By Arathy Somasekhar
HOUSTON (Reuters) -Restaurants in and around Houston on Monday filed a class action seeking more than $100 million from U.S. power provider CenterPoint Energy, alleging incompetence and negligence in the utility’s efforts to restore power quickly following Hurricane Beryl.
About 2.3 million of CenterPoint’s customers lost power last week after Hurricane Beryl knocked down trees and electricity infrastructure with its 80 mph winds. About 93,000 remained without power on Tuesday, eight days after the hurricane.
The case alleges that CenterPoint, the state’s largest power provider, has failed for years to invest in infrastructure, and to inspect, maintain and upgrade equipment and to train personnel.
It also alleges that the utility did not have a competent storm plan in place and failed to adequately respond to the storm once it impacted the area.
Tony Buzbee, a lawyer on behalf of the plaintiffs, said in an Instagram post the case makes claims for negligence and gross negligence for “CenterPoint’s repeated failure to do what any reasonable and competent electricity provider would do and should do.”
CenterPoint said it remains focused on restoration efforts, adding that the company does not comment on potential litigation.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Tuesday sent a letter to CenterPoint’s chief executive officer directing him to improve the company’s preparation and response practices for the next severe weather event in Southeast Texas.
Abbott requested that CenterPoint provide his office with a plan by July 31 to address power issues including ways to eliminate vegetation, ensure sufficient number of pre-staged workers, accelerate electric pole replacements and improve communication with customers.
He said he will issue an executive order that imposes certain requirements on CenterPoint if it fails to submit a plan by that date.
(Reporting by Arathy Somasekhar in Houston, Editing by Franklin Paul and Matthew Lewis)
