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Most Popular Stories
- Former Council Member and dedicated environmentalist Jackie Goodman has died
- Despite safety concerns, Council OKs new buildings above Shoal Creek
- As Acacia Cliffs rezoning is approved, Critics say Council has sold out on its affordability commitments
- A multi-family rezoning at the rugged edge of Northwest Austin
- Texas lawmakers finalize bill limiting property owners’ right to protest new homes nearby
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Environment
Watershed Protection to begin multiyear study of trash in waterways
With trash and contaminants like dockless scooters rapidly accumulating in city creeks and rivers, Watershed Protection is kicking off a two-year, three-part study to better understand the impact of litter on city waterways. The study begins this month with a…
Environment • By Ryan Thornton • Mar 6, 2020
White-nose syndrome has been found in Texas. Here's what that means.
Texas’ first case of white-nose syndrome in bats has been confirmed. The fungus that causes the disease was first detected in Texas bats in 2017, but the disease itself, which has killed millions of bats on the East Coast, hadn’t…
Environment • By Andrew Weber, KUT • Mar 6, 2020
Digital meter reading coming to Austin Water
Austin Water is preparing to roll out digital water meters that will allow the utility, as well as individual customers, to see how much water each customer is using every hour. Ultimately, every single one of the utility’s 240,000 meters…
Water • By Jo Clifton • Mar 6, 2020
City's waste collection problem solved
According to a memo from Deputy Procurement Officer Shawn Willett, the city of Austin now has three short-term contracts for the disposal of refuse, recycling, brush and compostable materials. The city’s procurement team and members of Austin Resource Recovery scrambled…
Resources • By Jo Clifton • Mar 3, 2020
Council members discuss how Austin Energy’s billing system disproportionally affects vulnerable customers
Austin Energy makes its revenue from customers purchasing energy from the fourth and fifth tiers of its five-tiered residential billing structure. However, with more Austinites living in multifamily units and homes becoming more energy-efficient, 76 percent of residential energy consumption…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 28, 2020
Parks board does deep dive on Austin City Limits Fest contract for Zilker Park
The city’s contract with Austin City Limits promoter C3 Presents was put under the microscope at Tuesday’s meeting of the Parks and Recreation Board, as part of an overall look at how the Parks and Recreation Department can generate more…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 27, 2020
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Land use code to protect transit-oriented trees and increase canopy cover
A recent amendment to the draft Land Development Code could change how heritage tree preservation impacts new development on corridors. Council Member Paige Ellis offered a concept last week, the Supplemental Heritage Tree Preservation Program, that she said would help…
Environment • By Ryan Thornton • Feb 24, 2020
More energy-efficient homes are straining Austin Energy's revenues
Austin Energy began its year with higher-than-expected revenues thanks to warmer temperatures this fall. “We’re about 5 percent over the forecast for the quarter in consumption,” said Stephanie Koudelka, the utility’s principal accounting manager, at the Feb. 10 meeting of…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 21, 2020
Water and Wastewater Commission learns cause of foamy water
On Jan. 22, residents in South Austin reported foamy water in their taps following the Austin Fire Department’s extinguishing of a church fire. At the Feb. 12 meeting of the Water and Wastewater Commission, Rick Coronado, the assistant director of…
Water • By Jessi Devenyns • Feb 19, 2020
Opponents of Austin trash transfer station take their case to the state
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality held a public hearing Thursday night on a proposal to build a garbage transfer station in North Austin. The project is facing growing opposition from public officials, neighbors and environmental groups. The Austin Community…
Resources • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Feb 7, 2020
Parks staff mark completion of first phase of Walnut Creek trail project
The city has brought to a close all major work on the portion of the Walnut Creek Hike and Bike Trail that runs through Balcones District Park, located to the west of MoPac Expressway. In a presentation to the Parks…
Parks • By Chad Swiatecki • Feb 4, 2020
Oakwood Cemetery chapel report soon to be released
After years of anticipation, the Parks and Recreation Department has finalized its report on the East Austin Oakwood Cemetery chapel restoration project. The two-volume report will soon be delivered to the Texas Historical Commission for review. The city received the…
