{"id":2323238,"date":"2024-08-12T15:49:02","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T19:49:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-ag-paxton-investigating-company-responsible-for-millions-of-power-outages-during-hurricane-beryl-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-12T15:53:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T19:53:15","slug":"texas-ag-paxton-investigating-company-responsible-for-millions-of-power-outages-during-hurricane-beryl-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/texas-ag-paxton-investigating-company-responsible-for-millions-of-power-outages-during-hurricane-beryl-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Texas AG Paxton investigating company responsible for millions of power outages during Hurricane Beryl &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">34<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ftexas-ag-paxton-investigating-company-responsible-for-millions-of-power-outages-during-hurricane-beryl-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2323238&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into CenterPoint Energy, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/video-footage-shows-downed-power-lines-possibly-caused-maui-wildfires\/\" title=\"Video shows power lines potentially causing Maui wildfires.\">utility company responsible<\/a> for power outages affecting millions during Hurricane Beryl. \u200dThis \u2063investigation will focus\u200c on allegations of fraud, waste, and the misuse of taxpayer funds\u2064 related to the outages experienced mainly in the Houston\u2062 area, where nearly 3 million residents lost \u200dpower in July, contributing to the storm&#8217;s\u200c death toll of 22, \u2064with half being heat-related due to \u200dthe lack of electricity.<\/p>\n<p>Paxton&#8217;s office stated there are serious concerns about the company&#8217;s response\u2064 to the hurricane, including significant delays \u200bin power restoration and possible <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-unemployment-rate-increases-numbers-way-worse-than-expected-talk-of-inflation-grows\/\" title=\"BREAKING: Unemployment Rate INCREASES, Numbers \u2018Way Worse Than Expected\u2019. Talk Of Inflation Grows.\">rate increases<\/a> for\u200d customers. The investigation has garnered bipartisan support from various Texas officials, including Governor Greg Abbott and \u2062Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, along with backing from the\u200c Harris County Attorney&#8217;s Office. They all concur \u2063that the investigation \u200dis \u2064essential \u200bto address the dissatisfaction of Houston residents regarding CenterPoint\u2019s preparedness and communication during the storm.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Texas AG Paxton investigating company responsible for millions of power outages during Hurricane Beryl<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1719773\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/texas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Texas<\/a> Attorney General <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ken-paxton\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Ken Paxton<\/a> announced an investigation into CenterPoint Energy, the national utility company that left millions in the state without power during Hurricane Beryl.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Paxton&rsquo;s investigation will cover allegations of fraud, waste, and improper use of taxpayer-provided funds. CenterPoint Energy covers the <a href=\"https:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/houston\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Houston<\/a> area, and nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cnn-finally-discovers-china-uses-u-s-media-to-attack-the-united-states\/\" title=\"CNN Finally Discovers China Uses U.S. Media To Attack The United States\">3 million people<\/a> were left without power during July after Hurricane Beryl hit southeastern Texas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Office of the Attorney General is aware of allegations that CenterPoint&rsquo;s conduct may have resulted in significant harm to Houston residents, including rate increases, outages, and lengthy delays in restoring power during Hurricane Beryl,&rdquo; Paxton&rsquo;s office said in a statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If the investigation uncovers unlawful activity, that activity will be met with the full force of the law,&rdquo; it added.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;\">Hurricane Beryl killed 22 people in the Houston area, with at&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.houstonpublicmedia.org\/articles\/news\/hurricane\/2024\/07\/18\/494068\/hurricane-beryl-deaths-houston-at-least-20-half-power-outage-related\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">least half of those&nbsp;<\/a>being heat-related due to the power outage.<\/span>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Other Texas lawmakers, including Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, and the state Public Utility Commission, are supporting Paxton&rsquo;s investigation as they have all called for investigations into the company since the hurricane. Even the Harris County Attorney&rsquo;s Office, which is oftentimes at odds with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/nevada-trump-campaign-says-clark-county-registrar-joe-gloria-hiding-from-subpoena-service\/\" title=\"Nevada: Trump Campaign Says Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria Hiding From Subpoena Service\">state <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/breaking-ag-barr-authorizes-federal-prosecutors-to-pursue-substantial-allegations-of-voting-irregularities-before-2020-election-is-certified\/\" title=\"BREAKING: AG Barr Authorizes Federal Prosecutors to Pursue &quot;Substantial Allegations&quot; of Voting Irregularities Before 2020 Election is Certified\">attorney general<\/a><\/a>, was in agreement that the investigation was justified.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;These days it&rsquo;s hard for folks to agree on much, but everyone agrees that Houston residents were not well served during the Houston derecho and Hurricane Beryl,&rdquo; Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee told the <a href=\"https:\/\/thehill.com\/homenews\/state-watch\/4823963-texas-investigation-centerpoint-energy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><em>Hill<\/em><\/a>. &ldquo;People have real concerns about CenterPoint&rsquo;s preparation before the storms, how long it took to get the power back on, and why CenterPoint didn&rsquo;t communicate better.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I support the Attorney General&rsquo;s investigation, and my office is ready to help,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Last week, CenterPoint <a href=\"https:\/\/www.khou.com\/article\/news\/local\/attorney-general-ken-paxton-centerpoint-investigation-beryl\/285-3e1b0f3e-e171-48ff-b748-4968a4198b8b\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>responded<\/a> to Abbott&rsquo;s feedback about its plan for the next hurricane. The company said it would accelerate its timeline to strengthen its infrastructure in the Houston area, plan to complete more than 40 tasks to strengthen the electric grid, and improve its communications with customers ahead of the next hurricane.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We have heard the calls for change, and we are taking action now. This first phase of our Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative will focus on a series of targeted actions to immediately strengthen our infrastructure across our communities,&rdquo; CenterPoint President and CEO Jason Wells said. &ldquo;We know have a lot of work to do to re-earn our customers&rsquo; trust. This initiative reflects our commitment to become most resilient coastal utility in the country.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>It is unclear at this time whether charges will be pressed or if Paxton&rsquo;s investigation will lead to further legal action taken against the company.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1719773\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1719773\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into CenterPoint Energy, the utility company that caused widespread power outages affecting millions during Hurricane Beryl. The inquiry will examine claims of fraud, waste, and misuse of taxpayer funds. CenterPoint Energy serves the Houston area, where nearly 3 million residents lost power in July due to the hurricane&#8217;s impact on southeastern Texas. Paxton&#8217;s office stated that there are concerns regarding CenterPoint\u2019s actions leading to significant harm for Houston residents, including increased rates and delays in restoring electricity after the storm. Hurricane Beryl resulted in 22 fatalities in Houston, with at least half attributed to heat-related issues stemming from the outages.<\/p>\n<p>Support for Paxton\u2019s investigation has come from other Texas officials such as Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX), Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, and members of the state Public Utility Commission\u2014all of whom have called for inquiries into CenterPoint since the hurricane struck. Even Harris County Attorney Christian Menefee expressed agreement with the need for an investigation despite often being at odds with Paxton&#8217;s office. He noted widespread concern among residents about CenterPoint\u2019s preparedness before storms and its communication during outages.<\/p>\n<p>In response to feedback from Abbott regarding future hurricane preparedness, CenterPoint announced plans to expedite infrastructure improvements in Houston and enhance customer communication ahead of potential storms. Jason Wells, President and CEO of CenterPoint, acknowledged their need to regain customer trust through a new initiative aimed at strengthening their infrastructure.<\/p>\n<p>It remains uncertain whether any charges will be filed or if this investigation will lead to further legal action against CenterPoint Energy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2910,"featured_media":2323239,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hurrican-beryl.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[37916,33347,34518,3694],"class_list":["post-2323238","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-ag-paxton","tag-hurricane-beryl","tag-power-outages","tag-texas"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/hurrican-beryl.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323238","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2910"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2323238"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323238\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2323239"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2323238"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2323238"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2323238"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}