CenterPoint Energy 2014 Annual Report Download - page 42

against all cyber-security risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on either our, or Enable’
s, results of operations, financial
condition and cash flows. In addition, electrical distribution and transmission facilities and gas distribution and pipeline systems may be targets
of terrorist activities that could disrupt either our or Enable’
s ability to conduct our respective businesses and have a material adverse effect on
either our or Enable’s results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Failure to maintain the security of personally identifiable information could adversely affect us.
In connection with our business we collect and retain personally identifiable information of our customers, shareholders and employees. Our
customers, shareholders and employees expect that we will adequately protect their personal information, and the United States regulatory
environment surrounding information security and privacy is increasingly demanding. A significant theft, loss or fraudulent use of customer,
shareholder, employee or CenterPoint Energy data by cyber-
crime or otherwise could adversely impact our reputation and could result in
significant costs, fines and litigation.
Our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be adversely affected if we are unable to successfully operate our
facilities or perform certain corporate functions.
Our performance depends on the successful operation of our facilities. Operating these facilities involves many risks, including:
Such events may result in a decrease or elimination of revenue from our facilities, an increase in the cost of operating our facilities or delays
in cash collections, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and/or cash flows.
Our success depends upon our ability to attract, effectively transition and retain key employees and identify and develop talent to succeed
senior management.
We depend on our senior executive officers and other key personnel. Our success depends on our ability to attract, effectively transition and
retain key personnel. The inability to recruit and retain or effectively transition key personnel or the unexpected loss of key personnel may
adversely affect our operations. In addition, because of the reliance on our management team, our future success depends in part on our ability to
identify and develop talent to succeed senior management. The retention of key personnel and appropriate senior management succession
planning will continue to be critically important to the successful implementation of our strategies.
Failure to attract and retain an appropriately qualified workforce could adversely impact our results of operations.
Our business is dependent on our ability to recruit, retain, and motivate employees. Certain circumstances, such as an aging workforce
without appropriate replacements, a mismatch of existing
skillsets to future needs, or the unavailability of contract resources may lead to
operating challenges such as a lack of resources, loss of knowledge or a lengthy time period associated with skill development. Our costs,
including costs for contractors to replace employees, productivity costs and safety costs, may rise. Failure to hire and adequately train
replacement employees, including the transfer of significant internal historical knowledge and expertise to the new employees, or the future
availability and cost of contract labor may adversely affect the ability to manage and operate our business. If we are unable to successfully attract
and retain an appropriately qualified workforce, our results of operations could be negatively affected.
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operator error or failure of equipment or processes;
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operating limitations that may be imposed by environmental or other regulatory requirements;
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labor disputes;
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information technology system failures that impair our information technology infrastructure or disrupt normal business operations;
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information technology failure that affects our ability to access customer information or causes us to lose confidential or proprietary
data that materially and adversely affects our reputation or exposes us to legal claims; and
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catastrophic events such as fires, earthquakes, explosions, floods, droughts, hurricanes, terrorism, pandemic health events or other
similar occurrences.