CenterPoint Energy Activates Emergency Operations Center Ahead of Winter Storm

Jan 21 (Reuters) - CENTERPOINT ENERGY:

• ACTIVATES EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER AHEAD OF WEEKEND WINTER WEATHER SYSTEM

• SAYS COORDINATING WITH THE TEXAS PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION AND ERCOT ABOUT STATEWIDE ENERGY NEEDS

• COMPANY CONTINUES TO CLOSELY MONITOR EVOLVING AND POTENTIALLY SEVERE WINTER CONDITIONS AS CREWS PERFORM COLD WEATHER SYSTEM READINESS CHECKS

• SAYS ACTIVATING ITS EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER TO COORDINATE RESPONSE AND RESTORATION EFFORTS

• SAYS POSITIONING COMPRESSED NATURAL GAS (CNG) TRUCKS TO BE DEPLOYED TO SUPPLEMENT THE NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, IF NEEDED;

• SAYS DONATED AND INSTALLED MORE THAN 20 EMERGENCY BACKUP GENERATORS AT KEY LOCATIONS ACROSS GREATER HOUSTON TO IMPROVE LOCAL EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE EFFORTS;

• SAYS THE COMPANY IS COORDINATING WITH STATE AND LOCAL EMERGENCY AGENCIES, ACTIVELY MONITORING WEATHER MODELS AND PREPARING TO ADDRESS POTENTIAL SERVICE IMPACTS FOR BOTH ELECTRIC AND NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS