#United States #Houston #CenterPoint #Resiliency Initiative #Hurricane Preparedness

CenterPoint Energy's Commitment to Resiliency Before Hurricane Season

The Greater Houston area is experiencing significant enhancements to its electrical infrastructure as part of the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI) by CenterPoint Energy. Over the last eight months, the company has made impressive strides, nearly reaching the finish line on critical resiliency actions aimed at strengthening the grid ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

Major Achievements in Resiliency Actions

As of May 7, 2025, CenterPoint has completed or is on track to finish an ambitious set of goals, including:

• - Installation of 21,975 stronger storm-resilient poles
• - Undergrounding of 401 miles of power lines
• - Implementation of 4,472 automated devices designed to improve outage response
• - Vegetation management by clearing 3,741 miles of high-risk foliage
• - Installation of 84 weather monitoring stations for improved storm response

These actions are not just numbers; they represent a significant investment in safety and reliability for customers throughout the region.

Impact of Resiliency Measures

The cumulative effect of these resiliency actions is expected to drastically reduce outages, with estimates suggesting more than 125 million minutes of annual outage time will be eliminated. This is a substantial improvement aimed at ensuring that when hurricanes or severe storms occur, the electrical grid remains robust, minimizing service disruptions for residents and businesses alike.

Aiming to Complete Phase Two Ahead of Schedule

CenterPoint has successfully completed its undergrounding goal, achieving the installation of 400 miles of underground power lines before the initial deadline. This undergrounding is a crucial step in enhancing the overall resilience of the electrical infrastructure, effectively shielding it from wind damage commonly caused by hurricanes.

Nathan Brownell, the Vice President of Resilience and Capital Delivery at CenterPoint, stated, “Through the end of April, we've accomplished nearly 90% of our overall grid improvements. The actions we are taking now will allow us to serve our customers better when powerful storms and extreme weather strike.” This sentiment highlights the proactive approach CenterPoint is taking to safeguard its service areas against increasingly unpredictable weather patterns.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans

Since launching Phase Two of the GHRI in September 2024, CenterPoint has been steadfast in its commitment to improving the resilience of its grid. In the past month alone, the company has achieved notable milestones such as:

• - The addition of 4,442 stronger poles engineered to withstand extreme winds
• - Installation of 52 miles of additional underground power lines
• - Deployment of 1,086 new automated reliability devices to enhance outage management efforts
• - Further clearance of 822 miles of higher-risk vegetation near power lines
• - Setting up 84 weather monitoring stations to boost storm readiness efforts

Real-Time Updates and Community Engagement

As the company moves towards completing these vital resiliency actions, it will continue to provide updates on its progress. Residents and interested parties can access real-time updates on the GHRI at CenterPointEnergy.com/TakingAction. These updates are part of CenterPoint’s commitment to transparency with the communities they serve and their efforts to prepare for adverse weather events.

In summary, the ongoing enhancements by CenterPoint Energy under the GHRI represent a critical advance in safeguarding the Greater Houston area's residents against the challenges posed by hurricanes. As June 1 approaches, CenterPoint remains on track to complete its efforts, contributing to a more resilient future for the region.