Public Utility Commission of Texas to launch investigation into CenterPoint Energy over Beryl response

HOUSTON (KXAN) — The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) is officially launching an investigation into CenterPoint Energy's response to prolonged power outages caused by Hurricane Beryl and the utility's preparation ahead of the storm, according to an announcement Monday afternoon.

Thomas Gleeson, the PUC's chairman, told reporters during a news conference Monday afternoon in Houston that he asked the agency's staff members to initiate this investigation since they're responsible for regulating CenterPoint.

“CenterPoint has to do better — I cannot urge this enough," Gleeson said. "I have tried to stress with their executives that CenterPoint has to have a sense of urgency. What I’ve guaranteed to the governor is I will bring back actions we can do immediately and not wait to address. I will expect those to be done during this hurricane season. We’re still at the beginning of hurricane season. We have a number of things, including communication, that can be addressed right now.” 

Gleeson said he's also promising the PUC will bring forward a report by at least Dec. 1 identifying long-term fixes to the governor as well as the state legislature that may require law changes during next year’s regular session. He said these proposed changes will be meant to improve the quality of service not just at CenterPoint but at other utilities all across the state.

“When you do an investigation, sometimes you find out that it’s people’s faults. Sometimes you find out it isn’t. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if it’s CenterPoint’s fault or not. It’s their responsibility," Gleeson said. "When they decided to get into the public utility business, they entered a compact with their customers that they would provide high-quality service because utility service of electricity is important to every Texan and every Texas business.”

Gov. Greg Abbott also reiterated his threat to sign an executive order targeting CenterPoint Energy if the utility does not comply with certain requests by July 31. As he laid out Sunday, he would like the company to provide his office with “specific actions that they will take” to address these areas: removal of vegetation that threatens powerlines, actions to reduce future power outages, prestaging sufficient workers for the remainder of hurricane season, fixing poles before the end of the season, and retaining power for senior living facilities.

The news conference held at NRG Stadium in Houston, which is acting as a resource staging area for storm response, is Abbott's second public event focused on Beryl's impact to Houston. When the hurricane made landfall on the Texas coast last Monday, Abbott was on an overseas trip to several countries in Asia.

The governor said CenterPoint now has a goal of restoring power to all of its customers by the end of day Friday.