#USA #Houston #CenterPoint Energy #winter storm #Electric Service

CenterPoint Energy's Response to the Recent Winter Storm

As severe winter weather swept through the Greater Houston area, CenterPoint Energy demonstrated both efficiency and dedication in their operational response. By mobilizing over 2,800 frontline workers, including 500 contract crews from nine states, the company maintained remarkable control over power interruptions, keeping outages below 1%.

Proactive Measures and Immediate Actions

The storm, which impacted more than 2.9 million customers, could have led to extensive disruptions. However, CenterPoint Energy's proactive measures made a significant difference. As of the latest report, around 1,000 customers were experiencing outages, primarily due to high winds and icy conditions that affected electric and natural gas systems. Since the onset of the storm on January 21, CenterPoint had already restored power to nearly 30,000 customers.

Nathan Brownell, the Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery at CenterPoint, expressed his gratitude towards the dedicated crews who ensured that vital power services continued during the harsh conditions. He emphasized the importance of maintaining electric services during such freezing weather, especially for customers who rely on stable electricity to run essential equipment.

Continuity of Service and Community Support

The company has been vigilant in monitoring equipment to ensure its readiness for hard freezes that were predicted to follow. This advanced preparation built upon winter readiness activities from prior months, which included inspections and emergency drills. Moreover, they conducted outreach to Critical Care customers, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of the community were effectively supported during the storm.

CenterPoint Energy also activated its Emergency Operations Center, where they focused on:

• - Restoration efforts: Continuously deploying crews to address equipment damage and customer outages.
• - Staging natural gas workers: Over 700 workers were on standby to respond to emergencies safely and promptly.
• - Monitoring safety: Community members were reminded to stay away from downed power lines, urging that they should assume any fallen wires are live and dangerous.

Communication and Transparency

In an effort to keep customers informed, CenterPoint utilized various channels to disseminate important safety tips and restoration updates. They encouraged customers to sign up for their Power Alert Service®, which provides timely information regarding outages, estimated restoration times, and district-specific details about electric services.

Additionally, customers were invited to utilize the Outage Tracker, available in both English and Spanish. This user-friendly platform not only helps individuals monitor outages but also ensures accessibility for those with disabilities, allowing them to see updates by county, city, and zip code.

Looking Ahead

As winter conditions remain a concern, CenterPoint's commitment to community safety, and efficient electric service underscores their operational philosophy. Their extensive preparations from weatherization activities to emergency training have established a solid foundation for prompt and effective responses in severe weather events.

In closing, CenterPoint Energy stands resolute in its mission to provide reliable energy services while ensuring the safety and well-being of its community, even amidst nature's challenges. For further updates on safety tips and the current state of electric and natural gas services, customers can visit CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter.