As the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl continues to leave some Houstonians without power, the CEO of CenterPoint Energy has come under fire for a recent photo.
The image, posted by the Houston Chronicle, shows CEO Jason Wells in front of a thermostat set to 70°F, sparking outrage among people who have endured a week without electricity amidst soaring temperatures and heat advisories.
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CenterPoint Energy provided a statement regarding the controversy: “The photo was taken at the company’s emergency operations center, where CenterPoint Energy employees are working 24/7 to support the company’s Hurricane Beryl response efforts.”
Critics argue the image is out of touch with the struggles faced by the community, especially given CenterPoint’s own recommendations for energy conservation during the summer.
According to CenterPoint’s “Energy Efficiency & Summer Safety 101,” residents are encouraged to keep their thermostats at 78°F or higher when at home and between 80-83°F when away to save power.
Online, users have expressed their frustration, pointing out the disparity between the CEO’s cool setting and the advised thermostat settings for customers.
As the city continues to recover from Hurricane Beryl, many are calling for greater sensitivity and alignment with the hardships faced by the community by those in leadership positions at CenterPoint Energy.
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