A new University of Houston survey reveals widespread concerns over Houston’s power reliability, with most Harris County residents holding a negative opinion of CenterPoint Energy more than a year after Hurricane Beryl.
A recent survey conducted by the University of Houston Hobby School of Public Affairs reveals that a significant number of residents in Harris County are expressing concerns over potential power outages this summer, coupled with a negative perception of CenterPoint Energy.
The poll results, made public on Tuesday, revealed that 63% of voters in the county hold a negative view of CenterPoint, the utility provider for a significant portion of the Houston area. A mere 33% of individuals had a favorable view of the company, with only 4% indicating no opinion at all.
More than a year has passed since Hurricane Beryl struck on July 8, 2024, as a Category 1 storm, resulting in approximately 80% of CenterPoint customers losing power. For more than a week, hundreds of thousands found themselves without power. The storm has been linked to a tragic toll of at least 42 lives lost in the Houston area, with 22 fatalities reported in Harris County alone. Heat-related illnesses during the power outages were responsible for 10 of these deaths.
In June, CenterPoint secured a $3.2 billion settlement with multiple municipalities in the Houston area, setting the stage for a comprehensive multi-year resiliency plan designed to enhance the power grid.
Despite the developments, the community continues to express doubt. A recent survey revealed that 44% of respondents feel the company has achieved “a little bit” of progress in enhancing grid reliability since the Beryl incident. A significant 27% reported no improvement at all, while 23% acknowledged “a fair amount” of progress, and only 7% indicated “a great deal” of advancement.
A significant majority of respondents, nearly 90%, expressed concerns about potential power outages this summer. Among them, 42% reported being “very worried,” while 27% indicated they were “moderately worried.” While concerns regarding high wind damage and flooding have diminished, they remain noteworthy.
The recent poll captured the opinions of 2,300 registered voters in Harris County, conducted between July 9 and July 18.
