HOUSTON – As we continue to ensure CenterPoint Energy keeps its promise to put its words into action through its initiative to improve resiliency, KPRC 2 is looking at just how far they’ve come in meeting their set deadlines.
As part of its August 15 deadline, CenterPoint took to social media, touting its success and saying it installed 640 stronger, more storm-resilient poles and trimmed/removed higher-risk vegetation from more than 900 power line miles.
“We remain laser-focused on completing the remaining key resiliency actions that are part of an accelerated phase of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative,” CenterPoint said in its post.
Our dedicated crews and contractors have successfully installed 640 stronger and more storm-resilient poles and trimmed or removed higher-risk vegetation from more than 940 power line miles. We remain laser-focused on completing the remaining key resiliency actions that are part… pic.twitter.com/N0Pv0t1PjP
— CenterPoint Energy (@CenterPoint) August 15, 2024
As part of the company’s initiative, which was first announced in early August, CenterPoint is expected to be halfway through the second phase of its goals.
Its next deadline will be August 31, when the energy giant claims 100% of that vegetation from the 2,000 incremental distribution lines will be removed.
This move comes after CenterPoint has been facing a plethora of scrutiny from Texas residents and lawmakers alike, with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton recently throwing his hat into the ring in examining what went wrong during Hurricane Beryl.
On top of that, CenterPoint has had people raising their eyebrows in the company’s efforts to raise its rates for customers. State law requires a rate review by the Public Utility Commission of Texas every four years, and CenterPoint’s last review was back in 2019.
In Wednesday’s filing, CenterPoint asked for the review to be revisited at the end of June 2025.
Last week, dozens of cities in CenterPoint’s area—including Houston—reached out, asking the same judge not to grant the company’s exemption from the review. The cities claim that the company is overcharging its customers by more than $100 million every year.
They want the judge to have the hearing so they could present evidence and argue for a rate decrease. Consumer advocates say this extension means that customers could have higher rates until 2025, and refunds aren’t an option after the customer has paid.
On Thursday, CenterPoint responded to our request. As noted on CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction, all items with an August 15 due date have been completed.
To learn more about the plan, please visit CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction.