Rally & Vote on Austin Energy Governance Change to Unelected Board. Council, vote no!

This Thursday, May 23, City Council is prepared to take testimony on whether Austin Energy, the City's publicly owned utility, should be governed by an independent board unaccountable to the public, or continue to stay under the stewardship of City Council, which is directly accountable to the voters.  Rally at 6pm and hearing at 7 PM.  Checkwww.CleanEnergyForAustin.org for updates on the schedule.

Environmentalists and consumer advocates have banded together to oppose this board since it was first proposed in early February.  An independent board could compromise Austin's continued leadership in clean energy programs and its efforts to make electricity affordable to the poor.  Depending on how it is structured, a board could also increase rates much higher than they are justified.  The City Council's direct intervention lowered last year's proposed rate increase by the utility markedly.

The only constituency clamoring for an independent board is a group of large industries in the region.  It is probable that most of these companies are already receiving rate breaks that were immune from the recent electric rate increases.  

Again, the hearing is this Thursday, probably at 7 PM.  Check the Web site above for update on the time.  Food will be provided.