Document:

EX-4.2

 Exhibit 4.2 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 To 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

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

Trustee 
  

 
 SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE NO. 12 
 Dated as of May 13, 2021 
  

 
 $700,000,000
Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024 
  

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 12 

Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 12, dated as of May 13, 2021, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the
“Company”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (the “Trustee”). 

RECITALS 
 The Company has
heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the “Original Indenture” and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time
to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities. 
 Pursuant to the terms of the Indenture, the Company desires to provide
for the establishment of a new series of Securities to be designated as the “Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024” (the “Notes”), 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. 12. 
 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: 
 ARTICLE I 

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions 

Section 101 Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 12 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

  
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 Section 102 Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental
Indenture No. 12: 
 Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in the Original Indenture,
as the case may be. 
 “Affiliate” of, or a Person “affiliated” with, a specific Person means a
Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, “control” (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. 
 “Benchmark” means, initially, Compounded SOFR; provided that if a Benchmark Transition Event
and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to Compounded SOFR (or the published SOFR Index used in the calculation thereof) or the then-current Benchmark, then “Benchmark” means the applicable Benchmark
Replacement. 
 “Benchmark Replacement” means the first alternative set forth in the order below that can be
determined by the Company (or the Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date: 
 (1) the sum of: (a) the alternate
rate of interest that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body as the replacement for the then-current Benchmark and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; 

(2) the sum of: (a) the ISDA Fallback Rate and (b) the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment; and 

(3) the sum of: (a) the alternate rate of interest that has been selected by the Company (or the Designee) as the
replacement for the then-current Benchmark giving due consideration to any industry-accepted rate of interest as a replacement for the then-current Benchmark for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time and (b) the Benchmark
Replacement Adjustment. 
 “Benchmark Replacement Adjustment” means the first alternative set forth in the
order below that can be determined by the Company (or the Designee) as of the Benchmark Replacement Date: 
 (1) the spread
adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, (which may be positive or negative value or zero) that has been selected or recommended by the Relevant Governmental Body for the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark
Replacement; 
 (2) if the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement is equivalent to the ISDA Fallback Rate, then the ISDA
Fallback Adjustment; and 

  
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 (3) the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or
zero) that has been selected by the Company (or the Designee) giving due consideration to any industry-accepted spread adjustment, or method for calculating or determining such spread adjustment, for the replacement of the then-current Benchmark
with the applicable Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement for U.S. dollar denominated floating rate notes at such time. 
 The Benchmark
Replacement Adjustment shall not include the Margin and such Margin shall be applied to the Benchmark Replacement to determine the interest payable on the Notes. 

“Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes” means, with respect to any Benchmark Replacement, any technical,
administrative or operational changes (including changes to the definition or interpretation of “interest period”, timing and frequency of determining rates and making payments of interest, rounding of amounts or tenor, and other
administrative matters), or any other changes to any other terms or provisions of the Notes, in each case that the Company (or the Designee) decide may be appropriate to reflect the adoption of such Benchmark Replacement in a manner substantially
consistent with market practice (or, if the Company (or the Designee) decide that adoption of any portion of such market practice is not administratively feasible or if the Company (or the Designee) determine that no market practice for use of the
Benchmark Replacement exists, in such other manner as the Company (or the Designee) determine is reasonably necessary or practicable). 

“Benchmark Replacement Date” means the earliest to occur of the following events with respect to the
then-current Benchmark: 
 (1) in the case of clause (1) or (2) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition
Event,” the later of (a) the date of the public statement or publication of information referenced therein and (b) the date on which the administrator of the Benchmark permanently or indefinitely ceases to provide the Benchmark; or

 (2) in the case of clause (3) of the definition of “Benchmark Transition Event,” the date of the public
statement or publication of information referenced therein. 
 For the avoidance of doubt, if the event giving rise to the Benchmark
Replacement Date occurs on the same day as, but earlier than, the Reference Time in respect of any determination, the Benchmark Replacement Date will be deemed to have occurred prior to the Reference Time for such determination. 

“Benchmark Transition Event” means the occurrence of one or more of the following events with respect to the
then-current Benchmark (including the daily published component used in the calculation thereof): 
 (1) a public statement
or publication of information by or on behalf of the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) announcing that such administrator has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component), permanently or indefinitely, provided
that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component); 

  
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 (2) a public statement or publication of information by the regulatory
supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component), the central bank for the currency of the Benchmark (or such component), an insolvency official with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), a
resolution authority with jurisdiction over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component) or a court or an entity with similar insolvency or resolution authority over the administrator for the Benchmark (or such component), which states
that the administrator of the Benchmark (or such component) has ceased or will cease to provide the Benchmark (or such component) permanently or indefinitely, provided that, at the time of such statement or publication, there is no successor
administrator that will continue to provide the Benchmark (or such component); or 
 (3) a public statement or publication of
information by the regulatory supervisor for the administrator of the Benchmark announcing that the Benchmark is no longer representative. 

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, 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 definition of “Business Day” in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 and the provisions described in the
preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and Section 113 of the Original Indenture. 

“Calculation Agent” means a banking institution or trust company appointed by the Company to act as
calculation agent, initially The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A. 
 “CERC Corp.” means
CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor. 

“Compounded SOFR” means as determined by the Calculation Agent in accordance with the following formula (and
the resulting percentage will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a percentage point): 
  

 
 where: 

“SOFR IndexStart” = For periods other than the initial
interest period, the SOFR Index value on the preceding Interest Payment Determination Date, and, for the initial interest period, the SOFR Index value two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before the Issue Date; 

  
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 “SOFR
IndexEnd” = The SOFR Index value on the Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Interest Payment Date (or, in the final interest period, relating to the applicable
maturity date or redemption date); and 
 “dc” is the
number of calendar days in the relevant Observation Period. 
 If a SOFR IndexStart
or SOFR IndexEnd is not published on the associated Interest Payment Determination Date and a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with
respect to SOFR, “Compounded SOFR” means, for the applicable interest period for which such index is not available, the rate of return on a daily compounded interest investment calculated in accordance with the formula for SOFR Averages,
and definitions required for such formula, published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at https://www.newyorkfed.org/markets/treasury-repo-reference-rates-information. For the purposes of this provision, references in the SOFR Averages
compounding formula and related definitions to “calculation period” shall be replaced with “Observation Period” and the words “that is, 30-,
90-, or 180- calendar days” shall be removed. If SOFR does not so appear for any day, “i” in the Observation Period, SOFRi for such day “i”
shall be SOFR published in respect of the first preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day for which SOFR was published on the SOFR Administrator’s Website. 

“Corporate Trust Office” 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. 

“Designee” means an independent financial advisor or such other designee of the Company. 

“Finance Lease” 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. 

“Houston Electric” means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and any
successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor. 
 The term
“Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by such Person, in respect of: (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) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness of such type, secured by a lien upon property owned by
such Person although such Person has not assumed or become liable for the 

  
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payment of such indebtedness, shall also for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other Persons which is directly
guaranteed as to payment of principal by such Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in respect of indebtedness incurred by any other Persons shall for
any purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person. 
 “Interest Payment Date” has the meaning set
forth in Section 204(a) hereof. 
 “Interest Payment Determination Date” means the date two U.S.
Government Securities Business Days before each Interest Payment Date. 
 “interest period” means the period
commencing on any Interest Payment Date (or, with respect to the initial interest period only, commencing on the Issue Date) to, but excluding, the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, and, in the case of the last such period, from and including
the Interest Payment Date immediately preceding the Maturity Date or, in connection with a redemption of the Notes, the Redemption Date to but excluding the Maturity Date or Redemption Date (if applicable). 

“ISDA Definitions” means the 2006 ISDA Definitions published by the International Swaps and Derivatives
Association, Inc. or any successor thereto, as amended or supplemented from time to time, or any successor definitional booklet for interest rate derivatives published from time to time. 

“ISDA Fallback Adjustment” means the spread adjustment (which may be a positive or negative value or zero)
that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA Definitions to be determined upon the occurrence of an index cessation event with respect to the Benchmark. 

“ISDA Fallback Rate” means the rate that would apply for derivatives transactions referencing the ISDA
Definitions to be effective upon the occurrence of an index cessation date with respect to the Benchmark for the applicable tenor excluding the applicable ISDA Fallback Adjustment. 

“Issue Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof. 

“Margin” has the meaning set forth in Section 204 hereof. 

“Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof. 

“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof. 

“Observation Period” means (i), in respect of each interest period, the period from, and including, the date
that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in such interest period to, but excluding, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the Interest Payment Date for such interest period (or
in the final interest period, preceding the applicable maturity date) and (ii), in respect of the payment of any interest in connection with a redemption of the Notes, the period from, 

  
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and including, the date that is two U.S. Government Securities Business Days preceding the first date in the interest period in which such redemption occurs to, but excluding, the date that is
two U.S. Government Securities Business Days before such redemption. 
 “Original Indenture” has the meaning
set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof. 
 “Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in
Section 301 hereof. 
 “Reference Time” with respect to any determination of the Benchmark means
(1) if the Benchmark is Compounded SOFR, the SOFR Index Determination Time, and (2) if the Benchmark is not Compounded SOFR, the time determined by the Company (or the Designee) in accordance with the Benchmark Replacement Conforming
Changes. 
 “Regular Record Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof; 

“Relevant Governmental Body” means the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or a
committee officially endorsed or convened by the Federal Reserve Board and/or the Federal Reserve Bank of New York or any successor thereto. 

“SOFR” means the daily secured overnight financing rate as provided by the SOFR Administrator on the SOFR
Administrator’s Website. 
 “SOFR Administrator” means the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or a
successor administrator of SOFR). 
 “SOFR Administrator’s Website” means the website of the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York, currently at http://www.newyorkfed.org, or any successor source. 
 “SOFR Index”
means, with respect to any U.S. Government Securities Business Day: 
 (1) the SOFR Index value as published by the SOFR
Administrator as such index appears on the SOFR Administrator’s Website at 3:00 p.m. (New York time) on such U.S. Government Securities Business Day (the “SOFR Index Determination Time”); provided that: 

(2) if a SOFR Index value does not so appear as specified in (1) above at the SOFR Index Determination Time, then:
(i) if a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have not occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to Section 206 hereof; or (ii) if a Benchmark Transition
Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred with respect to SOFR, then Compounded SOFR shall be the rate determined pursuant to Section 206 hereof. 

“SOFR Index Determination Time” has the meaning set forth in the definition of SOFR Index. 

  
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 “Unadjusted Benchmark Replacement” means the Benchmark
Replacement excluding the Benchmark Replacement Adjustment. 
 “U.S. Government Securities Business Day”
means any day except for a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association recommends that the fixed income departments of its members be closed for the entire day for purposes of trading in U.S.
government securities. 
 All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the
corresponding Articles and Sections of this Supplemental Indenture No. 12. 
 The terms “herein,”
“hereof,” “hereunder” and other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 12. 
 ARTICLE II

 The Series of Securities 

Section 201 Title of the Securities. The Notes shall be designated as the “Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024”. 

Section 202 Limitation on Aggregate Principal Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver the Notes for original issue on
the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000,000 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 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $700,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount 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 Notes shall be May 13, 2024 (the “Maturity Date”).

 Section 204 Interest and Interest Rates. 

(a) The Notes shall bear interest at an annual rate equal to Compounded SOFR plus 65 basis points (the “Margin”) from and
including May 13, 2021 (the “Issue Date”) to, but excluding, the Maturity Date. Interest shall be payable quarterly in arrears on February 13, May 13, August 13 and November 13 of each year (each an
“Interest Payment Date”), beginning on August 13, 2021. The record date (the “Regular Record Date”) for interest payable on any Interest Payment Date shall be the close of business on (1) the Business Day
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date so long as all of the Notes remain in book-entry only form, or (2) the 15th calendar day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date if any of the Notes do not remain in book-entry only
form. Interest on the Notes will accrue from and including the Issue Date to but excluding the first Interest Payment Date. Starting on the first Interest Payment Date, interest on the Notes will accrue from and including the last Interest Payment
Date to which the Company has paid, or duly provided for the payment of, interest on the Notes to but excluding the next succeeding Interest Payment Date. No interest will accrue on the Notes for the day that the Notes matures. The amount of
interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period. 

  
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 (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 the 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 the 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.

 (c) If any Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the Company will make the interest payment on the next
succeeding Business Day unless that Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than in the case of the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) the Company will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding
Business Day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay in payment. If the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the
payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of such postponement. 

Section 205 Calculations. 

(a) On each Interest Payment Determination Date relating to the applicable Interest Payment Date, the Calculation Agent will calculate the
amount of accrued interest payable on the Notes by multiplying (i) the outstanding principal amount of the Notes by (ii) the product of (a) the interest rate for the relevant interest period multiplied by (b) the quotient of the
actual number of calendar days in such Observation Period divided by 360. In no event will the interest on the Notes be less than zero. The interest rate for any interest period will not be adjusted for any modifications or amendments to the SOFR
Index or SOFR data that the Federal Reserve Bank of New York may publish after the interest rate for that interest period has been determined. 

(b) Absent willful misconduct, bad faith or manifest error, the calculation of the applicable interest rate for each interest period by the
Calculation Agent, or in certain circumstances, by the Company (or the Designee) will be final and binding on the Company, the Trustee, and the holders of the Notes. 

(c) None of the Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or Calculation Agent shall be under any obligation (i) to monitor, determine or
verify the unavailability or cessation of SOFR or the SOFR Index, or whether or when there has occurred, or to give notice to any other transaction party of the occurrence of, any Benchmark Transition Event or related Benchmark Replacement Date,
(ii) to select, determine or designate any Benchmark Replacement, or other successor or replacement benchmark index, or whether any conditions to the designation of such a rate or index have been satisfied, (iii) to select, determine or
designate any Benchmark Replacement Adjustment, or other modifier to any replacement or successor index, or (iv) to determine whether or what Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes are necessary or advisable, if any, in connection with any of
the foregoing. 

  
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 (d) None of the Trustee, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or Calculation Agent shall be
liable for any inability, failure or delay on its part to perform any of its duties described in the Indenture as a result of the unavailability of SOFR, the SOFR Index or other applicable Benchmark Replacement, including as a result of any failure,
inability, delay, error or inaccuracy on the part of any other transaction party in providing any direction, instruction, notice or information contemplated by the Indenture and reasonably required for the performance of such duties. 

Section 206 Effect of Benchmark Transition Event 

(a) If the Company (or the Designee) determine that a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred
prior to the Reference Time in respect of any determination of the Benchmark on any date, the Benchmark Replacement will replace the then-current Benchmark for all purposes relating to the Notes in respect of such determination on such date and all
determinations on all subsequent dates. 
 (b) In connection with the implementation of a Benchmark Replacement, the Company (or the
Designee) will have the right to make Benchmark Replacement Conforming Changes from time to time. 
 (c) Any determination, decision or
election that may be made by the Company (or the Designee) pursuant this Section 206, including any determination with respect to tenor, rate or adjustment or of the occurrence or non-occurrence of an
event, circumstance or date and any decision to take or refrain from taking any action or any selection, will be conclusive and binding absent manifest error, will be made in the Company’s (or the Designee’s) sole discretion, and,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in any documentation relating to the Notes, shall become effective without consent from the holders of the Notes or any other party. 

(d) For the avoidance of doubt, after a Benchmark Transition Event and its related Benchmark Replacement Date have occurred, the interest rate
for each interest period on the Notes will be an annual rate equal to the sum of the Benchmark Replacement and the Margin. 

Section 207 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. 

  
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 Section 208 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 209 Percentage of Principal Amount. The Notes shall be initially issued at 100.00% of their principal
amount, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date. 
 Section 210 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 form of Security attached as Exhibit A hereto. 
 Section 211 Form of
Securities. The Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A hereto. 
 Section 212 Securities
Registrar. The Trustee shall initially serve as the Security Registrar for the Notes. 
 Section 213 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. 

Section 214 Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance 

(a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by
Section 214(b) hereof), shall apply to Notes. 
 (b) Solely with respect to 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 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”).” 

ARTICLE III 
 Optional Redemption
of the Notes 
 Section 301 Redemption Price. At any time on or after May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”),
the Company may redeem the Notes, in whole or in part, at the Company’s option, by paying 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. The
Company does not have the right to redeem the Notes prior to the Par Call Date. 

  
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 Section 302 [Reserved]. 

Section 303 Partial Redemption. If fewer than all of the Notes are to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Article III, not
more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption will be selected from the outstanding Notes not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may
select for redemption Notes and portions of Notes in minimum 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 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. 

Section 304 Notice of Optional Redemption. 

(a) The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption prepared by the Company to each holder of Notes to
be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 days 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 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. 
 (b) Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection with a
corporate transaction that is pending (including an equity offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a change of control) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited to,
completion of the transaction. 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 by the Redemption Date. Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will
become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. The Company shall notify holders of Notes called for redemption of any such rescission as soon as
practicable after the Company 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 IV 
 Remedies 

Section 401 Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity 

  
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 (a) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(5) 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: 

“(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the
Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston
Electric, bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, under any applicable federal or state law, or
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation
of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A) or (B) involving CERC
Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(b) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, Section 501(6) 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: 

“(6) the commencement by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric of a voluntary case or proceeding under any
applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry of a decree or order for relief in
respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case
or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the filing of such petition or to the
appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or the making
by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of its 

  
 13 

 
respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric to pay its respective debts
generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an
Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(c) Solely with respect to the Notes issued hereby, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture, 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 in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the aggregate
principal amount of $125 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company 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 payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the Indebtedness.”

 Section 402 Amendment of Certain Provisions. Solely with respect to the Notes 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 V 

Miscellaneous Provisions 

Section 501 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 12, is in all respects hereby adopted,
ratified and confirmed. 
 Section 502 This Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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. 
 Section 503 THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 12 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. 

  
 14 

 Section 504 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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 505 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 12 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. 

  
 15 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 12
to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above. 
  

			
	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
		
	By:	 	 
		 	Name: Jason P. Wells
		 	 Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  

	
	Attest:
	
	   

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Secretary

  

			
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
As Trustee
		
	By:	 	 
		 	Name:
		 	Title:

  
 16 

 Exhibit A 

[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 (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 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, INC. 

Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2024 
  

			
	Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021	  	Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
	Stated Maturity: May 13, 2024	  	Redemption Date: On or after May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”)
	 Interest Rate: Compounded SOFR plus 0.65%

Interest Payment Dates: February 13, May 13, August 13 and November 13

Initial Interest Payment Date: August 13, 2021 Regular Record Dates: [Business Day immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date]/[15th calendar day
immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day)]*
	  	 Redemption Price: On or after the Par Call Date, at a 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 to, but excluding, the Redemption Date.

  
  

	* 	 NTD: Insert first bracketed language if Global Security otherwise insert second bracketed language.

  
 A-1 

 This Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security 

within the meaning of the within-mentioned Indenture. 
  

 
  

			
	Principal Amount	  	Registered No. T-1
	$            †	  	CUSIP 15189T AZ0

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” 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, quarterly in arrears on the Interest Payment Dates specified above in each year, commencing on August 13, 2021, and
at Maturity, at the Interest Rate per annum specified above, until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment. The amount of interest payable for any period will be computed on the basis of a
360-day year and the actual number of days in the Observation Period. 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.If any
Interest Payment Date falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the Company will make the interest payment on the next succeeding Business Day unless that Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month, in which case (other than in the case
of the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date) the Company will make the interest payment on the immediately preceding Business Day. If an interest payment is made on the next succeeding Business Day, no interest will accrue as a result of the delay
in payment. If the Maturity Date or the Redemption Date of the Notes falls on a day that is not a Business Day, the payment due on such date will be postponed to the next succeeding Business Day, and no further interest will accrue in respect of
such postponement. A “Business Day” 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. 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. 
  

 

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

  
 A-2 

 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. 

  
 A-3 

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

 

							
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 	Name:	 	Jason P. Wells
		 		 	Title:	 	 Executive Vice President and
 Chief Financial
Officer

  

	
	(SEAL)
	
	Attest:
	
	   

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

							
		 		 	 THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

As Trustee

				
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 		 	Authorized Signatory

  
 A-4 

 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.

  

									
	 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

  
 A-5 

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

FLOATING RATE SENIOR NOTES DUE 2024 

This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the “Securities”), issued and to be
issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust
Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as 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 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 $700,000,000; provided, however, that
the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 
 This
Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to May 13, 2022 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of this
Security (or the portion hereof 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.

 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. 
 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 

  
 A-6 

 
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. 
 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. 

  
 A-7 

 The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without coupons in
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 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. 

  
 A-8EX-4.3

 Exhibit 4.3 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 To 

THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION 

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

Trustee 
  

 
 SUPPLEMENTAL
INDENTURE NO. 13 
 Dated as of May 13, 2021 
  

 
 $500,000,000
1.45% Senior Notes due 2026 
 $500,000,000 2.65% Senior Notes due 2031 

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 13 

$500,000,000 1.45% Senior Notes due 2026 

$500,000,000 2.65% Senior Notes due 2031 

SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE No. 13, dated as of May 13, 2021, between CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a Texas corporation (the
“Company”), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as Trustee (the “Trustee”). 

RECITALS 
 The Company has
heretofore executed and delivered to the Trustee an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (the “Original Indenture” and, as hereby supplemented and amended, the “Indenture”), providing for the issuance from time
to time of one or more series of the Company’s Securities. 
 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 “1.45% Senior Notes due 2026” (the “2026 Notes”) and the “2.65% Senior Notes due 2031” (the “2031 Notes” and,
together with the 2026 Notes, the “Notes”), 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. 13.

 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: 
 ARTICLE I 

Relation to Indenture; Additional Definitions 

Section 101 Relation to Indenture. This Supplemental Indenture No. 13 constitutes an integral part of the Original Indenture.

 Section 102 Additional Definitions. For all purposes of this Supplemental Indenture No. 13: 

  
 1 

 Capitalized terms used herein shall have the meaning specified herein or in
the Original Indenture, as the case may be; 
 “2026 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second
paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 
 “2031 Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the
Recitals hereof; 
 “2026 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“2031 Notes Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“2026 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“2031 Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“Affiliate” of, or a Person “affiliated” with, a specific Person means a Person that directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Person specified. For purposes of this definition, “control” (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; 

“Business Day” means, with respect to any Note, 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. 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. The definition of “Business Day” in this Supplemental Indenture No. 13 and the provisions described in the
preceding sentence shall supersede the definition of Business Day in the Original Indenture and Section 113 of the Original Indenture; 

“CERC Corp.” means CenterPoint Energy Resources Corp., a Delaware corporation, and any successor thereto;
provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor; 
 “Comparable Treasury
Issue” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 
 “Comparable Treasury Price” has the
meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

  
 2 

 “Corporate Trust Office” 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; 

“Finance Lease” 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; 

“Houston Electric” means CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, a Texas limited liability company, and any
successor thereto; provided, that at any given time, there shall not be more than one such successor; 
 The term
“Indebtedness” as applied to any Person, means bonds, debentures, notes and other instruments or arrangements representing obligations created or assumed by such Person, in respect of: (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) any amendments, renewals, extensions, modifications and refundings of any such indebtedness or obligations listed in clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above. All indebtedness of such type, secured by a lien upon property owned by
such Person although such Person has not assumed or become liable for the payment of such indebtedness, shall also for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person. All indebtedness for borrowed money incurred by any other Persons
which is directly guaranteed as to payment of principal by such Person shall for all purposes hereof be deemed to be indebtedness of any such Person, but no other contingent obligation of such Person in respect of indebtedness incurred by any other
Persons shall for any purpose be deemed to be indebtedness of such Person; 
 “Independent Investment
Banker” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 
 “Interest Payment Date” has the
meaning set forth in Section 204(a) hereof; 
 “Issue Date” has the meaning set forth in
Section 204(a) hereof; 
 “Maturity Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 203 hereof; 

“Notes” has the meaning set forth in the second paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 

“Original Indenture” has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of the Recitals hereof; 

“Par Call Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 301 hereof; 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

  
 3 

 “Regular Record Date” has the meaning set forth in
Section 204(a) hereof; 
 “Remaining Term” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

“Treasury Rate” has the meaning set forth in Section 302 hereof; 

All references herein to Articles and Sections, unless otherwise specified, refer to the corresponding Articles and Sections of
this Supplemental Indenture No. 13; and 
 The terms “herein,” “hereof,” “hereunder” and
other words of similar import refer to this Supplemental Indenture No. 13. 
 ARTICLE II 

The Series of Securities 

Section 201 Title of the Securities. The 2026 Notes shall be designated as the “1.45% Senior Notes due 2026” and the
2031 Notes shall be designated as the “2.65% Senior Notes due 2031.” 
 Section 202 Limitation on Aggregate Principal
Amount. The Trustee shall authenticate and deliver (i) the 2026 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate principal amount of $500,000,000 and (ii) the 2031 Notes for original issue on the Issue Date in the aggregate
principal amount of $500,000,000, 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 2026 Notes and 2031 Notes that may initially be outstanding shall not exceed $500,000,000 and
$500,000,000, respectively; provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of any 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 2026 Notes shall be June 1, 2026 (the “2026 Notes Maturity
Date”) and the Stated Maturity of the 2031 Notes shall be June 1, 2031 (the “2031 Notes Maturity Date”; each of the 2026 Notes Maturity Date and the 2031 Notes Maturity Date, a “Maturity Date”). 

Section 204 Interest and Interest Rates. 

(a) The 2026 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 1.45% per year, from and including May 13, 2021 (the “Issue Date”)
to, but excluding, the 2026 Notes Maturity Date. The 2031 Notes shall bear interest at a rate of 2.65% per year, from and including the Issue Date to, but excluding, the 2031 Notes Maturity Date. Such interest shall be payable semiannually in
arrears on June 1 and December 1 of each year (each an “Interest Payment Date”), beginning December 1, 2021, to the persons in whose names the Notes (or one or more Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close
of business on May 15 and November 15 (each a “Regular Record Date”) (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, immediately preceding such Interest Payment Date. 

  
 4 

 (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 the Notes of such series 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 the Notes of such 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 the Indenture. 
 (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. 

(d) Any principal and premium, if any, and any installment of interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of 1.45% per annum
(to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2026 Notes or 2.65% per annum (to the extent permitted by law), in the case of the 2031 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 2026 Notes and the 2031 Notes shall be
initially issued at 99.767% and 99.806% of their principal amount, respectively, plus accrued interest, if any, from the Issue Date. 

Section 208 Global Securities. The Notes of each series 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
form of Security attached as Exhibit A and Exhibit B hereto, as applicable. 

  
 5 

 Section 209 Form of Securities. The 2026 Notes shall be substantially in the
form attached as Exhibit A hereto and the 2031 Notes shall be substantially in the form attached as Exhibit B hereto. 

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

Section 211 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. 
 Section 212
Defeasance and Discharge; Covenant Defeasance 
 (a) Article Fourteen of the Original Indenture, including without limitation
Sections 1402 and 1403 thereof (as modified by Section 212(b) hereof), shall apply to Notes of each series. 
 (b) Solely with respect
to Notes of each series 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 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”).” 

ARTICLE III 
 Optional Redemption
of the Notes 
 Section 301 Redemption Price. The Notes of each series shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any
time and from time to time, in whole or in part, (1) in the case of the 2026 Notes, on any date prior to May 1, 2026 (the “2026 Par Call Date”) and (2) in the case of the 2031 Notes, on any date prior to March 1,
2031 (the “2031 Par Call Date”; each of the 2026 Par Call Date and the 2031 Par Call Date, a “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed or
(ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest on the Notes to be redeemed that would be due if the Notes of such series matured in the case of the 2026 Notes and the 2031 Notes, on the
applicable Par Call Date, in each case, but for the redemption (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued to the Redemption Date) discounted to the Redemption Date on 

  
 6 

 
a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable Treasury Rate
plus 10 basis points for the 2026 Notes and 15 basis points for the 2031 Notes plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the 2026 Par Call Date
or the 2031 Par Call Date, as applicable, the Company may redeem the 2026 Notes or the 2031 Notes, as the case may be, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 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. The Trustee shall have no responsibility for the calculation of such amount. 

Section 302 Calculation. The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day
preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of this Article III, the following terms shall mean as follows: 
 “Treasury
Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption date, as follows: for the latest day that appears 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 publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker
shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining maturity of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming the Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) – and shall
interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the applicable Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such
release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the applicable Comparable Treasury Issue,
calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption Date. 

“Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an actual
or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of the Notes to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Notes matured on the applicable Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of such Notes. 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date,
after excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. 

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company, or, if these firms are
unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 

  
 7 

 “Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) BofA Securities, Inc.,
Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp
Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or successors,, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and
(2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the
average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 
 Section 303 Partial Redemption. If
fewer than all of the Notes of a series are to be redeemed by the Company pursuant to this Article III, not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, the particular Notes or portions thereof for redemption will be selected from the outstanding
Notes of such series not previously called by such method as the Trustee deems fair and appropriate. The Trustee may select for redemption Notes of such series and portions of Notes of such series in minimum 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 of such series to be redeemed will be determined in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company. 

Section 304 Notice of Optional Redemption. 

(a) The Trustee, at the written direction of the Company, will send a notice of redemption prepared by the Company to each holder of Notes of
the series to be redeemed by first-class mail (or in accordance with the procedures of The Depository Trust Company with respect to Notes registered in the name of Cede & Co.) at least 15 days 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 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. 
 (b) Notice of any redemption of the Notes in connection
with a corporate transaction that is pending (including an equity offering, an incurrence of Indebtedness or a change of control) may, at the Company’s discretion, be given subject to one or more conditions precedent, including, but not limited
to, completion of the transaction. 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 by the Redemption Date. Once notice of redemption is mailed or sent, subject to the satisfaction of any conditions precedent provided in the notice of redemption, the Notes called for redemption will
become due and payable on the Redemption Date and at the applicable redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. The Company shall notify holders of Notes called for redemption of any such rescission as soon as
practicable after the Company 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. 

  
 8 

 ARTICLE IV 

Remedies 
 Section 401
Additional Events of Default; Acceleration of Maturity 
 (a) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby,
Section 501(5) 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: 

“(5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a decree or order for relief in respect of the
Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston
Electric, bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, under any applicable federal or state law, or
appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its respective property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation
of its respective affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; provided that any specified event in (A) or (B) involving CERC
Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(b) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, Section 501(6) 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: 

“(6) the commencement by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric of a voluntary case or proceeding under any
applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by any of them to the entry of a decree or order for relief in
respect of the Company, 

  
 9 

 
CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable federal or state bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or to the commencement of any
bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against any of them, or the filing by any of them of a petition or answer or consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable federal or state law, or the consent by any of them to the filing
of such petition or to the appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric or of any substantial part of its
respective property, or the making by any of them of an assignment of a substantial part of its respective property for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by any of them in writing of the inability of any of the Company, CERC Corp. or
Houston Electric to pay its respective debts generally as they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric in furtherance of any such action; provided that any such specified event involving CERC
Corp. or Houston Electric shall not constitute an Event of Default if, at the time such event occurs, CERC Corp. or Houston Electric, as the case may be, shall no longer be an Affiliate of the Company; or” 

(c) Solely with respect to the Notes of each series issued hereby, and pursuant to Section 501(7) of the Original Indenture,
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 in a scheduled payment at maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, in the
aggregate principal amount of $125 million or more, after the expiration of any applicable grace period, of any Indebtedness or the acceleration of any Indebtedness of the Company 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 payment default is not cured or such acceleration is not rescinded within 30 days after notice to the Company in accordance with the terms of the
Indebtedness.” 
 Section 402 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. 

  
 10 

 ARTICLE V 

Miscellaneous Provisions 

Section 501 The Indenture, as supplemented and amended by this Supplemental Indenture No. 13, is in all respects hereby adopted,
ratified and confirmed. 
 Section 502 This Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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. 
 Section 503 THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE NO. 13 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 504 If any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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 505 In case any provision in this Supplemental Indenture No. 13 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. 

  
 11 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Supplemental Indenture No. 13
to be duly executed, as of the day and year first written above. 
  

			
	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

 
			
		
	By:	 	 
		 	Name: Jason P. Wells
		 	 Title: Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

  

	
	Attest:
	
	   

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Secretary

  

			
	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, As Trustee

 
			
		
	By:	 	 
		 	Name:
		 	Title:

  
 12 

 Exhibit A 

[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 (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 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, INC. 

1.45% Senior Notes due 2026 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021

Stated Maturity: June 1, 2026
 Interest Rate: 1.45%

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1
 Initial
Interest Payment Date: December 1, 2021 Regular Record Dates: May 15 and November 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
 Redemption Date: At
any time.
 Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to May 1, 2026 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the
principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) 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 10 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest

  
 A-1 

			
		  	on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a 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 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

CUSIP 15189T BA4

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” 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 December 1, 2021, and at 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 1.45% 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 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 “Business Day” 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 May 15 and November 15 (whether or not 

 

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

  
 A-2 

 
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. 

  
 A-3 

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

 

							
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 	Name:	 	Jason P. Wells
		 		 	Title:	 	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 (SEAL) 
 Attest: 

 

	
	   

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

							
		 		 	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION As Trustee
			
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	
				
		 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 		 	Authorized Signatory

  
 A-4 

 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.

  

									
	 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

  
 A-5 

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 1.45%
SENIOR NOTES DUE 2026 
 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the
“Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the
Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as 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 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 $500,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to
May 1, 2026 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) 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 (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable
Treasury Rate plus 10 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, at any
time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 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. 
 The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the
Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows: 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption
date, as follows: for the latest day that appears 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
publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining
maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – 

  
 A-6 

 
and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the
Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to
maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption
Date. 
 “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an
actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security. 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after
excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. 

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company, or, if these firms are
unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government
securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or
successors,, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company
after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted
in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 

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. 

  
 A-7 

 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. 

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-8 

 
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 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 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. 

  
 A-9 

 Exhibit B 

[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 (“DTC”), TO CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 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, INC. 

2.65% Senior Notes due 2031 
  

			
	 Original Interest Accrual Date: May 13, 2021

Stated Maturity: June 1, 2031
 Interest Rate: 2.65%

Interest Payment Dates: June 1 and December 1
 Initial
Interest Payment Date: December 1, 2021 Regular Record Dates: May 15 and November 15 immediately preceding the respective Interest Payment Date
	  	 Redeemable: Yes [X] No [ ]
 Redemption Date: At
any time.
 Redemption Price: 1) On any date prior to March 1, 2031 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the
principal amount of this Security or the portion hereof to be redeemed or (ii) 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 15 basis points; plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest

  
 B-1 

			
		  	on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the Redemption Date; or 2) on or after the Par Call Date, at a 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 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
		
	$                            †	  	CUSIP 15189T BB2

 CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Texas (herein called the
“Company,” 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 December 1, 2021, and at 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 2.65% 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 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 “Business Day”
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 

 

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

  
 B-2 

 
Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be May 15 and November 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. 

  
 B-3 

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

 

							
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
				
		 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 	Name:	 	Jason P. Wells
		 		 	Title:	 	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 (SEAL) 
 Attest: 

 

	
	   

	Name: Vincent A. Mercaldi
	Title: Secretary

 CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION 

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

 

							
		 		 	THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION As Trustee
			
	Dated: May 13, 2021	 		 	
				
		 		 	By:	 	 
		 		 		 	Authorized Signatory

  
 B-4 

 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.

  

									
	 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

  
 B-5 

 [FORM OF REVERSE SIDE OF SECURITY] 

CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC. 
 2.65%
SENIOR NOTES DUE 2031 
 This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the Company (herein called the
“Securities”), issued and to be issued in one or more series under an Indenture, dated as of May 19, 2003 (herein called the “ Indenture,” which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such instrument), between the
Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, National Association (successor to JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (formerly JPMorgan Chase Bank)), as 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 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 $500,000,000;
provided, however, that the authorized aggregate principal amount of the Securities may be increased above such amount by a Board Resolution to such effect. 

This Security shall be redeemable, at the option of the Company, at any time or from time to time, in whole or in part, on any date prior to
March 1, 2031 (the “Par Call Date”) at a price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled
payments of principal and interest on the Securities to be redeemed that would be due if this Security (or the portion hereof to be redeemed) 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 (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the applicable
Treasury Rate plus 15 basis points plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed, if any, to, but excluding, the Redemption Date. On or after the Par Call Date, the Company may redeem this Security, at any
time or from time to time, in whole or in part, by paying 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. 
 The Treasury Rate will be calculated by the
Independent Investment Banker on the third Business Day preceding the Redemption Date. For purposes of calculating the Redemption Price, the following terms shall mean as follows: 

“Treasury Rate” means, with respect to any Redemption Date, the yield calculated on the third business day preceding the redemption
date, as follows: for the latest day that appears 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
publication) under the caption “Treasury Constant Maturities—Nominal”, the independent investment banker shall select two yields – one for the maturity immediately before and one for the maturity immediately after the remaining
maturity of this Security (assuming this Security matured on the Par Call Date) – 

  
 B-6 

 
and shall interpolate on a straight-line basis using such yields; if there is no such maturity either before or after, the independent investment banker shall select the maturity closest to the
Par Call Date that appears on the release; or if such release (or any successor release) is not published during the week preceding the calculation date or does not contain such yields, the rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to
maturity of the Comparable Treasury Issue, calculated by the Independent Investment Banker using a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable Treasury Price for such Redemption
Date. 
 “Comparable Treasury Issue” means the U.S. Treasury security selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having an
actual or interpolated maturity comparable to the remaining term (“Remaining Term”) of this Security to be redeemed (assuming for this purpose that the Securities matured on the Par Call Date) that would be utilized, at the time of
selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the Remaining Term of this Security. 

“Comparable Treasury Price” means (1) the average of five Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such Redemption Date, after
excluding the highest and lowest Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (2) if the Independent Investment Banker obtains fewer than five such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the average of all such quotations. 

“Independent Investment Banker” means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers appointed by the Company, or, if these firms are
unwilling or unable to select the Comparable Treasury Issue, an independent investment banking institution of national standing selected by the Company. 

“Reference Treasury Dealer” means each of (1) BofA Securities, Inc., Mizuho Securities USA LLC and a primary U.S. government
securities dealer in the United States of America (a “Primary Treasury Dealer”) designated by each of MUFG Securities Americas Inc., PNC Capital Markets LLC and U.S. Bancorp Investments, Inc. and each of their respective affiliates or
successors,, provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a Primary Treasury Dealer, the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer and (2) any other Primary Treasury Dealer selected by the Company
after consultation with the Independent Investment Banker. 
 “Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations” means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any Redemption Date, the average, as determined by the Independent Investment Banker, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue (expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted
in writing to the Independent Investment Banker at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the third Business Day preceding such Redemption Date. 

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. 

  
 B-7 

 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. 

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

  
 B-8 

 
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 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 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. 

  
 B-9

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