​CenterPoint Energy’s Statement on Kingwood Dog Investigation

April 26, 2016

Overview

  • CenterPoint Energy has continued to investigate the events involving one of our contractor’s employees and a customer’s dogs.  We are sorry this event occurred.
  • We have remained in close contact with the homeowner and have worked to conduct a thorough investigation of the events.

Actions

In the interests of dealing with all parties fairly and respectfully, we have done the following:

  • First, out of concern for the dogs’ well-being, we have agreed to cover the veterinary bills related to this incident.
  • Second, we have thoroughly reviewed our expectations with Star Cable and agreed that the technician involved in this incident will no longer work on CenterPoint Energy matters.   
  • We are immensely proud of our thousands of employees and contract workers, many of whom face hazards every day on the job, sometimes encountering dangerous animals and customers. They perform thousands of work orders each year, without incident.  As always, safety remains our top priority.

Trust

  • At CenterPoint Energy, we recognize that our customers’ trust is our most important asset.  And, while we have the right to access our facilities located on customer property, our customers have the right to expect that when we do, we will do so safely and respectfully while taking all reasonable precautions. 
  • We want to maintain that trust and live up to that expectation. 
  • We will do that by reviewing our processes, procedures, and requirements related to engaging contractors.  We will revisit our practices around entering customer property, particularly in disconnection situations and when encountering pets.  And we will conduct appropriate training to ensure that those activities occur safely. 
  • And, as a result of the investments we’ve made in technology, we have greatly minimized the number of times we need to enter customer property at all.

Conclusion

  • Finally, we are sorry this occurred and want to reiterate that CenterPoint Energy does not condone violence or threats of violence by or against anyone, including employees, contractors, customers, and their pets. 
  • In everything we do, we strive to be a good corporate citizen and member of the communities in which we live and work, and the safety of our customers, employees, and contractors is our number one commitment.