CenterPoint hosts first of 16 open houses to address failures during Hurricane Beryl [Video]

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — CenterPoint Energy launched a new initiative today in an attempt to win back trust with the community amid accusations that dropped the ball with its response to Hurricane Beryl.

CenterPoint Energy is hosting open houses through September to inform the public about improvement efforts. However, this comes after the public got a better picture of the company’s donations to politicians.

Governor Greg Abbott received about $115,000, and Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick received $91,000.

The company also made large donations to local Democrats, including Houston Mayor John Whitmire and former mayor Sylvester Turner, who each received more than $40,000.

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl at least 36 were dead in the Houston area. Many, like 89-year-old Mary Shaw, died not during, but after the storm.

“Her body was so hot,” Mary’s daughter, Monica Shaw, told ABC13 on July 16.

Mary was one of the 2.3 million CenterPoint Energy customers left …