One of the remarkable things about the La Loma community solar farm is where it’s located. Just east of Airport Boulevard, and a short drive to downtown, it’s the type of place you’d expect to see new homes going up. “There’s a lot of reason why this parcel really couldn’t have been used for something […]
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
Commissioner rocks the boat with concerns about security of Austin Energy software contract
Several years ago, Austin Energy found itself “over a barrel” due to an underbid and underdelivered contract awarded to IBM to create new system software that would bridge Austin Energy’s meters and its billing system. Now one member of the Electric Utility Commission, who clearly remembers the ramifications of having poorly managed software involved with […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin’s community solar program comes to light
For years, people have lamented that although the sun shines at no cost, it is cost prohibitive to redirect its energy from the outdoors and into your home. Even if Austinites want to implement solar technology, they must contend with tree cover, roof maintenance issues and significant upfront costs. Last year, to help alleviate some […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Humanist mockery and moonlight towers
Thoughts and prayers… Following the most recent mass shooting, a familiar debate has emerged that pits those who argue in favor of gun control against those who emphasize mental health treatment and (in some cases) more guns. In a Facebook message posted shortly after the Parkland massacre, former Council Member Don Zimmerman seemed to suggest that […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin revamps solar rebate program as White House levies new tariffs on panels
At a new 28-home development in East Austin, workers for Lighthouse Solar pull solar panels from the back of a trailer, haul them to a ladder, and then carry them 30 feet up to the recently shingled rooftops where they’ll be installed. It’s a fun job, said Tyson Bagio, as long as you’re not afraid […]
Posted inResources
Troxclair wants to know how rates compare to other Texas utilities
This year, the average Austinite will spend $2,475 on utility bills to cover the cost of electricity, water and garbage pickup. City Council Member Ellen Troxclair wants to know how that compares to what other people served by other utilities in Texas pay. A resolution Troxclair plans to introduce today asks city staff to conduct […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy gears up to ‘repower downtown’
As Austin grows, so must its utility. Austin Energy plans a nine-figure investment over the next eight years on improvements to its system of substations and transmission lines. In a presentation Wednesday to the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee, AE officials showed off a list of projects whose estimated cost totals $150.2 million. And that’s […]
Posted inCity Hall
Ex-Austin Energy employee found not guilty of ethics violation
After a drawn-out series of hearings over the last seven months, the Ethics Review Commission on Jan. 10 found that retired Austin Energy supervisor Stefan Sasko made no violation of the city’s ethics regulations. However, the ruling may have implications for how the city code concerning conflict of interest is interpreted in the future. Nathan […]
Posted inEnergy
Electric Utility Commission recommends purchase of more solar power
Austin has a herculean trial ahead of itself as it tries to reach 65 percent renewable energy by 2027. Thankfully, one new proposed project may make that goal achievable. Despite making up only 4 percent of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas market, Austin Energy’s renewable energy contribution is noteworthy. With its latest proposed project, the […]
Posted inEnergy
Changes in the Texas wholesale energy grid may increase prices
In August 2017, City Council made a commitment to providing 65 percent renewable energy to its residents by 2027. This aggressive energy plan is, according to Robert Cullick, director of communications and marketing at Austin Energy, the only one of its kind in the country. At the Nov. 13 meeting of Council’s Austin Energy Utility Oversight […]
Posted inReporters' Notebook
Reporter’s Notebook: Solutions and such
That got a little prickly… The Texas Health and Science University earned the recommendation of the Planning Commission at its Nov. 14 meeting to rezone in order to construct a library next door to the acupuncture school as well as dormitories in a single-family neighborhood. “(The school is) getting overrun with foreign students,” said agent Jim […]
Posted inEnergy
Energy efficiency rebates not impacting rent
The Austin Energy MultiFamily Rebate Program was launched in 1991, but only since 2013 has it been the focus of a data tracking initiative with the aim of investigating the possible effects of participation on rental prices. Liz Jambor, a data analytics and business intelligence manager at Austin Energy, came to the Austin Energy Utility […]