CenterPoint Energy’s winter plan: Richard Leger on preparing Houston for cold weather and ensuring natural gas safety
HOUSTON – As temperatures drop across Houston and the surrounding areas, CenterPoint Energy’s Senior Vice President of Natural Gas Business, Richard Leger, assures residents that the company is well-prepared to handle the challenges of winter weather.
In an exclusive interview, Leger shared insights on their preparedness strategies, safety tips for natural gas usage, and resources to help residents stay safe and warm during cold weather events.
Preparing for a cold snap
With temperatures expected to drop significantly, Leger emphasized that residents shouldn’t worry about natural gas supply interruptions. “We don’t anticipate any issues with the natural gas system at this time,” he said. “Ahead of winter, our natural gas team works extremely hard to prepare the system in advance of storms.”
In the event of emergencies, CenterPoint Energy’s response system is designed to act quickly. “We can respond very quickly. It’s a seamless process,” Leger assured.
The company also has compressed natural gas trailers ready if needed, although they are not expected to be needed tonight.
Safety tips for natural gas usage
Leger provided several safety reminders for residents to ensure their natural gas appliances are operating correctly:
- Maintain your appliances: “Make sure your furnaces are tuned up on an annual basis and replace filters on your water heaters,” he advised.
- Avoid flammable materials: “Do not store any flammable items near your water heaters.”
- Heating safety: “Please do not heat your house with your [oven]. That is not a safe practice and we do not recommend it,” Leger emphasized.
If residents smell gas, Leger advised immediate action: “Please exit your house, do not flip on or off any light switches, and give us a call and we will respond.”
For those without winterized homes, he recommended visiting their website for guidance. “We have a very good, comprehensive winter guide at CenterPointEnergy.com/ReadyForWinter,” Leger said. “It’s a great resource for tips.”
Staying warm during power outages
While power outages are not expected tonight, Leger noted that natural gas furnaces typically won’t function during a power outage due to the need for electricity to run the fan.
However, natural gas logs and other properly ventilated systems can still provide heat.
He encouraged residents to prepare for cold weather by having blankets and space heaters on hand.
Addressing concerns from Winter Storm Uri
Houston residents are still mindful of the challenges brought on by Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
Leger reassured that CenterPoint Energy is ready. “One thing I want Houstonians to recognize is we did not lose natural gas service during Uri. We were prepared then to deliver natural gas, and we are prepared now.”
To keep residents informed, CenterPoint Energy has enhanced its communication channels, including a dedicated website, social media updates, and media outreach. “Stay tuned to our website and our social media platforms like Facebook, X, [and] LinkedIn,” Leger said. “We will post updates if needed.”
Keeping natural gas affordable
Leger addressed concerns about rising energy costs during peak winter months. “We deploy a lot of different techniques…[such as] buying gas in the day-ahead market, put[ting] gas in storage, and also have peak shaving facilities to help stabilize natural gas prices,” he explained.
For families struggling with heating costs, CenterPoint Energy works closely with local agencies to provide assistance. “LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program) available for assistance for our natural gas customers,” Leger added.
Emergency resources
Residents are encouraged to save the emergency contact numbers for quick access:
- Gas leaks or smell of gas: Call 911 or CenterPoint Energy at 713-207-2222.
- Downed power lines: Report to (800) 332-7143.
