Jersey Village residents gathered at the Nov. 18 City Council meeting to hear a report from CenterPoint Energy about the company's plan to mitigate power outages in the city.

CenterPoint officials acknowledged the two circuits currently providing power to almost all of Jersey Village are "poor-performing" circuits. Paul Wilson, service area director with CenterPoint, said the company has developed an action plan to improve those circuits to high-performing status by March or April 2014.

"We have had similar situations with our systems in residential areas with high levels of trees and wildlife," Wilson said. "Taking these action steps has lead to much improved performances."

The action plan involves tackling the various issues that contribute to power outages, including infrastructure improvements, tree trimming and dealing with wildlife in the area—mainly squirrels—that chew power lines.

CenterPoint has a circuit inspection program, and service area manager Adrian Moreno said the two circuits performing poorly in Jersey Village have been prioritized. A detailed pole-to-pole inspection program is expected to be completed by the end of November. CenterPoint is also investing in infrastructure improvements at its Jersey Village sub-station, which will be carried out by March 2014.

"We've already begun inspecting one circuit," Moreno said. "Additional work orders will be issued and will be a high priority of CenterPoint. We will also look at equipment, mitigating problems before they fail."

Tree trimming occurred on one of the poorly performing circuits earlier this year, and trimming is scheduled for the other one in the first quarter of 2014, Moreno said. CenterPoint also is dedicating personnel to look for specific problems involving wildlife and will correct those problems when they are identified, Moreno added.

Several residents spoke at the meeting addressing CenterPoint and council members about the challenges posed by power outages. Jersey Village resident Dorothy Starkey said power outages have been constant and surges have done damage to electronics and appliances.

"I live on a street that has been plagued by power interruptions for more than two decades," she said. "We demand quantifiable, tangible, significant improvements in the reliability of our power supply."

Jersey Village Mayor Rod Erskine said he was encouraged by CenterPoint's willingness to speak in front of council and their openness about the issues affecting the city. He asked CenterPoint to take care of the issue as soon as possible.

"Nearly all of Jersey Village is having these power outages," he said. "I get reports from people all over the city. I would be happy to work with CenterPoint to make this go faster and I'm sure the city would be too."