part of any party or any provisions or conditions of this Agreement, must be in a writing signed by such party and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

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11.Right of Discharge Preserved.  Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company, or affect any right which the Company may have to terminate such employment or service.
12.Integration.  This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter.  There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties, covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than those expressly set forth herein.  This Agreement, including, without limitation, the Plan, supersedes all prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to its subject matter.
13.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of original or facsimile or electronic PDF counterparts and each of such counterparts shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
14.Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without regard to the provisions governing conflict of laws.
15.Forfeiture and Recapture.   The Restricted Stock Units and any Common Stock issued or cash paid with respect to the Restricted Stock Units will be subject to recoupment in accordance with any existing clawback or recoupment policy, or any clawback or recoupment policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law.  
16.Participant Acknowledgment.  The Participant hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.  The Participant hereby acknowledges that all decisions, determinations and interpretations of the Administrator in respect of the Plan, this Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units shall be final and conclusive.
17.Section 409A.  This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”) or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A.  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption.  Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible.  Section 8(a) of the Employment Agreement is expressly incorporated into, and made applicable to, this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A, and in no event shall the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.
18.Notices.  Any notice hereunder by the Participant shall be given to the Company in writing and such notice shall be deemed duly given only upon receipt thereof by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company.  Any notice hereunder by the Company shall be given to the Participant in writing at the most recent address as Participant may have on file with the Company.

[Signature Page Follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be duly executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant has hereunto signed this Agreement on his own behalf, thereby representing that he has carefully read and understands this Agreement and the Plan as of the day and year first written above.
 
 
	

	

	

		GENCO SHIPPING & TRADING LIMITED

	 
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		By:
	/s/ Apostolos Zafolias

			 Name:  Apostolos Zafolias

			 Title:  Chief Financial Officer

	 
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		/s/ John C. Wobensmith

		JOHN C. WOBENSMITH

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