CenterPoint Energy recently announced that through its charitable foundation the company has committed US$350,000 to nonprofit organizations leading Hurricane Laura relief and recovery efforts, as well as to an employee relief fund to support its impacted colleagues.
CenterPoint Energy's US$350,000 commitment will include US$150,000 in contributions to the following organizations that are focused on relief and recovery efforts:
Louisiana: Lake Charles area
- American Red Cross of Lake Charles – US$45,000
- United Way of Southwest Louisiana – US$45,000
- United Way of Acadiana – US$10,000
- The Salvation Army of Lake Charles – US$10,000
Louisiana: Shreveport/Ruston area
- United Way of Northeast Louisiana – US$10,000
- Rolling Hills Ministries – US$10,000
Texas: Beaumont/Orange County
- American Red Cross of Beaumont – US$15,000
- The Salvation Army of Beaumont – US$5000
The company's commitment will also include up to US$200,000 in matching gifts from the CenterPoint Energy Foundation to its employee relief fund. CenterPoint Energy's employees can make donations to the fund, which will be matched by the foundation US$2 for every US$1, up to a total of US$200,000. An independent, third-party organization will manage distribution of the funds to employees who sustained damages and losses resulting from the storm.
"The safety and well-being of our employees, customers, and communities impacted by Hurricane Laura remain our top priorities," said Scott Doyle, executive vice president, natural gas. "Through the CenterPoint Energy Foundation's contributions to local nonprofit organizations and our employee relief fund, we hope to alleviate some of the financial burden placed on those recovering from the storm's devastation. Our thoughts are with CenterPoint Energy's employees and customers who were directly affected by the storm."
CenterPoint Energy continues to assess and repair damage to its natural gas facilities impacted by Hurricane Laura in Louisiana and southeast Texas. Additional company crews from Texas, Mississippi, and Arkansas have been deployed to help handle emergencies and restore natural gas service. CenterPoint Energy serves approximately 200,000 customers in the south Louisiana and southeast Texas areas impacted by Hurricane Laura.
Mutual assistance crews from CenterPoint Energy's electric operations in Houston and Indiana are also helping Entergy Texas restore power in the impacted area of Orange, Texas, replacing downed poles, wires, and transformers, among other critical work. The company has distribution, transmission, major underground, and support personnel on the ground. CenterPoint Energy also expects to provide additional assistance in and around Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The company is also partnering with relief and recovery organizations, including the American Red Cross and United Way, on virtual volunteer opportunities and food and supply drives in Houston and Shreveport.
