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                    CERTIFIED MAIL-RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED

   April 29, 2009

   Mr. David M. McClanahan, CEO

   CenterPoint Energy, Inc.

   1111 Louisiana St.

   Houston, TX 77002

   Re: EB-09-GB-0108

   Dear Mr. McClanahan:

   The Federal Communications Commission has received complaints that
   equipment operated by your utility may be causing harmful radio
   interference to an operator in the Amateur Radio Service. The complainant
   is:

   (name withheld)

   (address withheld)

   Spring, TX 77373

   Tel: (withheld)

   The FCC has the responsibility to require that utility companies rectify
   such problems within a reasonable time if the interference is caused by
   faulty power utility equipment. Under FCC rules, most power-line and
   related equipment is classified as an "incidental radiator." This term is
   used to describe equipment that does not intentionally generate any
   radio-frequency energy, but that may create such energy as an incidental
   part of its intended operation.

   To help you better understand your responsibilities under FCC rules, here
   are the most important rules relating to radio and television interference
   from incidental radiators:

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.5 General conditions of operation.

   (b) Operation of an intentional, unintentional, or incidental radiator is
   subject to the conditions that no harmful interference is caused and that
   interference must be accepted that may be caused by the operation of an
   authorized radio station, by another intentional or unintentional
   radiator, by industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) equipment, or by an
   incidental radiator.

   (c) The operator of the radio frequency device shall be required to cease
   operating the device upon notification by a Commission representative that
   the device is causing harmful interference. Operation shall not resume
   until the condition causing the harmful interference has been corrected.

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.13 Incidental radiators.

   Manufacturers of these devices shall employ good engineering practices to
   minimize the risk of harmful interference.

   Title 47, CFR Section 15.15 General technical requirements.

   (c) Parties responsible for equipment compliance should note that the
   limits specified in this part will not prevent harmful interference under
   all circumstances. Since the operators of Part 15 devices are required to
   cease operation should harmful interference occur to authorized users of
   the radio frequency spectrum, the parties responsible for equipment
   compliance are encouraged to employ the minimum field strength necessary
   for communications, to provide greater attenuation of unwanted emissions
   than required by these regulations, and to advise the user as to how to
   resolve harmful interference problems (for example, see Sec. 15.105(b)).

   The complainant has attempted unsuccessfully to work through your usual
   complaint resolution process and as a result the matter has been referred
   to our office. The FCC prefers that those responsible for the proper
   operation of power lines assume their responsibilities fairly. This means
   that your utility company should locate the source of any interference
   caused by its equipment and make necessary corrections within a reasonable
   time.

   While the FCC has confidence that most utility companies are able to
   resolve these issues voluntarily, the FCC wants to make your office aware
   that this unresolved problem may be a violation of FCC rules and could
   result in a monetary forfeiture for each occurrence. At this stage, the
   FCC encourages the parties to resolve this problem without FCC
   intervention, but if necessary to facilitate resolution, the FCC may
   investigate possible rules violations and address appropriate remedies.

   The American Radio Relay League, a national organization of Amateur Radio
   operators, may be able to offer help and guidance about radio interference
   that involves Amateur Radio operators.

   American Radio Relay League

   Radio Frequency Interference Desk

   225 Main Street

   Newington, CT 06111

   860-594-0200

   Email: rfi@arrl.org

   Please advise the complainant what steps your utility company is taking to
   correct this reported interference problem. The FCC expects that most
   cases can be resolved within 60 days of the time they are first reported
   to the utility company. If you are unable to resolve this by June 30,
   2009, please advise this office about the nature of the problem, the steps
   you are taking to resolve it and the estimated time in which those steps
   can be accomplished.

   If you have any questions about this matter, please contact me at
   717-338-2577. Thank you for your cooperation.

   Sincerely,

   Laura L. Smith, Esq.

   Special Counsel, Northeast Region

   Enforcement Bureau

   cc: FCC Regional Director