{"id":10867,"date":"2024-08-17T06:27:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-17T11:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com\/blog\/?p=10867"},"modified":"2024-08-14T15:22:47","modified_gmt":"2024-08-14T20:22:47","slug":"centerpoint-scrutiny-generating-higher-rates-for-houstonians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com\/blog\/centerpoint-scrutiny-generating-higher-rates-for-houstonians\/","title":{"rendered":"CenterPoint Scrutiny Generating Higher Rates for Houstonians"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is With The CenterPoint Scrutiny?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"CenterPoint
Angry consumers and lawmakers are decrying CenterPoint Energy for requesting a long term rate hike. The utility faces further scrutiny after failing to deploy mobile generators during May and July blackouts.<\/em><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In recent months, Houston\u2019s energy landscape has been hectic to say the least. At the heart is CenterPoint Energy<\/a>, which finds itself embattled by its handling of prolonged May storms and Hurricane Beryl in July. The scrutiny of CenterPoint<\/strong> remains a hot topic among the media, politicians, and locals. With charges of misdeeds flying at the utility, what does this all mean for Houston wallets and the power grid?\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Mobile Generator Controversy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CenterPoint Energy\u2019<\/strong>s troubles began with its $800 million purchase of 15 huge mobile generators. They were meant to give emergency power during crises. It sounded like a great idea, right? Costing an average of $2.87 per month on every Houston electric<\/a> bill, the units should have prevented power outages like those during Winter Storm Uri in 2021. But did they? No.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When rough weather hit, these units sat idle. Instead, the utility borrowed smaller, mobile units from other utilities. This sparked criticism from Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who accused CenterPoint<\/a> of failing to employ the costly items and thus harm Texans. This violated the spirit of post-Uri law changes, he said. Also, he urged the state\u2019s utility oversight agency to revoke the firm\u2019s ability to recover the $800 million cost.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recovery Costs Piling Up<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As a result of the storms, the utility said it will seek up to $1.7 billion in costs<\/a> for storm recovery. This move means Houston families could face a 2.2% hike in their electricity bills<\/a> over the next 15 years.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criticism is mounting. In response, the company took back its request to increase customer rates<\/a> by $1.25 per month. This was intended to cover $6 billion in capital outlay for grid improvements. Also, the company has withdrawn its proposed $2.7 billion resiliency plan<\/a>. This plan explains how CenterPoint<\/strong> would have protected the grid against extreme weather and cybersecurity threats. But now, that plan is no more. Will the grid keep on failing?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

More CenterPoint Scrutiny To Come<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The future is complex and uncertain for Houston homes<\/a>. While taking away the rate increase and resiliency plan might seem like a win for bills in the short term, the long-term effects are unclear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Customers will still face a 2.2% hike in their bills for storm recovery costs. While the express impact of the rate increase may be less, families will still pay more for the next 15 years. The costs remain, but they\u2019re spread out over time. With storm damage, the bill always comes due. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision to withdraw the rate increase and resiliency plan means that many of the critical questions about CenterPoint<\/strong> remain unresolved. Could Texans face the same problems again and again? Consumer advocates worry this may delay needed accountability for the utility\u2019s decisions.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CenterPoint\u2019s fate remains in flux. But your home power contract doesn\u2019t have to be. Shop for power plans at https:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com<\/a> to make sure you pay the lowest rate possible.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What Is With The CenterPoint Scrutiny? In recent months, Houston\u2019s energy landscape has been hectic to say the least. At the heart is CenterPoint Energy, which finds itself embattled by its handling of prolonged May storms and Hurricane Beryl in July. The scrutiny of CenterPoint remains a hot topic among the media, politicians, and locals. Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":10899,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_mbp_gutenberg_autopost":false},"categories":[1,260],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\nCenterPoint Scrutiny Generating Higher Rates for Houstonians - Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Consumers and lawmakers decry CenterPoint idling mobile generators during storm blackouts, stopping upgrades, and asking for a bill hike.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.texaselectricityratings.com\/blog\/centerpoint-scrutiny-generating-higher-rates-for-houstonians\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"CenterPoint Scrutiny Generating Higher Rates for Houstonians - 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