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Energy
Austin Energy touts its weatherization program for limited-income customers
Sarah Chatterjee, the new director of energy efficiency services for Austin Energy, presented the utility’s new weatherization programs for low-income customers before the Electric Utility Commission on Jan. 11. The program is aimed at providing weatherproofing modifications, optimizing energy efficiencies and…
Energy • By Seth Smalley • Jan 19, 2021
Combating climate change in Austin to start at Austin Energy
As the Office of Sustainability’s newly revised Climate Equity Plan makes its way through boards and commissions for public comment, its latest stop was the Electric Utility Commission on Sept. 14. Zach Baumer, who is the program manager for the…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Sep 17, 2020
Austin Energy price on coal energy reduces emissions 20 percent since March
In a little over four months, Austin Energy’s carbon pricing program, REACH (Reduce Emissions Affordably for Climate Health) has cut the utility’s carbon emissions by roughly 20 percent, saving more than 480,000 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere since the…
Energy • By Ryan Thornton • Aug 20, 2020
Electric Utility Commission won't recommend Austin Energy technology contract
At its Monday meeting, the Electric Utility Commission took a hard look at a purchasing contract that would have authorized $62 million in contracts for computer, network and other technology hardware. Ultimately, none of the commissioners made a motion to…
Energy • By Nina Hernandez • Aug 12, 2020
Austin Energy to adjust customer rebates to achieve carbon-free energy goals
In an effort to encourage the more efficient and sustainable use of utilities, Austin Energy offers a host of rebate programs to residential and commercial customers through its Customer Energy Solutions division. This fiscal year, even with a lull in…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • Jul 29, 2020
Austin Energy Covid rates could revert as soon as November
During an Austin Energy budget presentation on Friday, the Electric Utility Commission learned that the rate cuts the utility put into place this spring as part of its Covid-19 recovery efforts will expire at the end of this fiscal year.…
Energy • By Nina Hernandez • Jul 20, 2020
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Cities, Texas Gas Service agree to settlement
Attorneys for Central Texas cities including Austin and Gulf Coast cities including Beaumont and Port Arthur, along with attorneys representing the staff of the Texas Railroad Commission, have reached a settlement agreement with Texas Gas Service for a rate increase…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Jun 2, 2020
Austin Energy expects only small revenue reduction from Covid-19 bill relief
Although Austin Energy expects to provide both residential and commercial customers with $35 million in bill relief between now and Sept. 30, the utility does not expect the rate reduction to greatly affect its balance sheet. Austin Energy’s Chief Financial…
Energy • By Jessi Devenyns • May 14, 2020
Environmental, consumer groups oppose gas rate hike
Nine leaders of environmental and consumer organizations have sent a letter to the mayor and City Council urging them to reject the rate increase proposed by Texas Gas Service and restructure its rates in a manner designed to help low-income…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • May 1, 2020
City utilities offering more help with bills
Austin Energy and Austin Water, two enterprise departments that help fund the city’s operations, are giving back to the community in the form of reduced electric and water and wastewater bills during the Covid-19 pandemic. Each utility is also contributing…
Energy • By Jo Clifton • Apr 23, 2020
Hays County revokes permits for Kinder Morgan pipeline
The Hays County Commissioners Court has revoked permits it issued allowing Kinder Morgan’s Permian Highway pipeline project to bore under county roads. The move is the most recent flare-up in a long-standing battle between Hill Country landowners, local governments and…
Energy • By Mose Buchele, KUT • Apr 23, 2020
No hearing on gas rates this week
Negotiators for the city of Austin and Texas Gas Service, which provides residential and commercial services to Austin and the surrounding communities, have not been able to reach agreement on new rates for residential customers, Larry Graham, a spokesperson for…