Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 1/7/2025 Figure 1: Commercial and Multifamily Project Pipeline Commercial and Small Business Multifamily t n u o C t c e o r P j 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 76 112 9 9 Pre-Approval in Progress 4 Approved: Installation and Verification Pre-Approval in Progress Approved: Installation and Verification Multifamily Multifamily Income Qualified 1. Figures includes all leads and applications, regardless of estimated rebate amount. In coordination with the customer and contractor, Austin Energy periodically removes leads and new applications that do not proceed to Installation. a. “Pre-Approval in Progress” includes: 1) customer/contractor submitted leads; 2) applications in development but not yet submitted to Austin Energy; and 3) applications submitted to Austin Energy that are under review for eligibility and approval of project scope. b. “Approved: Installation and Verification” includes projects: 1) approved with installation underway; and 2) where installation is complete and final inspection and quality review are ongoing. c. Paid projects are listed on the preceding RMC summary table in this report. 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 t n u o C t c e o r P j 145 Project Pipeline Notes: 2. Pipeline Definitions Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 1/7/2025 Table 1: Multifamily and Multifamily Income Qualified – Estimated RCA Project Pipeline (for estimated rebates >$72k) Program Latest Workflow Enrollment (s) # Location Name Installation Address Council District Estimated kW savings Estimated kWh savings Estimated $ Incentive Measures Planned Paid 1303113 Goodnight Commons Paid 1270218, 1318840, 1318841 The Lowell at Mueller 2022 E Slaughter Ln 1200 Broadmoor Dr Installation 1301882 West Koenig Flats 5608 Avenue F 56.9 272,632 $126,140 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, MFIQ Supplemental Items 69.7 408,189 $133,346 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, Water Saving Devices, MFIQ Supplemental items 39.0 185,377 $109,200 HVAC Tune-up, Smart Thermostats 210 Installation 1312972 Hunters Chase Apartments 128.5 625,426 $262,444 Installation 1324159 The Morgan 173.7 242,713 $199,895 Out of District Installation 1327092 Agave at South Congress 625 E Stassney Ln 54.3 208,321 $138,852 Attic Insulation, HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, ECAD Installation 1320067, 1330404 Sage Hill Apartments 57.0 175,846 $142,412 Multifamily Paid 1302392 Elle West 75.1 217,506 $150,989 Multifamily Paid 1304166 Northshore 61.4 238,749 $113,856 HVAC Tune-Ups Multifamily Paid 1300529 …
REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION January 21, 2025 6:00 p.m. Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723 Some members of the Resource Management 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 Natasha Goodwin, at Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com or 512-322-6505. AGENDA Members: Louis Stone, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Charlotte Davis Trey Farmer GeNell Gary Martin Luecke Dino Sasaridis Chelsey Scaffidi CALL MEETING TO ORDER Raphael Schwartz Alison Silverstein Vacant 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 Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on November 19, 2024 and approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Special Called Meeting on December 3, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Discussion and recommend against merging the Resource Management Commission and the Zero Waste Advisory Commission. DISCUSSION ITEMS 3. Discussion regarding changes to Austin Energy’s Residential Rooftop Solar Program, with inclusion of energy storage batteries. 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 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 Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at (512) 322-6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Resource Management Commission, please contact Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at 512-322- 6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com .
Recommendation Against Merging the Resource Management Commission and the Zero Waste Advisory Commission WHEREAS, a proposal has been made to merge the Resource Management Commission and the Zero Waste Advisory Commission to create a Resource Recovery and Management Commission; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Resource Management Commission is to advise the City Council in developing and reviewing city plans and policies concerning the efficient use of energy including alternative and renewable energy technologies and on energy and water conservation; and WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission is supported by Austin Energy staff resources and regularly engages with Austin Energy, Austin Water and Texas Gas on issues under its purview; and WHEREAS, the purpose of the Zero Waste Advisory Commission is to advise the City Council on solid waste management policies and resources, and to promote an economical and environmentally safe system of waste reduction, recovery and disposal; and WHEREAS, the Zero Waste Advisory Commission is supported by Austin Resource Recovery staff; and WHEREAS, the overlap between the Resource Management Commission and Zero Waste Advisory Commission is narrow in scope, and a merged Resource Recovery and Management Commission would require both City staff and Commissioners to engage on an expansive array of issues unrelated to their primary areas of expertise and day-to-day responsibility; and WHEREAS, the two commissions may effectively coordinate on the few areas of overlap by sharing information, appointing members to serve on any applicable working groups and considering joint resolutions; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission recommends against merging the Resource Management Commission and the Zero Waste Advisory Commission.
A Resolution Summary Resolution on Changes to Residential Rooftop Solar Rebate Program D. SASARIDIS 16 JANUARY 2025 Overview Who: RMC Commissioners – Dino Sasaridis, Paul Robbins, Alison Silverstein. What: A resolution to improve and streamline Austin Energy’s solar rebate program and inspections, inclusive of solar and batteries. Why: Historic load growth will put stress on generation and transmission. Solar has the lowest cost of electricity generation and will fill this need, and batteries are needed to make the solar deployable at night, and reduce congestion. Costs and bureaucracy both bottleneck solar and battery deployments at the edge of the grid (on homes). This resolution aims to reduce bureaucracy, costs, and realign incentives towards this goal. When: Now, for a vote by RMC, to be presented to City Council. More about the ‘Why’ Claim: Significant demand growth is coming to the Texas grid. Summer baseline load is ~60 GW. This is mostly driven by electrification of carbon-based fuel activities. This is a good thing, but it will stress the electric grid. Passenger vehicle electrification: adds 12 – 18 GW to base load, 129 GWh/day Electrification of long-haul trucking: adds 8 – 12 GW to base load, 86 GWh/day • • • Growth of AI: 50 GWh/day • Air conditioner use: proportional to peak summer temperature, increases peak load on grid -> drives unreliability • Heat pumps displacing gas furnaces Industrial Heat via graphite heating • • Atmospheric carbon removal As Austinites, we will feel these changes impact us as rate increases and instability. Claim: Solar and batteries are a robust solution to adding capacity, but work is needed to reduce bureaucracy and streamline the process, which will decrease cost and increase competition. The language in this resolution can open Austin up to being a renewable energy superpower, setting an example for other cities, and making a difference in Texas. Content of the Resolution 1. Streamlining Administration 2. Consumer Protection 3. Standard for New Inverters 4. Improvements in AE Solar and Battery Inspections 5. Encouragement of Onsite Eneryg-Storage Batteries 6. Survey of Solar Inverter Installations to Determine Grid Protection Capability 7. Implementation Schedule 1. Streamlining Administration Eliminate the solar education course and quiz, which are presently required to receive the $2,500 rebate. The course and quiz are friction that discourage folks from installing solar, because receiving the rebate is gated by the quiz. Replace these two items with a flyer. • 26 …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Resolution on Changes to Residential Rooftop Solar Rebate Program WHEREAS, streamlining Austin Energy’s Residential Solar program will reduce customers’ and installers’ cost and time necessary for solar and battery installation while reducing administrative overhead for Austin Energy (AE); and WHEREAS, given the reasonably expected large increase in AE load growth in the next few years, aggressively increasing energy efficiency measures, distributed energy resources, solar installations, and onsite energy-storage batteries are critical means to achieve the Austin Energy Resource Generation and Climate Protection Plan and advance local resilience; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission makes the following recommendations to the Austin City Council to modify AE’s rooftop solar program and initiate a battery incentive program. 1. Streamlining Administration A. AE shall eliminate the solar education course and quiz, replacing it with a digital information flyer and material integrated into the solar and battery installation application process that contains the most useful information, such as an explanation of Value of Solar, how much yearly energy production to expect per panel, explanation of kW vs kWh, and other basic information. B. AE shall not condition rebate approval upon the customer’s current electricity usage. AE should require the contractor to provide values for expected usage and production to the customer. AE may warn the applying customer if proposed arrays exceed a certain percentage of the customer’s present electricity usage, to help the customer understand that they may be buying more solar and/or battery equipment than they may need, C. AE shall not place additional requirements on the installation or parts used other than those covered by normal inspection. 2. Consumer Protection 1 A. AE shall specify a minimum set of 10-year warranty provisions that every contractor must offer to be eligible for the rebate list. Installers can offer other provisions beyond that minimum set. B. AE shall provide up-to-date interactive reference solar and battery benchmark cost estimates for a few house types and roof scenarios to give customers a valid point of comparison to evaluate solar contractors’ sales cost quotes. C. AE shall require 75% TSRF (Total Solar Resource Fraction) for 3 kW of the total proposed solar installation, but not for the entire array. AE may require the contractor to calculate the TSRF for the entire array and communicate that estimate to the customer with an explanation of what that means for estimated annual …
SPECIAL CALLED MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION December 3, 2024 6:00 p.m. Austin Energy Headquarters; 1st Floor; Shudde Fath Conference Room 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, Texas 78723 Some members of the Resource Management 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 Natasha Goodwin, at Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com or 512-322-6505. AGENDA Members: Louis Stone, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Charlotte Davis Trey Farmer GeNell Gary Martin Luecke Dino Sasaridis Chelsey Scaffidi Raphael Schwartz Alison Silverstein 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. Approval of a recommendation on Austin Energy's Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan. 2. Discussion and recommend the Resource Management Commission bylaw change asking the Austin City Council to expand its purview to advise on issues related to natural gas utilities. 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 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 Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at (512) 322-6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas at 711. For more information on the Resource Management Commission, please contact Natasha Goodwin at Austin Energy, at 512-322- 6505 or email Natasha.Goodwin@austinenergy.com .
Austin Energy Generation Across Texas Wind Solar Natural Gas Coal Nuclear Biomass Because Austin Energy participates in the ERCOT market, it’s critical for us to recognize and adapt to changes and trends in this system. Right now, we’re seeing a dramatic change to ERCOT’s power supply mix. Significant growth in wind, solar and battery energy storage; energy demand increases; transmission issues; and retirements of coal and gas generation are leading to fluctuating prices and significant changes in the way power is balanced to meet Texas’ energy needs. ERCOT Demand Growth There are two key factors in the energy landscape — supply and demand. Supply must meet demand, so predicting future demand is crucial for planning resources. ERCOT expects power demand to increase going forward. According to ERCOT’s 2023 forecast numbers, which we incorporated into our modeling, peak energy use increases from 83 gigawatts (GW) in 2025 to 99 GW in 2035. 14 | Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035 Return to Table of Contents Predicting future demand helps ERCOT plan how to meet the growing needs of the system. For Austin Energy, this helps us better understand the market while we outline future resource strategies to meet our customer and system needs. New Generation and Retirements in ERCOT On the supply side of the energy equation is generation. ERCOT expects significant growth in this area as well. Following the national trend, many of these proposed new generation projects in ERCOT are renewable energy sources. While these sources provide clean energy, their weather-dependent nature has led to growing operational and reliability risks. Meanwhile, a significant portion of older power plants in the ERCOT market are nearing the end of their operational life. ERCOT also manages retirements to ensure grid reliability, potentially intervening to keep critical plants online when absolutely necessary. As ERCOT works to balance supply and demand on the statewide system, it’s important for Austin Energy to factor that information into our resource planning. The 2035 Plan incorporates the most up-to-date, official information related to announced plant additions and retirements from ERCOT. This gives us one look to the future for the modeling process. ERCOT and Transmission Congestion Because many new generation sources are located far from the end users, ERCOT is seeing a significant increase in transmission congestion. When transmission lines need to transport more power than they can carry, they can become overloaded, causing …
» Affordability — Stakeholders continued to talk about equity in their affordability discussions. The concept of energy burden should be considered when looking at affordability. » Reliability — Predictability is just as important as reliability, especially with the understanding that perfect power isn’t attainable. Though 100% reliability may not be possible, there are those for whom energy supply is critically important, like those with medical needs. • Workshop #2 — Building Foundational Understanding The second stakeholder workshop had two main goals: to provide an introduction to the ERCOT market and have Dr. Michael Webber with the University of Texas at Austin provide his expert insight into energy market trends, resource options and potential risks and tradeoffs. Some top themes from the ERCOT 101 presentation included: » By law, Austin Energy is bound to the ERCOT market and its rules. » The ERCOT market, like any market, has benefits and risks. Decisions made in the marketplace have tradeoffs. » Decisions in the 2035 Plan will affect what tools are available to maximize benefits and minimize risks in the ERCOT market. Some top themes from Dr. Webber’s presentation included: » Electric utilities, Austin Energy included, need to prepare for an era of unprecedented electricity consumption. and carbon management. » “Do your best, clean up the rest” — through a combination of efficiency, electrification » The key lens through which energy options should be considered: trade-offs. The group was able to ask presenters questions and dive deeper into the topics. • Workshop #3 — Input on Values and Objectives The main focus of the third stakeholder workshop was the Resource Planning Trade-offs Exercise. This exercise allowed participants to highlight the trade-offs they were comfortable making around the values of reliability, affordability and environmental sustainability. Participants prioritized the three values with scores ranging from 5 to 10, with 10 being the highest priority. After prioritizing the values, participants held group discussions to hear from each other. Then, they reallocated their priorities if they wanted. The score range shows the lowest and highest ranking a value received. Here are the results of the exercise: Value Reliability Affordability Environmental Sustainability 9.08 7.91 7.95 9.21 7.91 7.82 8 to 10 7 to 10 6 to 10 Original Allocation Reallocation Score Range The exercise showed that, across the board, reliability was the community’s top priority. The discussion around objectives also started in Workshop #3. Participants filled out a …
Broadening the Picture with Ascend Analytics’ Portfolios Along with Austin Energy’s model and analysis, we also contracted with Ascend Analytics to get additional portfolios and broader insights. They use a different type of model, which gives different outputs. With our approach, the resource mixes are human designed while in Ascend’s approach, those mixes are computer designed. For example, we can tell Ascend’s model that we want a portfolio that achieves carbon-free by 2035, hits a 65% renewable energy target by 2027 and has sufficient local resources to minimize the risk of load zone price separation. The model uses this information to forecast a lowest-cost solution within those parameters. We are then able to compare the outputs from Ascend’s modeling to our results and use the combined information to find better resource mixes. Another advantage with Ascend is the ability to generate a range of expected outcomes instead of a single data point. They do this by running their portfolios through 100 future situations to generate a range of outcomes. This range includes the average outcome as well as the 5th and 95th percentiles to represent the outer edge possibilities. This is helpful in understanding uncertainty and the significance of variability in events. Refining the Information and Portfolios With all the scenarios and sensitivities in the modeling analysis, we are able to study dozens of approaches to meeting the community’s energy needs. Based on that analysis, Austin Energy worked with the EUC to fine-tune four additional portfolios. We wanted to maximize strengths and resolve issues. For example, we talked with the EUC about the number we used for transmission import capacity. As a baseline in the model, we included ERCOT’s information on future transmission projects and upgrades. This includes all known projects for Austin Energy as well as every other transmission provider in ERCOT. This information, though, only goes out five years. We know we’ll still add in projects and upgrades beyond that window. In discussion with the EUC, we decided to add more import capacity as we enhance the modeling to account for that continued work. These are the refined portfolios: Portfolio Description Porfolio #14 Porfolio #15 Porfolio #16 This portfolio maxed out DSM projections and then added in just enough local storage and natural gas peaker units to reach near-term local reliability. It included increased transmission capacity. This portfolio was similar to #12 except with increased transmission capacity, DSM …
RMC Gen Plan Recommendations 1. Consider Leasing Combustion Turbines – AE is concerned that it cannot economically operate without some level of new combustion turbines in the service territory. AE has shown that lack of local generation has raised the cost of imported power because of transmission line constraints. Environmentalists are concerned about carbon emissions and air pollution. Some have also criticized new turbines as a potential stranded investment, where machinery mortgaged over 30 years may not be needed if cleaner technology takes its place. RMC should recommend AE consider the option of leasing instead of owning Combustion Turbines until new transmission lines are built. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code By October 1, 2025 – Austin Energy has ignored requiring heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code. RMC has passed a resolution asking this to be considered. Rather than delay the current energy code amendments from being passed by Council, RMC should recommend that a new (smaller) process be created for this specific item. There are large savings to be had from this measure, making it worth the effort. 3. Passive House Initiative Beginning October 1, 2025 – A resolution RMC passed last March asking for a pilot program for passive affordable housing has yet to be acted on. We are asking for a date certain for this program to begin. 4. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program Beginning on October 1, 2025 – Austin Energy has at least 10 MW of Residential energy storage batteries, but does not coordinate their use to lower summer and winter peak demand. AE should have a pilot program in place by October 1 to make use of this and other DSM technologies as a Virtual Power Plant. 5. Reinforce Demand-Side Resources Goals (from Electric Utility Commission and AE) Percent Renewable Energy Goal: 73% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030. This goal will include both local and non-local renewable resources. Solar Goal: Austin Energy will plan to reach at least 205 MWs by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 — including 160 MW of existing capacity. Efficiency/Demand Response Goals: An economically achievable goal of at least 360 MW of peak efficiency savings and 269 MW of demand response peak savings by 2035. Thermal Storage Goal: At least 40 MW of local thermal …
Resource Management Commission Resolution 20241203-XX on Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection 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 …
Draft Resolution on Austin Energy Generation Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Passive House Pilot Program: The Commission is on record recommending Council create a pilot program for passive affordable housing. This should begin no later than October 1, 2025. 4. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025. 5. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 73% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 360 MW of peak efficiency savings and 269 MW of demand response peak savings by 2035. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by 2035. At least one thermal storage installation should be targeted at a grocery store or food processing plants. 6. …
Natural Gas Bylaw Amendments Our original language for the amendments were: (D) Review and Analyze: (5) issues concerning natural gas utilities in Austin, including fair and equitable rates and bills, energy efficiency and renewable energy programs, environmental issues related to utility system operation, assistance to low-income customers, progress on the City of Austin’s Climate Equity Plan, and franchise negotiations. (E) Advise the city council: (6) natural gas utility matters, including: fair and equitable rates and bills that minimize consumer costs, cost-effective energy efficiency programs; cost-effective renewable energy programs; research and development of new technologies for energy efficiency and renewable energy; programs that reduce the burden on low income households; gas utility progress on the City of Austin’s Climate Equity Plan; and renewal of franchises with natural gas utilities that improve the City’s financial position and align with the City’s community values. The City staff requested revisions, and the following language was created: 5. Recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. 6. Regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority.
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-001 Recommendation on Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. 4. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy efficiency and 78 MW of summer and winter demand response. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-001 Recommendation on Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan WHEREAS, the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin has participated in the review and development of a proposed generation plan for Austin Energy that will be a guiding document through 2035; and WHEREAS, the final document will be pivotal in development and implementation of clean energy programs that allow the utility to greatly reduce and possibly eliminate carbon emissions and air pollution while saving consumers money at the same time; and WHEREAS, some parts of the draft generation plan can be improved; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Commission make the following recommendations to City Council to modify the generation plan. 1. Leasing Instead of Owning Combustion Turbines: To avoid both stranded investment of new combustion turbines that may not be used much beyond 2035, and to avoid increased cost of importing electricity until such time as transmission line upgrades are made, Council should consider leasing instead of owning combustion turbines. 2. Require Heat Pump Water Heaters in Building Energy Code: The Commission is on record recommending Council require heat pump water heaters for all-electric homes as a performance option in the energy building code because of the huge energy savings. A building code amendment process should take place, with implementation no later than October 1, 2025. 3. Battery/Virtual Power Plant Program: The Commission recommends that Council implement a pilot program to make use of batteries and other Demand Response technologies. This should begin October 1, 2025, and target a size of 10 MW by October 1, 2026. 4. Goals for Renewable Energy and Demand-Side Programs The Commission recommends Council adopt the following clean energy goals: • 70% renewable energy as a percentage of load by 2030, including both local and non-local renewable resources. • at least 205 MWs of local solar energy by 2027, and at least 431 MW of installed local solar capacity by 2035 (including 160 MW of existing capacity). • at least 400 MW of peak efficiency savings and 300 MW of demand response peak savings in both summer and winter by 2035 with 2027 interim goals are at least 132 MW of energy efficiency and 78 MW of summer and winter demand response. • at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MW of local thermal storage by …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20241203-002 Recommendation to Amend the Resource Management Commission Bylaws Whereas the Resource Management Commission passed recommendations 20240521-005 and 20240618- 003 regarding amendments to the bylaws of the Resource Management Commission, and Whereas changes to the amendments have been recommended by the City of Austin attorney and Whereas the Resource Management Commission agrees to these changes, Now therefore be it resolved that the Resource Management Commission amends recommendation 20240618-003 as follows: 5. Recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. 6. Regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. Date of Approval: December 3, 2024 Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner Martin Luecke; Commissioner Dino Sasaridis; Commissioner Raphael Schwartz; Commissioner Alison Silverstein (D) Review and Analyze: (E) Advise the City Council: 8-0 None None None Vote: For: Against: Abstentions: Off Dais: Absences: Vacancies: Commissioner GeNell Gary; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi Mayor’s Office Attest: Natasha Goodwin, Staff Liaison
Amendments by Commissioner Schwartz 1. Incentivize Customer-Sited Batteries — The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to develop and provide incentives for customer-sited battery storage to maximize benefits to customers and the electric grid, including adoption of a program that allows all customer classes to receive an incentive for providing the utility access to customer-sited batteries, with program implementation scheduled for no later than October 2025. 2. Income-limited households - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to keep requirements of the 2030 plan for Customer Energy Solutions to target 25% of its customer engagement to be with income-limited households. 3. Lead with Energy Efficiency - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy not to decrease the pace of Energy Efficiency improvements. Noting that the last 4 years of reported energy efficiency peak load savings have averaged to 47 MW, the commission recommends to set 47 MW average as a yearly target moving forward. 4. Demand side management 1 percent goal - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to continue to aim to meet at least 1 percent of its load through energy efficiency and demand response programs on an annual basis in the residential sector. The commission recognizes that removing this goal represents a step backward for the utility. 5. Demand Response goals by 2027 - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy Austin Energy to expand Demand Response offerings by planning to reach at least 270 MW and up to 470 MW of achieved summer reductions by 2035, including at least an additional 78 MW and up to 102 MW by 2027. This includes customer-sited batteries and managed electric vehicle charging in addition to current demand response programs. Further, Austin Energy will begin moving toward demand response programs that compensate customers for actual contribution to peak load reduction for each event the customer is called on to participate in. 6. Thermal Energy - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to commit to achieving at least 40 MW of local thermal storage by 2030 and at least 50 MWs of local thermal storage by 2035. 7. Grid-scale battery storage - The Commission recommends council ask Austin Energy to commit to installation of at least 125 MW of battery storage by 2027, recognizing that this is in line with modeling of installing both battery and natural gas peakers to meet peak demand. Austin Energy should further commit to …
