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Most Popular Stories
- A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began
- Austin moves forward with plan for parks over I-35
- Downtown report: Office vacancies up, infrastructure growth continues
- External review finds data inconsistencies in APD reporting on use of force
- Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
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Environment
Austin Resource Recovery expands waste services and reuse programs
Austin Resource Recovery shared the department’s latest initiatives with the Environmental Commission, detailing expanded waste collection services and sustainability programs aimed at keeping Austin cleaner and advancing the city’s zero-waste goals. Ron Romero, Assistant Director of Austin Resource Recovery, said…
Resources • By Madeline de Figueiredo • Jun 2, 2025
Austin could soon see more rooftop solar power systems on public buildings
If you thought the city of Austin already had a program to install rooftop solar systems on its municipal buildings, you weren’t alone. Many others believed the same, according to Kaiba White of Public Citizen’s Texas office. ‘I don’t know…
Energy • By Amy Smith • May 29, 2025
Austin gas rates are up and they're set to go higher. Here's why.
Between recording sessions in KUTX’s music studio a while back, sound engineer Jake Perlman brought up something decidedly un-rock-and-roll: his gas bill. The first few months of the year, Perlman said, he paid about double what he had paid during…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • May 28, 2025
A plan to end night swimming at Barton Springs is over before it ever began
The city’s parks department has backed away from a plan to close Barton Springs Pool an hour earlier this summer. The change would have eliminated the free daily night swims — full moon or not. “While the Parks and Recreation…
Parks • By Lina Fisher • May 28, 2025
Zero Waste Advisory Commission discusses rate changes and projects
Austin’s Zero Waste Advisory Commission (ZWAC) met on May 14 where appointees heard a five-year financial forecast for Austin Resource Recovery and a report on the utility’s current projects. May is typically when city staff present their departmental financial forecasts…
Resources • By Mina Shekarchi • May 16, 2025
New Data Center Planned for Lockhart in 2028
Only a few weeks after Austin City Council passed a resolution requiring various regulations on artificial intelligence operations, a new 2GW data center is coming to Lockhart. Tract, a Colorado-based developer, has secured 1,500 acres for a “megasite” in Caldwell…
Energy • By Lina Fisher • May 15, 2025
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Environmental Commission approves heritage tree removal for East Austin housing project
The Environmental Commission voted to approve the removal of a 32-inch heritage pecan tree in East Austin to allow construction of a 120-unit supportive housing project for youth exiting foster care and the juvenile justice system. “This is the exact…
Development • By Madeline de Figueiredo • May 14, 2025
Parks funding recommendations expected to go before Council this month
The Parks and Recreation Department is moving forward with an effort to identify new funding options for the city’s park system, with a pair of outside consultants on board that have helped other large cities find and address funding gaps…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • May 9, 2025
PARD’s annual report shows progress toward providing equitable access to parks
City parks in the U.S. may historically get the short end of the stick during budget allocations, but Austin’s Parks and Recreation Department continues working on its 2030 long-range plan with a fair amount of success. According to the department’s…
Parks • By Amy Smith • May 9, 2025
Austin Energy’s annual report highlights growing demand, help for ratepayers
Austin Energy set new peak demand records for both summer and winter, according to a new report from the utility’s departing General Manager, Bob Kahn. Kahn released the utility’s FY2024 annual report last week. In addition to setting new records,…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Apr 30, 2025
City releases 'State of the Environment' report
The City of Austin released its annual State of the Environment Report on Earth Day, providing an update on Austin’s air and water quality, urban forest, parkland, and climate resilience in 2024. The city’s environmental officer is tasked with compiling…
Environment • By Mina Shekarchi • Apr 25, 2025
Resource Management Commission continues to explore potential audit of Austin Energy district cooling system
Austin Energy may soon be on the hook to set the record straight on its District Energy & Cooling System, as a proposal to conduct an audit on its finances gathers momentum at the Resource Management Commission. The resolution, brought…
