UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.  )

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RELIANT ENERGY, INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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Proxy Statement
and
Notice of 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

 

April 9, 2008

 

 

NOTICE OF 2008 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

Dear Stockholder:

 

You are invited to attend the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Reliant Energy, Inc. on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Central Time, at the Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas.

 

At the meeting, stockholders will be asked to:

 

 

This year we are furnishing proxy materials to our stockholders over the Internet. You may read, print and download our proxy statement and annual report at http://www.eproxyaccess.com/rri. On or about April 9, 2008, we mailed our stockholders a notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials and vote online. The notice also provides instructions on how you can request proxy materials to be sent to you by mail or email and how you can enroll to receive proxy materials by mail or email for future meetings.

 

Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2008 are entitled to vote. Each share entitles the holder to one vote. You can vote over the Internet at http://www.eproxyaccess.com/rri or by casting a ballot at the meeting. You may also vote by telephone by following the instructions found on the Internet site. If you request to receive proxy materials by mail or email, you may vote by any of the above methods or by mailing a proxy card. For specific voting information, see “General Information” beginning on page 1 of the enclosed proxy statement. Please vote in advance of the meeting even if you plan to attend the meeting.

 

Attendance is limited to stockholders of Reliant Energy, Inc., their proxy holders and our guests. Check-in will begin at 8:15 a.m. Stockholders holding stock in brokerage accounts must bring a brokerage statement or other evidence of share ownership as of March 31, 2008 in order to be admitted to the meeting. If you need special assistance at the meeting because of a disability, please contact our Assistant Corporate Secretary, Wendi Bickett, at (713) 497-5636.

 

Sincerely,

 

Michael L. Jines
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

RELIANT ENERGY, INC.
1000 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77002
(713) 497-3000

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

We are providing these proxy materials to you in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of Reliant Energy, Inc. for the 2008 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) and for any adjournment or postponement of the Meeting. In this proxy statement, we refer to Reliant Energy, Inc. as “we,” “our” or “us.”

 

We are making these proxy materials available to you on the Internet. On or about April 9, 2008, we mailed a notice to our stockholders containing instructions on how to access the proxy materials at http://www.eproxyaccess.com/rri and vote online. In addition, stockholders may request proxy materials to be sent to them by mail or email.

 

At the Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect directors and ratify our independent auditors.

 

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2008, the record date for the Meeting, are entitled to receive notice of and participate in the Meeting. If you were a stockholder of record on that date, you are entitled to vote all of the shares you held on that date at the Meeting, or any postponements or adjournments of the Meeting.

 

If your shares are registered directly in your name, you are the holder of record of these shares and the notice was sent directly to you. If you hold your shares in a brokerage account or through a bank or other holder of record, you hold the shares in “street name,” and your broker, bank or other holder of record sent the voting instructions to you.

 

If you hold your shares indirectly in the Reliant Energy, Inc. Savings Plan or the Reliant Energy, Inc. Union Savings Plan (collectively, the “Reliant Benefit Plans”), you have the right to direct the trustee of the Reliant Benefit Plans (the “Trustee”) how to vote your shares as described in the voting materials sent to you by the Trustee.

 

You have one vote for each share of our common stock you owned as of the record date for the Meeting.

 

You may vote over the Internet at http://www.eproxyaccess.com/rri by following the instructions provided in the notice mailed to you or by voting in person at the Meeting. You may also vote by telephone by following the instructions found on the Internet site. If you request proxy materials by mail or email, you may vote by any of the above methods or by mailing a proxy card.

 

If you hold your shares in street name, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other holder of record how to vote by following the instructions sent to you by the holder of record. If you desire to vote in person at the Meeting, as a holder in street name, you must provide a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other holder of record.

 

Yes, you may change your vote at any time prior to the vote tabulation at the Meeting by (a) voting in person at the Meeting, (b) casting a vote over the Internet or by telephone at a later date or (c) sending a written notice of revocation to our Assistant Corporate Secretary by mail to Reliant Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1384, Houston, Texas 77251-1384 or by facsimile at (713) 497-0140. If you request proxy materials by mail or email, you may also change your vote by mailing a proxy card with a later date. If you recast your vote, only your later dated proxy (whether cast by Internet, telephone, mail or in person) will be counted.

 

The Board’s recommendations are set forth together with the description of each item in this proxy statement. The Board recommends a vote FOR election of nine directors to our Board to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and the Board and the Audit Committee recommend a vote FOR ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2008.

 

If any other matter properly comes before the Meeting, Wendi S. Bickett and Michael L. Jines (the “Proxy Holders”) will vote as recommended by the Board or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

 

We will have a quorum, and will be able to conduct the business of the Meeting, if the holders of a majority of shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote are represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. As of the record date, 345,606,056 shares of common stock, representing the same number of votes, were outstanding. The presence of the holders of at least 172,803,029 shares of common stock will be required to establish a quorum. Proxies received but marked as abstentions or broker non-votes will be included in the calculation of the quorum. For more information regarding broker non-votes, see “—How are my votes counted?”

 

Directors are elected if the votes cast for that nominee’s election exceed the votes cast against that nominee’s election. Ratification of KPMG LLP’s appointment requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock represented at the Meeting and entitled to vote.

 

In both proposals, you may vote “FOR,” “AGAINST” or “ABSTAIN.” If you “ABSTAIN” on voting for any nominee for director, your vote will not be counted as a vote cast. If you “ABSTAIN” on the ratification of KPMG LLP’s appointment, your vote will be counted as a vote “AGAINST” that proposal.

 

Broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted as having been entitled to vote or as a vote cast. A broker non-vote occurs when the broker is unable to vote on a proposal because the proposal is not routine and the owner has not provided any instructions on that matter. New York Stock Exchange rules determine whether proposals are routine or not routine. A broker holding shares for an owner in street name may vote for a routine proposal without voting instructions. The broker may vote on a non-routine proposal only if the owner has provided voting instructions. The election of directors and the ratification of the KPMG LLP’s appointment are routine items.

 

If you request proxy materials by mail or email and send a proxy card without indicating your vote, your shares will be voted “FOR” the director nominees listed on the proxy card and “FOR” the proposal to ratify the selection of our independent auditors.

 

You must provide voting instructions to the Trustee for the shares you hold indirectly in the Reliant Benefit Plans by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on May 15, 2008. If you do not timely provide voting instructions, then the Trustee will vote your shares in the same proportion as the shares for which timely instructions were received, unless to do so would be prohibited by law.

 

We do not know of any matters that will be considered at the Meeting other than the items set forth in this proxy statement. If other matters are properly raised at the Meeting, your proxy authorizes the Proxy Holders to vote as they think best, unless authority to do so is withheld by you in your proxy.

 

If the Meeting is postponed or adjourned, your proxy will still be good and may be voted at the postponed or adjourned meeting. You will still be able to change or revoke your proxy until it is voted at the Meeting.

 

The following section summarizes information about our corporate governance policies, our Board and its committees and the director nomination process.

 

We are committed to sound corporate governance principles. To evidence this commitment, the Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines, which, along with the charters of the Board committees, our Business Ethics Policy and our corporate compliance program, provide the framework for our corporate governance. Complete copies of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, charters of the Board committees and our Business Ethics Policy are available on our website at http://www.reliant.com/corporate or in print to any stockholder who requests it from our Investor Relations department at 713-497-7000. The Board and management regularly review corporate governance developments and the Board modifies these charters and guidelines and management modifies the policy and program as appropriate.

 

We have adopted a written Business Ethics Policy, which is a code of conduct and ethics for our directors, executives and employees and satisfies the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) definition of a “code of ethics.” Our Business Ethics Policy prohibits our directors, executives and employees from having relationships or engaging in activities which might conflict with, or give the appearance of conflicting with, our interests or which might affect that person’s independence or judgment. This policy is based upon our value of acting with absolute integrity.

 

All of our directors, executives and employees are required to annually certify their compliance with the Business Ethics Policy. The policy requires any exception to or waiver of the policy for a director or executive be made only by the Board or an independent Board committee and disclosed on our website. To date, we have not received any requests for or granted any waivers of the policy for any of our executives or directors.

 

Among other things, the policy addresses:

 

 

 

The policy prohibits any director or executive from seeking or accepting credit or an extension of credit in the form of a personal loan from us, trading our securities acquired in connection with their service or employment during any retirement plan “black-out period” and, in the case of executives, receiving any tax services from our independent auditors.

 

Under the terms of our Business Ethics Policy, each of our independent directors is required to ensure that he or she does not have any relationships or engage in any activities that would result in the director not being independent. Prior to engaging in any material relationship or activity that could reasonably be expected to affect his or her independence, the director must consult with our General Counsel or, in some cases, the Board.

 

The policy includes procedures for directors and employees to report possible violations of laws, regulations or the policy. Reports may be made to an employee’s immediate supervisor, our Senior Vice President, Chief Risk and Compliance Officer (“Chief Compliance Officer”), any member of the Corporate Compliance Office or the Office of Ethics and Compliance or any other senior company official. Reports may also be made anonymously to the Chief Compliance Officer through a toll-free compliance hotline administered by an independent third party. All reported violations are investigated promptly and, to the extent possible, treated confidentially. It is our policy that there will be no acts of retaliation, intimidation, threat, coercion or discrimination against any individual for truthfully reporting, furnishing information or assisting or participating in any manner in an investigation, compliance review or other activity related to the administration of our Business Ethics Policy.

 

Under our corporate compliance program, our employees and directors annually participate in a series of ethics and compliance training courses that define problematic relationships and activities and promote understanding of conflicts of interests and our values, including acting with absolute integrity and communicating openly, honestly and frequently. Our Office of Ethics and Compliance monitors compliance with the Business Ethics Policy and confirms that our current policies and controls adequately ensure that our business practices are consistent with the Business Ethics Policy. The Office of Ethics and Compliance is composed of our President and Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Operating Officer, our Chief Financial Officer, our Chief Compliance Officer and our Senior Vice President and General Counsel. The Audit Committee provides oversight of the program.

 

To align our directors and executives with the interests of our stockholders, we have stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executives. All non-management directors have an ownership target of 30,000 shares of our common stock. In addition, our President and Chief Executive Officer has an ownership target of 120,000 shares, all executive vice presidents have targets of 60,000 shares, and all senior vice presidents that are executives have targets of 30,000 shares. The target stock ownership levels are expected to be achieved within five years of the adoption of the guidelines (March 7, 2011) or within five years of first

appointment to the Board or election as an executive, whichever is later. Each executive is expected to retain at least 50% of the after-tax earned restricted or performance shares until twelve months after the vesting date. The Nominating & Governance Committee may approve requests for exclusions to the retention expectation, for purposes of estate planning, gifts to charity, education or the purchase of a primary residence. With the exception of those directors and executives who have joined us in the last eighteen months, all of our directors and executives have met the target stock ownership guidelines.

 

Because short-range speculation in our securities based on fluctuations in the market may cause conflicts of interests with our stockholders, our Insider Trading Policy prohibits trading in options, warrants, puts and calls related to our securities and it also prohibits selling our securities short or holding our securities in margin accounts.

 

Our Board currently has ten members (its authorized size). During 2007, the Board met nine times and all directors attended 100% of the meetings. For information regarding meetings of the committees of our Board, see “Committees of the Board of Directors—Committee Composition and Meetings” below.

 

To facilitate candid discussion among our non-management directors, the agenda for each Board and committee meeting includes an executive session of non-management directors. The Chairman of the Board presides over meetings of non-management directors and assists in the preparation of the agenda for each meeting in consultation with the Lead Director. Steven L. Miller is our Lead Director and presides over meetings of independent directors.

 

At least once a year, the Nominating & Governance Committee reviews all relationships each director has with us, including any charitable contributions we make to organizations where our directors serve as board members. In addition, the Nominating & Governance Committee considers that in the ordinary course of our business we provide electricity to some directors and entities with which they are affiliated on the same rates, terms and conditions as provided to our other similarly situated customers. The Nominating & Governance Committee reports the results of its review to the Board, which then determines which directors satisfy applicable independence standards. Rather than adopting categorical standards, the Board assesses independence on a case-by-case basis, in each case consistent with legal requirements and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

 

The Board considered Pastor Caldwell’s consulting relationship with a contractor that provides some of our call center services. In determining that the relationship did not constitute a material relationship, the Board noted that Pastor Caldwell does not have any interest in the transactions between us and the contractor, he does not serve as an executive, partner or employee of the contractor and he has no ownership interest in the contractor.

 

The Board also reviewed the terms of our office space sublease to a subsidiary of Endeavour International Corporation, a corporation of which Mr. Transier serves as the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. In determining that the sublease did not constitute a material relationship, the Board noted the relatively insignificant amount of all periodic lease payments (approximately $260,000 during the year ended December 31, 2007) and the relatively small amount of the office space (approximately 16,000 square feet). The Board observed that we previously received the advice of an independent real estate consultant that the terms of the sublease were fair and reasonable, consistent with subleases in comparable transactions and on terms no more favorable than those that could have been obtained from unrelated parties. The sublease terminated in March 2008.

The Board determined that Mesdames Barpoulis and Perez and Messrs. Barnett, Breeding, Caldwell, Miller, Silverstein and Transier are independent directors. Mr. Jacobs, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is not considered by the Board to be an independent director because of his employment with the Company. Mr. Staff, the Chairman of the Board, is not considered by the Board to be an independent director because of his prior position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Each member of our Audit, Nominating & Governance and Compensation Committees is independent under the SEC’s rules and regulations, the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange and our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

 

All of our directors attended the 2007 annual meeting and we expect all directors standing for reelection will attend the 2008 Meeting.

 

At least annually, we offer a seminar to the Board on topics relevant to their responsibilities as directors. In 2007, we conducted a customized director education program led by the National Association of Corporate Directors. Each director is also encouraged to attend an external seminar each year. New directors participate in a special orientation program conducted by our management. The Nominating & Governance Committee annually reviews and evaluates the director education and orientation program. A copy of our Guidelines for Director Orientation and Continuing Education is available on our website at http://www.reliant.com/corporate.

 

To ensure that each director is able to devote sufficient time to performing his or her duties, our Corporate Governance Guidelines prohibit our directors from serving on the boards of more than three other public companies. In addition, the Board and the Nominating & Governance Committee take into account service on other boards as a factor in evaluating director performance and committee assignments. The Audit Committee’s Charter prohibits committee members from serving on the audit committee of more than two other public companies.

 

The Nominating & Governance Committee evaluates material changes in the personal or professional status of a director that could be expected to diminish the director’s ability to effectively function as a member of the Board. In addition, as part of the annual director evaluation process, the Board considers changes in professional status and health, family, business or personal issues that may bear on effectiveness of Board service. Our Corporate Governance Guidelines require directors to submit a resignation letter if they have a substantial change in job. The Board has discretion to accept or reject these resignations.

 

The Nominating & Governance Committee conducts an annual evaluation to determine whether the Board, its committees and its members are functioning effectively. The evaluation focuses on the Board’s (and each Board committee’s and member’s) contribution as a whole to us and on areas that the Board, any Board committee, any individual director and/or management believe can be improved. Additionally, each year, the Chairman of the Board and the Lead Director meet privately with each director for an individual director evaluation. The Lead Director confirms to the Board, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, the completion of the individual director evaluation process and presents to the Board any appropriate conclusions or recommendations for action.

 

The Compensation Committee annually reports to the Board on succession planning and collaborates with the Board to evaluate potential successors to our Chief Executive Officer and senior executives. As part of this process, the Compensation Committee solicits views from the non-management members of the Board. We

have also adopted policies regarding succession in the event of an emergency involving or the unexpected resignation, retirement or incapacity of our Chief Executive Officer or Chairman of the Board.

 

Our bylaws provide that, to be elected, each nominee must receive more votes cast for that nominee’s election than votes cast against that nominee’s election. In contested elections where the number of nominees exceeds the number of directors to be elected, the vote standard will continue to be a plurality of votes cast. This bylaw provision cannot be changed without stockholder approval.

 

In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines include a director resignation policy, which is summarized as follows:

 

 

All of our directors attended at least 90% of the total meetings held by all Board committees on which they served in 2007.

 

 

All of our committee charters are available at http://www.reliant.com/corporate.

Audit Committee

 

The purposes of the Audit Committee are to oversee:

 

 

In addition, the Audit Committee annually reviews our disclosures regarding deficiencies, if any, in the design or operation of internal controls.

 

The Board has determined that Ms. Perez and Messrs. Silverstein and Transier are qualified as audit committee financial experts under the SEC’s rules and regulations. In addition, the Board has determined that each member of the Audit Committee has the requisite accounting and related financial management expertise under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.

 

Nominating & Governance Committee

 

The purposes of the Nominating & Governance Committee are to:

 

 

In addition, the Nominating & Governance Committee reviews all relationships each director has with us and reports the results of its review to the Board with appropriate recommendations, if any, for approval.

 

Risk & Finance Oversight Committee

 

The purposes of the Risk & Finance Oversight Committee are to:

 

 

In addition, the Risk & Finance Oversight Committee annually reviews our environmental policies and initiatives.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The purposes of the Compensation Committee are to:

 

 

 

The Compensation Committee has discretion to establish and delegate some or all of its authority to subcommittees. During 2007, the Compensation Committee did not establish or utilize a subcommittee for considering or determining executive or director compensation, and it has no current plans to do so. For information regarding the Compensation Committee and its independent consultant’s role in setting compensation, see “Executive Compensation—Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and “Director Compensation.”

 

During 2007, all members of the Compensation Committee were independent directors and no member is or was our employee. During 2007, none of our executives served on a compensation committee (or equivalent) or a board of directors of another entity that had an executive serving on our Compensation Committee or Board.

 

The Nominating & Governance Committee considers prospective nominees for Board membership suggested by Board members, management or stockholders. The Committee may also retain a third-party executive search firm to assist it in identifying prospective nominees.

 

Once the Nominating & Governance Committee has identified a prospective nominee, it decides whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate. This decision is based on information provided to the Committee with the recommendation of the candidate, the Committee’s knowledge of the candidate and possible inquiries to the person making the recommendation or others. The Committee’s primary considerations are the need for additional Board members to fill vacancies or expand the size of the Board and the likelihood that the candidate can satisfy the evaluation factors described below. The Committee also considers the diversity of and the optimal mix of talent and experience on the Board and other factors as it deems relevant, including the current composition of the Board, the balance of management and independent directors and the need for expertise in particular areas.

 

The Committee next evaluates the candidate’s standards and qualifications, including the candidate’s experience, independence, knowledge, commitment to our values, skills, expertise, independence of mind, integrity, service on the boards of other public companies, openness, ability to work as part of a team, willingness to commit the required time and familiarity with our business. Following an evaluation and interviews, the Committee makes a recommendation to the Board regarding the candidate. After considering the recommendation, the Board determines whether or not to extend an offer to the candidate for Board membership.

 

A stockholder who wishes to recommend a prospective nominee for the Board should notify us at Reliant Energy, Inc., P.O. Box 1384, Houston, Texas 77251-1384. The notice should be addressed to the attention of the Corporate Secretary or the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee in care of the Corporate Secretary. The notice should include whatever supporting material the stockholder considers appropriate. The Nominating & Governance Committee will also consider whether to nominate any person nominated by a stockholder pursuant to the provisions of our bylaws relating to stockholder nominations as described in “Dates for Submission of Stockholder Proposals for 2009 Annual Meeting” below.

 

Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Chairman of the Nominating & Governance Committee, the Lead Director, the non-management directors as a group or the Board may do so by writing in care of the Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 1384, Houston, Texas 77251-1384. Instructions on how to communicate with the Board are also available on our website at http://www.reliant.com/corporate.

 

Additionally, under the terms of our Business Ethics Policy, anyone desiring to raise a complaint or concern regarding accounting, internal control or auditing matters directly with the Audit Committee has the ability to do so by contacting EthicsPoint, Inc. at the following address or toll free number:

 

Reliant Energy Ethics & Compliance Helpline

c/o EthicsPoint, Inc.

P.O. Box 230369

Portland, OR 97281-0369

Attention: Audit Committee

Toll Free Number: (866) 693-8442

 

Such complaints and concerns will be forwarded directly to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.

 

The Nominating & Governance Committee has approved a process for handling correspondence received by us and addressed to non-management members of the Board. Our Corporate Secretary reviews all correspondence that, in his opinion, deals with the functions of the Board or otherwise requires their attention. The Corporate Secretary has the discretion not to forward unsolicited marketing materials, mass mailings, unsolicited publications, surveys and questionnaires, resumes and other forms of job inquiries and requests for business contacts or referrals. In addition, the Corporate Secretary may, in his discretion, handle any director communication that is an ordinary course of business matter, including routine questions, complaints, comments and related communications that can appropriately be handled by management. However, directors may at any time request copies of all correspondence that is addressed to members of the Board. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters are immediately brought to the attention of our internal audit department or Chief Compliance Officer and handled in accordance with our Business Ethics Policy.

 

 

The first proposal to be voted on at the Meeting is the election of directors for a term of office expiring at our 2009 annual meeting. Ms. Barpoulis recently decided not to stand for reelection when her term expires at the Meeting. The Board, based on recommendations from the Nominating & Governance Committee, nominated and recommends the nine directors named below. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable for election. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election, the Board can name a substitute nominee and proxies will be voted for the substitute nominee, unless discretionary authority has been withheld. Mr. Jacobs, our President and Chief Executive Officer, is standing for election by the stockholders for the first time.

 

 

Mr. Barnett is a member of the Board of Directors of Enterprise Products GP, LLC, the general partner of Enterprise Products Partners L.P., and is Chairman of its Audit, Conflicts and Governance Committee. Mr. Barnett also serves on the Board of Directors of Westlake Chemical Corporation and is Chairman of its Nominating and Governance Committee and a member of its Audit Committee.

 

 

Mr. Breeding served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Airline Management, LLC, an aviation and airline consulting company, from 1997 until 2007. Mr. Breeding serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Pinnacle Airlines Corp. and is Chairman of its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of its Compensation Committee.

 

 

Pastor Caldwell has served as Senior Pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church since June 1982. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Continental Airlines and is a member of its Human Resources Committee and its Corporate Governance Committee.

 

 

Mr. Jacobs has served as our President and Chief Executive Officer since May 2007. Prior to that, he served as our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from July 2002.

 

 

Mr. Miller has served as Chairman and President of SLM Discovery Ventures, Inc., a company pursuing commercial ventures in support of volunteerism, social outreach and higher education academic achievement, since September 2002. From January 2003 to September 2004, Mr. Miller served as Chairman of CEO Initiative-Diversity Best Practices, and from February 2003 to December 2004, he served as Chairman of Momentum Bio Ventures, Inc., a venture capital/management services company focusing on biotechnology and life sciences.

 

 

Ms. Perez has served as an independent financial consultant with The Medallion Company, LLC, an investment advisory/consultation and professional money management company, since September 2002. Ms. Perez also serves on the Board of Directors of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and is a member of its Audit Committee and its Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee.

 

 

Mr. Silverstein served as General Partner and Portfolio Manager of SILCAP LLC, a market-neutral hedge fund that principally invests in utilities and energy companies, from January 1993 to December 2005.

 

 

Mr. Staff served as our Chief Executive Officer from April 2003 until his retirement in May 2007. He continues to serve on our Board as non-executive Chairman. He also serves on the Board of Directors of ENSCO International Incorporated and is a member of its Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee.

 

 

Mr. Transier has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of Endeavour International Corporation, an international oil and gas exploration and production company focused on the North Sea, since September 2006. From February 2004 to September 2006, he served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Endeavor International Corporation. From March 1999 to April 2003, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ocean Energy, Inc., an independent oil and gas exploration and production company that merged with Devon Energy Corporation. Mr. Transier serves on the Board of Directors of Endeavour International Corporation. He serves on the Board of Directors of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. and is the Chairman of its Compensation Committee and a member of its Audit Committee. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Cal Dive International, Inc. and is a member of its Audit and Governance Committees and the Chairman of its Compensation Committee. Cal Dive International, Inc. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc.

 

OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
EACH OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.

 

 

The Audit Committee annually reviews the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent auditors in accordance with regulatory requirements and guidelines and evaluates whether to change our independent auditors. Based on this review, the Audit Committee decided to appoint KPMG LLP as our independent auditors to conduct our audit for 2008.

 

Although stockholder approval is not required for the appointment of KPMG LLP, the Board and the Audit Committee have determined that it is a good corporate governance practice. Ratification requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares entitled to vote on the matter and represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting. If our stockholders do not ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee may reconsider the appointment. However, even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may select different independent auditors if it subsequently determines that such a change would be in the best interest of us and our stockholders.

 

THE BOARD AND THE AUDIT COMMITTEE RECOMMEND A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION
OF THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS.

 

The following table shows the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned as of March 31, 2008 by each director, the executives named in the “Summary Compensation Table” and all directors and executives as a group. None of these shares are pledged as security.

 

 

 

The following table sets forth information about persons whom we know to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of our issued and outstanding common stock based solely on our review of the Schedule 13G or Schedule 13D Statement of Beneficial Ownership filed by these persons with the SEC as of the date of such filing:

 

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires our directors, executives and persons who own more than 10% of our outstanding common stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock with the SEC. Based on our review of the reports submitted to us and representations from certain reporting persons that they have complied with the applicable filing requirements, we believe that during 2007, all of our directors, executives and greater than 10% stockholders complied with the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

During 2007, there were no transactions in which we were a participant and the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any related person, including our executives and directors, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest. See “Corporate Governance—Our Governance Practices” for a discussion of our policies and procedures related to conflicts of interest.

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Our compensation program for executives consists of base salary, annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards. Using these elements, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) has designed our compensation program to prudently use our resources while meeting the following objectives:

 

 

In determining target compensation levels for each executive, the Committee considers:

 

 

None of these factors are weighted, but are considered together.

 

Market Data

 

Market data is a key consideration for the Committee. The Committee has retained Towers, Perrin, Forster & Crosby, Inc. (“Towers Perrin”), a nationally recognized independent compensation consultant, to annually provide competitive market data for base salary, target annual incentive awards and expected value of target long-term incentive awards. In conducting the competitive analysis, Towers Perrin gathers information from us, public filings and appropriate survey sources. Towers Perrin reports the results of the competitive analysis to the Compensation Committee but does not make recommendations. The Committee considers this data for general market movement and trends and the positioning of our executives relative to the market. The Committee reviewed and considered market data as prepared by Towers Perrin in early 2007 for the following groups:

 

 

The two broader industry groups are surveyed because we do not compete exclusively within our peer group for leadership talent. The market data for these two groups is size-adjusted to our revenue size by Towers Perrin to provide appropriate comparisons. All three surveys are included in the consideration of each element of compensation for each executive; however, no comparable market data was available for Mr. Herndon at the broader general industry level.

Market data for target total direct compensation (base salary, targeted annual incentive and expected value of long-term incentive awards) is developed at both the 50th and 75th percentiles for each reference point in order to provide a broad market view; however, the Committee does not seek to target total direct compensation at any particular level. Each executive’s position relative to the market data is reflective of their experience (both with us and with other organizations) and the other factors described below. Three of the four executives were below the 50th percentile for the peer group, three of the four executives were above the 50th percentile for the broader energy industry, and all executives for whom there was comparable market data were below the 50th percentile for the broader general industry. All executives were below the 75th percentile for each reference point for which comparable market data was available. Messrs. Dobson and Staff are not included in these comparisons to the market data because neither received annual incentive or long-term incentive awards in 2007. See discussion of Messrs. Dobson and Staff under “How does each element and our decisions regarding that element fit into our compensation program’s objectives and affect other elements?”

 

Individual Performance

 

The Committee also considers individual performance, including achievement of individualized goals, current and potential impact on corporate performance, reputation, skills, experience, criticality and demonstration of our values as important factors. Our values are to:

 

 

The format used for our executives’ annual performance evaluations is the same as for all employees (except our President and Chief Executive Officer). See “What is the role of our executives in the compensation process?”

 

Corporate Performance

 

Significant portions of our annual incentive awards and long-term incentive awards are tied to corporate and operational results, which must be measured to determine the level of payout. See “Why do we choose to pay each element?”

 

Compensation History

 

In determining an executive’s compensation, the Committee considers the base salary and the annual incentive target and payout history of each executive for the preceding four years. The Committee also considers each executive’s equity holdings, including the date of any grants, the types of awards (restricted stock, stock options or cash), the vesting provisions, the expiration dates, the exercise prices, if applicable, and the number of units or shares granted. The Committee reviews these historical awards to ensure an appropriate portion of executive compensation provides retention value.

 

Internal Equity

 

Differences in levels of compensation among our executives exist because of differences in their roles and responsibilities and based on all of the factors discussed above. The Committee does not use formulas in determining compensation amounts, but is mindful of internal equity and the impact of perceived fairness related to its decisions.

 

To achieve our compensation program’s objectives, the Committee believes that a significant portion of executive compensation should be composed of variable, at risk elements, with the majority of these elements being based on alignment with our stockholders and achievement of our long-term success. Base salaries attract and retain the talent we need to lead and grow our business. The Committee strives for a balanced and effective mix of elements, which are not weighted in any particular manner. We have no policies or formulas for allocating among different forms of pay.

 

The table below sets forth the allocation range of fixed and variable compensation for our executives (other than Messrs. Dobson and Staff), based on the Committee’s determinations in early 2007. Mr. Dobson, who joined us in October 2007, was not eligible to receive an annual incentive or long-term incentive award in 2007. He was granted common stock options and restricted stock units in connection with his appointment. Mr. Staff, who retired in May 2007, did not receive the 2007 annual incentive award or long-term incentive award. In connection with Mr. Staff’s retirement, the terms of some of his option awards were extended beyond their post-separation expiration date to allow him to exercise these stock options during the earlier of the remaining initial term of the awards or two years after leaving our Board. See “Summary Compensation Table” and “2007 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

 

 

Mr. Jacobs’ compensation was weighted more heavily towards long-term incentive awards in comparison to the other executives, which is consistent with market data for chief executive officers. In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Jacobs received an additional grant of restricted stock units and common stock options. See “2007 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

Base Salary

 

Base salary is paid in cash commensurate with the responsibilities of each individual’s position. The Committee annually reviews base salary and approves adjustments based on the factors discussed under “How are executive compensation amounts determined?” The Committee believes the base salaries provide a competitive level of fixed compensation based on the individual’s experience and performance as well as the position’s market value. See “Summary Compensation Table” for amounts of 2007 base salaries.

 

Annual Incentive Awards

 

Annual incentive awards are paid in cash and are tied to annual achievement against the performance metrics described below. The purpose of our annual incentive awards is to encourage superior performance on key corporate and employee metrics that are critical to our business. Annual incentive awards are calculated as a specified target percentage of base salary. These target percentages for executives are approved by the Committee based on the market data surveys prepared by Towers Perrin and internal equity.

 

 

The Committee annually approves the performance metrics, levels and relevant weighting of each metric following its review of management’s proposals. The metrics reflect our annual operating plan and strategic priorities. We use these metrics in managing our business and in making public disclosures. The target amounts are consistent with our 2007 annual operating plan. The metric payout amounts are based on probability of achievement: threshold, 90%; target, 50%; maximum, 10%. These probabilities are assessed by management and reviewed with the Committee. The weighting of the different performance metrics is based on the Committee’s assessment of the relative priorities of the specific performance metrics. The Committee has discretion to approve payouts for performance above or below the performance metrics in order to take into account extraordinary or unexpected market, business or individual performance events. For 2007, the Committee did not exercise this discretion.

 

 

 

In 2007, we did not apply operational results as a performance metric for our named executives (as we did in 2006) because the drivers of operational results are captured by the corporate metrics.

 

See non-equity incentive plan compensation in the “Summary Compensation Table” for valuation disclosure related to 2007 annual incentive awards for each executive.

 

Long-Term Incentive Awards

 

The long-term incentive awards are equity and equity-based awards to align our executives’ interests with those of our stockholders. These awards are designed to retain our executives and to provide them continued motivation to achieve our long-term success.

In 2007, the Committee approved the award vehicles and amount of each vehicle following its review of management’s proposals, which considered market data prepared by Towers Perrin, individual performance, long-term potential, retention risk, difficulty of replacement, long-term impact of position and internal equity. In February 2007, the Committee granted the executives (other than Messrs. Dobson and Staff) long-term incentive awards structured as set forth in the following table. Upon joining the Company, Mr. Dobson was granted common stock options that vest ratably over a three-year period and time-based restricted stock units that vest November 1, 2010 and settle in common stock.

 

 

 

The structure of our long-term incentive awards reflects the Committee’s view that the purpose of the executive’s equity compensation should strengthen alignment with stockholders, provide incentives tied to our performance and serve as a retention vehicle. Time-based restricted stock units retain some value regardless of our stock price and create alignment with stockholder interests because their value changes as our stock price changes. Performance-based cash units are primarily a stockholder alignment tool, as they are earned or vested upon the achievement of key performance metrics. Time-based common stock options can be retentive if their value increases, and they create stockholder alignment because their value increases as our stock price increases. The weighting of the long-term incentive award vehicles is reflective of the Committee’s goal to have a balanced and effective mix of cash and equity elements.

 

See stock awards and option awards in the “Summary Compensation Table” and grant date fair value under “2007 Grants of Plan-Based Awards” for valuation disclosure related to 2007 long-term incentive awards for each executive.

 

Executive Perquisites

 

We do not provide substantial personal benefits or perquisites. We do allow up to $5,000 per year for each executive in reimbursement for specified financial planning services and a one-time allowance of $5,000 for estate planning services. In 2007, Mr. Dobson also received relocation assistance in connection with his appointment. See “Summary Compensation Table.”

 

We provide for payments and benefits if an executive is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason in connection with a change-in-control. In addition, under our executive severance plan, we provide for payments and other benefits if an executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated other than by reason of death, disability, cause or a change-in-control. The payment multiples and the triggering events for receipt of these payments and benefits are based in part on a market analysis provided by Towers Perrin in 2006. The change-in-control triggering events were selected so that our executives would be encouraged to continue their attention and dedication to us with indifference towards a change in our control. We choose to provide severance benefits for termination in these circumstances to provide financial assistance and resolve any possible related claims against us that may arise. The potential payments under these arrangements do not affect the other elements of the executives’ compensation. See “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change-in-Control.”

 

Our Chief Executive Officer has access to the internal and external compensation information described above, including each of our executive’s annual performance review. Using that information, our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Committee regarding the compensation of our other executives. Our management team also may make recommendations to the Committee regarding annual incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation, such as the forms, weighting and vesting of awards and performance metrics, where applicable. In each case, the Committee independently reviews the data, considers the Chief Executive Officer’s and management’s proposals, consults with Towers Perrin as needed, and makes its own determinations for our executives. For additional information regarding Towers Perrin’s role in the compensation process, see “How are executive compensation amounts determined?”

 

In setting the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the Committee consults with each non-management director for their views of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance and compensation. The Committee then presents a report to the Board so that all directors have an opportunity to be heard in advance of the Committee’s final action.

 

We encourage stock ownership by executives through the use of equity awards and mandatory holding periods. In addition, the Board has adopted stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executives. See “Corporate Governance—Stock Ownership Guidelines and Mandatory Holding Period.” Other than Mr. Dobson, who joined us in October 2007, each executive meets or exceeds the applicable guidelines.

 

Each year the Committee approves our executives’ base salaries, payout of annual incentive awards for the prior year, and annual and long-term incentive awards for the current year at its first regular quarterly meeting (generally in February or March). Because Mr. Herndon was not an executive at that time, the Committee reviewed but did not approve Mr. Herndon’s 2007 compensation. Any awards for newly hired executives, such as Mr. Dobson, are granted on the first business day of the month immediately following the executive’s appointment date. Offers to executive candidates are reviewed with the Committee prior to being made. Any equity awards included in an offer are subject to the Committee’s approval.

 

Our executives do not have any role in establishing the timing of grants or vesting of stock options. We do not have any program, plan or practice to time grants of equity or equity-based awards in coordination with the release of material non-public information and we do not set grant dates to new executives in coordination with the release of such information. We have not timed, and do not intend to time, our release of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. See “2007 Grants of Plan-Based Awards.”

 

The Committee considers tax, tax deductibility and accounting treatment of various compensation alternatives. However, these are not typically driving factors. The Committee may approve non-deductible compensation arrangements if it believes they are in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders taking into account several factors, including our ability to utilize the deduction based on projected taxable income.

 

The Compensation Committee oversees the compensation plans, policies and programs of Reliant Energy, Inc. on behalf of the Board of Directors. In performing its oversight function, the Compensation Committee reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis prior to its inclusion in this proxy statement. Based on these reviews and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board approved, that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement.

 

The undersigned members of the Compensation Committee have submitted this Report to the Board of Directors.

 

Compensation Committee,

 

Donald J. Breeding (Chairperson)
Sarah M. Barpoulis
Steven L. Miller
William L. Transier

 

The following table sets forth the compensation of our President and Chief Executive Officer, our former Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Financial Officer and each of our three most highly compensated other executives who were serving as of December 31, 2007. None of our executives has an employment agreement or arrangement. For further discussion of executive compensation, see “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

 

 

 

 

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The following table provides information regarding the number of shares vested and the pretax value realized by each executive from the exercise of stock options or vesting of stock awards in 2007.