Document:

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                                                               EXHIBIT 10(cc)(3)

                            TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT

                                  BY AND AMONG

                            CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.

                          AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES

                                       AND

                           TEXAS GENCO HOLDINGS, INC.

                          AND ITS AFFILIATED COMPANIES

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                            TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT

                  THIS TAX ALLOCATION AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), entered into
effective as of August 31, 2002, by and among CenterPoint Energy, Inc., a Texas
corporation ("CP"), each CP Affiliated Company, Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., a
Texas corporation ("Texas Genco"), and each Texas Genco Affiliated Company is
entered into in connection with the Distribution (as defined below).

                                    RECITALS

                  WHEREAS, CP is the common parent of an affiliated group of
corporations within the meaning of Section 1504(a) of the Internal Revenue Code
of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), which currently files a consolidated federal
income tax return, and which, together with other affiliated corporations, is
party to the Tax Sharing Agreement (as defined below);

                  WHEREAS, as set forth in the Master Separation Agreement,
dated December 31, 2000, and subject to the terms and conditions thereof,
Reliant Energy, Incorporated, the predecessor to CP, transferred all of its
Texas electric generating assets to a limited partnership subsidiary of Texas
Genco, and the limited partnership subsidiary of Texas Genco assumed all of the
liabilities associated with such electric generating assets; and

                  WHEREAS, in accordance with the Texas statute that mandates
the deregulation of the Texas electric business and in order to establish the
"stranded costs" attributable to the electric power generation facilities owned
by Texas Genco and pursuant to that certain Separation Agreement between
CenterPoint Energy, Inc. and Texas Genco Holdings, Inc., dated as of August 31,
2002, CP will distribute approximately 19% of its shares of Texas Genco common
stock, on a pro rata basis, to the holders of the common stock of CP (the
"Distribution");

                  NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:

SECTION 1.        DEFINITIONS

                  1.1      In General. As used in this Agreement, the following
capitalized terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Affiliated Company" means, for income tax purposes, any
entity in which a common parent holds 80% or more of the voting power and value
of such corporation.

                  "Audit" includes any audit, assessment of Taxes, other
examination by any Tax Authority, proceeding, or appeal of such a proceeding
relating to Taxes, whether administrative or judicial, including proceedings
relating to competent authority determinations.

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                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                  "Consolidated Group" means a group of one or more corporations
connected through stock ownership with a common parent in which the common
parent owns at least 80% of the total voting power and value of such corporation
and that files a Consolidated Return.

                  "Consolidated Return" means any Tax Return with respect to
Federal Income Taxes filed on a consolidated basis.

                  "Consolidated Return Regulations" shall mean the Treasury
Regulations promulgated under Chapter 6 of Subtitle A of the Code, including, as
applicable, any predecessors or successors thereto.

                  "Consolidated State Tax" means any Tax incurred by a Legal
Entity that is not a Federal Income Tax and that is filed on a combined,
unitary, or consolidated basis.

                  "Consolidated State Tax Return" means a Tax Return filed with
respect to a Consolidated State Tax liability.

                  "CP" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement.

                  "CP Consolidated State Tax" means a Consolidated State Tax for
a particular Tax period for which CP or a member of the CP Group has the legal
obligation to file a Tax Return with respect to such Consolidated State Tax.

                  "CP Consolidated State Tax Return" means a Tax Return filed
with respect to a CP Consolidated State Tax.

                  "CP Group" means CP, any CP Affiliated Company or other entity
of which CP is the common parent corporation or other entity which may be, or
may become a member of such group from time to time.

                  "CP Consolidated Group" means with respect to a particular Tax
period a Consolidated Group in which CP is the common parent for all or a
portion of such Tax period.

                  "DIT" shall mean any "deferred intercompany transaction" or
"intercompany transaction" within the meaning of the Treasury Regulations (or
predecessors thereto).

                  "Distribution" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to
this Agreement.

                  "Distribution Date" means the date on which the Distribution
is effective.

                  "Federal Income Tax" means any Tax imposed under Subtitle A of
the Code (including the Taxes imposed by Sections 11, 55, and 1201(a) of the
Code), and any interest, additions to Tax or penalties applicable or related
thereto, and any other income-based U.S. federal Tax which is hereinafter
imposed upon corporations.

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                  "Filing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.

                  "Final Determination" means with respect to any issue (i) a
decision, judgment, decree or other order by any court of competent
jurisdiction, which decision, judgment, decree or other order has become final
and not subject to further appeal, (ii) a closing agreement (whether or not
entered into under Section 7121 of the Code) or any other binding settlement
agreement (whether or not with the Service) entered into in connection with or
in contemplation of an administrative or judicial proceeding, or (iii) the
completion of the highest level of administrative proceedings if a judicial
contest is not or is no longer available.

                  "Income Taxes" means (1) any tax based upon, measured by, or
calculated with respect to (A) net income or profits (including any capital
gains tax, minimum tax and any tax on items of Tax preference, but not including
sales, use, real or personal property, gross or net receipts, transfer or
similar taxes) or (B) multiple bases if one or more of the bases upon which such
tax may be based, measured by, or calculated with respect to, is described in
clause (A) above, or (2) any U.S., state or local franchise tax.

                  "Indemnifying Party" means a person who has an obligation to
indemnify another person under Section 5.2.

                  "Indemnitee" means a person who is owed an indemnification
obligation by another person under Section 5.2.

                  "Joint Return" shall mean any Tax Return that includes at
least two Legal Entities, of which one Legal Entity is a member of the Texas
Genco Group and the other Legal Entity is a member of the CP Group.

                  "Legal Entity" shall mean a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other legal entity under the corporation, partnership,
limited liability company or other organizational laws of a state or other
jurisdiction.

                  "Non-Filing Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3 of
this Agreement.

                  "Redetermination" shall mean any redetermination as the result
of an Audit by the Service (or the relevant state, local or foreign governmental
authority), a claim for refund, an amended Tax Return or otherwise and that is
resolved by a Final Determination.

                  "Separate Tax" means any Tax incurred by a Legal Entity that
is not a Federal Income Tax and that is filed on a separate company basis.

                  "Separate Return" means any Tax Return filed with respect to a
Separate Tax liability.

                  "Service" means the Internal Revenue Service.

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                  "Tax" includes any charges, fees, levies, imposts, duties, or
other assessments of a similar nature, including income, alternative or add-on
minimum, gross receipts, profits, lease, service, service use, wage, wage
withholding, employment, workers compensation, business occupation, occupation,
premiums, environmental, estimated, excise, employment, sales, use, transfer,
license, payroll, franchise, severance, stamp, occupation, windfall profits,
withholding, social security, unemployment, disability, ad valorem, estimated,
highway use, commercial rent, capital stock, paid up capital, recording,
registration, property, real property gains, value added, business license,
custom duties, or other tax or governmental fee of any kind whatsoever, imposed
or required to be withheld by any Tax Authority including any interest,
additions to tax, or penalties applicable or related thereto.

                  "Tax Authority" means any governmental authority or any
subdivision, agency, commission or authority thereof or any quasi-governmental
or private body having jurisdiction over the assessment, determination,
collection or imposition of any Tax (including the Service).

                  "Tax Benefit" means a reduction in the Tax liability of a
taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for any taxable
period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Benefit shall be
deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period
only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the
affiliated group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into
account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the
current period and all prior periods, is less than it would have been if such
Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.

                  "Tax Detriment" means an increase in the Tax liability of a
taxpayer (or of the affiliated group of which it is a member) for any taxable
period. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, a Tax Detriment shall be
deemed to have been realized or received from a Tax Item in a taxable period
only if and to the extent that the Tax liability of the taxpayer (or of the
affiliated group of which it is a member) for such period, after taking into
account the effect of the Tax Item on the Tax liability of such taxpayer in the
current period and all prior periods, is more than it would have been if such
Tax liability were determined without regard to such Tax Item.

                  "Tax Item" means any item of income, gain, loss, deduction or
credit, or other attribute that may have the effect of increasing or decreasing
any Tax.

                  "Tax Sharing Agreement" means the Tax Sharing Agreement, dated
August 6, 1997, entered into by and among Houston Industries, Incorporated
(predecessor to CP), NorAm Energy Corp., and Houston Industries Energy, Inc.

                  "Tax Return" means any return, report, certificate, form or
similar statement or document (including, any related or supporting information
or schedule attached thereto and any information return, amended Tax return,
claim for refund or declaration of estimated Tax) required to be supplied to, or
filed with, a Tax Authority in connection with the determination,

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assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws,
regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.

                  "Texas Genco" has the meaning set forth in the Recitals to
this Agreement.

                  "Texas Genco Group" means Texas Genco and any Texas Genco
Affiliated Company of which Texas Genco would be the common parent corporation
if Texas Genco were not a member of the CP Group.

                  "Treasury Regulations" means the final, temporary and proposed
income Tax regulations promulgated under the Code, as such regulations may be
amended from time to time (including corresponding provisions of succeeding
regulations).

                  1.2      Construction Principles. As used in this Agreement,
the singular shall be deemed to include the plural and vice versa, and the
captions and section headings are inserted for convenience of reference only and
are not intended to have any significance for the interpretation of, or
construction of, the provisions of this Agreement. IT IS INTENDED THAT THIS
AGREEMENT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE PUBLIC UTILITY HOLDING COMPANY ACT OF 1935, RULE
45(c), TO THE EXTENT RELEVANT, AND ALL AMBIGUITIES SHALL BE INTERPRETED AND
RESOLVED ACCORDINGLY.

SECTION 2.        PREPARATION AND FILING OF TAX RETURNS.

                  2.1      In General. CP shall timely file or cause to be filed
all Tax Returns that are filed on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis and
shall include Texas Genco and the Texas Genco Affiliates as members of the CP
Group with respect to the Tax Items of Texas Genco and the Texas Genco
Affiliates. If Texas Genco is required to file a Separate Return, CP shall
timely file or cause to be filed all such Separate Returns.

                  2.2      Information and Cooperation.

                  (a)      CP and Texas Genco shall provide each other all
documents and information, and make available employees and officers of CP and
Texas Genco, as reasonably requested by the other party, on a mutually
convenient basis during normal business hours, to aid the other party in
preparing any Tax Return described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement or to
contest any Audit of any such Tax Return.

                  (b)      In the case of any Tax Return described in
Section 2.1 of this Agreement, CP will provide Texas Genco with a copy of that
portion of each such Tax Return to the extent it relates to Texas Genco or any
Texas Genco Affiliated Company, together with all related tax accounting work
papers, not later than five (5) days after the receipt of a written request
therefor.

                  2.3      Manner of Filing Tax Returns. Except as
otherwise provided in this Section 2.3 of this Agreement, the party that is
required to file a return under Section 2.1 of this Agreement (the "Filing
Party") shall have the exclusive right to determine (1) the manner in which such
Tax Return shall be prepared and filed, including the elections, methods of
accounting, positions, conventions and principles of taxation to be used and the
manner in which

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any Tax Item shall be reported, (2) whether any extensions may be requested, (3)
the elections that will be made in such Tax Return, (4) whether any amended Tax
Returns shall be filed, (5) whether any claims for refund shall be made, (6)
whether any refunds shall be paid by way of refund or credited against any
liability for the related Tax, and (7) whether to retain outside specialists to
prepare such Tax Return, whom to retain for such purpose and the scope of any
such retainer. (The party who is not the Filing Party is referred to herein as
the "Non-Filing Party".)

                  2.4      Agent. Texas Genco hereby irrevocably designates, and
agrees to cause each Texas Genco Affiliated Company to so designate, CP as its
sole and exclusive agent and attorney-in-fact to take such action (including
execution of documents) as CP, in its sole discretion, may deem appropriate in
any and all matters (including Audits) relating to any Consolidated Return and
any other Tax Return described in Section 2.1 of this Agreement.

SECTION 3.        TAX SHARING AND PAYMENTS.

                  3.1      In General.

                  (a)      Sharing Agreement. Except to the extent specifically
modified or supplemented herein, the Tax Sharing Agreement shall continue in
full force and effect. The provisions of the Tax Sharing Agreement shall fix the
rights and obligations of the parties as to the matters covered thereby.

                  (b)      Federal Income Tax Payments. With respect to CP
Consolidated Group federal income Taxes, no later than five (5) days prior to
the due date (including extensions) of any consolidated federal income Tax
Return of the CP Consolidated Group:

                           (i)      Texas Genco shall pay to CP no later than
                  five (5) days prior to the due date (including extensions) of
                  such Tax Return, the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (I) the
                  aggregate amount of any Tax that would not have been incurred
                  by the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any
                  Legal Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the
                  CP Consolidated Group and (II) the aggregate amount of any Tax
                  refund, credit or other Tax Benefit that would have been
                  realized or received with respect to such Tax Return (or any
                  other Tax Return that has been or could have been filed) by
                  the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal
                  Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
                  Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount previously
                  paid by Texas Genco pursuant to this clause (i); and

                           (ii)     CP shall pay to Texas Genco no later than
                  five (5) days prior to the due date (including extensions of
                  such Tax Return) the excess, if any, of (A) the sum of (I) the
                  aggregate amount of any Tax that would have been incurred by
                  the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal
                  Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
                  Consolidated Group and (II) the aggregate amount of any Tax
                  refund, credit or other Tax Benefit realized or received with

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                  respect to such Tax Return that would not have been realized
                  or received by the CP Consolidated Group but for the inclusion
                  of any Legal Entity that is a member of the Texas Genco Group
                  in the CP Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount
                  previously paid by CP pursuant to this clause (ii).

                  (c)      Consolidated, Combined, Unitary or Joint Return State
Tax Payments. With respect to consolidated, combined, unitary or other Joint
Return Taxes, other than consolidated federal income Taxes, no later than five
(5) days prior to the due date (including extensions) of any Joint Return of the
CP Consolidated Group:

                           (i)      Texas Genco shall pay to CP the excess, if
                  any, of (A) the sum of (I) the aggregate amount of any Tax
                  that would not have been incurred by the CP Consolidated Group
                  but for the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of
                  the Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group and (II)
                  the aggregate amount of any Tax refund, credit or other Tax
                  Benefit that would have been realized or received with respect
                  to such Tax Return (or any other Tax Return that has been or
                  could have been filed) by the CP Consolidated Group but for
                  the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of the
                  Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group over (B) the
                  aggregate amount previously paid by Texas Genco pursuant to
                  this clause (i); and

                           (ii)     CP shall pay Texas Genco the excess, if any,
                  of (A) the sum of (I) the aggregate amount of any Tax that
                  would have been incurred by the CP Consolidated Group but for
                  the inclusion of any Legal Entity that is a member of the
                  Texas Genco Group in the CP Consolidated Group and (II) the
                  aggregate amount of any Tax refund, credit or other Tax
                  Benefit realized or received with respect to such Tax Return
                  that would not have been realized or received by the CP
                  Consolidated Group but for the inclusion of any Legal Entity
                  that is a member of the Texas Genco Group in the CP
                  Consolidated Group over (B) the aggregate amount previously
                  paid by CP pursuant to this clause (ii).

                  (d)      DITS. The Consolidated Return Regulations and the
consolidated federal income Tax Returns filed by the CP Consolidated Group
pursuant to this Agreement or the Tax Sharing Agreement, respectively, shall
determine the timing of the recognition of Tax Items with respect to DITS and
the determination of whether the CP Consolidated Group or the Texas Genco Group
(and which member thereof) shall bear the Tax Benefit or burden of such Tax
Items, and each group shall be responsible for the Tax Items recognized by its
respective members with respect to any DITS.

                  (e)      Estimated Federal Tax Payments.

                           (i)      In the case of any Federal Income Taxes for
                  the CP Consolidated Group, Texas Genco (on behalf of itself
                  and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) shall provide to
                  CP no later than 8 days prior to the due date for each payment
                  of an installment of estimated Federal Income Taxes (as
                  determined

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                  under Section 6655 of the Code or successor provision then in
                  effect) of the CP Consolidated Group ("Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payment") such information pertaining to Texas
                  Genco or an Affiliated Company of Texas Genco as is necessary
                  for CP to compute the amount of such Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payment.

                           (ii)     On or before the due date of such Estimated
                  Federal Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas Genco of
                  either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on behalf of itself
                  and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) must pay CP with
                  respect to such Estimated Federal Installment Payment, or (B)
                  the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
                  Refund") CP must pay Texas Genco with respect to such
                  Estimated Federal Installment Payment. CP shall compute the
                  amount of each Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
                  Payment or the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
                  Refund, as the case may be, so as to equal the portion of the
                  Estimated Federal Installment Payment that is allocable to
                  Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco taking
                  into account previous Texas Genco Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payments and Texas Genco Estimated Federal
                  Installment Refunds that have been made for the same period.
                  CP shall calculate the portion of each Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payment of the Texas Genco Group that is allocable
                  to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco by
                  (C) computing the sum of the estimated Federal Income Tax
                  payments that Texas Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas
                  Genco would have been required to pay if each of Texas Genco
                  and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a Federal
                  Income Tax Return on a separate company basis for such
                  estimated Federal Income Tax period and (D) taking into
                  account adjustments, if any, that are applicable on a
                  Consolidated Return basis to the CP Consolidated Group
                  Consolidated Return for such period. Texas Genco shall pay CP
                  the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment Payment within
                  24 hours after the due date of the Estimated Federal
                  Installment Payment to which it relates, and CP shall pay
                  Texas Genco the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
                  Refund within 24 hours after the due date of the Estimated
                  Federal Installment Payment to which it relates.

                           (iii)    If (A) the portion of the actual Federal
                  Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group that is
                  allocable, as determined by CP in accordance with the Tax
                  Sharing Agreement and consistent with the past practices
                  utilized by the CP Tax Department in completing previous CP
                  Consolidated Group Consolidated Returns, to Texas Genco and
                  the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco exceeds (B)(I) the sum
                  of the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment Payments for
                  such period less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated
                  Federal Installment Refunds for such period, then CP shall
                  inform Texas Genco of the amount of such excess on or before
                  the due date of the CP Consolidated Group Consolidated Return
                  for such period. Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each
                  Affiliated

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                  Company of Texas Genco) shall pay the amount of such excess to
                  CP within 24 hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated
                  Group Consolidated Return.

                           (iv)     If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Federal Installment Payments for a period less (II)
                  the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Federal Installment
                  Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the portion of the actual
                  Federal Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group for
                  such period that is allocable, as determined by CP in
                  accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement and consistent with
                  past practices utilized by the CP Tax Department in
                  implementing previous CP Consolidated Group Returns, to Texas
                  Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco, then CP
                  shall pay the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 24
                  hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated Group
                  Consolidated Return for such period.

                           (v)      CP shall calculate the portion of the actual
                  Federal Income Tax Liability of the CP Consolidated Group that
                  is allocable to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of
                  Texas Genco for Sections 3.1(e)(iii) and (iv) consistent with
                  the principles set forth in the penultimate sentence of
                  Section 3.1(e)(ii).

                  (f)      Estimated Payments of CP Consolidated State Taxes and
Texas Genco Separate State Taxes.

                           (i)      In the case of any CP Consolidated State Tax
                  for any period that includes a member of the Texas Genco Group
                  or in the case of any Separate Tax of the Texas Genco Group,
                  Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company
                  of Texas Genco) shall provide to CP no later than 8 days prior
                  to the due date for each payment of an installment of CP
                  Consolidated State Tax ("Estimated Consolidated State
                  Installment Payment") or Separate Tax of Texas Genco
                  ("Estimated Separate State Installment Payment") such
                  information pertaining to Texas Genco or an Affiliated Company
                  of Texas Genco as is necessary for CP to compute the amount of
                  such Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment or such
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Payment.

                           (ii)     On or before the due date of such Estimated
                  Consolidated State Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas
                  Genco of either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
                  Consolidated State Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on
                  behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
                  must pay CP with respect to such Estimated Consolidated State
                  Installment Payment, or (B) the amount ("Texas Genco
                  Consolidated Estimated State Installment Refund") CP must pay
                  Texas Genco with respect to such Estimated Consolidated State
                  Installment Payment. CP shall compute the amount of each Texas
                  Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment or
                  Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refund,
                  as the case may be, so as to equal the portion of the
                  Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment that is
                  allocable to Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas
                  Genco taking into account

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                  previous Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment
                  Payments and Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State
                  Installment Refunds that have been made for the same period.
                  CP shall calculate the portion of each Estimated Consolidated
                  State Installment Payment that is allocable to Texas Genco and
                  the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco by (C) computing the
                  sum of the estimated CP Consolidated State Tax payments that
                  Texas Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco would
                  have been required to pay if each of Texas Genco and each
                  Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a CP Consolidated
                  State Tax Return on a separate company basis for such
                  estimated CP Consolidated State Tax period and (D) taking into
                  account adjustments, if any, that are applicable on a
                  Consolidated State Tax basis to the CP Consolidated State Tax
                  Return for such period. Texas Genco shall pay CP the Texas
                  Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment within
                  24 hours after the due date of the Estimated Consolidated
                  State Installment Payment to which it relates, and CP shall
                  pay Texas Genco the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State
                  Installment Refund within 24 hours after the due date of the
                  Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payment to which it
                  relates to the extent that CP has cash available from tax
                  installment payments from other members of the CP Consolidated
                  Group and shall pay Texas Genco the balance, if any, of the
                  Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refund
                  within 5 business days after the date that CP receives the
                  refund from the taxing authority.

                           (iii)    On or before the due date of each Estimated
                  Separate State Installment Payment, CP shall inform Texas
                  Genco of either (A) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
                  Separate State Installment Payment") that Texas Genco (on
                  behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
                  must pay CP with respect to such Estimated Separate State
                  Installment Payment, or (B) the amount ("Texas Genco Estimated
                  Separate State Installment Refund") CP must pay Texas Genco
                  with respect to such Estimated Separate State Installment
                  Payment. CP shall compute the amount of each Texas Genco
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Payment or Texas Genco
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Refund, as the case may
                  be, so as to equal the Estimated Separate State Installment
                  Payment of Texas Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas
                  Genco taking into account previous Texas Genco Estimated
                  Separate State Installment Payments and Texas Genco Estimated
                  Separate State Installment Refunds that have been made for the
                  same period. Texas Genco shall pay CP the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Payment within 24 hours
                  after the due date of the Estimated Separate State Installment
                  Payment to which it relates, and CP shall pay Texas Genco the
                  Texas Genco Estimated Separate State Installment Refund within
                  5 business days after the date that CP receives the refund
                  from the taxing authority.

                           (iv)     If (A) the portion of the actual CP
                  Consolidated State Tax Liability for a period that is
                  allocable, as determined by CP in accordance with the Tax
                  Sharing Agreement and determined as if each of Texas Genco and
                  each Affiliated

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                  Company of Texas Genco had filed a CP Consolidated State Tax
                  Return on a separate company basis for such estimated CP
                  Consolidated State Tax period, to Texas Genco and the
                  Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco exceeds (B)(I) the sum of
                  the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated State Installment
                  Payments for such period less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Consolidated State Installment Refunds for such
                  period, then Texas Genco (on behalf of itself and each
                  Affiliated Company of Texas Genco) shall pay the amount of
                  such excess to CP within 24 hours after the due date of the CP
                  Consolidated State Tax Return for such period.

                           (v)      If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Consolidated State Installment Payments for a period
                  less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated
                  State Installment Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the
                  portion of the actual CP Consolidated State Tax Liability for
                  such period that is allocable, as determined by CP in
                  accordance with the Tax Sharing Agreement and if each of Texas
                  Genco and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco had filed a
                  CP Consolidated State Tax Return on a separate company basis
                  for such estimated CP Consolidated State Tax period, to Texas
                  Genco and the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco, then CP
                  shall pay the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 24
                  hours after the due date of the CP Consolidated State Tax
                  Return for such period to the extent that CP has cash
                  available from tax installment payments from other members of
                  the CP Consolidated Group and shall pay Texas Genco the
                  balance, if any, of the Texas Genco Estimated Consolidated
                  State Installment Refund within 5 business days after the date
                  that CP receives the refund from the taxing authority.

                           (vi)     If (A) the sum of the Separate Tax of Texas
                  Genco for a period exceeds (B)(I) the sum of the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Payments for such period
                  less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Separate State
                  Installment Refunds for such period, then Texas Genco (on
                  behalf of itself and each Affiliated Company of Texas Genco)
                  shall pay the amount of such excess to CP within 24 hours
                  after the due date of the CP Consolidated State Tax Return for
                  such period.

                           (vii)    If (A) (I) the sum of the Texas Genco
                  Estimated Separate State Installment Payments for a period
                  less (II) the sum of the Texas Genco Estimated Separate State
                  Installment Refunds for such period exceeds (B) the sum of the
                  Separate Tax of Texas Genco for such period, then CP shall pay
                  the amount of such excess to Texas Genco within 5 business
                  days after the date that CP receives the refund from the
                  taxing authority.

                  (g)      State Allocation Rules. For purposes of CP's
determination under Section 3.1(c) and Section 3.1(f) of the portion of the
actual CP Consolidated State Tax liability that is allocable to Texas Genco and
the Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco, CP shall allocate the amount by which
the net aggregate CP Consolidated State Tax liability for a particular period

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

is increased or decreased because a Legal Entity included in the CP Consolidated
State Tax Return created a nexus in a jurisdiction resulting in the imposition
of a CP Consolidated State Tax by such jurisdiction that would not otherwise had
been imposed but for such nexus either (A) completely to Texas Genco and the
Affiliated Companies of Texas Genco if such Legal Entity is a member of the
Texas Genco Group or (B) completely to the members of the CP Group if the Legal
Entity is not a member of the Texas Genco Group.

                  3.2      Payments. CP shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the
Service all Federal Income Taxes, if any, of the CP Consolidated Group that are
attributable to Texas Genco and shall pay (or cause to be paid) to the
appropriate Tax Authorities all Consolidated State Tax, if any, and all Separate
Taxes, if any, that relate to the Texas Genco Group.

SECTION 4.        ALLOCATION OF CERTAIN TAX ITEMS.

                  4.1      Net Operating Losses. Net operating loss carryovers,
current losses and other Tax attributes available to the CP Consolidated Group
may be used by any member of the CP Consolidated Group without compensation to
other members of the Consolidated Group generating such attributes.

                  4.2      Adjustments.

                  (a)      In the event of any Redetermination of any Joint
Return for any taxable period, the amounts required to be paid pursuant to
Section 3 or 4 of this Agreement shall be recomputed for such taxable period to
take into account such Redetermination, and payments pursuant to Section 3 or 4
of this Agreement hereof shall be appropriately adjusted. Each party shall pay
each other party an amount equal to the difference between the payment or
payments previously made between the parties in respect of such redetermined Tax
Return and the amount that would have been paid pursuant to this Agreement in
respect of such redetermined Tax Return if such redetermined Tax Return had been
filed on the basis of the Redetermination, plus interest at the statutory rate
and applicable penalties.

                  (b)      Any refund of Taxes received will be allocated in a
manner consistent with the existing Tax Sharing Agreement in effect for such
period and Section 3.1 of this Agreement.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

SECTION 5.        INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTEST PROVISIONS.

                  5.1      General Indemnification.

                  (a)      CP and each CP Affiliated Company shall jointly and
severally indemnify Texas Genco, each Texas Genco Affiliated Company, and their
respective directors, officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and
against any and all Taxes for which CP or any CP Affiliated Company is liable
under this Agreement and any loss, cost, damage or expense, including reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs, that is attributable to, or results from the failure
of CP, any CP Affiliated Company, or any director, officer or employee to make
any payment required to be made under this Agreement.

                  (b)      Texas Genco and each Texas Genco Affiliated Company
shall jointly and severally indemnify CP, each CP Affiliated Company, and their
respective directors, officers and employees, and hold them harmless from and
against any and all Taxes for which Texas Genco or any Texas Genco Affiliated
Company is liable under this Agreement and any loss, cost, damage or expense,
including reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, that is attributable to, or
results from the failure of Texas Genco, any Texas Genco Affiliated Company, or
any director, officer or employee to make any payment required to be made under
this Agreement.

                  5.2      Payments.

                  (a)      In General. Except as otherwise provided under this
Agreement, to the extent that the Indemnifying Party has an indemnification or
payment obligation to the Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement, the Indemnitee
shall provide the Indemnifying Party with its calculation of the amount of such
indemnification payment. Such calculation shall provide sufficient detail to
permit the Indemnifying Party to reasonably understand the calculations. All
indemnification payments shall be made to the Indemnitee or to the appropriate
Tax Authority as specified by the Indemnitee within the time prescribed for
payment in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, within thirty (30)
days after delivery by the Indemnitee to the Indemnifying Party of written
notice of a payment or if such liability is contested pursuant to Section 6.3 of
this Agreement, within thirty (30) days of the incurrence of such an amount
based on a Final Determination, together with a computation of the amounts due.

                  (b)      Electronic Payments. Any payment required under this
Agreement shall be made by electronic funds transfer of immediately available
funds.

                  5.3      Prompt Performance. All actions required to be taken
by any party under this Agreement shall be performed within the time prescribed
for performance in this Agreement, or if no period is prescribed, such actions
shall be performed promptly.

                  5.4      Interest. Payments pursuant to this Agreement that
are not made within the period prescribed in this Section 5.4 shall bear
interest for the period from and including the date immediately following the
last date of the period through and including the date of payment at a per annum
rate equal to the prime rate as published in The Wall Street Journal on the date
of determination, plus two percent (2%). Such interest will be payable at the
same time as the

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

payment to which it relates and shall be calculated on the basis of a year of
365 days and the actual number of days for which due.

                  5.5      Tax Records. The parties to this Agreement hereby
agree to retain and provide on proper demand by any Taxing Authority (subject to
any applicable privileges) the books, records, documentation and other
information relating to any Tax Return until the later of (a) the expiration of
the applicable statute of limitations (giving effect to any extension, waiver or
mitigation thereof) and (b) in the event any claim is made under this Agreement
for which such information is relevant, until a Final Determination with respect
to such claim.

SECTION 6.        AUDITS AND CONTEST RIGHTS.

                  6.1      In General.

                  (a)      The members of the Texas Genco Group shall cooperate
and provide reasonable access to books, records and other information needed in
connection with Audits, administrative proceedings, litigation and other similar
matters related to periods in which such member of the Texas Genco Group was a
member of the CP Consolidated Group.

                  (b)      Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the
respective Filing Party shall have the right to control, contest, and represent
the interests of CP, any CP Affiliated Company, Texas Genco or any Texas Genco
Affiliated Company in any Audit relating to any Tax Return that the Filing Party
is responsible for filing under Section 2.1 of this Agreement and to resolve,
settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment proposed, asserted or
assessed in connection with or as a result of any such Audit. The Filing Party's
rights shall extend to any matter pertaining to the management and control of an
Audit, including execution of waivers, choice of forum, scheduling of
conferences and the resolution of any Tax Item.

                  6.2      Notice. If, after the date of this Agreement, CP (or
any CP Affiliated Company) or Texas Genco (or any Texas Genco Affiliated
Company) receives written notice of, or relating to, an Audit from a Tax
Authority that asserts, proposes or recommends a deficiency, claim or adjustment
that, if sustained, could result in Taxes for which the other party is
responsible under this Agreement, then the party receiving such notice shall
provide a copy of such notice to such other party within ten (10) days of
receipt thereof.

                  6.3      Contests.

                  (a)      If any Tax Authority asserts, proposes or recommends
a deficiency, claim or adjustment that, if sustained, could result in Taxes for
which the Non-Filing Party is responsible under this Agreement, then upon
request by the Non-Filing Party, the Filing Party shall contest, or continue to
contest, any deficiency, claim or adjustment and the Filing Party shall keep the
Non-Filing Party informed in a timely manner reasonably in advance of all
actions taken or proposed to be taken by the Filing Party in connection with
such deficiency, claim or adjustment.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

                  (b)      In the case of an Audit with respect to any Tax Item,
the Filing Party shall:

                                    (1)      in the case of any material
                  correspondence or filing submitted to the Tax Authority or any
                  judicial authority that relates to the merits of such
                  deficiency, claim or adjustment (i) reasonably in advance of
                  such submission, but subject to applicable time constraints
                  imposed by such Tax Authority or judicial authority, provide
                  the Non-Filing Party with a draft copy of the portion of such
                  correspondence or filing that relates to such deficiency,
                  claim or adjustment, (ii) incorporate, subject to applicable
                  time constraints imposed by such Tax Authority or judicial
                  authority, the Non-Filing Party's comments and changes on such
                  draft copy of such correspondence or filing, and (iii) provide
                  the Non-Filing Party with a final copy of the portion of such
                  correspondence or filing that relates to such deficiency,
                  claim or adjustment;

                                    (2)      provide the Non-Filing Party with
                  notice reasonably in advance of, and the Non-Filing Party
                  shall have the right to attend, any meetings with the Tax
                  Authority (including meetings with examiners) or hearings or
                  proceedings before any judicial authority to the extent they
                  relate to such deficiency, claim or adjustment; and

                                    (3)      at the Filing Party's reasonable
                  request (or upon the Filing Party's consent to a request by
                  the Non-Filing Party, which consent shall not be unreasonably
                  withheld), the Non-Filing Party shall assume responsibility
                  for (i) contesting and presenting the merits with respect to
                  any deficiency, claim or adjustment that, if sustained, would
                  result in Taxes for which the Non-Filing Party is responsible
                  under this Agreement, or (ii) resolving, settling or agreeing
                  to any such deficiency, claim or adjustment. Any such request
                  (or consent) by the Filing Party shall be subject to the
                  Non-Filing Party's continued compliance with the conditions of
                  Section 6.4 of this Agreement and to such other conditions as
                  the Filing Party and Non-Filing Party reasonably agree.

                  6.4      Limitations.

                  (a)      In General. The Filing Party shall have no obligation
to contest, or to continue to contest, any deficiency, claim or adjustment in
accordance with Section 6.3, and the Non-Filing Party shall have no right to
control or participate under Section 6.3 of this Agreement unless:

                                    (1)      within thirty (30) days of a
                  reasonable request by the Filing Party, the Non-Filing Party
                  shall deliver to the Filing Party a written opinion of a
                  nationally recognized tax attorney, to the effect that the
                  Non-Filing Party's position with respect to such deficiency,
                  claim or adjustment is supported by a reasonable basis (within
                  the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.6662-3(b)(3));

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

                                    (2)      the Non-Filing Party shall have
                  agreed to be bound by a Final Determination of such
                  deficiency, claim or adjustment;

                                    (3)      the Non-Filing Party shall have
                  agreed to pay, and shall be currently paying, all reasonable
                  out of pocket costs and expenses incurred by the Filing Party
                  to contest such deficiency, claim or assessment including
                  reasonable outside attorneys', accountants' and investigatory
                  fees and disbursements;

                                    (4)      the Non-Filing Party shall have
                  advanced to the Filing Party, on an interest-free basis (and
                  with no additional net after-tax cost to the Filing Party),
                  the amount of Tax in controversy (but not in excess of the
                  lesser of (A) the amount of Tax for which the Non-Filing Party
                  could be liable under this Agreement or (B) the amounts
                  actually expended by the Filing Party for this item) to the
                  extent necessary for the contest to proceed in the forum
                  selected by the Filing Party;

                                    (5)      the Non-Filing Party shall have
                  provided to the Filing Party all documents and information,
                  and shall have made available employees and officers of the
                  Non-Filing Party, as may be necessary, useful or reasonably
                  required by the Filing Party in contesting such deficiency,
                  claim or adjustment; and

                                    (6)      the contest of such deficiency,
                  claim or adjustment shall involve no material danger of the
                  sale, forfeiture or loss of, or the creation of any lien on,
                  any asset of the Filing Party (except if the Non-Filing Party
                  shall have adequately bonded such lien or otherwise made
                  provision to protect the interests of the Filing Party in a
                  manner reasonably satisfactory to the Filing Party).

                  (b)      Settlement. Notwithstanding Section 6.4(a), the
Filing Party may resolve, settle or agree to any deficiency, claim or adjustment
proposed, asserted or assessed in connection with any Audit of any Tax Return
that it is responsible for filing under Section 2.1 of this Agreement if the
Filing Party has provided the Non-Filing Party with a reasonable opportunity to
review a copy of that portion of the settlement or compromise proposal which
relates to the claim for which the Filing Party is seeking indemnification
hereunder; provided, that if (a) the Filing Party fails to provide the
Non-Filing Party such a reasonable opportunity to review such portion of such
proposal, or (b) after such reasonable opportunity to review such proposal the
Non-Filing Party in writing reasonably withholds its consent to all or part of
such settlement or compromise proposal, then, unless the Filing Party was not
required to continue the applicable contest under the terms of Section 6.4(a),
the Non-Filing Party shall not be obligated to indemnify the Filing Party
hereunder to the extent of the amount attributable to the loss to which such
settlement or compromise relates as to which the Non-Filing Party has reasonably
withheld its consent, or with respect to any other loss for which a successful
contest is foreclosed because of such settlement or compromise as to which the
Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its consent. If the Filing Party
effects a settlement or compromise of such contest, notwithstanding that the
Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its consent thereto, the Filing

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Party shall repay to the Non-Filing Party such amounts that the Non-Filing Party
advanced pursuant to clause (a)(4) of this Section 6.4 hereof as relate to such
claim, to the extent that the Non-Filing Party has reasonably withheld its
consent to the settlement or compromise thereof (together with interest at the
prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on any such amount paid by
the Non-Filing Party from the date paid by Lessee to the date repaid by the
Filing Party).

                  (c)      Waiver. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Section 6.4, the Filing Party may resolve, settle, or agree to any deficiency,
claim or adjustment for any taxable period if the Filing Party waives it right
to indemnity with respect to such Tax Item. In such event, the Filing Party
shall promptly reimburse the Non-Filing Party for all amounts previously
advanced by the Non-Filing Party to the Filing Party in connection with such
deficiency, claim or adjustment under Section 6.4(a)(4) of this Agreement. In
addition, the Filing Party shall reimburse the Non-Filing Party for any Tax
Detriment that directly results from the settlement of such deficiency, claim or
adjustment. No waiver by the Filing Party under this Section 6.4(c) with respect
to any deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to any single Tax Item,
position, issue or transaction or relating to any single Tax for any one taxable
period shall operate as a waiver with respect to any other deficiency, claim or
adjustment.

                  6.5      Failure to Notify, Etc. The failure of the Filing
Party promptly to notify the Non-Filing Party of any matter relating to a
particular Tax for a taxable period or to take any action specified in Section
6.3 of this Agreement shall not relieve the Non-Filing Party of any liability
and/or obligation which it may have to the Filing Party under this Agreement
with respect to such Tax for such taxable period except to the extent that the
Non-Filing Party's rights hereunder are materially prejudiced by such failure
and in no event shall such failure relieve the Non-Filing Party of any other
liability and/or obligation which it may have to the Filing Party.

                  6.6      Remedies. Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement, the parties hereby agree that the sole and exclusive remedy for a
breach by the Filing Party of the Filing Party's obligations to the Non-Filing
Party with respect to a deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to the
redetermination of a Tax Item of the Non-Filing Party for a taxable period shall
first be a reduction in the amount that would otherwise be payable by the
Non-Filing Party for such taxable period and then an increase in amount that
would otherwise be payable by the Filing Party for such taxable period, in
either case because of the breach. The parties further agree that no claim
against the Filing Party and no defense to the Non-Filing Party's liabilities to
the Filing Party under this Agreement shall arise from the resolution by the
Filing Party of any deficiency, claim or adjustment relating to the
redetermination of any Tax Item of the Filing Party.

SECTION 7.        MISCELLANEOUS.

                  7.1      Effectiveness. This Agreement shall become effective
upon execution by the parties hereto.

                  7.2      Notices. Unless expressly provided herein, all
notices, claims, certificates, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

to be duly given (i) when personally delivered or (ii) if mailed registered or
certified mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, on the date the
return receipt is executed or the letter refused by the addressee or its agent
or (iii) if sent by overnight courier which delivers only upon the signed
receipt of the addressee, on the date the receipt acknowledgment is executed or
refused by the addressee or its agent or (iv) if sent by facsimile or other
generally accepted means of electronic transmission, on the date confirmation of
transmission is received (provided that a copy of any notice delivered pursuant
to this clause (iv) shall also be sent pursuant to clause (ii) or (iii)),
addressed to the attention of the addressee's General Counsel at the address of
its principal executive office or to such other address or facsimile number for
a party as it shall have specified by like notice.

                  7.3      Changes in Law.

                  (a)      Any reference to a provision of the Code or a law of
another jurisdiction shall include a reference to any applicable successor
provision or law.

                  (b)      If, due to any change in applicable law or
regulations or their interpretation by any court of law or other governing body
having jurisdiction subsequent to the date of this Agreement, performance of any
provision of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated thereby shall become
impracticable or impossible, the parties hereto shall use their commercially
reasonable efforts to find and employ an alternative means to achieve the same
or substantially the same result as that contemplated by such provision.

                  7.4      Confidentiality. For a period of three years,
commencing on the date of this Agreement, each party shall hold and cause its
directors, officers, employees, advisors and consultants to hold in strict
confidence, unless compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process
or, in the opinion of its counsel, by other requirements of law, all information
(other than any such information relating solely to the business or affairs of
such party) concerning the other parties hereto furnished it by such other party
or its representatives pursuant to this Agreement (except to the extent that
such information can be shown to have been (a) in the public domain through no
fault of such party or (b) later lawfully acquired from other sources not under
a duty of confidentiality by the party to which it was furnished), and each
party shall not release or disclose such information to any other person, except
its directors, officers, employees, auditors, attorneys, financial advisors,
bankers and other consultants who shall be advised of and agree to be bound by
the provisions of this Section 7.4. Each party shall be deemed to have satisfied
its obligation to hold confidential information concerning or supplied by the
other party if it exercises the same care as it takes to preserve
confidentiality for its own similar information.

                  7.5      Successors. This Agreement shall be binding on and
inure to the benefit and detriment of any successor, by merger, acquisition of
assets or otherwise, to any of the parties hereto, to the same extent as if such
successor had been an original party.

                  7.6      Affiliated Companies. CP shall cause to be performed,
and hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and
obligations set forth herein to be performed by CP or any CP Affiliated Company.
Texas Genco shall cause to be performed, and

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

hereby guarantees the performance of, all actions, agreements and obligations
set forth herein to be performed by any Texas Genco Affiliated Company.

                  7.7      Authorization, Etc. Each of the parties hereto hereby
represents and warrants that it has the power and authority to execute, deliver
and perform this Agreement, that this Agreement has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of such party, that this Agreement
constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of each such party and that
the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by such party does not
contravene or conflict with any provision of law or of its charter or bylaws or
any agreement, instrument or order binding on such party.

                  7.8      Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
agreement among the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.

                  7.9      Governing Law; Jurisdiction. This Agreement shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Texas as to all matters regardless of the law that might otherwise govern
under the principles of conflicts of law applicable thereto.

                  7.10     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement.

                  7.11     Severability. If any term, provision, covenant, or
restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction (or
an arbitrator or arbitration panel) to be invalid, void, or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants, and restrictions set forth herein
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall in no way be affected,
impaired, or invalidated. It is hereby stipulated and declared to be the
intention of the parties that they would have executed the remaining terms,
provisions, covenants, and restrictions without including any of such which may
be hereafter declared invalid, void, or unenforceable. In the event that any
such term, provision, covenant or restriction is held to be invalid, void or
unenforceable, the parties hereto shall use their best efforts to find and
employ an alternate means to achieve the same or substantially the same result
as that contemplated by such terms, provisions, covenant, or restriction.

                  7.12     No Third Party Beneficiaries. This Agreement is
solely for the benefit of CP, the CP Affiliated Companies, Texas Genco and the
Texas Genco Affiliated Companies. This Agreement should not be deemed to confer
upon third parties any remedy, claim, liability, reimbursement, cause of action
or other rights in excess of those existing without this Agreement.

                  7.13     Waivers, Etc. No failure or delay on the part of the
parties in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power, or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such right or power,
preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other
right or power. No modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement nor
consent to any

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

departure by the parties therefrom shall in any event be effective unless the
same shall be in writing.

                  7.14     Setoff. All payments to be made by any party under
this Agreement may be netted against payments due to such party under this
Agreement, but otherwise shall be made without setoff, counterclaim or
withholding, all of which are hereby expressly waived.

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has caused this
Agreement to be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date first above
written.

                                CENTERPOINT ENERGY, INC.
                                On behalf of Itself and Its Affiliated Companies

                                By: /s/ DAVID M. MCCLANAHAN
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                Name:   David M. McClanahan
                                Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

                                TEXAS GENCO HOLDINGS, INC.
                                On behalf of Itself and Its Affiliated Companies

                                By: /s/ DAVID G. TEES
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                Name:   David G. Tees
                                Title:  President and Chief Executive Officer

                                      -21-<PAGE>
                                                               EXHIBIT 10(ff)(1)

                          ARKLA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             NON-QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE
                             DISABILITY INCOME PLAN

<PAGE>

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
                                                                                                               ----
<S>      <C>                                                                                                    <C>
I.       Definitions..............................................................................................1
         1.1      Definitions.....................................................................................1

II.      Eligibility and Participation............................................................................4
         2.1      Eligibility.....................................................................................4
         2.2      Participation...................................................................................4
         2.3      Obligations of Employee.........................................................................4
         2.4      Loss of Benefits................................................................................5

III.     Benefits Payable on Disability...........................................................................5
         Payment of Benefits......................................................................................5

IV.      Employer Liability.......................................................................................6
         4.1      Non-Contributory................................................................................6
         4.2      Claims Against Company..........................................................................6

V.       Plan Is Not Contract of Employment.......................................................................6

VI.      Amendment or Termination of Plan And Termination of Individual

         Disability Income Agreements.............................................................................7
         6.1      Amendment or Termination of Plan................................................................7
         6.2      Termination of Individual Disability Income Agreements..........................................7
         6.3      Procedures for Amendment or Termination.........................................................7
         6.4      Amendment or Termination After Entitlement......................................................7

VII.     Other Benefits and Agreements............................................................................7

VIII.    Restrictions on Alienation of Benefits...................................................................8

IX.      Administration of the Plan...............................................................................8
         9.1      Administration by Committee.....................................................................8
         9.2      Committee Procedures............................................................................9
         9.3      Administrative Rules and Procedures.............................................................9
         9.4      Reliance on Professionals.......................................................................9
         9.5      Indemnification of Members of Committee.........................................................9
         9.6      Information Furnished by Employer..............................................................10
         9.7      Committee to Determine and Order Distribution of Benefits......................................10

X.       Disputed Claims Procedure...............................................................................10
         10.1     General Provisions.............................................................................10
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<S>      <C>                                                                                                    <C>
         10.2     Notice of Claim Denial.........................................................................10
         10.3     Appeal Right...................................................................................11
         10.4     Written Request for Review.....................................................................11
         10.5     Hearing at Discretion of Committee.............................................................12
         10.6     Extensions of Time.............................................................................12
         10.7     Time for Decision on Review....................................................................12
         10.8     Decision on Request for Review.................................................................12

XI.      Miscellaneous...........................................................................................13
         11.1     Notices........................................................................................13
         11.2     Binding Agreement..............................................................................13
         11.3     Use of Pronouns................................................................................13
         11.4     Governing Law..................................................................................13

Signatures...................................................................................................... 14
</TABLE>

                            INDEXED OF TERMS DEFINED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Subsection

Terms Defined                                                   Section 1.1                                Page
-------------                                                 ---------------                              ----
<S>                                                               <C>                                      <C>
Base Annual Salary                                                    (a)                                    1
Chief Executive Officer                                               (b)                                    2
Committee                                                             (c)                                    2
Company                                                               (d)                                    2
Disability and Disabled                                               (e)                                    2
Employee                                                              (f)                                    2
Employer                                                              (g)                                    2
Individual Plan Agreement                                             (h)                                    3
Participant                                                           (i)                                    3
Plan                                                                  (j)                                    3
Service                                                               (k)                                    3
Termination of Disability                                             (l)                                    3
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>

                          ARKLA. INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             NON-QUALIFIED EXECUTIVE
                             DISABILITY INCOME PLAN

                                     Purpose

                  This Executive Disability Income Plan is intended to provide
specific benefits for those key employees of Arkla, Inc. and its subsidiaries
whose efforts have an important bearing upon the success of the business of the
Company, and thereby to provide an additional incentive for such key employees
to promote the success of the business of the Company and to aid the Company in
retaining the services of its competent executives.

                                 I. Definitions

                  1.1 Definitions. The following words and phrases shall have
the meanings stated below unless a different meaning is plainly required by the
context:

                  (a) The term "Base Annual Salary" shall mean a Participant's
         base annual salary in effect at the time of his death, disability or
         retirement, excluding particularly, however, any bonuses, deferred
         compensation paid, stock options, stock appreciation rights, pension,
         thrift plan or employee stock ownership plan contributions or benefits,
         or any other fringe benefit generally afforded executive employees of
         the Employer. The term "Base Annual Salary" shall include however any
         and all amounts of compensation which would have been paid to the
         Participant during the applicable calendar year except for the
         agreement between the Employer and the Participant to defer such amount
         until a subsequent year or years. The term "Base Annual Salary" of a
         Participant shall in no event, however, be less than the larger of the
         Base Annual Salary of a Participant in effect on (i) the date of
         execution of his Individual Plan Agreement, or (ii) December 31st of

                                      -1-
<PAGE>

         the year preceding the date of the sale of all or substantially all of
         the assets of the Company, or the date of the merger, consolidation or
         liquidation of the Company, or the date on which any single individual
         or other legal entity becomes the owner of more than five (5%) percent
         of the outstanding shares of the common stock of the Company, as the
         case may be.

                  (b) The term "Chief Executive Officer" shall mean the
         individual so elected and appointed as Chief Executive Officer of the
         Company by its Board of Directors or, if there is no such appointed
         Chief Executive Officer, the term shall refer to the Chairman of the
         Board of the Company.

                  (c) The term "Committee" shall mean the Administrative
         Committee appointed by the Chief Executive Officer which shall manage
         and administer the Plan.

                  (d) The term "Company" shall mean Arkla, Inc. and its
         successor or successors

                  (e) The term "Disability" and "Disabled" shall mean the
         inability of a Participant to perform, as a result of bodily injury or
         disease, the important duties pertaining to his regular position with
         the Company.

                  (f) The term "Employee" shall mean any person who is in the
         regular full time employment of the Company or one of its subsidiaries
         as determined by the personnel rules and practices of the Employer; the
         term does not, however, include persons who are retained as consultants
         or other independent contractors for the Company or one of its
         subsidiaries.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                  (g) The term "Employer" shall mean the Company and any
         subsidiary of the Company having one or more Employees who have been
         designated as eligible to participate in the Plan or are later so
         designated.

                  (h) The term "Individual Disability Income Agreement" shall
         mean the written agreement which is entered into by and between the
         Company and a Participant substantially in the form of that attached
         hereto as Exhibit A.

                  (i) The term "Participant" shall mean an Employee who was
         designated by the Board of Directors of the Company upon adoption of
         this Plan as eligible to become a Participant or is thereafter selected
         by the Chief Executive Officer, who elects to participate in the Plan
         by signing an Individual Disability Income Agreement to that effect,
         and who otherwise complies with the provisions of this Plan to become a
         Participant. The term shall include any former Employee who was a
         Participant as of the date of his Disability.

                  (j) The term "Plan" shall mean the Arkla, Inc. and
         Subsidiaries Executive Disability Income Plan as set forth in this
         document and as it may hereafter be amended from time to time.

                  (k) The term "Service" shall mean that period of an Employee's
         employment with the Employer or with any predecessor business of the
         Employer beginning on the Employee's last date of hire and ending on
         the date of his Disability provided, however, such period shall not
         include any periods of time during which the Employee was previously
         Disabled or was on an Authorized Leave of Absence. An Employee may work
         simultaneously for more than one Employer, but the total period of his
         Service shall not be increased by reason of such simultaneous
         employment.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

                  (l) The term "Termination of Disability" shall mean the
         cessation of the previously incurred condition of Disability to the
         extent that a Participant is again capable of performing all or a
         substantial part of the duties pertaining to his regular position with
         the Company.

                       II. Eligibility and Participation

                  2.1 Eligibility. Upon adoption of this Plan the Board of
Directors of the Company shall specify each executive who shall be eligible to
become a Participant; thereafter the Chief Executive Officer shall have the sole
discretion to determine the Employees who are eligible to become Participants in
accordance with the purpose of the Plan.

                  2.2 Participation. As a condition of participation, each
Participant so selected shall complete, execute and return to the Committee an
Individual Disability Income Agreement substantially in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A and shall comply with such further conditions as may be established
from time to time by, and in the sole discretion of, the Committee.

                  2.3 Obligations of Employee. The Employer may require as a
condition of becoming or continuing as a Participant, including as a condition
of continuing to receive the benefits provided by this Plan, that an Employee
furnish such information and do such acts as the Employer may reasonably request
or require, including but not limited to, furnishing the physical examination
reports of any previous employer, furnishing all pertinent financial information
regarding the Participant's compensation, taking such additional physical
examinations as may be requested, and doing any other act which may reasonably
be requested by the Employer. If a Participant does not complete any of the
foregoing requirements within a reasonable period of time as determined by the
Committee, the Employer shall have no further obligation to the

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

Participant under the Plan except as to any benefits previously distributed on
account of his Disability.

                  2.4 Loss of Benefits. If an indictment or bill of information
is filed in any court of the United States or of any state, charging a
Participant with the commission of any felony while in the active Service of the
Employer, his participation in the Plan shall be immediately suspended and no
benefits shall be distributed pending final resolution of the felony charge or
charges against him. If the indictment or bill of information is subsequently
dismissed or, after a trial he is acquitted on all charges, the Participant
shall be entitled to any benefits accrued during such period of suspension, if
any. If, after all legal appeals have been exhausted, the Participant stands
convicted of such felony, all benefits otherwise accruing to him under the Plan
shall be canceled as if he had never been a Participant in the Plan.

                      III. Benefits Payable on Disability

                  Payment of Benefits. Provided the Plan and the Individual
Disability Income Agreement with a particular Participant have remained in full
force and effect, on the first day of the month coincident with or next
following the date six months following the date on which a Participant became
Disabled, the Employer will pay or cause to be paid to such Participant an
amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of such Participant's Base Annual Salary in
effect on the date of his Disability. Such similar amount shall be paid to the
Participant on the first day of each succeeding month until his Termination of
Disability occurs or he attains age sixty-five (65), whichever first occurs.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
                             IV. Employer Liability

                  4.1 Non-Contributory. No Participant shall be required, or
permitted, to contribute to the cost of the benefits afforded by this Plan and
all amounts payable to a Participant shall be paid exclusively from the general
assets of the Employer.

                  4.2 Claims Against Company. No person entitled to any payment
shall have any claim, right, security or other interest in any asset of the
Employer or the Company. The Company's liability for the payment of benefits
shall be evidenced only by this Plan and each Individual Disability Income
Agreement entered into between the Company and a Participant.

                     V. Plan Is Not Contract of Employment

                  Neither the Plan nor the Individual Disability Income
Agreements, either singularly or collectively, obligates the Employer to
continue the employment of any Participant or limits the right of the Employer
at any time and for any reason to terminate a Participant's employment.
Termination of a Participant's employment with the Employer for any reason,
whether by action of the Employer, or by the Participant voluntarily prior to
eligibility to receive any benefits pursuant to the Plan, shall immediately
terminate the Participant's participation in the Plan and all obligations of
either Party to the other. In no event shall the Plan or the Individual
Disability Income Agreements, either singularly or collectively, by their terms
or implications constitute an employment contract of any nature whatsoever
between the Employer and a Participant.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>

             VI. Amendment or Termination of Plan And Termination of
                    Individual Disability Income Agreements

                  6.1 Amendment or Termination of Plan. The Company reserves the
right to amend or terminate this Plan at any time; such termination shall not,
however, have any effect upon any Participant who was disabled at the time of
such termination.

                  6.2 Termination of Individual Disability Income Agreements. To
the extent permitted by law, the Company reserves the right to terminate the
Individual Disability Income Agreement of any Participant; such termination
shall not, however, have any effect upon any Participant who was Disabled at the
time of such termination.

                  6.3 Procedures for Amendment or Termination. The right to
amend the Plan or terminate any Individual Disability Income Agreement shall be
exercised for the Company by the Committee, provided, however, any amendment
which would increase the benefits hereunder shall only be effective upon
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. The right to terminate the
Plan shall be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors of' the Company.
No action to amend or terminate the Plan or terminate any Individual Disability
Income Agreement shall be taken except upon written notice to each Participant
to be affected thereby not less than thirty (30) days prior to such action.

                  6.4 Amendment or Termination After Entitlement. No action
shall be taken to amend or terminate the Plan or any Individual Disability
Income Agreement with respect to a Participant after the inception of the
Disability of a Participant.

                       VII. Other Benefits and Agreements

                  The benefits provided for a Participant under this Plan are in
addition to any other benefits available to such Participant under any other
plan or program for employees of the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

Employer and the Plan shall supplement and shall not supersede, modify or amend
any other such plan or program except as may otherwise be expressly provided.
Benefits under this Plan shall not be considered compensation for the purpose of
computing contributions or benefits under any plan maintained by the Employer
which is qualified under Section 401(a) and 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of
1954, as amended.

                  VIII. Restrictions on Alienation of Benefits

                  No right or benefit under the Plan or an Individual Disability
Income Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, assignment,
pledge, encumbrance or exchange, and any attempt to anticipate, alienate, sell,
assign, pledge, encumber or exchange the same shall be void. No right or benefit
hereunder shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the debts, contract,
liabilities, or torts of the person entitled to such benefit.

                         IX. Administration of the Plan

                  9.1 Administration by Committee. The general administration of
this Plan, as well as construction and interpretation thereof, shall be vested
in the Committee, the members of which shall be designated and appointed from
time to time by, and shall serve at the pleasure of, the Chief Executive Officer
of the Company. The Committee shall consist of four members. three of whom shall
be voting members and the fourth a non-voting secretary. Two of the voting
members shall be officers of the Company and the third shall be the manager of
the Employee Benefits Section of the Company. Any member of the Committee may
resign by notice in writing filed with the Secretary of the Committee. Vacancies
shall be filled promptly by the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Each
person appointed a member of the Committee shall signify acceptance by filing a
written acceptance with the Secretary of the Committee. The Chief Executive
Officer shall designate one of the members of the Committee as Chairman.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                  9.2 Committee Procedures. The Secretary shall keep minutes of
the proceedings of the Committee and all data, records and documents relating to
the administration of the Plan by the Committee. The Committee may appoint from
its number such subcommittees with such powers as the Committee shall determine
and may authorize one or more members of the Committee or any agent to execute
or deliver any instrument or make any payment on behalf of the Committee. All
resolutions or other actions taken by the Committee shall be by the vote of a
majority of those voting members present at a meeting at which a majority of the
voting members are present, or in writing by all the members in office at the
time if they act without a meeting.

                  9.3 Administrative Rules and Procedures. Subject to the Plan,
the Committee shall from time to time establish rules, forms and procedures for
the administration of the Plan. Except as otherwise herein expressly provided,
the Committee shall have the exclusive right to interpret the Plan and to decide
any and all matters arising thereunder or in connection with the administration
of the Plan. Such decisions, actions and records of the Committee, subject to
the review of the Chief Executive Officer, shall be conclusive and binding upon
the Employer and all persons having or claiming to have any right or interest in
or under the Plan.

                  9.4 Reliance on Professionals. The members of the Committee
and the officers and directors of the Employer shall be entitled to rely on all
certificates, reports and opinions made by any duly appointed professional,
including accountants, physicians and legal counsel, which legal counsel may be
counsel for the Employer.

                  9.5 Indemnification of Members of Committee. No member of the
Committee shall be liable for any act or omission of any other member of the
Committee, nor for any act or omission on his or her own part, excepting his or
her own willful misconduct. The Company

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

shall indemnify and save harmless each member of the Committee against any and
all expenses and liabilities arising out of his or her membership on the
Committee, excepting only expenses and liabilities arising out of his or her own
willful misconduct. Expenses against which a member of the Committee shall be
indemnified hereunder shall include, without limitation, the amount of any
settlement or judgment, costs, counsel fees and related charges reasonably
incurred in connection with a claim asserted or a proceeding brought or
settlement thereof. The foregoing right of indemnification shall be in addition
to any other rights to which any such member may be entitled as a matter of law
or otherwise.

                  9.6 Information Furnished by Employer. To enable the Committee
to perform its functions, the Employer shall supply full and timely information
to the Committee on all matters relating to the compensation of all Participants
and their Disability, and such other pertinent facts as the Committee may
require.

                  9.7 Committee to Determine and Order Distribution of Benefits.
In addition to the powers hereinabove specified, the Committee shall have the
power to compute and certify under the Plan the amount and kind of benefits from
time to time distributable to the Participants and to authorize all
disbursements for such purposes.

                          X. Disputed Claims Procedure

                  10.1 General Provisions. The claims procedure under this Plan
shall allow a Participant a reasonable opportunity to appeal a denied claim and
to obtain a full and fair review of that decision from the Committee.

                  10.2 Notice of Claim Denial. The Committee shall provide a
written notice to every Participant who is denied a claim for benefits under
this Plan. The notice shall set forth the following information:

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                  (a) The specific reasons for the denial;

                  (b) The specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions on
         which the denial is based;

                  (c) A description of any additional material or information
         necessary for the Participant to perfect the claim and an explanation
         of why such material or information is necessary; and

                  (d) Appropriate information and explanation of the claims
         procedure under this Plan to permit the Participant to submit his claim
         for review. All such information shall be set forth in the notice in a
         manner reasonably calculated to be understood by the Participant.

                  10.3 Appeal Right. The Participant whose claim has been denied
shall have the following rights under this appeal procedure:

                  (a) To request a review upon written application to the
         Committee;

                  (b) To review pertinent documents with regard to the Plan;

                  (c) To submit issues and comments in writing;

                  (d) To request an extension of time to make a written
         submission of issues and comments; and

                  (e) To request that a hearing be held to consider the appeal.

                  10.4 Written Request for Review. The Participant shall
exercise his right of appeal by submitting a written request for a review of the
denied claim to the Committee. This written request for review must be submitted
to the Committee within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Participant of the
written notice of denial.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

                  10.5 Hearing at Discretion of Committee. The decision to hold
a hearing to consider the Participant's appeal of the denied claim shall be
within the sole discretion of the Committee, whether or not the Participant
requests such a hearing.

                  10.6 Extensions of Time. If an extension of time is necessary
in order to hold a hearing, the Committee shall give the Participant written
notice of the extension of time and of the hearing. This notice shall be given
prior to any extension. The written notice of extension shall indicate that an
extension of time will occur in order to hold a hearing on the appeal. The
notice shall also specify the place, date, and time of that hearing and give the
Participant the opportunity to participate in the hearing. It may also include
any other information the Committee believes may be important or useful to the
Participant in connection with the appeal.

                  10.7 Time for Decision on Review. The decision on the review
of the denied claim shall promptly be made by the Committee and must be made:

                  (a) Within sixty (60) days after the receipt of the request
         for review if no hearing is held; or

                  (b) Within one hundred twenty (120) days after the receipt of
         the request for review, if an extension of time is necessary in order
         to hold a hearing.

                  10.8 Decision on Request for Review. The Committee's decision
on review shall be made in writing and provided to the Participant within the
specified time periods in Section 10.7. This written decision on review shall
contain the following information:

                  (a) The decision;

                  (b) The reasons for the decision; and

                  (c) Specific references to provisions of the Plan or the
         Individual Disability Income Agreement on which the decision is based.

                                      -12-
<PAGE>

All of this information shall be written in a manner reasonably calculated to be
understood by the Participant.

                               XI. Miscellaneous

                  11.1 Notices. Any notice which shall or may be given under the
Plan or the Individual Disability Income Agreements shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by United States mail, postage prepaid. If notice is to be given
to the Employer, such notice shall be addressed to the Employer at:

                       Arkla, Inc.
                       Post Office Box 21734
                       Shreveport, Louisiana 71151

marked for the attention of the Manager, Employee Benefits Section; or, if
notice to a Participant, addressed to the address shown on such Participant's
Individual Disability Income Agreement. Any party may change the address to
which notices shall be mailed from time to time by giving written notice of such
new address.

                  11.2 Binding Agreement. Subject to the provisions of Section
VI of the Plan and Paragraphs 2 and 3 of the Individual Disability Income
Agreements, the Plan shall be binding upon the Employer and its respective
successors or assigns, including but not limited to a corporation which may
acquire all or substantially all of the Company assets and business or with or
into which the Company may be consolidated or merged, and upon a Participant,
his assigns, heirs, executors and administrators.

                  11.3 Use of Pronouns. Masculine pronouns wherever used shall
include feminine pronouns and the singular shall include the plural.

                  11.4 Governing Law. This Plan shall be governed by the laws of
the State of Louisiana.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Arkla, Inc. has caused this instrument to
be executed by its duly authorized officers on this 16th day of September, 1983,
effective as of August 1, 1983.

ATTEST:                              ARKLA, INC.

    /s/ B. D. KLINE                  By   /s/ E. SHEFFIELD NELSON
------------------------------         ---------------------------------
        B. D. Kline                           E. Sheffield Nelson
        Secretary                       President, Chairman of the Board
                                          and Chief Executive Officer

                                      -14-

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