8 Cooling Centers to Open in Houston

HOUSTON - Low-income families who need an escape from the summer heat will soon be able to find relief at eight cooling centers throughout the Houston area.

Reliant Energy announced Monday its plans to open its Beat the Heat Centers from June 22 until Oct. 2, according to an official statement. The centers, which were established four years ago, are a cool place for people who want to minimize their home electricity comsumption during the hottest season of the year.

Reliant Energy Beat the Heat Center locations:

• Acres Homes MSC, 6719 W. Montgomery Road
• Denver Harbor MSC, 6402 Market St.
• Fifth Ward MSC, 4014 Market St.
• Magnolia MSC, 7037 Capital St.
• Northeast MSC, 9720 Spaulding St.
• Southwest MSC, 6400 High Star Dr.
• Sunnyside MSC, 4605 Wilmington St.
• West End MSC, 170 Heights Blvd.

Reliant Energy also is providing special assistance to critical care residential customers, qualified low-income seniors and other low-income residential customers, according to the statement.

Some of the programs offered include:

• $1 million annual commitment to assist low-income and elderly residential customers pay their electricity bills through CARE (Community Assistance from Reliant Energy);
• a moratorium on disconnecting electricity service for low-income seniors, critical-care, and other low-income residential customers who contact Reliant Energy and agree to a payment plan;
• waiving residential customer deposits for qualified senior citizens;
• offering deposit installments for qualified low-income residential customers;
• offering extensions and payment plans for qualified residential customers;
• special, dedicated agents who provide service to residential customers who are eligible for social agency assistance or who need special payment arrangements;
• average billing to help manage budget and bill size during the hottest months of the year for qualified residential customers;
• up to 10 percent lower pricing on select Reliant Energy residential plans, just in time for summer.
• free home energy audits for qualified low-income and elderly residential customers in Houston; some of these customers also may qualify for free attic insulation or free energy efficient compact fluorescent lights under a program operated by Reliant Energy's community partner, Rebuilding Together Houston.