Texas governor demands CenterPoint Energy improve preparedness following Hurricane Beryl power failures
(UI) – In a press conference, Texas Governor Greg Abbott demanded CenterPoint Energy take immediate action to improve their hurricane preparation and response efforts following their repeated and ongoing power failures in the Greater Houston area.
The Governor also issued a letter to the Public Utility Commission (PUC) of Texas directing them to launch an investigation regarding utility companies’ inability to restore power following Hurricane Beryl’s landfall.
“First and foremost, Texas’ No. 1 goal is to protect life,” said Governor Abbott. “An issue that we see in the ongoing response to Hurricane Beryl are life-based issues, not because of the hurricane itself, but because of the lack of power supply. “
“The failure of power companies to provide power to their customers is unacceptable. CenterPoint has repeatedly failed to deliver power to its customers. To help Texans in the Greater Houston area and to avoid a repeat of unacceptable power outages, I will give CenterPoint until the end of the month to provide my office with specific actions to address power outages and reduce the possibility that power will be lost during a severe weather event. If CenterPoint fails to comply, I will issue an Executive Order to impose actions on the company that are geared to keep the power on.”
Governor Abbott directed CenterPoint to provide the Office of the Governor with the following action plan by July 31, 2024, on how they will address current power issues and reduce the possibility that power is lost in the future:
- CenterPoint must provide in detail how it plans to remove all vegetation that threatens any power line.
- CenterPoint must specify how it will prepare in advance of any tropical storm that enters the Gulf Coast.
- CenterPoint must specify action it will take to pre-stage enough linemen and other personnel to be able to immediately respond to any power outages that may occur for any tropical storm that hits their service region.
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