Electric Utility Commission Resolution 20241118-XXX on Austin Energy Resource Plan WHEREAS, on August 8, 2019, the Austin City Council adopted a resolution declaring a climate emergency and calling “for an immediate emergency mobilization to restore a safe climate” and directing the city manager to take a number of steps to accelerate local greenhouse gas emissions reductions, including from Austin Energy; and WHEREAS, in 2020, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030, which states that “Austin Energy will maintain an energy supply portfolio sufficient to offset customer demand while eliminating carbon and other pollutant emissions from its electric generation facilities as rapidly as feasible within the limitations set by the Austin City Council.” and states that “and all generation resources will be carbon-free by 2035;” and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 also states that “Austin Energy will no longer purchase, contract for or build long-term generation or storage resources that emit new carbon”; and WHEREAS, in 2021, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which includes community-wide greenhouse gas reduction goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040, with about 75% reduction by 2030; and WHEREAS, electrification is a key strategy for reducing and eliminating greenhouse gas emissions in many sectors and Carbon-Free electricity is needed to achieve those goals; and WHEREAS, on June 8, 2023, the Austin City Council adopted a resolution endorsing the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and a plan for “transitioning to a 100 percent clean energy economy, phase out fossil fuel production, and invest in communities on the frontlines of environmental injustice;” and WHEREAS, ground level ozone and particulate matter air pollution in the Austin region already exceed the health-based standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and CAPCOG has identified that increased NOx emissions from electric generating units, including Austin Energy's power plants, as highly correlated with high local ozone measurements; and WHEREAS, the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030 references an affordability goal and affordability remains important to many customers, but the workshops that Austin Energy hosted as part of this process to update the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan revealed that a large majority of participants are supportive of allowing rate increases beyond the current goal of two percent per year, so long as low-income customers are shielded …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION October 21, 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 Amy Everhart, at Amy.Everhart@AustinEnergy.com or via phone at 512-322-6087. AGENDA Members: Dave Tuttle, Chair Kaiba White, Vice Chair Ayo Akande Raul Alvarez Cesar Benavides Jonathon Blackburn Randy Chapman Chris Kirksey Cyrus Reed Joshua Rhodes 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 September 9, 2024 and Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Special Called Meeting on September 30, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $31,593,683 in grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and add three full-time equivalent grant positions to implement the Solar for All residential-serving community and residential rooftop solar program. 3. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project for the public use of relocating various structures along existing circuits 926/927, 987, and 988 to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (IH 35), requiring the acquisition of 0.168 acres (7,319 square feet) of a permanent electric transmission and distribution easement, being a portion of Lot 23, Block “A”, Circle “S” Ridge Section 1, a Subdivision recorded September 14, 1946 in Book 4, Page 285, Plat Records, Travis County, Texas, a portion of said lot 23 (Tract II) conveyed to Long Reas Estate holdings, LLC by Warranty deed with vendor’s lien dated November 27, 2012, as record in document No. 2012202489, official public records, Travis County, …
- Electric Utility Commission 2025 Meeting Schedule The Electric Utility Commission meets monthly on the second Monday of the month, unless otherwise determined by the Commission. If the regular meeting day conflicts with a holiday, the meeting will be held on the following Monday. Meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Shudde Fath Conference Room at Austin Energy Corporate Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, TX. Changes to the above regarding date, time or location will be noted on meeting agendas. Meeting Dates January 13, 2025 February 10, 2025 March 10, 2025 April 14, 2025 May 12, 2025 June 9, 2025 July 14, 2025 August 11, 2025 September 8, 2025 October 13, 2025 November 10, 2025 *EUC does not meet in December Cancelled Dates Agenda Item Submittal Due Date January 6, 2025 February 3, 2025 March 3, 2025 April 7, 2025 May 5, 2025 June 2, 2025 July 7, 2025 August 4, 2025 September 1, 2025 October 6, 2025 November 3, 2025 December 8, 2025*
Austin Energy's Resource Generation Plan 2035 Workshops Presented by Lynda Rife City of Austin District 2 Residential Customers Tri-City Region Solar and Storage Coalition CCARE Homeowners United for Rate Fairness (HURF) Overview: Workshop #4 • Austin Energy hosted their fourth in a series of workshops on Thurs. Oct. 3, 2024, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. • The goals of Workshop #4 were to provide workshop participants with the results from the surveys taken from Workshop #3, give insight into how Austin Energy will incorporate an equity lens to the Resource Generation Plan 2035, and gather feedback on drafted value and objective statements. Report Out of Workshop #3 Key Takeaways Reliability is the community’s top priority across the board. Equity continues to be a major theme and discussion point throughout the workshops. The impacts of outages can be detrimental to vulnerable communities. Austin Energy’s environmental sustainability leadership should be applauded. Equity – Generally Moving in the Right Direction The three dimensions of energy equity: Procedural equity focuses on ensuring fair, inclusive participation in the decision-making process. • Recognition equity aims to understand and address past and present energy equities. • Distributional equity focuses on just and equitable distribution of benefits and impacts in Austin’s clean energy transition. What we heard: Concerns about the medically vulnerable and encouraging Austin Energy to expand their CAP programs. • • Values Statements* – Generally Moving in the Right Direction Reliability Providing consistent and predictable electric service that will power our community as it continues to grow. Affordability Assessing the fairness and impacts of costs for customers while continuing to provide the public-power benefits that enhance our community’s quality of life. Environmental Sustainability Maintaining flexibility in support of clean and innovative technologies and programs while taking a holistic assessment of the community and environmental impacts. Energy Equity Evaluating and expanding access to the services Austin Energy provides so they can reach those who need them most while understanding the impact of our operations on the community. *Developed based workshop discussions Value Statements – What We Heard • Strengthen words like “understanding” and “assessing” to make the statements more actionable. • Predictability with both reliability and affordability – improve communications to the community. • Include more references to climate change issues. Updated Value Statements* Reliability Providing consistent and predictable electric service that will power our community as it continues to grow. Affordability Assessing the impacts and …
Item 2 Posting Language ..Title Approve an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $31,593,683 in grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and add 3.0 full-time equivalent grant positions to implement Solar for All residential-serving community and residential rooftop solar program. ..De Lead Department Austin Energy Prior Council Action: Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $31,593,683 is available from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Harris County. A City funding match is not required. A fiscal note is attached. For More Information: Amy Everhart, Local Government Issues Director (512) 322-6087; Richard Génecé, Vice President, Customer Energy Solutions, Austin Energy, (512)-322-6327; Tim Harvey, Customer Renewable Solutions Manager (512)- 482-5386 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: October 15, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. October 21, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Additional Backup Information: On July 9, 2024, Harris County received Notice of Award for The Texas Solar for All Coalition: A Collaborative Effort to Enable Low-Income Solar and Storage including all modifications and amendments, the United States acting by and through the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) hereby awards $249,300,000 to Harris County and of that funding $31,593,683 is pass-through to Austin Energy as a Coalition Member. As a subrecipient, Austin Energy will be required to enter into an agreement with Harris County to carry out the performance of this award. Subrecipient agreement is subject to applicable EPA regulatory and statutory provisions, all terms and conditions of the signed agreement and attachments for a five-year grant term. Austin Energy, through its hybrid residential-serving community solar and residential rooftop solar program, will provide Low Income (LI) and Disadvantage (DAC) single-family homeowners, medically vulnerable, and multifamily property owners access to solar and batteries through an owner-flip model where a third-party owns the installations for a 15-year period providing power to the Austin Energy Community Solar Program through a PPA and where the batteries will be operated as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP) through a performance contract. Eligible LI/DAC customers can sign up to the Community Solar program and receive guaranteed 20% bill savings. The onsite battery will provide resiliency to the host during a grid event. At the end of the 15-year term, the host will have an option to receive ownership of the battery and …
ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 21, 2024 ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION REGULAR CALLED MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 21, 2024 The Electric Utility Commission convened in a regular called meeting on Monday, October 21, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters, 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Dave Tuttle called the Electric Utility Commission meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Commissioners in Attendance: Dave Tuttle, Chair; Kaiba White, Vice Chair; Commissioner Randy Chapman; Commissioner Chris Kirksey; Commissioner Cyrus Reed; Commissioner Joshua Rhodes Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner Ayo Akande; Commissioner Raul Alvarez; Commissioner Cesar Benavides; Commissioner Jonathon Blackburn PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Susan Lippman- Gen Plan • Debra White- Gen Plan • Ben Suddaby- Gen Plan • Scott Johnson- Lawnmower Rebate and E-Bike Rebate Programs APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Regular Meeting on September 9, 2024 and Approve the minutes of the Electric Utility Commission Special Called Meeting on September 30, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Regular Electric Utility Commission meeting of September 9, 2024 and the minutes of the Special Called Electric Utility Commission, were approved on Commissioner Chapman’s motion, Chair Reed’s second on an 10-0 vote with one vacancy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ON RECOMMENDATIONS 2. Recommend approval of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund (Ordinance No. 20240814-007) to accept and appropriate $31,593,683 in grant funds from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and add three full-time equivalent grant positions to implement the Solar for All residential-serving community and residential rooftop solar program. ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Monday, October 21, 2024 The motion to recommend approval of an ordinance amending the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Austin Energy Operating Budget Special Revenue Fund, was recommended on Chair Tuttle’s motion, Commissioner Reed’s second on an 10-0 vote with one vacancy. 3. Recommend approval of a resolution authorizing the filing of eminent domain proceedings and payment to acquire the property interests needed for the Cap Ex South, CKT987 & 1031 Structure Relocation 2021 Project for the public use of relocating various structures along existing circuits 926/927, 987, and 988 to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation expansion of Interstate Highway 35 (IH 35), requiring the acquisition of 0.168 acres (7,319 square feet) of a permanent electric transmission and distribution easement, being a portion of Lot 23, Block “A”, Circle “S” Ridge Section 1, a Subdivision recorded …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION SEPTEMBER 30, 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 Amy Everhart, at Amy.Everhart@AustinEnergy.com or via phone at 512-322-6087. AGENDA Members: Dave Tuttle, Chair Kaiba White, Vice Chair Ayo Akande Raul Alvarez Cesar Benavides Jonathon Blackburn Randy Chapman Chris Kirksey Cyrus Reed Joshua Rhodes 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. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 1. Recommend conducting a public hearing and consider proposed terms, rate and fee changes for Austin Energy – Solar Standard Offer Rider – Solar Integrator; High Load Factor Primary Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20,000 kW); and High Load Factor Transmission Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20 MW). 2. Recommend approval of the Solar Standard Offer Program. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff briefing on the initial modeling results for Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan by Lisa Martin, Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer; The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Meeting locations are planned with wheelchair access. If requiring Sign Language Interpreters or alternative formats, please give notice at least 2 days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Amy Everhart at Austin Energy, at (512) 322-6087 or email Amy.Everhart@AustinEnergy.com, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Electric Utility Commission, please contact Amy Everhart at (512) 322-6087 or email Amy.Everhart@AustinEnergy.com. Michael Enger, Vice President of Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning; and Ben Anderson, Resource Planning Manager at Ascend Analytics. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS ADJOURNMENT The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Electric Utility Commission Resolution 20240930-xx on Solar Standard Offer Program WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is likely less once the downtown network and older buildings are excluded, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will not offer any solar incentive, the solar project will be subject to property tax, the …
Item 17 Posting Language ..Title Conduct a public hearing and consider proposed terms, rate and fee changes for Austin Energy – Solar Standard Offer Rider – Solar Integrator; High Load Factor Primary Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20,000 kW); and High Load Factor Transmission Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20 MW). ..De Lead Department Austin Energy Prior Council Action: Fiscal Note The Solar Standard Offer Rider is funded through the Power Supply Adjustment. For More Information: Amy Everhart, Director, Local Government Relations (512) 322-6087; Russell Maenius, Sr. VP and Chief Financial Officer, (512)-322-6133. Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: Sept 9, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. Sept 17, 2024 - To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: If the Solar Standard Offer Rider is approved, the Standard Offer Program will allow Austin Energy to procure locally sited solar generation at market-based rates and increase the Community Solar generation portfolio through a standardized and streamlined approach with pre-established project criteria and published energy value. This method allows developers of solar installations to have price transparency which enables them to obtain financing, engage potential host customers, identify viable projects, and meet project criteria set by Austin Energy. Through the Standard Offer Program, Austin Energy will purchase the production at a value equal to the avoided costs of energy and transmission expenses. Through the Standard Offer Program customers who may not have normally moved forward with solar projects due to split incentives between a building owner and a customer paying for utilities will now have a new opportunity through direct compensation for ahead of the meter interconnections. The Community Solar program increases solar access while helping Austin Energy achieve our local solar goals. The Standard Offer Program is designed to facilitate the expansion of the Community Solar Portfolio. In addition, in support of customer-sited, third-party owned renewable energy, Austin Energy is proposing the removal of the maximum capacity limits for on-site renewable generation associated with High Load Factor Primary Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20,000 kW) and High Load Factor Transmission Voltage (Demand greater than or equal to 20,000 kW) rate schedules. This change to the tariff language means that customers in these rate categories can build larger on-site renewable generation, if desired.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Electric Utility Commission Resolution 20240930-xx on Solar Standard Offer Program WHEREAS, Austin Energy needs more clean renewable local generation; and WHEREAS, Google Project Sunroof estimates that Austin has about 7,900 MW of rooftop solar potential, with about 4,000 MW coming from rooftops with capacity for less than 50 kW;1 and WHEREAS, the vast majority of Austin's rooftop solar potential is still unrealized; and WHEREAS, opportunities to build new solar farms or other clean renewable energy production within the Austin Energy Load Zone are limited; and WHEREAS, while Austin Energy's solar incentive programs have been successful in deploying local rooftop solar for those with access to capital, many residential and commercial property owners do not have enough capital to take advantage of these programs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy started working with stakeholders, including from the Resource Management Commission, in 2018 to identify a way to expand access to rooftop solar for residential properties; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s last two local solar requests for proposals have not yielded new local solar developments; and WHEREAS, Austin does not currently offer a solar program that allows property owners to host rooftop solar owned by others without utilizing the host’s own capital, even though such a program would enable more solar development on sites that cannot participate in the current solar incentive programs for financial reasons; and 1 While actual potential is less once older buildings are excluded, and the hosting capacity of the distribution grid accounted for, the potential is still large enough to make a significant contribution to Austin Energy’s generation needs. 1 WHEREAS, Austin Energy could significantly increase the amount of solar development within the Austin Energy Load Zone by facilitating solar development on more rooftops in Austin, where solar developers lease the rooftop from the property owner; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy supports new behind-the-meter solar projects under 10 MW with photovoltaic incentives, treating the Value of Solar payment for all PV generation as a bill credit (which renders it non-taxable income), and including the 2.3 cent/kWh societal benefits portion of the Value of Solar tariff; and behind-the-meter rooftop PV projects are exempt from property tax; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy’s proposed Solar Standard Offer program will apply to new solar projects under 10 MW connected to Austin Energy’s distribution system on the grid side of the customer meter, but will not offer any solar incentive, the solar project will be …
