Governor Abbott Reprimands CenterPoint Energy and Calls for Investigation
Houston, Texas – Governor Greg Abbott has issued a stern condemnation of CenterPoint Energy following the company’s handling of power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. The governor has ordered the utility company to deliver a comprehensive planning strategy by the end of July on how it proposes to improve power reliability for future storms.
The Governor, in his first public event since a previously planned economic development trip to Asia, demanded that CenterPoint provide clear plans for improved preparation of linemen, increased workforce to restore power, and tree-trimming to prevent power line damages. The Governor warned that failure to meet his request would result in an executive order imposing state-mandated requirements.
The Scope of CenterPoint’s Territory Under Spotlight
According to Abbott, if CenterPoint cannot rectify its ongoing issues, the state may need to reconsider the breadth of the territory that the utility serves. At present, CenterPoint caters to over 2.6 million customers across Houston and some coastal communities. “It’s time to reevaluate whether or not CenterPoint should have such a large territory,” Abbott stated.
Call for Investigation into Alleged Malpractices
The governor penned a letter to Thomas Gleeson, the chairperson of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, ordering an investigation into CenterPoint. The Governor expressed concerns over allegations that CenterPoint may have been prioritizing its profits over the wellbeing of Texans. “Was CenterPoint protecting Texans, or was it protecting its own pocketbook?” Abbott questioned at the press conference.
CenterPoint Faces Growing Criticism
CenterPoint has faced major backlash due to its handling of outages caused by Hurricane Beryl. The public and elected officials have criticized the utility company for failing to communicate effectively with customers and restore power rapidly. As criticism rose, CenterPoint promised to restore power to 90% of its impacted customers by Monday.
Response To Violence Against CenterPoint Workers
As tensions rose over the weekend, some individuals turned violent against CenterPoint workers – an action that Governor Abbott strongly repudiated. Both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick asserted that they would not tolerate such actions, with Patrick advising that the Texas Legislature would consider implementing laws to increase penalties for crimes committed against people working to restore power.
New Laws for Power Reliability in the Pipeline
Abbott emphasized that lawmakers are focused on crafting effective legislations during the next session to improve power reliability in Texas. The immediate concern, however, is CenterPoint’s preparedness for potential future hurricanes. With the hurricane season set to run until November 30, actions need to be taken now. The Governor demanded that CenterPoint clear away vegetation surrounding power lines by the end of August, as fallen trees were a major cause of infrastructure damage and outages following the hurricane.
The Governor also pointed out reports suggesting that CenterPoint was seemingly unprepared for the level of destruction caused by Beryl. The utility company has been requested to present a strategy detailing how they will ready sufficient workforce to promptly respond to potential future power outages. As the state governor, Abbott promises Texans that changes will be made to ensure a more prepared and efficient response to severe weather events and its ensuing complications.
