November 18, 2008 -- Mayor Bill White today announced a new Task Force on Electric Reliability, to be chaired by Paul Hobby. The group, consisting of individuals with expertise in the electric power industry, will make recommendations about how the electrical power grid can be made more durable and resilient, to reduce the risks of prolonged power outages.  The group will consider means of hardening the grid, including placing some lines underground in connection with thoroughfare and drainage projects.  The Task Force will also consider the role of backup power generation, including generation which can be used to reduce peak prices.

“We want to reduce the risk of power outages in a cost-efficient manner, to reduce the long run cost of both power and power outages,” stated Mayor Bill White.

The Task Force shall receive input from Center Point Energy, the local transmission and distribution company, and members of the public and organizations who offer suggestions in public hearings before the City of Houston and other cities in the region.

The group is expected to come up with a set of recommendations by early spring, said Chairman Hobby.

"One of the things that makes Houston great is the willingness of talented people to lend so much time to public purposes,” added Hobby. “The Mayor has chosen a good mix of skills and vision to address this hugely important topic. We intend to be very practical in our recommendations, because there are big numbers involved and very complex implementation issues when you dive into these subjects."

Members of the task force are: