CENTERPOINT UPDATE 5:30 PM
I’m at wits end....
I received the following update from CP. it’s not good. They are stopped the rolling outages once again.
I’m not going to sugarcoat it.
Here’s the info directly from CP word for word:
Electric Operations
As of 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 the estimated number of Houston area customers without power is 1.27 million.
Overnight, CenterPoint Energy was able to restart the process of rotating outages. Unfortunately, this process had to be halted due to another ERCOT order to reduce electric delivery, as seven third-party electricity generators in CenterPoint Energy’s region went offline.
CenterPoint Energy crews conducted an assessment of the Houston Electric transmission system on Monday and determined that there is no damage.
CenterPoint Energy is continuously evaluating its system and performing any needed repairs to be ready to restore service to customers as soon as additional power is available from the grid.
If additional generating capacity goes offline, it would negatively impact the electric system, resulting in additional customer outages.
To assist with this situation and limit outages, customers who do have power are asked to reduce their electricity use to the lowest level possible.
For steps on how to reduce energy use, customers can visit http://www.ercot.com/about/conservation.
Electric Safety
CenterPoint Energy takes the safety and security concerns of its customers very seriously. Unfortunately, from time to time, people attempt to impersonate utility company employees in order to gain access to someone’s home.
All CenterPoint Energy employees and contractors carry identification badges. If the badges are not visible, they will show them upon request.
Customers should know the following:
All CenterPoint Energy vehicles are marked with the CenterPoint Energy logo.
All vehicles being used by CenterPoint Energy contractors are marked with the CenterPoint Energy logo.
All CenterPoint Energy employees and contractors carry identification badges. If the badges are not visible, they will show them upon request.
If a customer has any doubts whether someone is a CenterPoint Energy employee, they should ask to see their ID badge.
If there is a still doubt or any other issue, even after seeing an ID badge, customers should call local law enforcement.
In most cases, it is NOT necessary for CenterPoint Energy employees to enter a customer’s home or apartment, since most work is done outside on power and natural gas lines. However, when restoring natural gas service, it IS necessary for CenterPoint Energy’s natural gas employees to enter a home or business to relight pilots and ensure that it is safe to resume natural gas service.
Natural Gas Operations
CenterPoint Energy teams are in ongoing communications with upstream natural gas suppliers to coordinate and maintain reliability across the company’s eight-state service territory.
When and where required, CenterPoint Energy has deployed additional staff to respond to system and customer needs.
During this extreme weather event, the company has delivered a record volume of natural gas to its customers.
To prevent service interruptions, the company Mobile Energy Solutions business currently has 19 temporary gas installations deployed in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas, with additional equipment as needed.
In response to high heating demand as a result of the extremely cold temperatures, CenterPoint customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas are asked to temporarily lower their thermostat settings to help conserve natural gas.
Natural Gas Safety Tips
Make sure your heating system is working properly. Malfunctioning home heating equipment can cause a fire or carbon monoxide poisoning. Check that outside furnace vents aren’t blocked by snow or ice. Keep your furnace filter clean for safe, efficient operation.
Use space heaters safely. Use a space heater with an automatic shut-off, and keep children, pets and all items at least three feet away. A space heater that uses gas, propane or wood should be vented to the outside. Stoves and ovens should never be used for space heating.
Keep generators positioned outside and at least 15 feet away from open windows so exhaust does not enter your home/business or a neighboring home/business.
Check your carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms. These devices are essential to warn you of a fire or dangerous malfunction with a furnace, water heater, fireplace or stove. Test your alarms monthly and change batteries every year.
Immediately report a suspected gas leak. If you smell the “rotten egg” odor of natural gas, immediately leave on foot, go to a safe location and call both 911 and CenterPoint Energy. Don’t use electric switches, phones (including cell phones), drive or start a car, or do anything that could cause a spark.