Paul Robbins still concerned about customer assistance program

Paul Robbins, the longtime environmental activist, revealed his research on Austin Energy’s customer assistance program at a Monday meeting of the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee. Robbins told City Council members that CAP, which is intended to give discounts to low-income customers on their utility bills, remains a “partially broken program” because it is still offering breaks to those who aren’t in need. Robbins said he found over 500 residents who either own multiple properties or have properties with improvement values over $250,000 and are receiving discounts on their drainage and water bills. Robbins noted that he is unable to see the number of people receiving electricity bill discounts, but told the Austin Monitor that he believes that figure is far higher. “An efficient utility does not do this,” he told the committee. “There has been a bureaucratic malaise that has delayed necessary repairs (to the program) too long.”