PUC to audit CenterPoint Energy following Dan Patrick's criticism over Hurricane Beryl failures

AI generated summary

The Public Utility Commission of Texas initiated steps to audit CenterPoint Energy following criticism of its performance during Hurricane Beryl. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson instructed the commission's staff to commence the process of selecting third-party organizations to conduct the audit, with results expected by April to allow for recommendations before the legislative session concludes in June.

The audit, authorized under the Public Utility Regulatory Act, marks a significant move as the PUC investigates the utility's operations during recent severe weather events. The focus is likely to include CenterPoint's procurement practices, with the company under scrutiny for an $800 million lease of generators that have largely remained unused, prompting calls for increased transparency and accountability from legislators and watchdog organizations.