The Houston utility company told investors during a Tuesday conference call that its total restoration costs for the hurricane and derecho windstorm in May are estimated to be at least $1.6 billion, which likely will result in a 2% increase to Houston-area customers' bills for a period of 15 years.

Houston Attorney Tony Buzbee is representing hundreds of restaurant owners who reported they lost thousands of dollars worth of food that went bad when the power went off. Employees who were out of work for a week also lost money.