06 May AE Governance Vote POSTPONED to MAY 23RD!
Keep the Power in Our Hands
Since 1910, Austin's publicly owned electric utility has been accountable to its elected representatives. The Austin City Council proposes to change this without a public vote, as required by the City Charter.
Public accountability is a keystone of democratic government. Creating an insulated board could have severe implications for values, goals, and institutions unique to Austin.
• Austin probably has the longest continuously running clean energy effort in the country. This was a direct result of the electorate demanding it.
• Between 2004 and 2011, Austin''s rates were 41% lower than deregulated private utilities in Texas. The recent controversial electric rate increase was greatly reduced because of City Council intervention.
• The utility's profits fund necessary City services. The profits from private utilities leave the Austin to fund pension funds and sports cars.
• Austin has an elaborate safety net to assist low-income customers who have a hard time paying their bill. Most other cities and utilities do not have this level of funding and outreach.
The only "constituency" that is clamoring for a board at this time is a coalition of large commercial and industrial customer who get rate breaks collectively worth $20 million a year. Unlike you, they are immune from rate increases until 2015. Opponents of this proposal are worried that the new board will continue to give these wealthy customers discounts.
1. Call City Council TODAY. Urge them to vote NO on the ordinance (Item 15) to change Austin Energy Governance to an unelected board!
Mayor Lee Leffingwell 974-2250
Sheryl Cole 974-2266
Chris Riley 974-2260
Mike Martinez 974-2264
Kathie Tovo 974-2255
Laura Morrison 974-2258
Bill Spelman 974-2256
2. E-mail City Council TODAY with the same message.
Lee.Leffingwell@austintexas.
Sheryl.Cole@austintexas.gov
Chris.Riley@austintexas.gov
Mike.Martinez@austintexas.gov
Kathie.Tovo@austintexas.gov
Laura.Morrison@austintexas.gov
Bill.Spelman@austintexas.gov
3. Come to City Council to speak against this.
Probably 4 PM or later. We’ll post the time online when we get a “time certain” at www.CleanEnergyforAustin.org.
We’ll bring some food; feel free to bring more.
4. Call (512) 797-8481 to volunteer.
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In response to postponement Karen Hadden from the SEED Coalition had this to say: "Numerous citizens were planning to attend the council meeting to express concerns, and had gone out of their way to arrange their schedules to be there. The mayor completely removed the issue from discussion, not just from a council vote.
The disregard for citizens' input and time is appalling. Perhaps the mayor's move is simply a response to citizens having organized more effectively than special interest groups, such as CCARE, who haven't been able to mobilize support for changing the governance of Austin Energy." We agree. The rally may also be postponed. Rally info here.
"Since 1910, Austin's publicly owned electric utility has been accountable to its elected representatives. The Austin City Council proposes to change this without a public vote, as required by the City Charter" writes Paul Robbins. Paul Robbin's article here.
We like our utility. The current governance has enabled the people of Austin to push for the sustainable energy they want: Renewable energy investments that have led to the Green Choice program, energy efficiency and renewable home power generation rebates for solar and micro wind systems. Without this utility control, the people of Austin would have been powerless in implementing and getting the type of energy we wanted, instead at the mercy of more profit motivated interests. Where do you stand on this issue? Let us know on our facebook page and come to council May 23rd. Rally info here.
You can also contact your State Reps about a bill on the state level, SB 410 filed by Sen. Watson and is being carried by Rep. Paul Workman in the House, that would restrict local municipalities from governing their own energy utilities. Read more here.
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