The Texas Attorney General opens a probe into CenterPoint for Beryl

The Texas attorney general is investigating CenterPoint Energy Inc., citing a potential violation of state law in the utility’s response during Hurricane Beryl, when millions of people in the Houston area were without power — some for days in the sweltering heat.

“CenterPoint’s conduct could have resulted in significant harm to Houston residents, including rate increases, outages and lengthy delays in restoring power during Hurricane Beryl,” Ken Paxton’s office said in a statement Monday. “The inquiry will examine allegations of fraud, waste and misuse of taxpayer funds.”

Customers and top Texas politicians, including Gov. Greg Abbott, criticized the utility’s response during the storm. The company said last week it had doubled its vegetation management workforce to remove higher-risk vegetation near power lines after Abbott asked it to improve its severe weather preparations or face fines.

CenterPoint did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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