Stories by Bill McCann
EUC backs plan to shift all franchise fees to suburban customers
For months, consumer watchdog Paul Robbins has been pushing a proposal to have suburban customers of Austin Energy pay the total cost of franchise fees that the utility pays to six suburban municipalities for use of public rights-of-way in those…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Dec 18, 2013
Austin Energy reduces incentives, credits for solar users on grid
Austin Energy customers who have installed solar electric systems or are planning to install them are facing a reduction in the incentives offered by the utility. Utility officials defend their actions, saying the reductions are based on budget limits…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Dec 9, 2013
Council eases rules on delinquent utility bills
At the urging of advocacy groups and a tenacious City Council Member Kathie Tovo, the Council on Thursday approved an ordinance that gives additional breaks to residential utility customers having trouble paying their bills. Supporters of the ordinance said…
Local Politics • By Bill McCann • Dec 6, 2013
EUC advocates major policy change on line extensions
Taking a cue from the Austin City Council’s recent action to increase fees for hooking up new water and wastewater service, the city’s Electric Utility Commission has voted to ask the City Council to take similar action for extending new…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Dec 3, 2013
Electric cars see jump-start in Austin
With a predicted 300 percent jump in the number of plug-in electric cars taking to the road over the past year, Austin continues to be one of the nation’s leaders in this clean-running form of transportation. While the numbers…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Nov 27, 2013
Austin Energy plans major push on energy app
Austin Energy is getting ready to take a big leap forward in a program aimed at encouraging customers to save energy and money by signing up to get free updates of their electricity use, including email and text alerts when…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Nov 20, 2013
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Consultant says doubling city’s solar goal do-able but expensive
Should Austin double its already ambitious solar energy goal? It’s a question that has begun to get renewed attention from solar advocates, environmentalists, utility officials and others following a year-old recommendation by the City Council-appointed Local Solar Advisory Committee…
Resources • By Bill McCann • Oct 23, 2013
Austinites make up 6 of 10 employees at firms with economic agreements
Roughly 6 out of every 10 workers hired by companies that have economic development agreements with the City of Austin live in Austin, according to an informal survey by Austin’s Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services Office. EGRSO officials say…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jul 29, 2013
Austin Energy offers up heavily modified electric rate proposal
Reeling from opposition by the public and City Council members to a proposed increase in electric rates, Austin Energy officials on Thursday revealed a modified proposal that they hope will be more palatable to ratepayers, while still improving the utility’s…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Feb 3, 2012
New Austin Energy proposal may include phased-in rate hikes
Responding to strong concerns from the public and the City Council, Austin Energy plans to deliver to the Council on Thursday an alternative electric rate proposal that may include phased-in rate increases. City Manager Marc Ott suggested that possibility…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Feb 1, 2012
City’s financial advisors warn against delay on raising electric rates
While the Austin City Council is mulling over what to do about electric rates, the city’s outside financial advisors have sent a strong warning that without a rate increase Austin Energy faces a possible downgrade of its bond ratings. …
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jan 19, 2012
EUC majority defends proposed AE rates at Council work session
With Austin Energy’s proposed rate increase facing a barrage of criticism, the City Council sought out the expertise of its advisory Electric Utility Commission Tuesday and got considerable support for the rate package. Rather than delve into their own…
