CenterPoint Energy begins relighting process for customers in Seguin & McQueeney
(Seguin) — The relighting process for CenterPoint Energy customers has officially begun. Helping to illustrate that to residents were the dozens and dozens of white CenterPoint utility work trucks seen traveling throughout the city late Wednesday afternoon. The hope now is to have most of the service restored to homes and businesses by this Friday.
Tuesday’s natural gas outage impacting customers in Seguin and McQueeney, resulted when a non-CenterPoint Energy pipeline company damaged its line.
Tal Centers, vice president for Texas Gas at CenterPoint Energy says the pipeline company has finalized its repairs and has completed the process of turning off each customer’s natural gas meter.
“Our service technicians performed a series of safety checks to ensure there is no risk involved in restoring natural gas service. As we work to restore service to impacted customers, safety continues to be our number-one priority. More than 300 company employees, contractors and mutual assistance crews have been called to help expedite the restoration process. Qualified service technicians will come to customers’ homes or businesses today to turn on their natural gas meters. Technicians will work on the restoration process overnight and we expect most service to be restored by Friday. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate our customers’ patience as we work to restore service to our communities,” said Centers.”
At this time, no action is required on the part of the customer. Technicians will be working extended hours for the relighting process. If an adult over age 18 is not at the service address when a technician arrives, the company will leave a door hanger with instructions.
All CenterPoint Energy technicians and contractors wear badges and will gladly show them to customers upon request before entering a home or business.
Among the first to have their gas restored were Seguin ISD schools. That effort will continue today along with more residential and other buildings of priority.
Meanwhile, CenterPoint Energy says during the process of purging gas lines, it is likely that customers will smell a gas odor similar to rotten eggs. They say this is normal. For concerns, please call 1-888-876-5786.
On Tuesday, the city opened a shelter at Hillcrest Church. Initially, the city decided to close the shelter due to a lack in turnout. However, they say after evaluating the future needs of the community, the decision has been made to keep the shelter open until further notice. They say the shelter is available to provide warm showers.
The Seguin Public Library is also reminding the public that the library is a free place that people are welcome to come and visit. The library has seating areas, books, WiFi and other free services that can help people pass the time, while staying warm during this outage.