CenterPoint Energy is moving forward with a major infrastructure upgrade for Katy, Texas. As part of the company’s Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative, the utility will install roughly four miles of underground power lines to serve about 5,600 customers.
Why the project matters
Underground lines are far less vulnerable to severe weather, which means fewer and shorter outages for residents and businesses. Aaron Coronis, CenterPoint Energy’s service‑area manager, said the new circuit will also provide additional capacity to accommodate Katy’s continued growth.
Critical facilities will benefit
More than 50 essential sites stand to gain from the upgrade, including Katy City Hall, Fire Station No. 1, Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital and several assisted‑living centers. By moving power delivery underground, these facilities will enjoy a more reliable energy supply during storms and other emergencies.
Funding and cost details
The project received approval from the Public Utility Commission and will be financed without any city funds. CenterPoint indicated that a portion of the cost will be passed on to all of its ratepayers, not just those in Katy. The utility did not disclose the total project cost at press time.
How residents will be kept informed
CenterPoint plans to communicate with affected households before, during and after the work. Residents can expect letters, emails, door‑hangers, text messages and Nextdoor posts outlining any planned outages. The company emphasized that road closures will be limited, traffic impacts minimized, and each work area restored before crews move on.
What to expect on the ground
Construction crews will be on site Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Planned power interruptions may last several hours, but CenterPoint will provide an estimated outage window to help residents plan accordingly.
Timeline
Work is slated to begin in roughly 30 days and continue for about eight months, according to Coronis. Once completed, the underground system will deliver a more resilient power supply to Katy’s growing community.
Looking ahead
The utility’s effort aligns with broader regional goals to strengthen infrastructure and protect residents from the increasing frequency of severe weather events. As the project progresses, CenterPoint Energy will release further updates on costs, milestones and any additional impacts on the community.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Houston — read the source article.
