In a rare move, the Public Utility Commission (PUC) is meeting in Houston because leaders want to hear directly from Houston residents. Many were without power for more than ten days after Hurricane Beryl. This is the opportunity for the community to weigh in on how CenterPoint Energy handled the crisis.
The meeting at the Harris County Department of Education at 6300 Irvington began Saturday at 9:00 a.m. and is being livestreamed on Click2Houston here. KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis and Investigative producer Andrea Slaydon are at the meeting to bring you all of the details. (We will keep posting updates here.)
Lt. Governor Dan Patrick started off testimony by talking about Hurricane Beryl.
“I cannot say I’m proud of the work of CenterPoint,” said Patrick.
Patrick was acting governor during the storm. He referenced KPRC Gage Goulding’s interview with CenterPoint CEO Jason Wells earlier this week. When asked if CenterPoint is overcharging customers, Wells said, “I don’t think that we’re overcharging our customers $100 million.”
“You don’t know if you’ve ben overcharging the customers 100 million dollars?” said Patrick. “That’s an answer from a low-level management person not the CEO of a corporation.”
Patrick spoke for about 25 minutes referencing the response from CenterPoint after the storm and what he called questionable contract with a company to provide mobile generators that were not actually mobile.
He ended his comments by demanding the PUC board make a change.
“I believe the board should ask for Jason Wells resignation. He can’t answer a simple question. A simple question from a reporter at Channel Two saying did you overcharge your customers.”
“It’s not personal Mr. Wells but CenterPoint needs to have a strong leader.”
State Senator Carol Alvarado just told PUC Commissioners “You have some accountability and responsibility as well,” letting them know if they don’t complete an audit or investigation into CenterPoint and what went wrong before the next legislative session, lawmakers will look at making some changes (to the PUC).”
She pointed out that CenterPoint vegetation clearance decreased from 5,800 miles to 4,600 miles in recent years.
“Somewhere along the line, someone should have noticed that decrease,” said Alvarado.
Several other state leaders will comment followed by public comments.
CenterPoint has a customer service desk set up just outside the meeting room on the 5th floor.
If CenterPoint’s response cost you financially, or if their crews left downed poles and tangled wires in your yard—this meeting is your opportunity to demand accountability.
PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson told KPRC 2 Investigator Amy Davis the commission has received nearly 15,000 complaints about CenterPoint’s performance. He emphasized that the residents of Houston deserve better communication.
Representatives from the following organizations are also at the meeting:
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- National Weather Service
- Edison Electric Institute, MG Spoor Consulting, GridSky Strategies Inc., Texas A&M Forest Service and Southeastern Electric Exchange
Your feedback is crucial in determining whether CenterPoint will move forward with its rate review (and your electric bill).
What’s up with the CenterPoint rate review?
This review is significant, as it involves the rates that CenterPoint customers pay on their electricity bills. Before Hurricane Beryl hit, CenterPoint had already requested a rate increase of approximately $60 million annually.
However, many—including City of Houston Attorney Arturo Michel—argue that not only should there be no increase, but customers are actually owed a decrease due to overcharges exceeding $100 million each year.
“Not only are they not due an increase. We are due a decrease. You know the customers are due a rate decrease,” said Michel.
CenterPoint withdrew its rate review; but an administrative judge ruled they had to move forward. CenterPoint appealed that ruling with the PUC, claiming they need to focus on improving infrastructure and preparing for future storms. The PUC has delayed making a decision. Chairman Gleeson told David the Commission wants to first hear from those directly impacted by the storm and by any potential rate changes.
Throughout the restoration process, CenterPoint faced sharp criticism from both lawmakers and residents. Governor Greg Abbott called out CenterPoint for “completely dropping the ball” on restoring power, while State Senator Joan Huffman said, “What we really gotta do is pray because you guys are not ready if another one comes this session.”
CenterPoint has admitted their shortcomings, with a company executive calling their poor communication and failed outage tracker “inexcusable.”
Chairman Gleeson reiterated that the PUC wants to ensure the utility learns from these mistakes and improves its response and communication moving forward.
“I think it’s clear that the residents of Houston, the surrounding area, feel that the communication from CenterPoint was, you know, subpar and really needs to be improved upon,” said Gleeson.
What if I couldn’t make the PUC meeting in Houston? Can I still comment?
The PUC is also accepting public comments about utility preparedness and response to the recent storms through a public form.
There is also still an open investigation into the emergency preparedness and extreme weather response of utilities in the Greater Houston region. All public documents related to the investigation can be found here.