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Most Popular Stories
- Austin unveils how light-rail could change the city in new report with detailed maps
- Dirty no more? City opts to keep Sixth Street open to traffic at all times
- U.S. accuses six landlords of rent price fixing. See which apartments they own in Austin.
- Objections arise over Project Connect’s plan to use parkland
- Austin ranks 5th in major cities vulnerable to wildfires
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Environment
Major gas bill hike to be contested by city this fall
You might have a much higher gas bill next year, pending an upcoming decision this fall by the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the state’s oil and gas industry. Texas Gas Service proposed a rate hike this year that could…
Energy • By Lina Fisher • Jul 31, 2024
Parks board to ask Council to explain why it bypassed public input on a Lady Bird Lake boat rental concession
Members of the Parks and Recreation Board said Monday they will ask City Council to reexamine a 2019 ordinance that circumvented public input to allow an adventure excursion company to operate a boating concession on Lady Bird Lake. The request…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Jul 26, 2024
Audit committee wants to keep a close eye on upcoming bond packages
The City Council Audit and Finance Committee wants staff to deliver quarterly updates to all relevant City Council committees on all projects being considered for Austin’s next bond package – mainly related to climate change and the effects of severe…
Budget • By Chad Swiatecki • Jul 26, 2024
The Austin area will see cooler temperatures this week. But it's not as 'crazy' as you think.
Temperatures in Central Texas will trend below average with highs only in the 80s in most areas this week, according to the National Weather Service. Normally, high temperatures this time of year range in the high 90s. The cooler weather is…
Environment • By Kailey Hunt, KUT • Jul 24, 2024
At Council Member Alison Alter's urging, city commission may have input on natural gas matters
Members of the city’s Resource Management Commission have been trying for months to find out how they can weigh in on the current rate case for Texas Gas Service. They have passed a number of resolutions seeking to have input…
Resources • By Jo Clifton • Jul 24, 2024
Parks board recommends beefing up funding for city parks maintenance
With increasing challenges in maintaining grounds within Austin’s busy parks system, the Parks and Recreation Board voted Monday to recommend that City Council allocate an additional $2.62 million to the Parks and Recreation Department budget for the new fiscal year.…
Budget • By Amy Smith • Jul 24, 2024
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Balancing conflicting public interests, Watershed Protection aims to promote native aquatic vegetation
Austin’s reservoirs do a lot of double duty. They’re known both as top-tier recreation spots for Central Texans and our source of dwindling drinking water. Subject to invasive species, drought and big rainfall events that bring in pollutants, they’re still…
Environment • By Lina Fisher • Jul 22, 2024
Facing increased need for power generation, Austin Energy continues to work on climate plan
Austin Energy is working with a variety of community representatives to inform new power generation goals targeting 2035. The city adopted its 2030 plan about five years ago but a number of factors have changed, including increases in peak demand.…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jul 17, 2024
Commission resolution aims to slow down sale of district chilling system
City Council is scheduled to consider hiring J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to advise on the potential sale of Austin Energy’s district cooling system, but not everyone thinks that is a good idea. The Resource Management Commission will likely ask Council…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jul 12, 2024
City to consider selling its district cooling system
City Manager T.C. Broadnax has notified City Council that staff will be seeking approval during the July 18 meeting to hire J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to provide “strategic advice about the potential sale of Austin Energy’s district cooling system.” The…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jul 9, 2024
Austin Water tees up to propose rate increases to Council
Austinites can prepare to add their water bill to the list of services getting increasingly more expensive, as a proposal for hikes in utility rates makes its way through City Council’s pipeline. The proposal, which Austin Water unveiled early last…