Do you know where the electricity in your house comes from? Coal? Solar? Nuclear? The answer impacts everything from climate change to environmental justice. That’s why we write stories about the local effort to make Austin’s energy supply more sustainable.
Thinking of ways to reduce your energy usage? One simple step that you can take is to install a smart thermostat in your home. These thermostats are connected to the internet, can be adjusted remotely, and usually “learn” your living habits in order to run
One of the EcoNetwork’s main goals this fall is to educate the public about the importance of local elections. The past few weeks, we’ve shared with you information about how to determine which City Council district you live in, how to register to vote, and
Austin is leading the way in advancing solar energy in the US. This week, the city was recognized by the US Department of Energy for its work in improving access to solar energy. Together, Austin City Council, local advocates, and Austin Energy have done this by
Austin Energy is nearing the end of its 2016 rate case, and the results will have consequences for everyone living in the City of Austin. Why? A rate case is essentially an opportunity for Austin Energy to review the rates it charges to all of its customers,
Austin Energy is once again breaking barriers, this time by launching the country’s first E-Bike Fleet Rebate Program. The idea is to promote the use of electric bicycles for commuting, deliveries, and transportation, especially in the downtown core. Last week, Bike Texas became the first
Sponsored Post – from NATiVE MamaBaby, a non-profit birthing center that provides free prenatal, birth, and postpartum services to expectant mothers in Haiti approached us requesting a feasibility study for a solar installation with batteries. The birthing center was not tied to the grid. The
Guest Post – from Public Citizen Texas A rate case is fundamentally about determining how much money an electric utility needs to collect from ratepayers to pay for expenses (and make some return on investment), how those expenses will be divided among the different customer
Austin is a nationwide leader in renewable energy adoption. According to the latest rankings from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Austin Energy sold more renewable energy in 2015 than any other public power utility in the country. It was the only public power utility
Sponsored Post – from NATiVE The 20th Annual Cool House Tour, a collaboration of Austin Energy Green Building (AEGB) and the Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) is this Sunday, June 12th from 10am to 6pm! This year there are eight homes, two communities, and
Austin Energy is getting close to the launch of its innovative new Community Solar program. The idea is to provide clean energy access to those who traditionally haven’t had it. This includes anyone from apartment-dwellers to those that can’t afford the large, upfront costs associated with rooftop
Tickets are now available for the 20th Annual Cool House Tour on June 12th! Tickets can be purchased in advance online for $20 (plus a $1 processing fee). Tickets are also available at TreeHouse and Zinger Hardware. The Cool House Tour is an annual self-guided tour
After a lot of debate, Austin Energy has decided to back away from a plan to build a new natural gas plant in Austin. At last week’s Electric Utility Commission meeting, Austin Energy announced that it has at least temporarily abandoned the plan. The reason comes down