Stories by Bill McCann
Consumer advocates criticize proposed electric rate hike
As expected, Austin Energy officials got their first barrage of criticism of a proposed electric rate increase last night when a dozen speakers, generally representing residential ratepayers, spoke out at a special meeting of the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC). …
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 2, 2011
Austin Energy outlines details of proposed rate hikes
Saying that Austin Energy needs its first increase in base rates in 17 years to recover its costs, utility officials yesterday released a report proposing rates that would increase the bills of AE’ s typical residential customers by about 11…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 30, 2011
Austin Energy wind-power projects back on agenda this week
A pair of contracts from Austin Energy that will significantly increase its use of wind-generated energy are back before Council this week after they were mysteriously pulled from last week’s agenda by city staff. The two agreements are to…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 22, 2011
Commission warns city on Austin Energy non-utility expenditures
Is the City of Austin using Austin Energy as its own version of an ATM? This week the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC) once again came out strongly against the City Council’s use of millions of dollars of Austin…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 17, 2011
Commission warns city on Austin Energy non-energy expenditures
Is the City of Austin using Austin Energy as its own version of an ATM? This week the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC) once again came out strongly against the City Council’s use of millions of dollars of Austin…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 1, 2011
Austin Energy negotiating new long-term wind energy contracts
Austin Energy officials are negotiating two major long-term agreements with private firms to purchase wind energy that will get the utility closer to its goal of providing renewable energy for the utility at a competitive price. The wind projects…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jul 20, 2011
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Austin Energy rate hike could be higher than projected
Austin Energy residential customers face possible rate increases that would be substantially higher than the 12 percent average that has been widely reported, according to preliminary figures presented to the advisory Electric Utility Commission (EUC) on Monday night. The…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jul 19, 2011
Shudde Fath: Continuing the good fight at 95
Shudde Bess Bryson Fath, grande dame of Austin citizen activists, is a case study in longevity and perseverance when it comes to life and electric rates. That perseverance – as well as her decades of experience with Austin Energy,…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jul 1, 2011
Austin Energy ponders low-income assistance funding revamp
As part of Austin Energy’s current review of its rates, the utility is seriously considering a fundamental change in its efforts to assist low-income customers. The change would incorporate low-income assistance into electric rates and would result in the near-tripling…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jun 27, 2011
Austin Energy’s proposed electric rate plan under scrutiny
Last week’s meeting of Austin Energy’s Public Involvement Committee (PIC) offered a sneak preview of what the utility, the City Council’s advisory Electric Utility Commission – and eventually the Council itself – can expect to hear this summer and fall…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Jun 7, 2011
Austin Energy considering increased customer charges
The long and arduous process of updating Austin Energy’s electric rates for the first time in 17 years is gaining traction. Austin Energy is well into its work of drafting updated rate structures for residential, commercial and business customers.…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Apr 25, 2011
Austin Energy says it needs more time, money for IBM contract
The city is going to have to wait a little longer – and pay more – for its long-awaited new utility billing system for its 420,000 customers. At Thursday’s meeting, the City Council is scheduled to consider adding $4.6…
