#United States #CenterPoint Energy #Houston, Texas #Texas Winter #Emergency Preparedness

CenterPoint Energy's Preparedness for Incoming Winter Storms

As Texas faces a dire winter weather forecast impacting both West and East regions, CenterPoint Energy is on high alert. In light of Governor Greg Abbott's recent state of emergency declaration, the energy provider is taking assertive steps to ensure the safety and reliability of its electric and natural gas services.

In anticipation of the severe weather, CenterPoint Energy has completed its winter preparedness checklist, shared with regulators and stakeholders. This rigorous preparation includes deploying cold weather mitigations across its infrastructure, mobilizing emergency resources, and closely coordinating with local emergency responders. Richard Leger, Senior Vice President of Gas Operations at CenterPoint, emphasized the company's commitment to maintaining reliable service during this challenging period.

Proactive Measures in Response to Weather Forecasts

Currently, the company does not expect major disruptions to its infrastructure. However, the proactive measures they have outlined are critical in preparing for whatever challenges the forecasted colder temperatures might bring. These measures include:

• - Inspection of Critical Equipment: CenterPoint has inspected and tested essential equipment, including the checking of all 270 substations to handle anticipated high demand and adverse conditions.
• - Infrastructure Improvement: In the Greater Houston area, the company is actively hardening its electric and natural gas systems by installing heaters and devices designed to prevent ice damage. They are also repairing any degradation in thermal insulation and waterproofing materials.
• - Training for Emergency Personnel: Thousands of operational staff and contractors have undergone emergency training to ensure readiness in the face of severe winter conditions.

Natural Gas System Preparedness

Historically, CenterPoint's natural gas system has maintained strong performance during cold weather events. This expected resilience is further bolstered by key winter preparedness strategies, which include the positioning of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks to support the system’s demands if necessary. By validating station set points against cold weather settings, the company ensures a reliable flow of natural gas during extreme weather.

CenterPoint continues to work closely with the Railroad Commission of Texas to guarantee that critical gas infrastructure remains operational and reliable throughout the winter months.

Resources for Customers

In conjunction with its preparedness measures, CenterPoint has launched its Winter Energy Guide, an online resource that provides customers with practical tips to stay warm and manage their energy consumption effectively throughout winter. The guide highlights essential information about safety and energy efficiency, empowering customers to create their own winter readiness plans.

Additionally, customers can take advantage of CenterPoint’s new cloud-based Outage Tracker. This tool allows real-time updates on outages categorized by county, city, and zip code and is particularly user-friendly on mobile devices. Enrolling in the Power Alert Service ensures customers receive timely notifications on outages via their preferred communication method.

Conclusion

As Texas braces for potentially severe weather conditions, CenterPoint Energy's proactive strategies demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of energy delivery. The company urges its customers to remain vigilant and prepared for the upcoming winter weather, emphasizing the importance of having a personal emergency plan in place. By staying informed and utilizing available resources, customers can navigate the cold season with greater confidence. For further details and updates, residents can visit CenterPointEnergy.com.