The first indications of how climate change likely will affect Austin in the coming decades are beginning to emerge. A just-completed report by City of Austin staff sets out some sobering scenarios of potential future conditions. Extremes of heat, drought and floods that have occurred in the region in recent years are likely to become […]
Bill McCann
Posted inResources
Austin Energy now backs full collection of line extension costs
Taking a cue from City Council members, Austin Energy has shifted its position and now supports recovering the full costs of extending power lines to new customers starting in October. Utility officials plan to take the new proposal to the Council Committee on Austin Energy for consideration next week. Austin Energy officials publicly announced the […]
Posted inDevelopment, Resources
Austin Energy to build $67 million office building in East Riverside area
Facing continued cramped quarters and a big-dollar lease, Austin Energy officials say they hope next week to take a major step toward construction of a new office building for the city’s electric utility. Austin Energy officials plan to ask the City Council May 1 for approval to negotiate a design-build agreement with Turner+Page, a […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
New LCRA team: varied experience, highly paid
The Lower Colorado River Authority’s new general manager Phil Wilson received a hefty pay increase when he moved from the hot seat at the Texas Department of Transportation to another hot seat at the state-created water and power authority two months ago. And his pay increase could get even heftier. Wilson’s annual base salary has […]
Posted inEnvironment, Resources
Activists ramp up campaign for renewables and against fossil fuels
As Austin Energy begins to update its energy plan, local solar and environmental advocates have ramped up their three-year campaign to get the City of Austin to invest even more in renewable energy and to pull the plug on coal. However, instead of pummeling Austin Energy to get their points across, many of the activists, […]
Posted inResources
Solar project draws praise at Generation Plan hearing
Solar energy advocates were still buzzing Monday at the recent news that Austin Energy has negotiated a 25-year contract to buy up to 150 megawatts of solar-generated electricity at a price that is among the lowest ever. A number of persons speaking at a joint meeting of the Electric Utility and Resource Management commissions […]
Posted inResources, Uncategorized
New wind-power agreement is Austin Energy’s cheapest
A wind-power purchase agreement going to the City Council Thursday for approval will not only allow Austin Energy to reach a key renewable energy goal four years ahead of time, it will be the cheapest wind energy the utility has ever purchased, Austin Energy officials say. It also may be the last wind power project […]
Posted inResources
Renewable energy pioneer retires from Austin Energy
Michael Osborne, long-time entrepreneur, author, and renewable-energy pioneer in Texas, is turning another page in his storied career. Over the past four decades, Osborne has built energy-friendly homes; developed the first wind farm in Texas; helped form the Texas Renewable Energy Industries Association, marketed solar and wind equipment around the state, and found time […]
Posted inResources
Austin Energy backs retiring city’s share of Fayette plant in 2025
Shifting position on the Fayette Power Project, Austin Energy has recommended retiring, rather than selling, its share of the controversial coal-burning plant. The recommendation calls for the city to establish a shut-down date of 2025, nearly a decade later than environmentalists are seeking. The additional time would help avoid potentially difficult legal, regulatory and […]
Posted inDevelopment
City staff identifies financial options to assist small businesses
A City Council committee this week backed a staff report recommending four financial and payment assistance options for the full Council to consider to help small business contractors and subcontractors cope with meeting City of Austin living-wage requirements. Staff recommendations include two options for making loans available to small business contractors and two ideas for […]
Posted inResources, Uncategorized
Memo cites major legal hurdles for city to get out of coal plant
The City of Austin faces formidable legal hurdles and potentially significant costs if the City Council decides to sell or shut down the city’s share of the coal-fired Fayette Power Project, according to a new city Law Department memo. Potential problems arise from the city’s participation agreement with the Lower Colorado River Authority on […]
Posted inResources
EUC rejects bid to join battle over reduced value of solar rate
While solar advocates continue to be upset over Austin Energy’s decision to reduce a rate used to compensate residential customers for the value of electricity generated by their solar units, the Electric Utility Commission has decided against joining the fight. The advisory commission this week rejected a resolution urging the City Council to keep […]