CenterPoint Energy on revocation of Better Business Bureau accreditation: 'We appreciate the BBB and the services it provides to small businesses'

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Houston and South Texas announced on Tuesday that it has stripped CenterPoint Energy of its accreditation in the wake of multiple consumer complaints, according to Houston-based media outlets.

Citing BBB data, Houston ABC affiliate KTRK reported that the consumer-focused nonprofit organization fielded over 150 complaints about the Houston-based utility company during the last three years. 

The BBB received 152 complaints in 2022, a huge spike from the figure posted for 2020, the station reported. 

Issues included, but aren’t limited to billing and website troubles, lengthy wait times on the phone and power outages.

Houston NBC affiliate KPRC reported that CenterPoint issued a statement in which it expressed disappointment and surprise in the loss of its BBB accreditation. 

“CenterPoint Energy has had a positive and productive relationship with the BBB for nearly 60 years … Although we decided as a company to end our affiliation with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas in 2022, we appreciate the BBB and the services it provides to small businesses,” the company said in the statement.

BBB Houston and South Texas president Dan Parsons said CenterPoint supposedly neglected to submit an "Updated Standard Business Questionnaire," from which the information is used to tabulate membership dues, per KTRK.

"Theirs were way low,” Parsons told the station. “They hadn't been looked at in years.”

He added that CenterPoint didn’t mention to BBB of its intentions to quit, and surmising economic uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic may have led many companies to lose accreditation, KTRK reported.

Meanwhile, CenterPoint urged its customers to reach out to it on its website or social media platforms if they have any questions, comments or concerns.