Austin Resource Recovery has released new details on plans to build a central hub where city garbage and composting trucks transfer their loads to bigger trucks before the waste is hauled to out-of-town disposal sites. Department officials said the hub, also called a transfer station, would help improve city services and reduce emissions from disposal […]
Environment
Posted inEnergy
Texas promised to winterize its energy grid. An audit found big problems.
State oil and gas inspectors are not adequately verifying that Texas natural gas production and delivery systems are prepared to keep running in severe winter storms. Regulators have also failed to hold natural gas operators to winter weatherization standards, according to a new report from the State Auditor’s Office. The state mandate requiring natural gas production and […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin will lose $32 million for solar power projects after federal funding cuts
Austin Energy stands to lose $32 million for solar power projects for low-income people. The loss comes after the Trump administration announced plans to cancel a Biden era clean energy program called “Solar for All.” According to the utility, the funds would have helped 2,500 residential low-income homes and 25 multifamily buildings and community centers […]
Posted inEnergy
Commission rejects resolution opposing Austin Energy’s revenue plan
Under Austin Energy’s proposed budget for the 2025-2026 year, utility customers will, on average, see a drop in their monthly bill of $4.89. Low income customers on the Customer Assistance Program, also known as CAP, will see a $7 decrease on average. After hearing a briefing on the utility’s plan for increasing revenue while lowering customers’ […]
Posted inWater
Austin Water reports progress and challenges as drought persists
Amid a second year of drought restrictions, city leaders are navigating community debates about whether water conservation goals are aggressive enough. In a presentation to the City Council’s Climate, Water, Environment, and Parks Committee, Austin Water shared its first quarterly progress report following updates to the city’s Water Forward, Drought Contingency, and Conservation plans last […]
Posted inParks
City, parks boards weigh funding options to stem expected shortfalls
The city could consider new user fees, expanded partnerships, naming rights and even the creation of a regional park authority as part of a broad effort to close a growing funding gap in the parks system, according to a consultant report released last month. Commissioned by the Parks and Recreation Department, the report outlines short- […]
Posted inResources
Austin braces for third round of gas‑rate increases in 12 months
Texas Gas Service (TGS) has filed for its third rate increase in approximately 12 months, affecting customers in Austin and surrounding areas. On Thursday the Austin City Council is expected to approve a 90-day delay of the proposal, though the city has limited authority to block it. The city does not own its gas utility […]
Posted inParks
City makes initial moves for Palm Park makeover with Shelter House restoration
Plans to restore the 92-year-old Palm Park Shelter House cleared an administrative hurdle last week, laying the groundwork for a forthcoming project that will see it fold into a brand new urban park in Downtown Austin. Earlier this month, Historic Landmark Commissioners voted unanimously to initiate historic zoning on the site, which currently belongs to […]
Posted inParks
Ahead of holiday weekend, San Marcos starts charging nonresidents to park at popular tubing spot
Out-of-towners looking to cool off by the San Marcos River or go tubing this Fourth of July weekend may have to pay to park this year. Parking fees for nonresidents went into effect Tuesday at City Park, the most popular spot for river access. San Marcos residents, meanwhile, can park for free if they register […]
Posted inWater
City leaders evaluate surprising ideas for water conservation
Paul Robbins said he had two main goals when he presented his water conservation ideas to the Resource Management Commission this month. “First is to convey a sense of urgency,” he said. “Austin is as little as 15 years and one bad drought away from dry lakes and a water crisis. This is not science […]
Posted inParks
Parks Board recommends vendor for Zilker Café, while voicing concerns about lack of local presence
The Parks and Recreation Board on Monday recommended city approval of a vendor to operate Zilker Café, the long-vacant concession stand located steps from Barton Springs Pool. The vote comes four years after a previous parks board rejected a local vendor over plans to sell alcohol – an idea that drew strong opposition from pool […]
Posted inWater
Austin is losing even more water to leaky city pipes than previously thought
Austin’s leaky pipe problem keeps getting worse. In recent years, the city’s water utility has recorded losses of about 7 billion gallons annually due to leaks in its treatment and distribution system. That’s about enough water to fill Lady Bird Lake three times over every year. Now, an annual review shows the problem could be […]