Texas’ electric utility regulator launched an investigation Monday into CenterPoint Energy and the company’s preparation and response to Hurricane Beryl, which slammed into the Houston area a week ago.
Thomas Gleeson, chair of the Public Utility Commission of Texas, said he directed agency staff to initiate an investigation into CenterPoint’s ability to respond to and prepare for Hurricane Beryl, which made landfall last Monday as a Category 1 storm. The inquiry into CenterPoint comes as temperatures have hovered in the 90s and as customers have voiced frustration about how long they’ve been without power.
At a news conference, Gleeson said the events of the past week have raised questions about the quality of CenterPoint’s infrastructure, the company’s ability to maintain it and the utility’s communication with customers.
“CenterPoint has to do better — I cannot urge this enough,” Gleeson said, speaking at a press conference alongside Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, Houston Mayor John Whitmire and other state officials.
