Yesterday, CenterPoint Energy deployed more than 200 employees and contractors from Houston and Evansville, Indiana, to assist Entergy Louisiana and Cleco Corporate Holdings with power restoration efforts in Louisiana due to Hurricane Ida's extensive damage.
"Our thoughts are with those impacted by Hurricane Ida's devastation. We are ready to lend a helping hand to our neighbor utilities and are fully committed to restoring power to affected customers as safely and quickly as possible," said Kenny Mercado, CenterPoint Energy's executive vice-president, electric utility. "Our linemen are skilled to perform in any type of conditions, just like they do for our customers at home."
CenterPoint Energy crews will begin working 16-hour shifts after the safety and onboarding process is complete and will continue to take the necessary steps to protect the safety and well-being of customers, employees, contractors and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
CenterPoint Energy is part of electric utility mutual assistance programs that provide access to thousands of linemen and tree trimmers from around the country to lend a hand during widespread power outage emergencies. Coming to the aid of other utilities is nothing new to CenterPoint Energy employees. Over the years, crews have responded and restored power to hundreds of thousands of customers throughout the country who have been left in the dark following hurricanes, ice storms, tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
