The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Energy
Austin Energy customers can expect to see another increase to their December bills
Austin Energy customers should expect to see another increase on their utility bills starting Friday. The city’s energy company said customers will see a bump of 5 percent, or about $2 per month. Matt Mitchell, a spokesperson for Austin Energy, said…
Energy • By Luz Moreno-Lozano, KUT • Nov 28, 2023
City considering capital projects, private development as sites for underground power lines
Austin Energy and various city departments are studying how to bury selected sections of overhead power lines underground to reduce the impact of extreme weather disasters. The burying of lines, which in many cases also serve equipment for private communications…
Energy • By Chad Swiatecki • Nov 2, 2023
Audit finds Austin Energy falling behind on tree-trimming schedule
The Office of the City Auditor has found Austin Energy is far behind on its seven-year schedule of trimming trees and vegetation around power lines, with the utility’s current pace likely requiring 14 years to complete all needed clearing. The…
Energy • By Chad Swiatecki • Sep 28, 2023
Austin Energy weighs climate goals, transmission constraints ahead of resource management plan update
After navigating the summer’s record temperatures, Austin Energy is shifting gears, preparing an update to its Resource Generation Plan for the first time since committing to total carbon neutrality by 2035. The 2030 Plan, which launched in 2020 as Covid-19…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Sep 25, 2023
Austin Energy in talks to expand community solar program
As residents bemoan scorching temperatures, Austin Energy is looking to leverage the sunny weather’s benefits, with plans to ramp up the utility’s community solar program over the coming year. Customer Renewable Solutions Manager Tim Harvey stopped by last week’s Electric…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Aug 22, 2023
City says Austin Energy’s budget reflects needs
All Austin Energy customers will see a small increase in their electric bills this fall – about $1.04 a month for the typical residential customer. According to the utility, its residential bills are still among the lowest in the state.…
Budget • By Jo Clifton • Aug 21, 2023
Subscribe to our newsletter
Austin Energy assisting more customers with utility bills
Austin Energy has exceeded its initial target for enrolling new customers in the utility’s Customer Assistance Program, according to Austin Energy General Manager Bob Kahn. Last week, Kahn sent a memo to Mayor Kirk Watson and City Council detailing the…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Aug 1, 2023
Austin ISD is getting federal money to install solar panels at more than a dozen campuses
The Austin Independent School District is one of two dozen school systems nationwide to get a new federal grant to make campuses more energy efficient. Austin ISD will receive nearly $15 million for its Solar for Schools project through the…
AISD • By Becky Fogel, KUT • Jul 6, 2023
Austin Energy rolls out updates to renewable energy and storage program
As Austin Energy continues to refine its renewable energy and storage network, customers using solar panels or electric vehicles can look forward to some system upgrades. Richard Genece, vice president of customer energy solutions, and Tim Harvey, renewable solutions manager,…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Jun 23, 2023
Austin Energy will give you credits in exchange for a little control over your thermostat
Austin Energy is offering residential customers financial incentives for letting the department tweak the temperature on their smart thermostats on high energy use days – like over the next week, when daily highs are expected to cross 100 degrees. Customers…
Energy • By Sangita Menon, KUT • Jun 15, 2023
As wait times for transformers climb to 70 weeks, housing developments are struggling to turn the lights on
As American manufacturers struggle to keep pace with demand, wait times for power transformers have put housing and infrastructure projects across the country on hold. Austin Energy executives joined City Council’s Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee last week to discuss…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • May 23, 2023
With no end in sight to electric vehicle boom, Austin Energy embraces the transportation sector
As new battery-powered car models from General Motors and Ford roll into the market, Austin Energy is racing to ensure the city’s infrastructure is ready for them. The utility’s electric vehicle and emerging technologies team stopped by last week’s work…
