David Foster, state director of the environmental nonprofit group Clean Water Action, was surprised and somewhat concerned Tuesday when he received two emails from friends asking whether his organization was suddenly opposed to fluoridated drinking water. The Public Utilities Committee of the Austin City Council will be considering a resolution at this afternoon’s meeting that […]
Austin City Council Public Utility Committee
A City Council committee that reviews issues related to water and drainage utilities.
Posted inWater
Austin involved in two battles over water rates
The Austin Water Utility is engaged in two different battles over water rates. One fight is with wholesale water and wastewater customers who have challenged rates adopted by City Council in 2013. According to AWU Assistant Director David Anders, this case, which is pending before administrative law judges on its way to the Public Utility […]
Posted inPremium Types
TipSheet: Austin City Council, 2.24 & 2.26
Another light agenda by previous Council standards. Still, a revamped staffing proposal from Mayor Adler, the return — again –of the Garza tract, the proposed Decker Lake golf facility, and much more seem to point to what could be, at the least, a long day. As always, the Austin City Council meets in an agenda […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
Confederation of water utilities presses rate case against Austin
A group of local water districts continues to press their case against the City of Austin, claiming that the city’s wholesale water rates are unrelated to the cost of providing service. Both the Citizens for Fair Rates and the Austin Water Utility say they are in talks over a possible settlement of the case, but […]
Posted inLocal Government, Local Politics, Resources
PUC: Non-city utility customers must pay legal fees
The Texas Public Utility Commission has dismissed a complaint filed by a group of non-City of Austin ratepayers against Austin Energy. That dismissal means that ratepayers who are not Austin residents will foot the $1.55 million bill for the utility’s legal fees related to a rate case settled earlier this year. So, those who […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
PUC staff urges dismissal of latest rate challenge
A document filed Tuesday by staff of the Texas Public Utility Commission hints strongly that the commission will reject an appeal by Homeowners United for Rate Fairness of Austin City Council members’ action to assess legal costs from the Austin Energy rate case to out-of-city ratepayers. In a 12-page filing, commission staff conclude that […]
Posted inLocal Government, Resources
Non-Austin ratepayers file another Austin Energy complaint with PUC
The group of out-of-town residents who originally challenged last year’s Austin Energy rate increase has filed another complaint with Public Utility Commission against AE. In a nine-page document signed by Homeowners United for Rate Fairness attorney (and Travis County Republican Party Vice Chair) Roger Borgelt, the organization argues that the utility violated the settlement agreement […]