HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — On Tuesday, Galena Park ISD shut off the air conditioning at multiple campuses after the district said CenterPoint Energy asked it to conserve energy.
According to the district, the utility company called administrators to request that the air conditioning be shut off to reduce power consumption.
However, a spokesperson for the energy company told Eyewitness News that GPISD wasn’t asked to shut off the A/C but to reduce its usage as part of a voluntary program.
In a message to parents, Superintendent John Moore said the A/C was turned off from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. as part of the district’s “social awareness” to help eliminate rolling blackouts.
ABC13 heard from parents who were not happy with the district’s decision.
“No, it’s not a great idea. I think it’s dangerous,” Tammy Harris, whose daughter came home not feeling well, said.
“I felt really hot, and I had a big headache, and I just laid down,” Bethany Harris, an 11-year-old Cobb 6th Grade Campus student, said. “It was hot.”
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Galena Park ISD reassured parents that typically, campus buildings remain cool for two to three hours after the air conditioning shuts off.
“At this time, all students are safe, and classes are continuing as normal,” Moore’s message said in part. “We do not anticipate any disruptions. However, we will continue to monitor this situation and will address student needs as necessary.”
The district said it didn’t impact any after-school activities, and everything resumed as scheduled.
“Do you want the district to do it again?” ABC13 asked Tammy Harris.
“No. I mean, if they want to do it again, do it when the kids are not there. Have at it. Knock yourself out,” she responded.
CenterPoint Energy sent Eyewitness News the following statement:
“CenterPoint Energy deployed a test of our load management programs, which are designed to reduce demand during peak energy usage periods. When conducting a load management test, participants receive a 30-minute notice to curtail their energy usage if they decide to participate. Participation in each test is completely voluntary and is determined by the participant. Those participants chose to be part of the program and have load curtailed.”
A spokesperson for the energy company said participants may earn up to $40 per kilowatt of verified curtailed load each year and can choose how they conserve their power.
“This program is available to non-residential customers within the CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric service territory. Each participant can determine how they want to curtail their energy use,” the spokesperson told ABC13. “There are no penalties for opting out of the test or unscheduled event.”
According to CenterPoint, those who volunteer for the program must abide by the following rules:
- Shed a minimum of 50 kilowatts when called after a 30-min notification during program events
- The availability period for curtailments is limited to June 1 through Nov. 30
- Participants are required to be capable of curtailing at least 50 kilowatts, but they don’t have to curtail the full amount during an event
