#USA #Houston #CenterPoint Energy #Emergency Response #winter storm

CenterPoint Energy Mobilizes for Winter Weather

As the first significant winter weather system of the season approaches Southeast Texas, CenterPoint Energy has proactively prepared its extensive workforce to support customers and communities. With forecasts predicting freezing temperatures, strong winds, and ice accumulation, the company has pre-positioned its 3,300-person electric workforce at strategic staging sites designed to address the impending challenges.

Since Wednesday, the company has fully activated its Emergency Operations Center, where around 200 personnel are continuously staffing the facility to coordinate response efforts. This thorough preparation reflects CenterPoint Energy's commitment to quickly restore services and ensure customer safety during adverse weather conditions.

Pre-Positioned Resources for a Swift Response

CenterPoint Energy has strategically placed workers and equipment in anticipation of the storm's effects, especially in the northeastern parts of Greater Houston, identified as areas likely to be most impacted. About 700 natural gas workers are on standby, ready to respond swiftly to any emergencies or service interruptions that may arise. Additionally, the company urges the public to follow the guidance of local authorities to avoid traveling during the storm, which is expected from Saturday night to Monday.

In preparation for this weather event, CenterPoint has also made several critical advancements to bolster its readiness:

• - Natural Gas Support: The company has positioned 17 compressed natural gas (CNG) trailers to ensure additional supply availability as needed. This includes installing heaters at nearly 200 natural gas regulator stations to prevent ice damage.
• - Electric Restoration Equipment: More than 9,200 distribution poles, over 11,500 transformers, and 100,000 cable splices have been prepared at staging sites to facilitate rapid restoration work.
• - Monitoring Weather Conditions: CenterPoint is actively monitoring over 100 weather stations across the region to stay ahead of the storm's developments, enhancing situational awareness.

Continuous Communication and Community Outreach

To keep customers informed, CenterPoint has ramped up its communication efforts, encouraging the public to enroll in its Power Alert Service® for the latest updates on potential outages and restoration times. Outreach initiatives have also been implemented to support critical care customers, ensuring they receive necessary information and assistance.

The company emphasizes the importance of safety during extreme weather, reminding customers to remain alert and stay clear of downed power lines. Residents are advised to maintain a safe distance from potentially energized wires and promptly report any hazards.

In support of the community's emergency preparedness, CenterPoint has installed over 20 emergency backup generators at key locations across Houston, enhancing local response capabilities during power outages.

What Customers Can Do

As winter weather looms, CenterPoint Energy strongly encourages its customers to formulate a plan ahead of potential disruptions. They can find storm-related safety recommendations at CenterPointEnergy.com/ActionCenter, available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

Through these robust preparedness measures and community engagement efforts, CenterPoint Energy aims to ensure that safety and service restoration remain a top priority during the challenging winter weather ahead.

For ongoing updates, consumers can follow CenterPoint on social media platforms and consult its dedicated outage tracker. With the right planning and cooperation, the company hopes to navigate the upcoming storm with resilience and efficiency.

About CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., based in Texas, serves over 7 million customers across various states, providing both electric and natural gas services. With a legacy of over 150 years in the energy sector and nearly $45 billion in assets, CenterPoint is committed to delivering reliable energy solutions while prioritizing resilience and safety.

For further information, please contact CenterPoint Energy Communications.