Item 7- EUC Annual Internal Review — original pdf

Backup

Electric Utility Commission Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: (A) The commission shall review and analyze all policies and procedures of the electric utility, including the electric rate structure, fuel costs and charges, customer services, capital investments, new generation facilities, selection of types of fuel, budget, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, billing procedures, and the transfer of electric utility revenues from the utility fund to the general fund. (B) The commission shall advise the city council, the city manager, the electric utility, city departments, and city boards, commissions, and committees on policy matters relating to the electric utility. All advisory information given shall simultaneously be forwarded to the city manager. (C) The commission may review, study, and make recommendations to the Planning Commission on proposed electric utility projects for inclusion in the Capital Improvements Program. (D) The commission may request that the city council hire an outside consultant every five years to make a comprehensive review of the policies and procedures of the electric utility. The commission may initiate an external or internal review of the policies and procedures of the electric utility. If the commission initiates a review, it shall report its findings to the city council and the city manager. (E) The commission shall interpret the role of the electric utility to the public and the role of the public to the electric utility. The commission may hold a public hearing and briefing session every six months to explain new policies and to take citizens comments, suggestions, and complaints. (F) The commission may make recommendations to the city council before final council action on a policy or procedure of the electric utility. Item 7EUC Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 (G) The commission shall request from the city manager any information that it deems to pertain to the electric utility. (H) The commission shall, as a body, review customer complaint procedures, accept specific customer grievances and complaints, and make recommendations to the city council and city manager based on its findings. This duty does not supersede, replace, or substitute for the appeal procedures provided to customers in the City Utility Service Regulations. (I) The commission shall seek to promote close cooperation between the city council, other city boards, committees, and commissions, city departments and individuals, institutions and agencies concerned with the policies, procedures, and operations of the electric utility to the end that all similar activities within the City may be coordinated to secure the greatest public welfare. 1. Describe the board’s actions supporting their mission during the previous calendar year. Address all elements of the board’s mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. In keeping with its mission, the Electric Utility Commission (EUC) reviewed and analyzed policies and procedures of Austin Energy during the reporting period. The Commission: • Reviewed, discussed and solicited public comments for approximately 87 procurement actions leading to Requests for Council Action (RCA’s) and made recommendations to Austin City Council regarding these requests. • Reviewed and discussed Austin Energy staff briefings, presentations and updates on subjects including: the update to the Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan; Modeling Overview for the Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan; the Community Engagement plan and conclusions for the Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan update; financial updates; operational updates; AE Weatherization programs, Battery Storage, microgrids, and load-shaping technologies; the International Energy Conservation Code; the Solar Standard Offer Program; an overview of the portfolio of Austin Energy Solar programs; the Distribution Reliability and Resiliency plan; the launch to the Austin Energy Battery program; a review of the Distribution Undergrounding analysis to support distribution reliability and resiliency; the Green Building program; the electric landscaping rebates and events; and overview of the budget. • Elected officers in April 2025. The Commission re-elected Dr. Dave Tuttle as Chair and re-elected Kaiba White as Vice-Chair. EUC Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 • Elected Vice Chair White as the EUC representative to the Joint Sustainability Committee and Commissioner Al Braden as the alternate. 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. Throughout the July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 timeframe the actions of the Electric Utility Commission complied with the mission statement (bylaws) as outlined in the Ordinance. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. • Encourage public discussion on the future policies and programs of Austin Energy • Review and provide public input to Austin Energy’s Distribution Reliability and Resiliency plan • Provide educational and practical learning opportunities for EUC members to become more familiar with the actual operations of the utility, including tours of Austin Energy Facilities by EUC members. • Provide public oversight of Austin Energy’s annual budget and efforts to reduce costs and provide clean, reliable power • Provide public oversight over long-term planning regarding electric rates • Review and provide public input and oversight over Austin Energy’s compliance with the Austin Climate Protection Plan, including how actions and proposed actions of the utility impact climate change, sustainability goals and water usage. • Provide continued oversight and guidance regarding the 2024 update to the Generation, Resource and Climate Protection Plan. • Provide review for replacement of power from aging baseload and peaking assets that is consistent with the Council adopted plan. • Encourage utility transparency in providing data important to the public, including data broken down by Council District. Encourage fair and equitable treatment of all customers. • Encourage equitable distribution of energy efficiency benefits to low and low moderate-income customers and renters. • Encourage excellence in Austin Energy customer satisfaction. • Continue to review and advise on the Austin Energy Standard Solar Offer, PV + Storage program proposals, intelligent EV charging/DR program, and Emerging Technology programs. • Provide public oversight over asset retirements and decommissioning. • Encourage development of dispatchable renewable energy/storage facilities.