News Summary

CenterPoint Energy has sold its natural gas distribution facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi to Bernhard Capital Partners for $1.2 billion. Delta Utilities will take over the operations, ensuring a seamless transition for around 380,000 customers. With regulatory approvals secured, Delta Utilities plans to maintain existing billing processes and is committed to keeping rates stable. The sale also brings job opportunities for former CenterPoint employees, allowing them to continue their careers during this transition. Future expansion plans may include additional assets, potentially serving a larger customer base.

Exciting Changes Ahead: CenterPoint Energy Sells Natural Gas Distribution Facilities!

New Orleans and Jackson are buzzing with news! CenterPoint Energy has just wrapped up a significant deal, selling its natural gas distribution facilities in Louisiana and Mississippi for a hefty $1.2 billion. This deal was finalized on April 2, 2025, and a lot is set to change for the customers in these areas.

Meet the New Owner: Bernhard Capital Partners

The lucky buyer? Bernhard Capital Partners, a company poised to make a splash in the energy market! This acquisition includes approximately 12,000 miles of pipeline that has been serving around 380,000 customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. That’s quite a lot of gas flowing, and the new management is ready to take it on!

Delta Utilities Takes the Helm

So, what does this mean for those former CenterPoint customers? Don’t worry! Delta Utilities, headquartered right in the heart of New Orleans, is stepping in to take care of business. They will now provide the same services that were previously offered by CenterPoint Energy. In fact, Delta Utilities is already hard at work, making sure the transition happens smoothly.

Servicing Made Easy

To keep things comfortable for customers, Delta Utilities will maintain the same billing processes that customers have grown used to with CenterPoint. You won’t notice any big changes for the next six to 12 months. This should help keep everything running smoothly while everyone gets used to the new setup.

Regulatory Approval Secured

It’s important to note that this sale didn’t just happen in a snap of the fingers! The deal received all the necessary regulatory approvals from the Louisiana and Mississippi Public Service Commissions and also cleared the Hart-Scott-Rodino antitrust checks. That means this deal is all above board and ready for action!

Job Opportunities for CenterPoint Employees

With all these changes, there is still good news for current CenterPoint employees! About 500 positions have been offered to them at Delta Utilities, ensuring that experienced workers can continue their careers while assisting in this transition. It’s great to see opportunities arising amidst change!

Looking Forward: Delta Utilities’ Ambitious Plans

Delta Utilities has big dreams ahead! With the acquisition, they are already eyeing expansion plans that could potentially include adding Entergy’s gas distribution assets. This would allow them to serve a total of 600,000 customers and grow operations into a whopping $1.7 billion business by the summer of 2025. Talk about ambition!

Commitment to Stability

As customers make this transition, they can rest easy knowing that Delta Utilities is committed to keeping rates stable. They plan to continue the existing rate stabilization plans and tariffs, ensuring that there are no surprises in your monthly bills.

Summing It Up!

This sale marks a new chapter for both CenterPoint Energy and the customers in Louisiana and Mississippi. With Bernhard Capital Partners investing in the long-term growth of Delta Utilities rather than looking for a quick revamp, customers can expect stability and service continuity in the coming years. It’s a moment filled with new beginnings, and the focus is on making your experiences better than ever!

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Author: HERE New Orleans

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