Stories by Tyler Whitson
Austin makes major investment in new solar
The Austin City Council took a huge step toward achieving the city’s renewable energy goals on Thursday when it approved up to 300 megawatts’ worth of utility-scale solar contracts that will last for the next 15 to 25 years. The…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Oct 2, 2015
PUD proposal could impact Grove application
Since it was announced in April, the proposed Grove at Shoal Creek Planned Unit Development has provoked a critical response from neighbors. Now, City Council is mulling over a policy change that could make it more difficult for that project’s…
The Code • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 30, 2015
Cap Metro approves budget for next fiscal year
The rubber will continue to hit the road for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority buses and transit services for another year, according to the $357 million Fiscal Year 2015-16 budget that the agency’s board of directors unanimously adopted on Monday. The…
Transit • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 29, 2015
Austin Energy one step closer to energy storage
Local energy storage – essentially a giant battery connected to a power grid – seems like a simple idea, but for years it has been too costly for Austin Energy to pursue. That could change next year, though, when the…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 28, 2015
Full-scale solar option remains on table
In spite of a lengthy debate about how much solar capacity the city should contract into next month, the City Council Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee did not appear to rule out any options at its meeting on Thursday. The…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 25, 2015
Districts 1, 2 and 4 hardest hit by retail food deserts
Despite beating most others in population growth estimates, Districts 1, 2 and 4 are trailing the rest of the city when it comes to fresh, healthy and affordable retail food options. Edwin Marty, food policy manager for the Office of…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 25, 2015
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Debate heats up over solar energy contracts
There is a solar energy tug-of-war taking place at City Hall. Amid calls from solar advocates for the city to quickly procure 600 megawatts of utility-scale solar energy, Austin Energy will propose to City Council at an Oct. 1 meeting…
Energy • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 24, 2015
Austin's most dangerous intersections to get fixes
There may not be a silver bullet that will fix Austin’s increasing traffic fatality problems, but the city is taking a leap forward by funding safety improvements to its five most dangerous intersections starting in October. With little fanfare, City…
Transportation • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 22, 2015
Council pondering new STR moratorium
Some call Type 2 short-term rentals miniature hotels in neighborhood homes, while others call them an honest way for residents to make money. Either way, they have become a major point of contention, and City Council is considering putting a…
The Code • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 18, 2015
City may grow by 2 square miles this year
When Austinites talk about the city’s rapid population growth, they are often referring to people moving into town. Land annexation also contributes, though, and City Council is wrestling with a plan that could add 2 square miles to the city…
Austin • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 16, 2015
Cap Metro hires plan consultant despite confusion
Following a discussion that shed some light on how the organization functions, the Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority board of directors voted unanimously at a special called meeting Monday to hire a consultant for its 10-year service plan in spite of…
Transit • By Tyler Whitson • Sep 15, 2015
Colorado nonprofit partners with city on mobility
Austin leaders announced a partnership Monday morning between the city and Colorado-based nonprofit Rocky Mountain Institute to develop “innovative mobility solutions” to the transportation woes that frustrate many Austinites. Jeruld Weiland, managing director of RMI’s Mobility Transportation program, told those…
