20220808-002: Regarding Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 Austin Energy Budget — original pdf

Recommendation

ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION 20220808-002 August 8, 2022 Proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 Austin Energy Budget Date: Subject: Motioned By: Commissioner Chapman Recommendation The Electric Utility Commission endorses the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 Austin Energy budget with the following modifications: Description of Recommendation to Council Seconded By: Commissioner Jonker • The EUC wants to make it clear that in endorsing the Austin Energy FY 2023 budget, we are not endorsing changes related to the proposed base rate increase introduced by Austin Energy on April 18th. • Additional costs related to the Fayette Coal Plant as laid out in the budget should be carefully scrutinized by city council given the stated goal of getting out of coal by the end of the year. • City Council should authorize funding in FY 2023 for an update to the 2015 Decommissioning study to determine if the budgetary set-aside of $8 million dollars per year to the non-nuclear decommissioning fund is the appropriate amount. • With nearly half of Austin’s population living in rental housing, we recommend the Council review current efforts by Austin Energy to make improvements to energy efficiency programs and ensure equity in access to efficiency programs. • Funding for direct install weatherization programs and multi-family programs have remained stagnant in FY 2023 as proposed. The EUC recommends that Council work with Austin Energy to increase the budgets of multi-family and home weatherization programs proportionally to the overall increase in the Customer Energy Solutions budget. In order to assess community concerns with potential groundwater contamination in the area of the coal plant, City Council should authorize up to $100,000 in additional groundwater testing for a third-party to conduct focused testing of groundwater and water wells in the immediate area. Chair Hopkins, Vice Chair Tuttle, Commissioner Chapman, Commissioner Ferchill, Commissioner Hadden, Commissioner Jonker, Commissioner Reed, Commissioner Trostle • Vote For: Against: None Abstain: None 1 of 2 Absent: Commissioner Bowen, Commissioner Funkhauser Attest: Robin Otto, Staff Liaison 2 of 2