CenterPoint Energy to host community open houses throughout Greater Houston area

"We are encouraging all of our customers to share their experiences during Hurricane Beryl, as well as their ideas for how we can do better," Wells said.

What residents should know

The following dates and locations are set, all open to the public, starting from Aug. 17-Sept. 11:

• Aug. 17, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Tom Bass Community Center, Houston
• Aug. 20, 4-7 p.m., Pledger Community Center, Pledger
• Aug. 22, 4-7 p.m., Pasadena Convention Center, Pasadena
• Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Metropolitan Multi-Service Center, Houston
• Aug. 27, 4-7 p.m., Waller County Community Center, Prairie View
• Aug. 28, 4-7 p.m., Wharton Civic Center, Wharton
• Sept. 4, 4-7 p.m., Dayton Community Center, Dayton
• Sept. 5, 4-7 p.m., West Side Complex Building, Baytown
• Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Wright Cuney Recreation Center, Galveston
• Sept. 11, 4-7 p.m., Knights of Columbus Hall, Sealy

• Sept. 12, 4-7 p.m., Eagle Lake Community Center, Eagle Lake
• Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Missouri City Landmark Community Center, Missouri City
• Sept. 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Dow Academic Center, Lake Jackson
• Sept. 18, 4-7 p.m., Bayland Community Center, Houston
• Sept. 25, 4-7 p.m., Magnolia Event Center, Magnolia
• Sept. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., George H.W. Bush Community Center, Spring

On the other hand

To recoup restoration costs related to Hurricane Beryl and the derecho wind storm, CenterPoint Energy senior executives discussed a rate hike on July 30 that could impact its customer base of 2.8 million residents with a 2% increase in their electricity bills over the next 15 years.

To recoup costs, CenterPoint's Chief Financial Officer Christopher Foster said the company will seek approval to sell bonds to be paid back over a 15-year period, a time frame that aligns with a traditional Texas utility statutory requirement, he said.

Bond approval or denial will come from the PUC, the authoritative body in charge of regulating Texas’ utility companies. Foster said the company anticipates filing for the security in the fourth quarter of this year.