REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION April 15, 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 Joseph Gerland Martin Luecke Dino Sasaridis 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 Meeting on March 25, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Conduct officer elections for the Chair and Vice Chair of the Resource Management Commission. 3. Recommendation regarding an audit of the Austin Energy District Energy and Cooling System. DISCUSSION ITEMS 4. Discussion on changes to Austin Energy’s Residential Rooftop Solar Program. 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 .
Resource Management Commission Resolution on Austin Energy District Energy and Cooling System WHEREAS, the City of Austin established its first District Energy and Cooling system plant in 2005; and WHEREAS, this system has now expanded to six locations around Austin, and is forecast to save 30 MW of summer peak demand by 2027 while providing air conditioning and refrigeration at a savings to at least 73 commercial customers; and WHEREAS, this system would have not been built without Austin Energy's support; and WHEREAS, the peak load reduction from the District Energy and Cooling System lowers Austin Energy’s wholesale electricity purchase costs for all Austin Energy customers; and WHEREAS, expansion of the district chilling system is an important strategy to save more energy and reduce carbon emissions as the new Austin Energy generation plan is implemented; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has proposed sale of this system in the summer of 2024 because of the claim that it was not financially viable, which caused concern among its skilled workforce about the security of their jobs, which in turn puts the system at risk if these skilled employees take other jobs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has not released detailed information and data relevant to the financial viability of the district chilling system and the timeline by which a sale or other alternatives for the system might proceed; THEN BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission: 1) ask the City Council to conduct an audit of Austin Energy's District Energy and Cooling system to determine when it will become profitable, and necessary steps that the City should take to ensure its financial viability; 2) ask Austin Energy to develop and share its plans, timing and rationale for the future expansion or sale of the District Energy and Cooling system; 3) request a public status report on the plans be made available in 4 months.
Resource Management Commission Resolution on Austin Energy District Energy and Cooling System WHEREAS, the City of Austin established its first District Energy and Cooling system plant in 2005; and WHEREAS, this system has now expanded to six locations around Austin, and is forecast to save 30 MW of summer peak demand by 2027 while providing air conditioning and refrigeration at a savings to at least 73 commercial customers; and WHEREAS, this system would have not been built without Austin Energy's support; and WHEREAS, the peak load reduction from the District Energy and Cooling System lowers Austin Energy’s wholesale electricity purchase costs for all Austin Energy customers; and WHEREAS, expansion of the district chilling system is an important strategy to save more energy and reduce carbon emissions as the new Austin Energy generation plan is implemented; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has proposed sale of this system in the summer of 2024 because of the claim that it was not financially viable, which caused concern among its skilled workforce about the security of their jobs, which in turn puts the system at risk if these skilled employees take other jobs; and WHEREAS, Austin Energy has not released detailed information and data relevant to the financial viability of the district chilling system and the timeline by which a sale or other alternatives for the system might proceed; THEN BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission: 1) ask the City Council to conduct an audit of Austin Energy's District Energy and Cooling system to determine when it will become profitable, and necessary steps that the City should take to ensure its financial viability; 2) ask Austin Energy to develop and share its plans, timing and rationale for the future expansion or sale of the District Energy and Cooling system; 3) request a public status report on the plans be made available in 4 months.
