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Most Popular Stories
- HUD cuts could endanger portion of more than $15M in federal housing funds
- Watson warns of Austin’s ‘budget asteroids’ in speech to real estate council
- Prompted by convention center controversy, Council seeks changes to public art program
- Amid ongoing measles concerns, Austin ISD’s vaccination rate is below target for its youngest students
- Plans to demolish Highland Park home with links to Commodore Perry faces backlash from neighbors
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Environment
Leaking city pipes appear to be drought-proofing some Austin trees
Austin loses an estimated 21 gallons of water per person every day, mostly through leaks in the city’s water distribution system. Last year that totaled 8.6 billion gallons lost. Those leaks waste more than water; they drain energy and cost…
Water • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 28, 2024
Memo outlines the high cost of planning for Austin’s environmental future
With the city already facing a budget deficit exceeding $13 million in the 2025 budget year, a recent staff memo with cost estimates for funding an array of environmental initiatives may be causing sticker shock in some circles. Yet proponents…
Environment • By Amy Smith • May 24, 2024
Council members are looking into need for increased funds for parks maintenance
Austin’s parkland acreage is growing along with the population – however, staffing for maintenance of those parks has not kept pace, according to a report discussed Wednesday among City Council’s Audit and Finance Committee. After comparing the number of parks…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • May 23, 2024
Water quality plan draws opposition from Reed Park neighbors
A water quality improvement project slated for a West Austin neighborhood park has sparked controversy among Tarrytown neighbors opposed to the prospect of losing an informal ball field to a biofiltration pond for stormwater runoff. Reed Neighborhood Park, given to…
Water • By Amy Smith • May 22, 2024
Travis County will turn family's ranch into 1,500 acres of public parkland
Travis County commissioners plan to add about 1,500 acres to the county’s wilderness parklands, protecting the pristine land from development and setting it up as a future destination for hikers and bicyclists. The $90 million deal to purchase a privately…
Parks • By Sangita Menon, KUT • May 21, 2024
Austin Energy dialing in to climate protection plan
After pausing to rethink its approach, Austin Energy is revisiting its update to the 2030 Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan with a series of workshops set to begin next month. The first of four workshops, scheduled for June 7…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • May 20, 2024
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Environmental report points to the city limits and parkland challenges ahead
The 2023 “State of Our Environment” report from the Austin Watershed Protection Department presents a mix of positive and negative findings, but optimistically underscores the city’s proactive efforts in addressing the impacts of urban development and climate change. As in…
Environment • By Amy Smith • May 16, 2024
ACL Fest shows $499M economic impact, with $8.1M donated to parks improvements
The 2023 edition of the Austin City Limits Music Festival generated nearly half a billion dollars in economic impact for the area, according to results of an analysis released Monday. The fest’s $499.9 million in financial activity represented a 12…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • May 14, 2024
Development and climate change continue to threaten Balcones Canyonlands creatures
Stewards of the Balcones Canyonlands Preserve checked in on the status of its most vulnerable residents at their last meeting. Debra Scott, who is the environmental project manager for Travis County, filled in members of the Balcones Canyonlands Conservation Plan…
Environment • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 14, 2024
City Council approves water conservation plans, for now
As expected, City Council endorsed new Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plan updates at its Thursday meeting, voting unanimously to send them along to the state – despite major misgivings from key stakeholders who say the plans don’t do enough…
Water • By Elizabeth Pagano • May 6, 2024
Austin Energy's climate protection plan timeline comes under fire
After an unpopular first draft, Austin Energy is taking a new approach to update its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan. Staff says the approach, led by a newly hired mediation specialist, will employ strategies that bring new voices to…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • May 2, 2024
Austin Water sends conservation plan to City Council without support of key task force
Proposals to overhaul Austin’s drought response rules and update long-term conservation goals will go to City Council for a vote this week without the support of a city advisory panel charged with vetting water policy. When Austin Water released its…
