Current:Home > FinanceTexas launches new investigation into Houston’s power utility following deadly outages after Beryl -CapitalSource
Texas launches new investigation into Houston’s power utility following deadly outages after Beryl
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:33:20
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas’ attorney general launched an investigation Monday into Houston’s electric utility over allegations of fraud and waste following Hurricane Beryl, adding to the mounting scrutiny after widespread power outages left millions without electricity for days.
The latest investigation of CenterPoint Energy comes after state regulators and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott have also demanded answers about storm preparations and the response to Beryl, a Category 1 hurricane that knocked out power to nearly 3 million people around the nation’s fourth-largest city.
The storm was blamed for at least three dozen deaths, including those of some residents who died in homes that were left without air conditioning in sweltering heat after the storm’s passage.
“My office is aware of concerning allegations regarding CenterPoint and how its conduct affected readiness during Hurricane Beryl,” Ken Paxton, the state’s Republican attorney general, said in a statement. “If the investigation uncovers unlawful activity, that activity will be met with the full force of the law.”
The utility pledged its support of the investigation.
“We look forward to cooperating with the Texas Attorney General or any other agency and have made clear our commitment to upholding the values of our company,” CenterPoint spokesperson John Sousa said.
Paxton did not cite any specific allegations of waste or fraud in his announcement and his office did not respond to requests for comment.
Abbott has demanded answers from CenterPoint for what he called its slow restoration efforts and poor communication with customers in the days leading up to the storm. The state’s Public Utility Commission has launched its own investigation, and lawmakers grilled the company’s top executive over its failures at a hearing last month.
CenterPoint has largely defended its storm preparedness and said that it deployed thousands of additional workers to help restore power. The utility provider has also begun a monthslong plan to replace hundreds of wooden utility poles and double its tree-trimming efforts after the governor pressed for swift action.
Beryl damaged power lines and uprooted trees when it made its Texas landfall on July 8. It’s the latest natural disaster to hit Houston after a powerful storm ripped through the area in May, leaving nearly 1 million people without power.
Many residents fear that chronic outages have become the norm after Texas’ power grid failed amid a deadly winter storm in 2021.
CenterPoint has previously faced questions over the reliability of Houston’s power grid.
In 2008, Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, knocked out power to more than 2 people million and it took 19 days to fully restore electricity. The city of Houston created a task force initiative to investigate the company’s response and determined it needed to automate parts of its grid to minimize outages.
CenterPoint received millions of dollars in federal funding to implement this technology years ago. However, according to executive vice president Jason Ryan, it’s still a work in progress.
Some utility experts and critics say the company hasn’t adapted its technology fast enough to meet the extreme weather conditions Texas will continue to face.
___
Lathan is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
veryGood! (58168)
Related
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- DA says gun charge dropped against NYC lawmaker seen with pistol at protest because gun did not work
- Hong Kong’s Roman Catholic cardinal says he dreams of bishops from greater China praying together
- French commission wants to remove statute of limitations for sexual violence against children
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Ravens TE Mark Andrews suffered likely season-ending ankle injury, John Harbaugh says
- Gospel singer Bobbi Storm nearly kicked off Delta flight for refusing to stop singing
- Drain covers inspected after damaged one halts Las Vegas Grand Prix practice
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- President Biden signs short-term funding bill to keep the government open ahead of deadline
Ranking
- New Mexico governor seeks funding to recycle fracking water, expand preschool, treat mental health
- Virginia state senator who recently won reelection faces lawsuit over residency requirement
- Some buffalo nickels could be worth thousands of dollars under these conditions, collector says
- Police board votes to fire Chicago officer accused of dragging woman by the hair during 2020 unrest
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- Struggling with what to bring to Thanksgiving dinner? These tips can keep the host happy.
- Leonardo DiCaprio Shares How He Thanked Sharon Stone for Paying His Salary
- Unions, Detroit casinos reach deal that could end strike
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Texas A&M interviews UTSA's Jeff Traylor for open head football coach position
Biden seizes a chance to refocus on Asia as wars rage in Europe and the Mideast
Former state lawmaker charged with $30K in pandemic unemployment benefits fraud
New data highlights 'achievement gap' for students in the US
Alabama inmate who fatally shot man during 1993 robbery is executed
Unions, Detroit casinos reach deal that could end strike
A game with no winners? Bengals, Ravens both face serious setbacks as injuries mount