Texas Gas Service (TGS) has filed for its third rate increase in approximately 12 months, affecting customers in Austin and surrounding areas. On Thursday the Austin City Council is expected to approve a 90-day delay of the proposal, though the city has limited authority to block it. The city does not own its gas utility […]
Resource Management Commission
A commission that reviews and advises the city council on renewable energy technologies.
Posted inWater
City leaders evaluate surprising ideas for water conservation
Paul Robbins said he had two main goals when he presented his water conservation ideas to the Resource Management Commission this month. “First is to convey a sense of urgency,” he said. “Austin is as little as 15 years and one bad drought away from dry lakes and a water crisis. This is not science […]
Posted inEnergy
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 the same months the previous year — despite using less gas at times. “I could […]
Posted inEnergy
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 forward by Commissioner Paul Robbins, comes after the utility proposed selling the system to a […]
Posted inEnergy
Resource Management Commission, Austin Energy discuss reforms to homeowner solar incentives
The Resource Management Commission held an extended discussion on March 25 on a resolution urging Austin Energy, by way of City Council, to undertake several key reforms to residential solar incentive programs. The resolution, titled “Resolution on Changes to Residential Rooftop Solar Program,” was presented by Commissioner Dino Sasaridis, who co-authored it along with commissioners […]
Posted inEnergy
Austin Energy seeks to dampen fears of cooling department employees
Despite assurances that Austin Energy is not currently contemplating a sale of its District Energy and Cooling Department, called the DEC, some employees remain concerned that the utility might decide to sell the cooling system, which provides chilled water cooling for producing electricity. According to the utility, “overall, Austin Energy’s district cooling facilities serve more […]
Posted inCity Hall
Resource Management Commission recommends against proposed merge
Members of the Resource Management Commission voted unanimously to recommend against a resurrected proposal to merge the RMC with the Zero Waste Advisory Commission, or ZWAC, at a special called meeting on Feb. 3. In their resolution making the “no” recommendation, the RMC argued that the overlap between the two commissions is “narrow in scope” […]
Posted inEnergy
Kirk Watson, Ryan Alter propose competing amendments to Austin Energy plan
Gearing up for a vote Thursday on Austin Energy’s Resource Generation Plan, Mayor Kirk Watson and Council Member Ryan Alter have each proposed amendments to a plan that has gone through a variety of iterations and gained the endorsement of the Electric Utility Commission and the Resource Management Commission. Both groups suggested changes that do […]
Posted inResources
Council rejects Texas Gas Service rate hike
Despite reining in its initial proposal, Texas Gas Service has still failed to win over City Council in its endeavor to raise prices for Austin ratepayers. The utility faced backlash this summer with news of its plans to aggressively hike fixed monthly fees, prompting Austin and 16 other cities in its service area to join […]
Posted inEnergy
Major gas bill hike to be contested by city this fall
You might have a much higher gas bill next year, pending an upcoming decision this fall by the Texas Railroad Commission, which oversees the state’s oil and gas industry. Texas Gas Service proposed a rate hike this year that could raise some Austin-area residents’ bills by up to $10 a month next year. It was […]
Posted inResources
At Council Member Alison Alter’s urging, city commission may have input on natural gas matters
Members of the city’s Resource Management Commission have been trying for months to find out how they can weigh in on the current rate case for Texas Gas Service. They have passed a number of resolutions seeking to have input – not only on the cost of natural gas to consumers, but also on prioritizing […]
Posted inEnergy
Commission resolution aims to slow down sale of district chilling system
City Council is scheduled to consider hiring J.P. Morgan Securities LLC to advise on the potential sale of Austin Energy’s district cooling system, but not everyone thinks that is a good idea. The Resource Management Commission will likely ask Council to postpone evaluation of the sale of the chilling system at its meeting next Tuesday, […]