Austin City Council members and their appointees on the city’s Electric Utility Commission Thursday filled the majority of the seats on a task force set up to complete the first review of Austin Energy’s 2010 Generation Plan. That document, a plan that governs Austin Energy’s generation purchases up through 2020, is a key point of […]
Electric Utility Commission
The advisory body charged with oversight of Austin Energy, the City of Austin’s municipally-owned electric utility.
Posted inLocal Politics, Resources
Council backs creation of new power generation task force
City Council members Thursday approved the creation of a new Austin generation planning task force. The group, as yet unnamed, will “examine and make recommendations regarding the 2014 update to Austin Energy’s current Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan.” Council Member Kathie Tovo was the lead sponsor on the item that created the task force. […]
Posted inResources, Uncategorized
New wind-power agreement is Austin Energy’s cheapest
A wind-power purchase agreement going to the City Council Thursday for approval will not only allow Austin Energy to reach a key renewable energy goal four years ahead of time, it will be the cheapest wind energy the utility has ever purchased, Austin Energy officials say. It also may be the last wind power project […]
Posted inResources
EUC rejects bid to join battle over reduced value of solar rate
While solar advocates continue to be upset over Austin Energy’s decision to reduce a rate used to compensate residential customers for the value of electricity generated by their solar units, the Electric Utility Commission has decided against joining the fight. The advisory commission this week rejected a resolution urging the City Council to keep […]
Posted inResources, Uncategorized
EUC backs plan to shift all franchise fees to suburban customers
For months, consumer watchdog Paul Robbins has been pushing a proposal to have suburban customers of Austin Energy pay the total cost of franchise fees that the utility pays to six suburban municipalities for use of public rights-of-way in those communities. Robbins received a modest measure of support in his quest this week thanks […]
Posted inResources
EUC advocates major policy change on line extensions
Taking a cue from the Austin City Council’s recent action to increase fees for hooking up new water and wastewater service, the city’s Electric Utility Commission has voted to ask the City Council to take similar action for extending new power lines. Austin Energy has recommended recovering 75 percent of the cost of extending […]
Posted inResources, Uncategorized
Consultant says doubling city’s solar goal do-able but expensive
Should Austin double its already ambitious solar energy goal? It’s a question that has begun to get renewed attention from solar advocates, environmentalists, utility officials and others following a year-old recommendation by the City Council-appointed Local Solar Advisory Committee that the city increase its 2020 solar goal from 200 megawatts to 400 megawatts. […]