HOUSTON — CenterPoint Energy CEO Jason Wells testified before a special Senate Committee in Austin on July 8, 2025, regarding the utility's response to Hurricane Beryl. Wells said, "Our response to the impacts of Hurricane Beryl and communications were not acceptable."
Hurricane Beryl, a Category 1 storm, struck Houston on July 8, 2024. Following power outages, at least ten people died from heat-related illnesses. Wells received over $12 million in 2025, up from $9.2 million in 2024. Part was performance-based pay, despite the utility falling below operational excellence and customer satisfaction targets.
Wells stated he would not resign, claiming it would delay operational improvements. Krysti Shallenberger, a researcher at the Energy and Policy Institute, said, "It’s a huge deal, and it’s even more interesting when you consider that at the very top of their latest proxy report, they said the emphasis is on customer affordability, but their profits are increasing and the compensation is increasing."
The Energy and Policy Institute tracked executive compensation at investor-owned utilities since 2017. It reported average utility CEO compensation increased 47 percent between 2017 and 2025. The Institute calculated that 14 cents of every dollar paid on Houston-area electric bills goes to CenterPoint profit.
CenterPoint spokesperson Augusto Bernal said, "None of Jason Wells’ compensation and retirement expenses are borne by CenterPoint Energy’s electric customers in Texas. Those are paid by shareholders. CenterPoint Energy continues to have the lowest average price per kilowatt hour among Texas investor owned utilities in other parts of the state." The Texas Public Utility Commission regulates electricity rates.