Millions of customers in East Texas are facing power outages due to a recent storm, leaving them without electricity for an extended period. CenterPoint Energy, the utility serving the majority of these customers, is exploring the use of mobile generators to provide temporary power to critical facilities such as cooling centers, healthcare facilities, and police stations.
The company reported that over 2.26 million customers were affected by the power outage at its peak on Monday, and efforts to restore power have been challenging. CenterPoint Energy is working tirelessly to assess the damage to its facilities and redirect power to areas that have not been affected.
Lynnae Wilson, the senior vice president for electric business at CenterPoint, emphasized the importance of quickly and safely restoring power to customers, especially during the hot weather. The utility is leveraging all available resources, including assistance from other companies, to expedite the restoration process.
Thomas Gleeson, the chairman of the state’s Public Utility Commission, acknowledged that restoring power to all affected areas will be a lengthy process and urged customers to prepare for an extended period without electricity. He emphasized that the restoration effort will require several days to complete.
As the situation unfolds, CenterPoint Energy will provide updates on the estimated timeline for restoring service to impacted areas. Customers in the hardest-hit regions are advised to take necessary precautions and prepare for an extended outage.
Ivan Penn, a reporter covering the energy industry, has extensively reported on issues related to clean energy, electric grid failures, and utility economics. His insights shed light on the challenges faced by utility companies during widespread power outages and the importance of prioritizing critical facilities during restoration efforts.