Last week, Travis County announced that the Austin-San Antonio region has been selected for a two-year program to facilitate the region’s climate change resilience efforts. “Government boundaries may define jurisdictions, but they don’t define the lives of our residents — people don’t care who is responsible, they care that we get it done,” said Travis […]
climate change
Posted inWater
With reservoirs replenished, Austin will loosen some water use restrictions
The dramatic rise in water levels in the reservoirs that supply Austin is allowing the city to loosen drought-related watering restrictions that have been in effect for about two years. Under the new system, which kicks in Sept. 2, Austin will go from Stage 2 drought restrictions to the baseline rules the city calls “conservation stage.” Despite […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Task force delays decision on possible 2025 environmental bond package
The Bond Election Advisory Task Force has postponed making a recommendation on a potential 2025 bond election focused on environmental projects, citing the need for additional preparation and clarity from city staff. The decision to table the discussion until February came during the task force’s Monday meeting, where members expressed uncertainty about the scope of […]
Posted inCity Hall
Memo highlights needs, gaps in achieving city’s climate goals by 2040
The city still has to rework or commit more funding and resources toward the majority of the goals involved in implementing its Climate Equity Plan, which aims to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. A recent staff memo from Chief Sustainability Officer Zach Baumer outlines the challenges and next steps involved in realizing the […]
Posted inEnvironment
Public health commissioners eye heat resistance steps for city budget requests
Public health proponents for the city and Travis County appear ready to push for more heat mitigation resources in the next city budget, with a recent playbook from the Office of Resilience likely to help prioritize those financial requests. At last week’s meeting of the Austin/Travis County Public Health Commission, members heard a presentation about […]
Posted inAustin
This fall might’ve been Austin’s warmest. The city says it’s ready now for record cold.
Austin and Travis County leaders said they are prepared for potentially record winter weather despite the warm fall. At a news conference Wednesday, Mayor Kirk Watson and Travis County Judge Andy Brown said the city and county have several mechanisms in place to ensure residents have power and water, and that the roads are safe. […]
Posted inAustin
Austin is making it easier to open overnight cold weather shelters
The city of Austin is changing how and when it will open cold weather shelters this winter to make shelter more frequent and predictable for people, city officials said. When temperatures dip to near freezing, the city opens overnight shelters for people who are experiencing homelessness, but previously, there were several other criteria the weather […]
Posted inBonds & Propositions
Council could OK task force to design bond package focused on climate change
Next week, City Council will consider forming a task force to design the city’s next bond package expected to go before voters by fall 2026. Mayor Pro Tem Leslie Pool has led on the resolution that calls for the creation of a 22-member body that would begin meeting in October, with Mayor Kirk Watson and […]
Posted inAustin
Developers join city in considering climate resiliency as Austin grows
While the city considers its options for dealing with extreme weather and increasing resiliency across the area, the same questions about the role of climate change in large-scale building projects are top of mind for developers and financial leaders active in Central Texas. In addition to policies affecting building standards and public financing for needed […]
Posted inCity Council
Council votes to follow traditional process before calling a climate bond election
After one of the most robust deliberations City Council has had in recent history, a resolution on a comprehensive climate bond election moved forward Thursday, but without the immediacy that some Council members would have preferred. Nevertheless, those who favored holding a bond election this year – namely Council members Ryan Alter, Vanessa Fuentes and […]
Posted inAustin
Animal Advisory Commission wants pets allowed in cooling centers
The Animal Advisory Commission is urging the city to allow pets inside designated cooling centers as summer heats up. The commission unanimously passed a recommendation that urges the city to identify “a number of cooling centers throughout the City of Austin that persons with companion animals may go to for relief during times of intense […]
Posted inParks
City launches free swim pilot program, eliminating fees at Walnut Creek Pool this summer
Austin is moving forward with a pilot program aimed at reducing pool fees as a way of increasing access this summer. The city will eliminate fees entirely at Walnut Creek Pool in North Austin and offer two free days at Bartholomew Pool near the Mueller Development and Garrison Pool in South Austin. Bartholomew Pool’s first […]