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Most Popular Stories
- New federal cash paves way for East Austin’s ‘wishbone’ bridge over Lady Bird Lake
- Austin’s airport is getting a new concourse and 20 more gates but not until the 2030s
- Democrats vs. Republicans: First election coming for Travis Central Appraisal District board
- Judge rules city can’t use taxpayer money for South Central TIRZ
- Save Our Springs Alliance sues City Council over Open Meetings Act
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Environment
Council approves changes to environmental protections to upgrade Butler Trail
With little discussion, City Council last week approved amendments to environmental protections to clear the way for capital improvements on the popular hike-and-bike trail at Lady Bird Lake. The code changes allow for exemptions from critical water quality zone rules…
Parks • By Amy Smith • Mar 11, 2024
There are two big trolls in neighboring Austin parks – and they might be in love
Pease Park will soon get an 18-foot-tall wooden troll sculpture. But ahead of its opening, Austinites can find a similar (if slightly more disheveled) troll at a miniature park just a few blocks away. “When I heard that the Pease Park…
Parks • By Chelsey Zhu, KUT • Mar 8, 2024
City Council adopts historic water reuse regulations
City Council on Thursday unanimously and enthusiastically approved mandatory water reuse for most large new developments, with some provisions to exempt affordable housing from the requirement. They also approved an agreement with Travis County to provide reclaimed water connections for…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 8, 2024
Debate intensifies over code changes to Butler Hike and Bike trail
Austin’s Parks and Recreation Board drew a crowd this past Monday, gathering to debate a number of code amendments targeting the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake. The amendments, prompted by City Council direction…
Parks • By Kali Bramble • Feb 29, 2024
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Electric Utility Commission offers climate-friendly recommendations for Austin Energy update
As the deadline approaches for an update to Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan, the city’s Electric Utility Commission is joining the conversation, banding behind its own proposal for the coming decade. The proposal, formed in collaboration with…
Energy • By Kali Bramble • Feb 26, 2024
Austin area has dangerously high levels of air pollution, according to new EPA standards
The Environmental Protection Agency has announced long-awaited updates to air quality standards for fine particulate matter, also known as “soot,” pollution. The new, tighter limits mean some places that previously had acceptable levels of pollution are no longer meeting health…
Environment • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 20, 2024
Waller Creek improvements, art projects marching forward
In November 2012, Austin voters approved $13 million in bonds for the redevelopment of Waller Creek. Over the years, the project – now called the Waterloo Greenway project – has grown to encompass a long series of parks, construction of…
Parks • By Jo Clifton • Feb 15, 2024
U.S. Rep. Greg Casar files bill to connect Texas grid to rest of the country
Of the numerous vulnerabilities exposed by the deadly 2021 Texas blackouts, one caught people’s attention more than the rest: Texas exists as an energy island. Unlike any other power grid in the continental U.S., the energy system that serves 90 percent of…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 14, 2024
Austin receives $1M from EPA for plans to combat pollution
The city has received a $1 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency that will fund climate action plans for Central Texas. The grant was announced Monday morning at City Hall, where members of City Council and federal lawmakers gathered…