About the Author
Mike Kanin is the Publisher of the Austin Monitor. As such, he doesn't report on much--aside from the workings of the Monitor--any more. In his previous life as a freelance journalist, Kanin has written for the Washington City Paper, the Washington Post's Express, the Boston Herald, Boston's Weekly Dig, the Austin Chronicle, and the Texas Observer.
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Key Players & Topics In This Article
Austin City Council Public Utility Committee: A City Council committee that reviews issues related to water and drainage utilities.
Austin Energy: As a municipally-owned electric utility, Austin Energy is a rarity in the largely deregulated State of Texas. It's annual budget clocks in at over $1 billion. The utility's annual direct transfer of a Council-determined percentage of its revenues offers the city a notable revenue stream.
Austin Energy 2012 rate increase: 2012 marked the first time in roughly two decades that the city's municipally-owned electric utility asked for an increase in the rates it charges customers. The process took about a year to wind its way through deliberation, passage, and an expected challenge from ratepayers outside city limits who challenged the increase at the State's Public Utility Commission.
Austin Energy 2013 rate case: After Austin City Council members voted to raise Austin Energy rates for the first time in two decades, the increase was challenged by a group of AE ratepayers who live outside city limits. Indeed, out-of-city ratepayers are the only utility customers who have standing to take that action. The case was heard by Texas' Public Utility Commission. That body ultimately upheld much of the increase.