By Luke Jones, ABC13 Houston
HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — CenterPoint says it is announcing an additional 600 frontline workers bringing its total to 3,300 ahead of the oncoming weekend winter storm.
In 2021, frigid temperatures brought down power plants and plunged millions of Texans into darkness.
But ERCOT said that scenario isn’t likely this time around.
Daniel Cohan, an environmental engineering professor at Rice University, said power plants made significant upgrades following the 2021 storm.
“They made sure that their water intakes were able to take water, that the water supply wouldn’t freeze up,” Cohan said. “They made sure that equipment was ready to handle temperatures well below freezing.”
CenterPoint said it was also inspecting and testing 270 substations, installing heaters to prevent ice build-up, and repairing thermal insulation.
CenterPoint shared the following statement about their additional staffing in anticipation for this weekend’s winter weather.
“To support its customers and communities, and following several days of actively preparing for this weekend’s forecasted severe winter weather system, CenterPoint Energy secured over 600 additional frontline workers for an expanded workforce of 3,300 workers to address the approaching winter storm. Additionally, the company is standing up three staging sites Thursday at strategic locations across the northern portion of the Greater Houston area to pre-position resources to support potential restoration efforts.
In addition to CenterPoint’s Emergency Operations Center staff of 200 personnel and on-system workforce of approximately 2,500 internal line workers, local contractors, and vegetation management resources, the company has secured an additional approximately 600 frontline workers, including more line workers, vegetation management resources, and damage assessors. The company’s Emergency Operations Center was activated this morning and will remain activated through the weekend as CenterPoint continues executing its cold weather action plan.”
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This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.