REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MARCH 18, 2024 6:00 PM AUSTIN ENERGY HEADQUARTERS/SHUDDE FATH CONFERENCE ROOM 4815 MUELLER BLVD AUSTIN, TEXAS Some members of the Electric Utility Commission maybe participating by videoconference. Public comment will be allowed in-person or remotely by telephone. Speakers may only register to speak on an item once either in-person or remotely and will be allowed up to three minutes to provide their comments. Registration no later than noon the day before the meeting is required for remote participation. To register contact Robin Otto, at Robin.Otto@austinenergy.com or via phone at 512-322-6254. AGENDA Members: Dave Tuttle, Chair Kaiba White, Vice Chair Raul Alvarez Cesar Benavides Jonathon Blackburn Randy Chapman Mick Long Cyrus Reed Vacant Vacant Vacant CALL MEETING TO ORDER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL The first 5 speakers signed up prior to the meeting being called to order will each be allowed a three-minute allotment to address their concerns regarding items not posted on the agenda. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular meeting on February 12, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for demand response program support and consulting services with CLEAResult Consulting, Inc., for up to three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,300,000. 3. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a revenue contract for reclamation services with Austin Metal & Iron Co LP, for up to five years for a total estimated revenue amount of $5,000,000. 4. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 3203 and 3207 Jones Road, Sunset Valley, Texas, 78745, in an amount not to exceed $119,899. 5. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for mobile medical surveillance and related services with Capitol Medical Services, LLC, for up to three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $500,000. 6. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an electronic visitor management system with Force 5, Inc., for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $700,000. 7. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for Doble testing equipment and related services with Doble Engineering Company, for up to five years, for a total contract amount not to exceed $586,500. 8. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution …
Electric Utility Commission RECOMMENDATION 20240318-12 Date: March 18, 2024 Subject: Austin Energy Budget Recommendations Motioned By: Seconded By: Recommendations on the FY 24-25 Budget Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Low-Income Bill Discounts: Low-income residents are struggling with the lack of affordability in Austin and Austin Energy has increased customer bills three times in the past year and a half. Utility bill discounts are one of the limited tools that the City of Austin has available to address affordability. Austin Energy customers pay a dedicated Customer Assistance Program fee for this purpose. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that: a. The default bill discount for customers eligible for the Customer Assistance Program be increased to 15%, as it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; and b. All bill discounts for lower-income residents be paid from the Customer Assistance Program fund, including bill discounts for low-income Community Solar subscribers. 2. Transmission Improvements: Improvements to Austin Energy’s transmission system are essential for mitigating local congestion that increases costs to the utility and customers and for enabling the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Austin Energy commissioned a study that identified five recommended types of transmission upgrades. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that these recommended upgrades be implemented as quickly as possible and that sufficient funding be allocated to this need to ensure that that of funds is not a source of delay. 3. Fayette Coal Plant: Austin Energy and the Austin City Council have established that shutting down Austin Energy’s portion of the Fayette coal plant is a top priority. Investing in an asset that the utility is actively trying to shut down is not a prudent use of ratepayer or utility funds. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that the budget not include any investments in Fayette.
Item 13 BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Electric Utility Commission Resolution 20240318-13 on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts and community members and met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas-burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT …
EUC Report re Council Action March 18, 2024 Item 15 Item below recommended by EUC February 12; Council approved on date indicated in parenthesis. (2/15) Recommend authorizing execution of a contract for construction services, for the Kramer Lane Substation project with Capital Excavation Company, in the amount of $12,272,916 plus a $1,227,291 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $13,500,207. (2/15) Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an underground feasibility and overhead distribution resilience study with Burns & McDonnel Engineering Company, Inc., in an amount not to exceed $1,725,000. (2/15) Recommend authorizing an amendment to the 2023 Chilled Water Construction in the Right-of-Way Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity construction contract with DeNucci Constructors to increase the amount by $6,250,000, for a revised total contract amount not to exceed $31,250,000. (2/29) Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a multi-term cooperative contract to provide rental of industrial equipment with United Rentals (North America) Inc, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $4,500,000. (2/29) Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for Splunk cyber security software products and services, with GTS Technology Solutions, Inc., for a term of three years in an amount not to exceed $1,200,000. (2/29) Recommend authorizing execution of a contract for construction services with Alpha Paving Industries, LLC to provide a New Austin Energy Pole Yard at St. Elmo Service Center in the amount of $312,470, plus a $31,247 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $343,717. (2/29) Recommend authorizing execution of a contract for ION meters with Dealers Electrical Supply d/b/a Dealers Electrical Supply Co, for up to five years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,500,000. (2/29) Recommend authorizing execution of a contract for construction services for the Brazos Street Duct Bank Civil Work project with Facilities Rehabilitation Inc., in the amount of $1,967,535 plus a $196,754 contingency for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,164,289. (2/29) Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to KMFA Station, for the installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 41 Navasota St, Austin, TX, 78702, in an amount not to exceed $80,676. (2/29) Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to Kensington Apartments, LLC, for the installation of solar electric systems on their facility located at 3300 Manor Rd Austin, TX, 78723, in …
Item 2 ..Title Posting Language Authorize negotiation and execution of a contract for demand response program support and consulting services with CLEAResult Consulting, Inc., for up to three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,300,000. [Note: This solicitation was reviewed for subcontracting opportunities in accordance with City Code Chapter 2-9B (Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Procurement Program). For the services required for this solicitation, there were no subcontracting opportunities; therefore, no subcontracting goals were established.] ..Body Lead Department Financial Services Department. Client Department(s) Austin Energy. Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $447,222 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Operating Budget of Austin Energy. Funding for the remaining contract term is contingent upon available funding in future budgets. Purchasing Language: The Financial Services Department issued Request for Proposals (RFP) 1100 DCM3023 for these services. The solicitation was issued on October 16, 2023, and closed on November 16, 2023. Of the three offers received, the recommended contractor submitted the best evaluated offer. A complete solicitation package, including a log of offers received, is available for viewing on the City’s Financial Services website, Austin Finance Online. This information can currently be found at: https://financeonline.austintexas.gov/afo/account_services/solicitation/solicitation_details.cfm?sid=139489 . For More Information: Direct questions regarding this Recommendation for Council Action to the Financial Services Department – Central Procurement at: FSDCentralProcurementRCAs@austintexas.gov or 512-974-2500. Respondents to the solicitation and their Agents should direct all questions to the Authorized Contact Person identified in the solicitation. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: March 18, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utilities Commission. Additional Backup Information: The contract will provide technical services in support of Austin Energy’s demand response programs, with an emphasis on the expansion of the Commercial and Industrial Demand Response program. The contractor will work with Austin Energy and its customers to grow the program through marketing, education, participant enrollment, customer system design and installation, event functions, post-event reporting, and maintenance. The contractor will also evaluate the performance of all demand response programs and provide program enhancement recommendations through industry insight. Austin Energy’s demand response programs provide incentives to customers for curtailing energy use upon request during peak demand periods. The program contributes to Electric Reliability Council of Texas grid reliability and supports the City’s sustainability goals, which call for savings through energy efficiency and conservation efforts. An evaluation team with expertise in this area evaluated the offers and scored CLEAResult Consulting …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Electric Utility Commission Resolution 20240318-13 on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the climate crisis continues to worsen and is causing harm to the Austin community. Immediately reducing greenhouse emissions is essential; and WHEREAS, the Austin Climate Equity Plan established a goal for the Austin community to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, with approximately 75 percent reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 established that Austin Energy would achieve 100% carbon-free energy by 2035 and that Austin Energy would no longer invest in fossil fuel resources; and WHEREAS, in December 2022, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution 20221201- 040, which directed Austin Energy to collaborate with the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) to update the 2030 Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan; and WHEREAS, the electric market and federal incentives have changed significantly since the last update, and the financial viability of battery storage (as evidenced by widespread investment within the ERCOT market), as well as opportunities to improve energy efficiency and demand response programs and increase deployment of local solar make a transition to clean energy possible; and WHEREAS, the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group consisted of 16 energy experts and community members and met 14 times between September 2023 and January 2024 to learn about and discuss a wide variety of energy topics; and WHEREAS, the existing Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 includes a goal to achieve carbon-free generation by 2035, which implies that Austin Energy’s gas-burning generation would be shut down, but the plan does not include details on how to fully replace those resources; and WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Working Group identifies a robust suite of clean energy resources that can be used to allow Austin Energy to achieve a full transition away from fossil fuels and other polluting resources, while maintaining reliability and affordability; WHEREAS, the plan recommended by the Electric Utility Commission Resource Planning Group could benefit from further refinement and input from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, full the implementation of strategies to enable the transition to clean energy takes time, so moving from planning to implementation in a timely manner is important; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s mission is to deliver clean, affordable, reliable energy and excellent customer service, NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the …
Electric Utility Commission RECOMMENDATION 20240318-12 Date: March 18, 2024 Subject: Budget Recommendations on the Austin Energy FY 2025 Budget Motioned By: Commissioner Chapman Seconded By: Commissioner Reed Recommendations on the FY 24-25 Budget Description of Recommendation to Council 1. Low-Income Bill Discounts: Low-income residents are struggling with the lack of affordability in Austin and Austin Energy has increased customer bills three times in the past year and a half. Utility bill discounts are one of the limited tools that the City of Austin has available to address affordability. Austin Energy customers pay a dedicated Customer Assistance Program fee for this purpose. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that: a. The default bill discount for customers eligible for the Customer Assistance Program be increased, as it was during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic; and b. All bill discounts for lower-income residents be paid from the Customer Assistance Program fund, including bill discounts for low-income Community Solar subscribers. 2. Transmission Improvements: Improvements to Austin Energy’s transmission system are essential for mitigating local congestion that increases costs to the utility and customers and for enabling the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. Austin Energy commissioned a study that identified five recommended types of transmission upgrades. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that these recommended upgrades be implemented as quickly as possible and that sufficient funding be allocated to this need to ensure that that of funds is not a source of delay. 3. Fayette Coal Plant: Austin Energy and the Austin City Council have established that shutting down Austin Energy’s portion of the Fayette coal plant is a top priority. Investing in an asset that the utility is actively trying to shut down is not a prudent use of ratepayer or utility funds. The Electric Utility Commission recommends that the budget not include any capital investments in Fayette. Chair Dave Tuttle; Vice Chair Kaiba White, Commissioner Raul Alvarez; Commissioner Jonathon Blackburn; Commissioner Randy Chapman; Commissioner Mick Long; Commissioner Cyrus Reed Vote: For: 7-0-1 Against: None Off Dais: None Absences: None Abstentions: Commissioner Cesar Benavides Vacancies: District 1; District 6; District 8 Attest: Robin Otto, Staff Liaison
ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Monday, March 18, 2024 The Electric Utility Commission convened in a regular meeting on Monday, March 18, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Dave Tuttle called the Electric Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:03 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Dave Tuttle, Chair; Kaiba White, Vice Chair; Jonathon Blackburn, Cesar Benavides, Randy Chapman, Mick Long, Cyrus Reed Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Raul Alvarez PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL There was 1 speaker under general communications. Scott Johnson spoke about a lawnmower rebate program. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular Meeting on February 12, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Regular Electric Utility Commission meeting of February 12, 2024, were approved on Commissioner Blackburn’s motion, Commissioner Chapman’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Alvarez off the dais and three vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS The motion to approve recommendations 3, 4, 6-11 were approved on Commissioner White’s motion, Commissioner Blackburn’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Alvarez off the dais and three vacancies. The motion to approve recommendation 2 was approved on Commissioner Reed’s motion, Commissioner White’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Alvarez off the dais and three vacancies. The motion to approve recommendation 5 was approved on Commissioner Chapman’s motion, Commissioner Reed’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Alvarez off the dais and three vacancies. 2. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for demand response program support and consulting services with CLEAResult Consulting, Inc., for up to three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $2,300,000. 3. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a revenue contract for reclamation services with Austin Metal & Iron Co LP, for up to five years for a total estimated revenue amount of $5,000,000. 4. Recommend approving issuance of a capacity-based incentive to the City of Sunset Valley for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 3203 and 3207 Jones Road, Sunset Valley, Texas, 78745, in an amount not to exceed $119,899. 5. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for mobile medical surveillance and related services with Capitol Medical Services, LLC, for up to three years for a total contract amount not to exceed $500,000. 6. Recommend authorizing negotiation and execution of a contract for an electronic visitor management system with Force …
