CenterPoint Energy customers in Texas will see a $2 increase in their monthly bills over the next 15 years, following approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).
The increase aims to recover costs from infrastructure damages caused by severe weather events, including Hurricane Beryl, the 2024 derecho, and the January 2025 winter storm.
CenterPoint Energy reported nearly $1.5 billion in damages from these storms. The company presented its proposal to the PUCT to spread repair and recovery costs over time, describing this method as more cost-effective than traditional financing.
The $2 surcharge adds to the average customer’s monthly bill. Earlier this year, customers received a $1 reduction per month through a rate case settlement. Investments in temporary emergency generation units in San Antonio are now being removed from Houston customer rates, which could lower bills by an estimated $2 per month by 2027.
The PUCT assessed CenterPoint’s proposal, considering customer impact and the company’s need to maintain reliable service. CenterPoint Energy emphasized that the increase is necessary to ensure the resilience and reliability of its infrastructure amid frequent severe weather.
The approved rate adjustment allows CenterPoint Energy to address financial losses from recent storms while continuing infrastructure improvements.
CenterPoint Energy serves millions of customers statewide, and regulators closely monitor its rate adjustments and infrastructure initiatives.
The 15-year plan spreads the financial impact, aiming to minimize the immediate burden on consumers while reinforcing the utility’s long-term system resilience.
Despite the modest increase in bills, CenterPoint Energy continues efforts to reduce costs and enhance service quality for its customers.
