TipSheet: Austin Energy Utility Oversight Commitee 8.27.15

This week, the Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee will hold its monthly meeting. Unlike other committees, this one is a committee of the whole, so we’ve given it its own little tip sheet. Following the committee’s adjournment, City Council members convene to hold their last public budget hearing. Below are the Austin Energy items that caught our eye:

4. Staff update regarding the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2025.

Monitor’s take: We aren’t exactly sure what this update will entail, considering the consultant for the gen plan study was only recently selected. It could be a more general update, though.

5. Briefing and discussion regarding implementation and enforcement of the Energy Conservation Audit and Disclosure Ordinance.

6. Update regarding distributed solar incentive program.

Monitor’s take: Looking through the backup, these two items appear to be fairly standard updates. One of the ECAD slides does exclaim, “First in the nation!” though, so that could be exciting.

7. Discussion and possible action on a resolution regarding the procurement of solar generation. (SPONSORS: Council Member Delia Garza, Mayor Pro Tem Kathie Tovo, Council Member Gregorio Casar, Council Member Leslie Pool & Council Member Ann Kitchen).

Monitor’s take: In June, we reported on the fact that although solar prices were low, the utility was urging purchasing caution. That discussion swirled around the Request for Proposal for up to 600 megawatts of competitive solar contracts. Council will consider that proposal again today and decide whether to move forward with adopting a policy goal of investing in the 600 megawatts of utility scale solar before 2017.