Stories by Bill McCann
AWU begins laying new water/wastewater lines for southeast Austin
Workers last week began laying the first section of a 13-mile water line for an ambitious Austin Water Utility program to expand water and wastewater service to a rapidly growing area on the city’s southeastern edge. The water line eventually…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Oct 6, 2009
City Council approves funds for high-tech rooftop solar project
City staff got the go-ahead Thursday to install what will be by far Austin’s biggest rooftop solar electric project to date. It also will be the first time the city will use a technology in which strips of solar…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 25, 2009
Environmental Board says no to sewer line in creek bed
Plans to install a sewer line in and along a creek bed for a proposed mixed-use development in Austin’s northeast extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) got a thumbs-down from the Environmental Board last week. The board recommended denying a variance for…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 21, 2009
Water Treatment Plant 4 debate brings out crowds, civil debate
The nearly 500 people who showed up at the Palmer Events Center to hear last night’s debate on the pros and cons of Water Treatment Plant 4 got a little education, a little entertainment and a touch of political theater.…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 18, 2009
City Council holds unprecedented debate on Water Treatment Plant 4
Supporters and opponents of Water Treatment Plant 4 are preparing to square off tomorrow (Sept. 17) in what is believed to be the first-of-a-kind debate, with the goal to help Austin City Council members decide when and whether the plant…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 16, 2009
Rainwater helps but not enough falls to lift restrictions
Rains this past week, as expected, have not only brought welcome relief to the landscape but dramatic reductions in water use by Austin Water Utility customers. However, the utility has no plans at this time to lift the Stage 2…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Sep 15, 2009
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Local rooftops could provide 28 percent of Austin’s current power needs
A new study commissioned by Austin Energy shows that if solar electric panels were installed on all viable rooftop space in the area, the panels could supply 84 percent of the utility’s existing generating capacity and almost 28 percent of…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 31, 2009
Environmental Board recommends study of water fluoridation
Led by an environmental activist and a dentist, opponents of treating Austin’s drinking water with fluoride to fight tooth decay got a boost from the Environmental Board last week. Sometimes considered a fringe group, fluoride opponents have appeared before the…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 26, 2009
Dog owners poo-poo proposed leash law at Bull Creek park
Concerned about the quality of Bull Creek and the health of the people who use it, city staff has concluded that waste from dogs running free at the park is the likely cause of high bacteria levels frequently found in…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 24, 2009
Low flow at Barton Springs threatens endangered salamander
The prolonged drought is a serious threat to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander, according to a city staff expert. “I’m very concerned, but cautiously optimistic that it will rain,” Laurie Dries, biologist at the Watershed Protection Department, told In…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 21, 2009
Austin Energy, Gemini ink Webberville solar plant deal
As Austin Energy proposes to ramp up its already-ambitious renewable energy goals, it has sealed the deal on a major solar electric project that was approved by the City Council in March. Last Friday, Austin Energy signed a contract…
Uncategorized • By Bill McCann • Aug 20, 2009
Austin Energy plan calls for more conservation, renewables by 2020
In a much-anticipated new electric-generation plan being unveiled this week, Austin Energy will propose putting even more emphasis on energy efficiency and renewable energy and less on coal to meet the city’s future electric power needs. As a result, city…
