17 Feb Better process needed for Austin’s Energy Generation Plan

I attended the "Our Power, Our Generation" event last Saturday and got a bit more steeped in the conversation around the development of Austin Energy's new Energy Generation Plan. If you missed it  you can see a recap of the highlights by clicking here or following the hashtag #OurPower on Twitter.

Council member Mike Martinez says we could reach our climate targets if we stick with the 2007 plan adopted by Council, requiring our coal-fired Fayette Power plant to be shut down by 2020. He said wind and solar have become game-changers for Austin's energy planning. Instead, we are talking about the possibility of phasing it out by 2025.

In this video Khalil Shalabi, Vice President of Energy Market Operations & Resource Planning for Austin Energy points to external forces, such as legislation or carbon taxes, or market forces, like an increase in the price of coal, as the only things he could see making sense to rate payers or Austin Energy to retire the Fayette Coal Power Plant before 2025.

As Al Braden made clear in this blog Austin Energy's presentation of scenarios (and includes a scary chart showing price increases associated with closing Fayette) is only a one-year snapshot that Austin Energy developed without sharing details about pricing, assumptions or other factors.

Tom "Smitty" Smith of Public Citizen called for a Generation Plan Task Force. Others added that the public hearings need to go beyond dog and pony shows. We need a process that:

• includes public input
• includes council participation
• is livestreamed
• is transparent
• is open to all and accessible when working people can participate.
• includes real data that can lead to informed choices
• A plan that gets us off coal and on to a renewable future* at affordable rates.**

Austin Energy has one way to participate so make yourself heard!  Follow this link to send your comments on the Generation Plan and getting off coal!  http://bit.ly/PeoplesGenPlan
Talk about what matters to you. Let's demand an open and transparent process in planning Austin's energy future.

* If we want more solar, then Austin Energy needs to get out of the way of solar installations and business by promoting more community solar and allowing solar leasing through 3rd party ownership.

** It is shocking but true that 25% of Austin Energy customers are at 200% or less of the poverty level! We need to budget more for energy efficiency and weatherizing programs. I liked what I heard about San Antonio's Promotoras who do outreach and let people know about energy conservation and other programs people may qualify for.