HOUSTON – The giant Texas-based CenterPoint Energy, which services Minnesota and six other states, denied an accusation that it gouged customers in an opportunistic billing change after Winter Storm Uri in February. The utility said it is eager to set the record straight at a meeting August 5 with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The gouging charge came from Minnesota’s attorney general, Keith Ellison. He alleged last week that CenterPoint overbilled Minnesota customers 53% when Uri struck in Texas and strained the entire Midwest power grid. Ellison said Great Plains Natural Gas and Xcel Energy engaged in the same behavior. He demanded refunds totaling $380 million. In response, CenterPoint said it “acted responsibly to keep our customers and their families safe and warm.”
Verbatim
CenterPoint: “We are troubled by the implication that, during prolonged subzero temperatures, we should have put safe and reliable natural gas service at risk due to cost concerns. Like many other states, Minnesota was affected by the unprecedented natural gas price spike in February. Multiple utilities across multiple states took similar actions to secure gas supplies for their customers in the midst of widespread extreme cold and a highly volatile natural gas market. We acted reasonably and prudently to serve our customers while managing costs. In fact, our gas supply plan actually protected customers from an additional $570 million in cost impacts by using a combination of measures to guard against market volatility.”
Fortune 500 company. $7.4 billion revenue a year. Formerly doing business as Reliant Energy, NorAm Energy, Houston Industries, and Houston Light & Power.