The Environmental Board continued to take a hard line against allowing Lake Austin homeowners more than one path of access to the lake from their ridgetop homes last week. This time, William and Kathryn Darling were requesting a variance for a tram at their 2908 Scenic Drive home. Their agent, Phil Moncada, explained that the […]
Environment
Posted inEnvironment, Resources
Committee seeks to create zero emissions plan
A recent study by climate scientists predicts dire consequences for the Austin region if it does not act to cut greenhouse gas emissions significantly over the next 20 to 30 years. The National Climate Assessment says temperatures in Central Texas could rise by an average of 3 to 4 degrees and average rainfall rates could […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
AE low-income program comes at a high cost
Though there is a push to increase some parts of Austin Energy’s low-income weatherization program, there is at least one part of that program that no one was clamoring to save at Wednesday’s budget session. Activist Paul Robbins started the conversation about revamping Austin’s low-income weatherization program in the next year, and provided City Council […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council postpones action on hauler ordinance
Following complaints from stakeholders, City Council voted on Thursday to postpone action on a measure known as the “hauler ordinance,” which would amend city code regarding the private solid waste collection program. It also postponed action on amendments to administrative rules associated with that code. Council will reconsider the issue at its Nov. 6 meeting […]
Posted inResources
Austin Monitor Radio, Show 14: Austin Energy
Mike Kanin talks with Austin Energy COO Cheryl Mele about utility operations, rates, just-passed new emissions standards and more. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/166097858″ params=”auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”450″ iframe=”true” /]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Few speakers return for delayed budget hearings
Affordability and equity topped the list of concerns that citizens raised Friday during public hearings on the budget, tax rate and utility rates for Fiscal Year 2015. The majority of citizens who had signed up to speak during the hearings were not present, likely because City Council had originally scheduled the hearings for Thursday’s regular […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics
AG’s opinion could revive battle over bag ban
A Texas attorney general’s opinion issued late Friday could revive a long-running battle over the banning of single-use plastic bags from stores in Austin and a handful of other cities in Texas. An opinion signed by Attorney General Greg Abbott states that an ordinance like the one in effect in Austin could be in violation […]
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Update: Council motion to reconsider fails, business group reacts to new mandate
Late Friday afternoon, Council Member Bill Spelman asked his colleagues to reconsider their actions on a resolution by Council Member Chris Riley that instructs Austin Energy to greatly increase their renewable resources — specifically solar — and work toward eliminating the Decker Creek Power Plant as a result of the city’s concern about greenhouse gas […]
Posted inEnvironment, Local Politics, Resources
Riley resolution passes in chaotic Council finish
Update: An Austin Energy official told the Monitor early Friday morning that they had left Council chambers for home after Council members passed a resolution to recess the meeting until noon today. A twisting, chaotic end to Austin City Council’s Thursday meeting resulted in fast passage of two Austin Energy-related items — one that had […]
Posted inResources
AISD funding situation dire, panel hears
On the second day back in school for students, Austin Independent School District Chief Financial Officer Nicole Conley briefed the Council Audit and Finance Committee on the severe financial challenges the district is facing. Or, as Council Member Laura Morrison put it: “You refer to it as a challenge. But, for me, it seems like […]
Posted inResources
Central Health’s 2015 budget up 8.8 percent
If you think your health care bill is big and confusing, check out the one at Central Health. The Travis County’s health care district brought its Fiscal Year 2015 budget to the Commissioner’s Court Tuesday with an 8.8 percent increase over last year’s budget. The main culprits for the larger amounts are construction of the […]
Posted inResources
AE officials deeply concerned over Riley resolution
Austin Energy General Manager Larry Weis told the Monitor Tuesday morning that a resolution from Council Member Chris Riley would be a negative for the utility. “This IFC speaks to actually acting, to actually carrying out and acting — and this is a real similar set of circumstances that got us into making a decision […]