Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting of the Resource Management Commission

Agenda — original pdf

REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION July 16, 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 GeNell Gary Shane Johnson Dino Sasaridis Chelsey Scaffidi Members: Louis Stone, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Charlotte Davis Trey Farmer 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 Alison Silverstein Vacant Vacant 1. Approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on June 18, 2024. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of capacity-based incentives to Eanes Independent School District, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 2 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 304 Camp Craft Road, 1300 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 1201 S Capital of Texas HWY NB, in an amount not to exceed $848,830. 3. Recommend approval of a recommendation postponing the evaluation of a possible sale of Austin Energy’s district heating and cooling plant. 4. Recommend approval of the Annual Internal Review of the Resource Management Commission for July 2023 through June 2024. 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 . 5. Recommend approval of a recommendation for a centralized landing page on the City of Austin website for utility provider income-based assistance and conservation incentive programs. 6. Staff …

Customer Energy Solutions FY 24 Savings Report — original pdf

Energy Efficiency Services EES- Appliance Efficiency Program EES- Home Energy Savings - Rebate EES- AE Weatherization & CAP Weatherization - D.I. * EES- School Based Education * EES- Strategic Partnership Between Utilities & Retailers * EES- Multifamily Rebates EES- Multifamily WX-D.I.+ EES- Commercial Rebate EES- Small Business Energy Efficiency TOTAL Demand Response (DR) - Annual Incremental DR- Power Partner DR- Commercial Demand Response (frmly Load Coop) Demand Response (DR) TOTAL Green Building GB- Residential Ratings GB- Residential Energy Code GB- Multifamily Ratings GB- Multifamily Energy Code GB- Commercial Ratings GB- Commercial Energy Code Green Building TOTAL CES MW Savings Grand TOTAL Residential Totals Commercial Totals Non-Public - AE # Customer Energy Solutions FY24 YTD MW Savings Report As of May 2024 Participant Type Participants To Date MWh To Date MW Goal 2.60 0.90 0.44 0.30 1.75 0.65 1.00 6.00 2.00 15.64 MW Goal 6.40 2.00 8.40 MW Goal 0.26 1.63 3.00 6.00 4.20 3.90 19.00 MW To Date 1.41 0.20 0.32 0.07 0.92 1.89 0.74 2.28 0.61 8.44 MW To Date 3.33 3.33 MW To Date 0.25 1.06 1.20 4.18 3.04 2.53 12.25 Percentage 54% 23% 72% 23% 53% 291% 74% 38% 30% Percentage 52% 0% Percentage 94% 65% 40% 70% 72% 65% Customers Customers Customers Products Products Apartments Apartments Customers Customers Devices Customers Customers Customers Dwellings Dwellings 1,000 sf 1,000 sf Participant Type Participants To Date MWh To Date Participant Type Participants To Date MWh To Date Rebate Budget Spent to Date 2,645.03 279.55 602.28 358.00 2,653.17 4,630.82 1,788.12 5,822.49 1,420.80 20,200.26 0 0.00 290 1,460 3,043 5,882 5,401 8,470 24,546 Rebate Budget $ 1,500,000 $ 1,600,000 $ 2,577,000 $ 350,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 900,000 $ 1,800,000 $ 2,250,000 $ 1,100,000 $ 13,327,000 Spent to Date $ 860,661 $ 406,269 $ 3,206,001 $ 78,745 $ 576,032 $ 2,859,077 $ 1,091,909 $ 1,440,343 $ 497,394 $ 11,016,431 Rebate Budget $ 1,600,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 3,600,000 $ 254,230 $ 254,230 $ 9,300 $ - $ 47,000 $ - $ 56,300.00 $ - 1,976 198 454 1,595 109,530 6,016 3,474 83 66 13,862 2,344 2,344 306 1,325 3,108 8,289 2,814 8,677 13,028 0 MW Goal 43.04 MW To Date 24.02 Percentage Participant Type Participants To Date MWh To Date 29,234 44,745.81 Rebate Budget $ 16,983,300 Spent to Date $ 11,270,661 15.93 19.11 10.18 18.95 64% 99% 127,218 22,889 14707.01 22944.50 $ $ 11,577,000 2,063,543 $ $ 9,332,924 3,350,000 Thermal Energy Storage TOTAL …

Item 2- RCA: CBI Eanes ISD — original pdf

..De Posting Language ..Title Approve issuance of capacity-based incentives to Eanes Independent School District, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 2 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 304 Camp Craft Road, 1300 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 1201 S Capital of Texas HWY NB, in an amount not to exceed $848,830. Lead Department Austin Energy Fiscal Note Funding in the amount of $848,830 is available in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Austin Energy Operating Budget. Prior Council Action: For More Information: Amy Everhart, Director Local Government Issues (512) 322-6087; Tim Harvey, Customer Renewable Solutions Manager (512) 482-5386 Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action: July 15, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Electric Utility Commission. July 16, 2024 – To be reviewed by the Resource Management Commission. Additional Backup Information: Austin Energy requests approval to issue these capacity-based incentives (CBI) to the Customer for the installation of solar electric systems at their facilities to produce renewable energy for on-site consumption. The table below provides a summary of the combined system sizes, costs, proposed incentives, and environmental benefits: Solar System Details* Total System Size (kW-DC) Total System Size (kW-AC) Annual Estimated Production (kWh) Total System Cost ($) Total Incentive ($) Percent of Cost Covered Reduction of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) in tons Reduction of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) in pounds Reduction of Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) in pounds Equivalency of Vehicle Miles Driven Equivalency of Cars on Austin Roadways Equivalency of Trees Planted Equivalency of Forest Acreage Added 943 783 1,371,105 $1,646,282 $848,830 52% 613 686 960 1,422,274 132 9,195 Environmental Benefits** and Emission Reduction Equivalencies*** *All solar equipment meets Austin Energy program requirements ** Environmental Benefits based on the US Energy Information Association’s state-wide electricity profile *** According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalency Calculator 649 Eanes Independent School District (ISD) is comprised of six elementary schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one adult transition services program. Eanes ISD serves approximately 7,800 students. Proposed Solar Projects Incentive Rate ($/W) System Cost Austin Energy Incentive Generation kWh/yr System Size kW DC System Size kW AC Energy Offset $0.90 $317,467 $163,687 260,549 151 74% $0.90 $203,179 $104,760 173,146 97 124% $0.90 $526,258 $271,341 440,861 250 97% 182 117 302 $0.90 $599,378 $309,042 496,549 344 285 80% Site Address 2Walsh Tarlton Ln Austin, TX, 78746 304 Camp Craft Rd West Lake Hills, TX, 78746 1300 Walsh Tarlton Ln Austin, TX, 78746 1201 …

Item 3- Draft Resolution Postponing AE District Energy Cooling — original pdf

RESOLUTION TO POSTPONE AUSTIN ENERGY’S EVALUATION OF SALE OF DISTRICT CHILLING SYSTEM WHEREAS, Austin Energy is proposing to hire a firm to organize the possible sale of its district chilling system; and WHEREAS, this proposal was not discussed with community stakeholders in advance of its consideration by the Austin City Council; and WHEREAS, it is possible that sale of the system could adversely affect peak demand and energy efficiency in over 60 large Austin buildings or building complexes; and WHEREAS, it is possible that this proposal could adversely affect the costs of district chilling customers; and WHEREAS, district chilling did not exist in Austin outside of the University of Texas before the commissioning of Austin Energy’s system; and WHEREAS, the legal ability to sell the system may require a public vote; THEN BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission advise the Austin City Council to delay the proposal until it is more thoroughly reviewed by stakeholders in the community.

Item 4- RMC 2023-2024 Annual Review — original pdf

Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2023 to 6/30/2024 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION The Board/Commission mission statement (per the City Code) is: A. Maintain an overview of all programs, studies and proposals concerning the efficient use of energy, alternate energy technologies, renewable energy resources, including solar and wind, and the conservation of energy, excluding the use of conventional coal, nuclear, natural gas, or petroleum technologies. B. Serve as a liaison with other city commissions, including the Electric Utility C. Receive citizen input on alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and on Commission. energy conservation. D. Review and analyze: 1. energy conservation technologies and renewable energy sources as to their short- term and long-term feasibility in the city; 2. energy conservation policies, alternate energy technologies, and renewable energy projects in other cities and states; 3. water conservation policies, alternate technologies, and water conservation projects in other cities and states; and 4. City Code to identify potential amendments that encourage the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and the conservation of energy. 1. in developing and reviewing city plans and programs in the area of alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and energy conservation. 2. as to available funding from private and public sources which are available to the city for alternate energy technologies and renewable energy, and for the conservation of energy; 3. on energy conservation, on alternate energy technologies, and on renewable energy sources and report to City Council on the status of its activities at least annually; E. Advise the City Council: Resource Management Commission Annual Review and Work Plan 2023-2024 4. in developing and reviewing city plans and programs that encourage water conservation as it relates to water consumption from the tap to customer and within structures or building; and, 5. regarding appropriate City Code amendments that encourage the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and the conservation of energy. F. Encourage: 1. 2. the conservation of energy, the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources in City-owned facilities; and the private and public sectors to develop and to use alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and to conserve energy 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. The Resource Management Commission (RMC) …

Item 5- Draft Resolution Utility Assistance and Incentives Landing Page for COA Website — original pdf

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. _________ Resolution on Centralized Utility Assistance and Incentives Landing Page for City of Austin Website WHEREAS, Travis County Health and Human Services estimated that 25% of county residents were living below 200% of the poverty level in 2020; and WHEREAS, Austin Water, Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy and other utility providers offer low-income assistance programs to customers in the Austin area; and WHEREAS, demand-side reductions are needed to meet the goals of the 2035 Austin Energy Resource Generation and Climate Protection Plan, and the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the Austin Climate Equity Plan; and WHEREAS, Austin Water, Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy and other utility providers offer conservation incentive programs to customers in the Austin area to conserve water and energy usage; and WHEREAS, assistance and incentive programs for electricity, water, natural gas, and other utility services are sometimes difficult for ratepayers to locate unless they are already familiar with them; and WHEREAS, a landing page on the City of Austin website containing direct links to utility provider low-income assistance and conservation incentive programs would be a valuable service to the community at very little cost. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Resource Management Commission recommend to the Austin City Council that the City's web sites for various utility assistance and conservation programs be merged to create a one-stop, centralized, user-friendly portal to help customers access all forms of utility assistance; and LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission recommend to the Austin City Council that the centralized portal include links to utility assistance and conservation programs managed by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy and other utility providers serving Austin customers.

Item 6- Weatherization Program Briefing — original pdf

Weatherization Assistance Program Holly Prosser Residential Energy Efficiency Services Manager July 2024 © Austin Energy The Weatherization Assistance Program includes: • Attic insulation • Air infiltration • Duct sealing, repair and replacement • Solar screens • High efficiency LED lighting • Air conditioning tune-up • Health and safety: carbon monoxide and smoke detectors • Smart thermostat • Reflective roof coating for mobile homes 2 Weatherization Assistance Program also includes: • Air Conditioning Rebate and Loan • Medically Vulnerable Registry Air Conditioning Repair & Replacement 3 The Weatherization Assistance Program Serves as a Trusted Energy Advisor Makes Referrals to the Housing Repair Coalition Helps with Energy Bill Savings 4 Weatherization Assistance Program History Community Benefit Charge Rate Change October 2012 Additional Contractors Added Eligibility Updates Weatherization Programs Process Alignment 878 809 778 • Aligned with Home Performance with Energy Star • Focus Groups • Peer Utility Best Practices Review 520 497 479 454 Eligibility Updates 625 246 1400 1200 1000 800 600 400 0 312 200 155 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 5 FY 2024 Innovations & Results Innovations • Streamlined application process with mobile friendly, one-page application • • Income standard aligned with cost of living in Austin Improved workforce development for contractors Results • Year over year application increases • Record number of contractors 850 742 454 FY 2023 FY 2024 To Date FY 2024 Projected 6 Where We Are Going Nimble and Responsive Program Community Access and Connections Workforce Development Model for Other Programs The future of the Weatherization Assistance Program is a nimble and responsive program, optimizing community connections and access, focusing on workforce development and striving to be a model for other programs around the nation. 7 ©Austin Energy. All rights reserved. Austin Energy and the Austin Energy logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Austin Energy, the electric department of the City of Austin, Texas. Other names are for informational purposes only and may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Item 7- Net Energy Metering & Value of Solar Briefing — original pdf

Net Energy Metering & Value of Solar Tim Harvey Customer Renewable Solutions Manager July 2024 © Austin Energy Net Energy Metering & Value of Solar Agenda • Net Energy Metering • Austin Energy’s History • Value of Solar • Issues and Improvements 2 Net Energy Metering How it Works Production Used Onsite Offsets highest consumption tier Kilowatt Cap If kW cap is exceeded, the utility only pays for energy used onsite Minimum Bill If minimum bill, solar credits cannot reduce bill below minimum Production Not Used Onsite Receives a bill credit, typically at wholesale but varies by utility 3 Net Energy Metering Complexity Scenario #1: Customer consumes 2500 kWh and produces 2500 kWh. 50% of production is used onsite. Excess production credited at wholesale (3 cents) • 500 kWh @ Tier 4 = $91.50 • 750 kWh @ Tier 3 = $112.50 • 1250 kWh @ WS = $37.50 • Total 2500 kWh = $241.50 • $/kWh for production= $.0960 Scenario #2: Customer consumes 900 kWh and produces 900 kWh. 50% of production is used onsite. Excess production credited at wholesale (3 cents) • 450 kWh @ Tier 2 = $56.70 • 450 kWh @ WS = $13.50 • Total 900 kWh = $70.20 • $/kWh for production= $.0780 4 Net Energy Metering Inefficiency/ Caps Inequity • Can send inappropriate • Can provide a production cost signals • kW caps create an artificial threshold and lead to smaller system installations credit to high consumption customers that exceeds it avoided cost value • Can provide a production credit for to low consumption customers that is less than avoided cost value Utility Under Recovery • Austin Energy is required to recover fixed costs to serve through volumetric charges • Customers avoid making fair contributions to fixed cost recovery • Costs money and causes cross subsidization 5 Austin Energy History Net Energy Metering & Value of Solar 2004 – 2012 Austin Energy employs Net Energy Metering with a 20kW cap 2006 Clean Power Research assesses the Value of Solar with future approach for Power Purchase Agreements 2011 Base Rate Case • Austin Energy proposes recovering fixed costs with fixed charges • Lower proposed volumetric base rates would negatively affect solar customers & adoption • Value of Solar proposed as solution 2012 Solar Electric Power Assoc. names Austin Energy Utility of the year for Value of Solar 2013 Fracking impacts Value of Solar assessment …

Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline Monthly Report — original pdf

Multifamily & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 07/07/2024 Figure 1: Commercial and Multifamily Project Pipeline Commercial and Small Business Multifamily 200 180 160 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 t n u o C t c e o r P j 76 101 9 10 Pre-Approval in Progress 14 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 & Commercial Project Pipeline – Monthly Report 07/07/2024 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 Installation Lincoln Oaks 263.3 766,330 $257,806 11700 Metric Blvd 1266038, 1279735, 1292608, 1292617 Measures Planned Phase 1 (Complete): Water Saving Devices, Phase 2 (In Progress): LED Lighting, Plenum Remediation & Seal, HVAC Tune-Up, Smart Thermostats Total # of Units 296 Installation 1277574 Buckingham Place Duplexes 743 YARSA BLVD Installation 1301882 West Koenig Flats 5608 Avenue F 34.2 159,495 $74,700 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats 166 39.0 185,377 $109,200 HVAC Tune-up, Smart Thermostats 210 Installation 1299361 79.6 286,993 $151,432 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, LED Lighting 292 Installation 1303113 53.5 256,991 $124,640 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats 304 Installation 1291360 Twenty15 111.4 473,767 $205,465 Multifamily Installation 1301185 Elan East 59.0 327,616 $121,687 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, Attic Insulation, Plenum Remediation & Seal, Water Savings Devices HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, Water Saving Devices, ECAD Multifamily Installation 1300529 34.1 143,396 $100,399 HVAC Tune-Ups, Smart Thermostats, Attic Insulation Multifamily Installation 1301881 71.8 336,393 $205,412 HVAC …

Item 8- Texas Gas Service Quarterly Update — original pdf

Central Texas Energy Efficiency Program Overview Christy Bell – Supervisor, EE Programs Jasmine King-Bush – Manager, EE Programs Energy Efficiency Program Overview: • Expanded into the cities of Pflugerville and Mustang Ridge • Expanded program staff by adding a Program Assistant position. • ~270k customers in 19 cities • Total Program Budget: $3.5M 2 Energy Efficiency Program All Incentives $477,196 New Construction $116,917 Commercial $47,545 Q1 - 2024 Spend to Budget Progress $2,279,544 $1,023,083 $195,760 Free Equipment $142,146 $157,854 Residential Retrofit $170,588 $902,847 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 2024 2024 Budget Remaining 3 Energy Efficiency Program Commercial Direct Install Rebates: • Administered by - Sink Aerators - Low-Flow Showerheads - Pre-Rinse Spray Valves - Weather Stripping - Steam Traps 4 Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency Program Commercial Program Highlights Customer Service Address Description Measure Name Text Project Type Quantity Description Annual Natural Gas Savings (Therms) Annual Water Savings (Gallons) Total Incentive Project End Date CN LLC VILLAGE MOTOR INN 3012 S Congress Avenue ATX Handheld showerhead Showerhead 2 1.5 GPM HH CN LLC VILLAGE MOTOR INN 3012 S Congress Avenue ATX Weatherstripping Weatherstripping 663 .5 inch gap CN LLC VILLAGE MOTOR INN 3012 S Congress Avenue ATX Aerators Aerator CN LLC VILLAGE MOTOR INN 3012 S Congress Avenue ATX Fixed showerhead Showerhead 42 1.0 GPM 1.5 GPM fixed showerhead 38 13.10 4,342.65 190.78 248.91 4,795.44 2,610.27 $50.88 2/16/2024 $6,623.37 2/16/2024 $657.72 2/16/2024 55,188.00 $595.08 2/16/2024 49,595.13 $7,927.05 5 Texas Gas Service Energy Efficiency Program Low-Income/Free Equipment Program Highlights 2024 Q1 Total  47 appliances replaced  $142k+ in program funds disbursed 6 Energy Efficiency Program Education & Outreach: Program offerings, fact sheets, energy efficiency tips and latest Annual Report can be found on our website: texasgasservice.com/rebates. 7 Questions?

Recommendation 20240716-003: Postpone Austin Energy’s Evaluation of Sale of District Chilling System — original pdf

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240716-003 Resolution to Postpone Austin Energy’s Evaluation of Sale of District Chilling System WHEREAS, Austin Energy is proposing to hire a firm to organize the possible sale of its district chilling system; and WHEREAS, this proposal was not discussed with community stakeholders in advance of its consideration by the Austin City Council; and WHEREAS, it is possible that sale of the system could adversely affect peak demand and energy efficiency in over 60 large Austin buildings or building complexes; and WHEREAS, it is possible that this proposal could adversely affect the costs of district chilling customers; and WHEREAS, district chilling did not exist in Austin outside of the University of Texas before the commissioning of Austin Energy’s system; and WHEREAS, the legal ability to sell the system may require a public vote; THEN BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission advise the Austin City Council to delay the proposal until it is more thoroughly reviewed by stakeholders in the community. Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi; Commissioner Alison Silverstein Vote: 7-0 For: Against: None Abstentions: None Off Dais: Commissioner GeNell Gary Absences: Commissioner Dino Sasaridis Vacancies: District 2 and Mayor’s Office Attest: Natasha Goodwin, Staff Liaison

Recommendation 20240716-005: Utility Assistance and Incentives Landing Page — original pdf

BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20240716-005 Resolution on Centralized Utility Assistance and Incentives Landing Page for the City of Austin Website WHEREAS, Travis County Health and Human Services estimated that 25% of county residents were living below 200% of the poverty level in 2020; and WHEREAS, Austin Water, Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and other utility providers offer low-income assistance programs to customers in the Austin area; and WHEREAS, demand-side reductions are needed to meet the goals of the 2035 Austin Energy Resource Generation and Climate Protection Plan, and the greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals in the Austin Climate Equity Plan; and WHEREAS, Austin Water, Austin Energy, Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and other utility providers offer conservation incentive programs to customers in the Austin area to conserve water and energy usage; and WHEREAS, assistance and incentive programs for electricity, water, natural gas, and other utility services are sometimes difficult for ratepayers to locate unless they are already familiar with them; and WHEREAS, a landing page on the City of Austin website containing direct links to utility provider low- income assistance and conservation incentive programs would be a valuable service to the community at very little cost. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Resource Management Commission recommend to the Austin City Council that the City's web sites for various utility assistance and conservation programs be merged to create a one-stop, centralized, user-friendly portal to help customers access all forms of utility assistance; and LET IT FURTHER BE RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission recommend to the Austin City Council that the centralized portal include links to utility assistance and conservation programs managed by Pedernales Electric Cooperative, Texas Gas Service, Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy, and other utility providers serving Austin customers. Vote: 7-0 For: Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi; Commissioner Alison Silverstein Against: None Abstentions: None Off Dais: Commissioner GeNell Gary Absences: Commissioner Dino Sasaridis Vacancies: District 2 and Mayor’s Office Attest: Natasha Goodwin, Staff Liaison

Approved Minutes — original pdf

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 16, 2024 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 16, 2024 The Resource Management Commission convened in a Regular Called meeting on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at Austin Energy Headquarters 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin, TX 78723. Chair Louis Stone called the Resource Management Commission meeting to order at 6:06 p.m. in Attendance: Commissioner Louis Stone, Chair; Board Members/Commissioners Commissioner Paul Robbins, Vice Chair; Commissioner Charlotte Davis; Commissioner Trey Farmer. Board Members/Commissioners in Attendance Remotely: Commissioner GeNell Gary; Commissioner Shane Johnson; Commissioner Chelsey Scaffidi; Commissioner Alison Silverstein. PUBLIC COMMUNICATION: GENERAL • Craig Nazor- District Energy Cooling. • Doug Greco- District Energy Cooling. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 1. Approve the minutes of the Resource Management Commission Regular Meeting on June 18, 2024. The motion approving the minutes of the Resource Management Commission meeting of June 18, 2024 was approved on Commissioner Davis’s motion, Commissioner Farmer’s second on an 8-0 vote with Commissioner Sasaridis absent and two vacancies. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of capacity-based incentives to Eanes Independent School District, for installation of solar electric systems on their facilities located at 2 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 304 Camp Craft Road, 1300 Walsh Tarlton Lane, 1201 S Capital of Texas HWY NB, in an amount not to exceed $848,830. The motion to approve a recommendation approving capacity-based incentives to Eanes Independent School District was approved on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 6-1 vote with Chair Stone voting against, Commissioner Gary off the dais, Commissioner Sasaridis absent and two vacancies. 3. Recommend approval of a recommendation postponing the evaluation of a possible sale of Austin Energy’s district heating and cooling plant. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES Tuesday, July 16, 2024 The motion to approve a recommendation postponing the evaluation of a possible sale of Austin Energy’s district heating and cooling plant was approved on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Silverstein’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Gary off the dais, Commissioner Sasaridis absent, and two vacancies. 4. Recommend approval of the Annual Internal Review of the Resource Management Commission for July 2023 through June 2024. The motion to approve the Annual Internal Review of the Resource Management Commission was approved on Vice Chair Robbins motion, Commissioner Farmer’s second on a 7-0 vote with Commissioner Gary off the dais, Commissioner Sasaridis absent, and two vacancies. 5. Recommend approval of a recommendation for …