Like so many other costs, city rates and fees are going up in the upcoming fiscal year, which starts in October. Overall, the projected yearly impact of all the fee increases will be $417 for the average homeowner in Austin. Those increases include fees for water, trash service, drainage, the Clean Community Fee and the […]
Austin Energy
As a municipally-owned electric utility, Austin Energy is a rarity in the largely deregulated State of Texas. Its annual budget clocks in at over $1 billion. The utility’s annual direct transfer of a Council-determined percentage of its revenues offers the city a notable revenue stream.
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 inBudget
Duchen tries (but fails) to raise Austin Energy bills
Council Member Marc Duchen opposed or abstained on the majority of his colleagues’ amendments to next year’s city budget and voted against the overall budget. However, did try to raise Austin Energy’s income by proposing to increase its rates and fees. His proposal would have added up to $63 million in revenues. Neither the Mayor […]
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 inEnergy
Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
If you thought the city of Austin already had a program to install rooftop solar systems on its municipal buildings, you weren’t alone. Many others believed the same, according to Kaiba White of Public Citizen’s Texas office. ‘I don’t know anybody who thinks it’s a bad idea,’ she added, summing up the results of solar […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy’s annual report highlights growing demand, help for ratepayers
Austin Energy set new peak demand records for both summer and winter, according to a new report from the utility’s departing General Manager, Bob Kahn. Kahn released the utility’s FY2024 annual report last week. In addition to setting new records, the utility finalized work on its Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035. As […]
Posted inCity Hall
Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn retiring
Bob Kahn, who has served as general manager of Austin Energy for nearly two years, is officially retiring at the end of June, but he will be leaving his post on April 30. City Manager T.C. Broadnax has announced that Stuart Reilly will serve as Interim General Manager beginning on May 1. Reilly, whose current […]
Posted inEnergy
Resource Management Commission continues to explore potential audit of Austin Energy district cooling system
Austin Energy may soon be on the hook to set the record straight on its District Energy & Cooling System, as a proposal to conduct an audit on its finances gathers momentum at the Resource Management Commission. The resolution, brought forward by Commissioner Paul Robbins, comes after the utility proposed selling the system to a […]
Posted inEnergy
Resource Management Commission, Austin Energy discuss reforms to homeowner solar incentives
The Resource Management Commission held an extended discussion on March 25 on a resolution urging Austin Energy, by way of City Council, to undertake several key reforms to residential solar incentive programs. The resolution, titled “Resolution on Changes to Residential Rooftop Solar Program,” was presented by Commissioner Dino Sasaridis, who co-authored it along with commissioners […]
Posted inPublic Health
Audit throws shade at city’s efforts to mitigate extreme heat
A new report from the Office of the City Auditor concludes that, while the city has made notable progress in preparing for extreme heat, challenges in coordination, funding and measurable planning continue to undermine long-term resilience. The audit, released this week, evaluates whether the city is adequately planning for heat-related risks to public infrastructure. The […]
Posted inEnergy
Burying Austin’s power lines would cost $50 billion (and is pretty much impossible)
Two years ago, after Austin’s lush urban tree canopy froze and downed power lines, leaving hundreds of thousands without power, the city resolved to look into a simple solution: burying the power lines. Now, a new city-commissioned study shows that would be damn near impossible. The draft study from consulting firm 1898 & Co. found […]