CenterPoint Energy Launches Initiative to Rebuild Trust with Community
In an effort to regain the trust of the community after accusations of mishandling the response to Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint Energy has launched a new initiative. The company is hosting open houses throughout September to inform the public about their improvement efforts. This comes as the public has gained insight into the company’s political donations, which has raised concerns about their priorities.
It has been revealed that Governor Greg Abbott received $115,000 in donations from CenterPoint Energy, while Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick received $91,000. The company has also made significant contributions to local Democrats, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire and former Mayor Sylvester Turner, who each received over $40,000. These donations have raised questions about the company’s commitment to serving the community.
The aftermath of Hurricane Beryl was devastating, with at least 36 people losing their lives in the Houston area. Tragically, many, like 89-year-old Mary Shaw, died not during the storm, but in its aftermath. Mary’s daughter, Monica Shaw, recounted the heartbreaking experience, stating, “Her body was so hot.” Mary was one of the 2.3 million CenterPoint Energy customers left without power for days following the Category One storm. Despite efforts to have her moved to facilities, they were all full, leaving Mary without the necessary care.
The stories of suffering and the lack of response from CenterPoint Energy prompted outrage, leading to criticism from Texas leaders. Governor Greg Abbott expressed his disappointment, stating, “CenterPoint has completely dropped the ball with regard to getting power back on.” The company faced severe backlash from the community, and they are now taking steps to address the issues and regain trust.
CenterPoint Energy held its first-ever community open house at the Tom Bass Community Center in South Houston. The event aimed to provide customers with training on the newly launched outage map, which was not available during Hurricane Beryl. Alyssia Oshodi, the Director of Communications for CenterPoint, expressed her hope that the event would be successful in making customers feel heard and understood. Customers were given various options to provide feedback, emphasizing the company’s commitment to improving communication.
CenterPoint plans to hold open houses in the 12 counties it serves over the next month. Sixteen meetings will take place in the Gulf region, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Beryl, and at least five of these meetings will be held across Harris County. For those unable to attend, CenterPoint encourages providing feedback through their website.
The Houston Chronicle obtained records revealing CenterPoint Energy’s political donations to lawmakers, which further fueled public scrutiny. Lawmakers held hearings with CenterPoint executives following the storm, leading to 40 improvements, including the development of a new outage tracker. While these steps are commendable, some residents in the Fifth Ward expressed feeling shut out as no meeting is scheduled in their area. Their message to CenterPoint Energy is clear: “Do better.”
As hurricane season continues, it is crucial for companies like CenterPoint Energy to prioritize the needs of the community and ensure that their response efforts are efficient and effective. Open and transparent communication is vital in rebuilding trust and addressing the concerns of customers. CenterPoint Energy must focus on delivering results and actively engaging with all communities to ensure that no one feels neglected or overlooked during times of crisis. By doing so, they can regain the trust of the community and establish themselves as a reliable and responsible energy provider.
