Houston NAACP Meets with CenterPoint Energy to Discuss Storm Resilience for the Future

HOUSTON (KIAH) — In the wake of devastating power outages in Southeast Texas after Hurricane Beryl that lasted more than a week for many, the Houston branch of the NAACP wanted answers.

According to Houston NAACP President Bishop James Dixon, the branch met with CenterPoint Energy CEO Jason Wells and other leaders. Dixon organized a delegation of civil society representatives, faith-based organizations and elected officials. They met with CenterPoint on July 18 to discuss their community’s concerns.

After meeting with CenterPoint Energy, Dixon said a number of commitments have been made by CenterPoint Energy, to move forward and address the situation and help ensure that the community does not experience a repeat of the outages and conditions that they have experienced previously with power outages.

Dixon said the highlights of the meeting included:

• CenterPoint Energy is committed to improving its service delivery, including increased investment in vegetation management, which includes tree removal and clearing of other items that compromise power lines and cause frequent and prolonged service outages and contribute to hazardous scenarios.
• CenterPoint Energy is committed to communicating more effectively and consistently with leaders and the community during crisis events, ensuring the public understands what we are doing to address issues and helping citizens make decisions based on accurate information.
• CenterPoint Energy has committed to sharing with us their post-event analysis and action plan. This includes a report of their findings and will reveal what they believe needs to be improved in the future.
• CenterPoint Energy is committed to viewing churches and community centers as resourceful partners to be included in their partnership network because churches and others have facilities and are equipped to serve in times of crisis.

Dixon also recommended that CenterPoint Energy take a lead role in organizing a regional crisis management plan with other utilities that provide services to citizens. He even suggested holding a regional summit on addressing the power grid and other issues that would help unite utilities at a time when human needs should be at the forefront.

“We would like to work with other elected officials to continue our efforts to help CenterPoint Energy improve its outcomes for our community,” Dixon said.