23 Feb Electric Utility Commission Meeting Tonight – Work To Implement Austin Energy Generation Plan

Austin's Electric Utility Commission (E.U.C.) meets tonight as they work on the implementation phase of the Austin Energy Generation Plan. It positions Austin as a global leader in renewable energy and helps us meet our important climate goals. The meeting takes place Monday, February 23, 2015 at 6:00 PM at the Austin Energy Headquarters, 721 Barton Spring Road. Free parking is available in the garage behind the building and in the Palmer Event Center across the road.

The E.U.C. will be discussing the new Austin Energy Generation Plan, evaluating options for increased energy efficiency in the pending independent study of Austin Energy’s proposed 500 MW natural gas plant and discussing other options including wind and solar as alternatives based on historical load and cost data.

The Commission is a group of citizen specialists in energy that reviews Austin Energy’s programs and proposals, making recommendations to Austin City Council. Their work is important in setting the policy goals of our citizen owned utility. This meeting is a good time for your voice to be heard in the citizen communication at the start of the meeting. Come early and sign up to speak.

Here are key elements of the plan being needing action:

• To ensure that the gas plant study is thorough, fair, and credible and evaluates the best combinations of alternatives, including renewable wind and solar, energy storage, energy efficiency and demand response.
• To ensure that the Request For Proposal (RFP) for 600 MW additional utility scale solar called for in the Generation Plan goes forward quickly. The plan targets the first 200 MW of that to be online by 2016. Austin’s recent purchase of 150 MW solar was below 5¢ per KWH, set a world standard and will help to reduce Austin electric costs when it comes on line in 2017. The proposal seeks to obtain more utility scale solar at similar rates, positioning Austin as a world leader in solar, while reducing costs to ratepayers.
• To work on the energy efficiency and demand response goals so that we reach the high end of what is practical and affordable.
• To work for the implementation of the Fayette retirement fund with economic options to keep from raising rates as we retire our largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
• To work for a Request For Information (RFI) – vendor proposal – for utility scale storage so that we can better understand is what is possible in today’s marketplace and have a robust pursuit of our best options.

The E.U.C. and Austin Energy have a lot on the table. Come tonight, support the E.U.C. and contribute to Austin’s clean energy future.