News
BY COMMUNITY IMPACT STAFF
Centerpoint Energy presents recovery plan CenterPoint Energy has begun a recovery plan for its customers impacted by the May 16 derecho, which will cost customers about an additional $1 per month for the next 15 years, according to a Nov. 8 news release. The May 16 derecho caused more than an estimated $5 billion in damages across the Greater Houston area, as previously reported by Commu- nity Impact . What to know The company led its rst phase of the plan with the Public Utility Commission of Texas, according to the news release. The plan would save customers $50 million in interest charges on the $450 million in storm response cost. In the release, the company said it proposed a recovery plan that would surcharge customers over $1 beginning in the second half of 2025 and
Interfaith announces Hometown Heroes Interfaith of The Woodlands announced in a Nov. 7 news release the 2025 “Home- town Heroes,” which included a number of individuals and organizations. The details The annual “Hometown Heroes” award is given to individuals and organizations which are nominated by residents of The Woodlands for having a positive impact on the community, the release said. The 2025 nominees are: • Cathy Brady • Jim Rapp
Changes announced for toll road collections The Texas Department of Transportation announced in a Nov. 8 news release that the Harris County Toll Road Authority will take over management of the billing and customer services operations for all toll roads in the Houston and Austin regions. What you need to know On Nov. 6, TxDOT ocials approved a new toll services agreement with the HCTRA to manage toll collections for the Houston and Austin areas, ending the longstanding TxTag service provided through the state for those areas. All TxTag accounts were expected to be switched to EZ Tag accounts as of Dec. 2, accord- ing to TxDOT. EZ Tags are used by the HCTRA for collections, and anyone who does not have an existing TxTag in good standing will have to register to get an EZ Tag through the HCTRA.
Lone Star College to hold runo election After an error with election ballots for the Lone Star College System’s board of trustee races in November, a runo¢ election will be held between incumbent Michael Stoma and challenger Shashanka B. Ashili for the District 1 position while the challenger for the other position, Daniel “Danny” Meza, was sworn in
Recovery costs assessed
EZ tag operations
$450M storm
15-year recovery period $50M in interest saved
Customers can prefund toll payment
response cost $1/month cost to customers
Can be used with app
Multiple vehicles can be added
Express option for one vehicle, no tag required
SOURCE: CENTERPOINT ENERGYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
Learn more at www.hctra.org.
then below $1 in 2026. How we got here
SOURCE: HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITYCOMMUNITY IMPACT
as trustee for District 2. The current situation
The details The tolls roads switching to HCTRA’s collections system include: • Grand Parkway • Hwy. 249 Customers will be able to also pay tolls at all Walmart, H¡E¡B and other retail centers which partner with the HCTRA for bill payment.
At a July meeting, CenterPoint Energy senior executives discussed how Hurricane Beryl and derecho restoration costs came with a price tag costing the utility company an estimated $1.6 billion-$1.8 billion, as previously reported by Community Impact . The PUCT’s nal investigation report was scheduled to be delivered to Gov. Greg Abbott and the Legislature for review by Dec. 1.
The LSCS board of trustee positions for districts 1 and 2 were mistakenly placed on all Harris County ballots within the system’s boundaries after LSCS sta¢ made an error when submitting the ballots, as previously reported by Community Impact . Due to the error, votes for the District 1 and 2 positions could not be veried, according to LSCS.
• Jim Wendt • Nick Wolda • Truluck’s The Woodlands • YES to YOUTH
THE WOODLANDS 10491 Kuykendahl (281) 681-9110 FM 1488 3588 FM 1488 (936) 271-9606
RAYFORD SAWDUST 25044 IH 45 (281) 362-9131 GOSLING ROAD SPRING 24527 Gosling Rd (281) 516-9404
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