REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION June 17, 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 Nici Huff, at Nici.Huff@austinenergy.com or 512-972-8621. Members: Charlotte Davis, Chair Paul Robbins, Vice Chair Trey Farmer GeNell Gary AGENDA Joseph Gerland Martin Luecke Dino Sasaridis Raphael Schwartz CALL MEETING TO ORDER Alison Silverstein Danielle Zigon 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 May 20, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of the Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone for approval to include in the 5-year Capital spending plan as required by Financial Policy #8. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff Briefing regarding the 2025 Atmos Energy rate case and discussion on policies for future rate case and franchise agreement negotiations by Marija Norton, City Controller, Financial Services Department and Freddy Herrera, outside counsel, Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC. 4. Staff Briefing regarding Austin Water’s quarterly report on Water Management Strategy Implementation by Kevin Kluge, Environmental Conservation Division Manager of Austin Water. DISCUSSION ITEMS 5. Presentation by Atmos Energy regarding Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division Update by Chris Felan, VP of Rates and Regulatory Affairs and Kelly Biegler, VP of Public Affairs - Mid-Tex Division, Atmos Energy. 6. Presentation on ideas that can increase effectiveness of Austin's water conservation programs and strategies. (Sponsors: Robbins, Davis) 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 Nici Huff at Austin Energy, at …
Memorandum To: Boards and Commissions From: Shay Ralls Roalson, Director, Austin Water Date: June 6, 2025 Subject: Board and Commission and Citizen Review of new Growth-related Capital Improvement Projects in Drinking Water Protection Zone In accordance with Austin Water’s (AW) Financial Policy No. 8, which is adopted by City Council annually as part of the annual budget adoption process, AW is providing a report of new growth-related capital improvement projects (CIP) located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ). The financial policy, which requires certain Board and Commission review of applicable projects, reads as follows: Capital improvement projects for new water and wastewater treatment plants, capital expansions, and growth-related projects that are located in the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ) will be identified and submitted, as part of the annual budget process, to the following Boards and Commissions: Water and Wastewater Commission, Resource Management Commission, and the Environmental Board. These Boards and Commissions will review growth-related DWPZ capital projects spending plans, obtain Board and Commission and citizen input, review consistency with Imagine Austin Comprehensive Plan, review effect on growth within the DWPZ, and make recommendations on project approval for inclusion in Austin Water's five-year capital spending plan. This summer, AW representatives will be distributing a brief report to the Commissions on the CIP projects located in the DWPZ related to the financial policy. Attachments: CIP Subprojects Summary CIP Subprojects Supplemental Information and Map The City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable modifications and equal access to communications will be provided upon request. Item 2 Austin Water Infrastructure Management Financial Policy No. 8 Drinking Water Protection Zone Projects Summary FY26-30 CIP Plan Development Each year, as part of the City of Austin Budget approval process, Austin Water submits a plan for the capital improvements program (CIP) spending for the upcoming five-year period. Austin Water’s FY26-30 CIP Plan includes projects located across the Austin metropolitan area, including the Drinking Water Protection Zone (DWPZ). In compliance with Austin Water’s Financial Policy No. 8, the capital improvement projects for new water and wastewater treatment plants, capital expansions, and growth related projects that are located in the DWPZ are presented below for consideration by City of Austin Boards and Commissions. These projects represent improvements required to meet Austin Water standards for operability and customer service. While additional capacity may be added in accordance with current design standards, the …
2025 Atmos Energy Rate Case Update & Gas Utility Policy Discussion Marija Norton| City Controller Alfred R. Herrera| Herrera Law & Associates, PLLC Item 3 2025 Atmos Energy Rate Case Timeline Nov 18, 2024: Rate case filed with Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC). Discovery begins. Dec 16, 2024: Rate case filed with Atmos Texas Municipalities (ATM). Dec 18, 2024: Errata to update filing, if necessary. Dec 23, 2024: Proposed effective date for RRC rate case. Jan 20, 2025: Proposed effective date for ATM rate case. Jan 21, 2025: Settlement conference. Jan 30, 2025: Proposed effective date for City of Austin only. City of Austin adopts denial resolution. Feb 3, 2025: Discovery ends on Atmos Mid-Tex direct case. Feb 13, 2025: Intervenor testimony due. Feb 19, 2025: Settlement conference. Feb 20, 2025: Staff testimony due. Feb 25, 2025: Discovery ends on intervenor & staff testimony. Feb 28, 2025: Rebuttal testimony due. Mar 7, 2025: Discovery ends on rebuttal testimony. Mar 10, 2025: Trial briefs & prehearing conference. Mar 11-12, 2025: Hearing on the merits. Mar 19, 2025: Initial briefs. Mar 26, 2025: Reply briefs. Apr 25, 2025: Proposal for Decision (PFD) issued. Apr 30, 2025: Settlement reached. May 1, 2025: Exceptions to PFD. May 7, 2025: Replies to exceptions. May 13, 2025: Commission conference. May 22, 2025: Initial statutory deadline – extended to June 18, 2025 Jun 17, 2025: Expected date for RRC consideration of settlement. 2 2025 Atmos Energy Rate Case Settlement Overview 3 2025 Atmos Energy Rate Case Settlement Overview Customer Class Current Atmos As-File Proposed Rates ATM Proposed Rates Settlement Rates ATM Cities: Residential Customer Charge Consumption Charge Commercial Customer Charge Consumption Charge Industrial & Transportation Customer Charge Consumption Charge - Tier 1 Consumption Charge - Tier 2 Consumption Charge - Tier 3 $ $ 47.91 0.14846 $ $ 47.91 0.37584 $ $ 20.00 0.98029 $ $ 25.00 0.78025 $ $ 136.68 0.09165 $ $ 136.68 0.09165 $ $ 145.00 0.16276 $ $ 140.00 0.26133 $ $ $ $ 2,492.04 0.3312 0.2425 0.0520 $ $ $ $ 2,492.04 0.3312 0.2425 0.0520 $ $ $ $ 2,462.00 0.7954 0.5824 0.1249 $ $ $ $ 2,100.00 1.0479 0.7672 0.1645 4 2025 Atmos Energy Rate Case Settlement Overview Cost of Capital Return on Equity Cost of Long Term Debt Capital Structure - Equity Capital Capital Structure - Debt Capital Rate of Return Current - Last Authorized 9.80% 5.20% 60.18% 39.82% 7.97% …
Water Management Strategy Implementation REPORT First Quarter 2025, January – March Resource Management Commission June 17, 2025 Item 4 Contents 2 First Quarter Summary Notes Regarding Data Water Conservation Updates Water Loss Reduction Updates Reclaimed Water and Onsite Reuse Updates Conservation Outreach Updates Water Use and GPCD Water Supply Project Updates First Quarter Summary The sustainability of Austin’s water supply is critical to the City’s future. This is the first quarterly report on implementation of water management strategies in the 2024 Water Conservation and Water Forward Plans. Austin Water has committed to this regular reporting to provide the latest information for stakeholders to understand our progress. In the first quarter of Calendar Year 2025, Austin Water initiated many bedrock tasks of water management strategies, including this new process of reporting. Notes Regarding Data Quarterly reporting of strategy implementation is a groundbreaking effort undertaken by Austin Water. Several important metrics require both explanation and development. Some metrics will be available in future quarterly reports. Quarterly Data – All quarterly data should be considered preliminary and draft, subject to adjustment and revision at the end of the year and included in the annual report. Historical Data – Where possible, 2024 quarterly metrics are included for reference with the 2025 first quarter metrics. Not all metrics have historical data. Yield of Strategies – Estimated volumetric yields from strategies are included in the Water Conservation Plan (2029 and 2034) and the Water Forward Plan (2030). Austin Water is working to identify the volumetric yields of strategies as they are being implemented and report them in future reporting. 4 Water Conservation Updates New single family residential irrigation inspections started in October 2024 3 Commercial/Institutional water audits conducted with pre-approved Bucks for Business applications Commercial water audit training: 2 staff members were certified and local utilities are working to bring the training to Central Texas WaterWise Landscape and Rainscape applications increased by 900% and 350% respectively between Q1 2024 and Q1 2025 5 Water Conservation Metrics Residential Rebate Programs Approved Rebates 45 40 35 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 6 Drought Survival Tools Irrigation Upgrades Other Residential Programs Rainwater Harvesting Rebates WaterWise Landscape WaterWise Rainscape Q1 2024 Q2 2024 Q3 2024 Q4 2024 Q1 2025 Water Conservation Metrics Commercial Rebate Programs Approved Rebates Approved Rebates 2.5 2 1.5 1 …
Energy Effeciency Services - Commercial and Multifamily Enrollment Pipeline 6/1/2025 Program Latest Workflow Enrollment(s) # Location Name Installation Address Council District Est. kW Savings Est. kWh Savings Est. $ Incentive Measures Planned Multifamily 3-Installation 1329500 CAMDEN-GAINES RANCH Commercial 3-Installation Multifamily 3-Installation 1337032 1323774 HEB 754 SOUTH LAMAR VILLAGE 3505 S LAMAR BLVD LEASE 4424 GAINES RANCH LOOP 2400 S CONGRESS AVE Multifamily 3-Installation 1302240 THE MICHAEL AT PRESIDIO 13535 LYNDHURST ST LEASE Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified Multifamily Income Qualified 3-Installation 1327092 AGAVE AT SOUTH CONGRESS 625 E STASSNEY LN A 4-Post Inspection 1329351 HILLSIDE ON CANNON 3-Installation 1328829 BRIDGE AT BALCONES 2302 E WILLIAM CANNON DR 1 12215 HUNTERS CHASE DR S12 8 3 5 6 3 2 6 122.0 168,642 $ 70,256 549.1 2,650,926 $ 82,295 152.5 343,826 $ 115,950 Building Information,Property Qualification, Solar Screen/Solar Film HVAC,Lighting New Construction Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up 41.7 162,206 $ 119,520 Building Information,Property Information,QC - Qualification,HVAC Tune-Up,Unit Information 54.3 208,321 $ 138,852 Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up 157.0 242,240 $ 158,534 Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up 68.1 319,824 $ 178,520 Attic Insulation, ECAD Incentive, Lighting, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, HVAC Tune-Up Rebate Fact Sheet - Energy Efficiency Services May 2025 Rebate Program Enrollment Property Information Multifamily 1297546 Customer or Property THE BOULEVARD AT TOWN LAKE Property Address Year Built * Total Number of Rentable Units Building Total Square Feet 2600 LAKE AUSTIN BLVD 05 AUSTIN, TX 78703 1995 256 N/A Rebates and Estimated Annual Savings Measure ** Attic Insulation HVAC Tune-Up Plenum Redesign and Remediation Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat Water Saving Devices Est. Kilowatt (kW) Reduction Est. Kilowatt- hours (kWh) Reduction Est. $/kW 57.3 30.5 223.2 22.0 10.7 27,321 118,566 450,042 125,752 114,929 $1,317 $1,813 $378 $1,779 $413 Rebate per Tenant Unit $295 $216 $330 $153 $17 Total Rebate $75,429 $55,253 $84,420 $39,060 $4,439 Total *** 343.6 * Year built may not include major renovations ** Fact sheets include final inspection information, and some values may have changed since original proposal. *** Assumes 100% Occupancy $258,601 836,611 $1,010 $5,701 Date (Year) Measure Rebate Amount Energy Efficiency Rebates in Past 10-Years N/A Rebate Fact Sheet - Energy Efficiency Services May 2025 Rebate Program Enrollment Property Information Multifamily Income Qualified 1328775 Customer or Property WILDWOOD APARTMENTS Property Address Year Built * Total Number of …
Austin Water Conservation Potential Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins • July 17, 2025 Item 6 With Maximum Drought, Global Warming, Sedimentation, and increasing population, the Highland Lakes could be dry by 2040 Average temperatures have spike since 2009. Heat and drought influenced water conservation policy. On June 15, 2025, the Lakes Were Only 53% Full. Watering restrictions, building codes, efficiency mandates, education programs, and higher water costs have contributed to dramatic reductions in per capita water use. Some assume it can go no lower. New Programs and Strategies COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION RATES Other Texas Cities 12 to 122% Higher Than Normal Commercial Rates Austin 2% Discount Originally recommended in 2007 COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE REBATES In Austin, Residential landscape rebates are very expensive and rarely used. Commercial landscapes use 9 X as much water as Residential, and retrofits may be more cost effective – particularly coupled with high irrigation rates. COMMERCIAL INSPECTION FINES Landscapes since 2014 Car Washes since 2014 Cooling Towers since 2018 20% Non-Compliance – 68 Million Gallons/Year AGGRESSIVE REBATE PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL CLOTHES WASHERS AND DISHWASHERS About 10,000 Commercial Clothes Washers and Dishwashers in Austin. Clothes Washers: as much as 69% savings Dishwashers: as much as 75% savings But almost no rebates between 2021 and 2024. BUCKS FOR BUSINESS COMMERCIAL REBATE PROGRAM Replacing toilets in volume Poor participation in recent years until new staff person and third-party vendor. 24 million gallons saved in 2024, 6 X the previous 3 years combined Recycling car wash water MANDATORY TOILET CHANGEOUT 140,000 old units left in 2012. Retrofits should be required. Originally recommended in 2007 MANDATORY SOIL DEPTH IN NEW SUBDIVISIONS Placing 6 inches of soil on disturbed ground enhances moisture retention (like a sponge) Originally recommended in 2007 OLD PIPE REPLACEMENT In 2023, 12.5% of Austin’s water leaked. Most was from old cast iron and polybutylene pipe. It has been getting worse since 2007. Replacing cast iron and PB would require $1.6 billion in overnight costs. Not cost effective unless viewed on a 100-year timeline. • Savings from water processing cost. • Savings avoiding new treatment plant capital and O&M costs. • Savings from new water purchases. Ductile Iron Stainless Steel RECLAIMED WATER Despite the number of reclaimed water customers growing by almost 4 times since 2011, the actual volume sold has remained the same. Only 6% reclaimed. But at full potential, it could supply 715,000 Austinites. Building a new reclaimed water …
Atmos Energy, Mid-Tex Division For Austin Resource Management Commission June 17, 2025 Item 5 Atmos Energy (Mid-Tex) Service Territory – Austin, TX I W E V R E V O I W E V R E V O Cities in the Atmos Texas Municipalities (ATM) Coalition Austin Fredericksburg Lampasas Balch Springs Gatesville Bandera Blooming Grove Burnet Cameron Cedar Park Clifton Commerce Goldthwaite Granbury Greenville Groesbeck Hamilton Heath Henrietta Leander Longview Marble Falls Mart Mexia Olney Pflugerville Point Copperas Cove Hickory Creek Princeton Corsicana Electra Hico Hillsboro Ranger Rice Riesel Rockdale Rogers Round Rock San Angelo Sanger Somerville Star Harbor Trinidad Whitney I W E V R E V O Austin, TX Service Territory Atmos Energy Mid-Tex Division BY THE NUMBERS 11,019 Customers 120 Miles of Pipeline 125 Employees $226,895 Charitable Giving I W E V R E V O Mid-Tex Division BY THE NUMBERS 1.8 Million Customers 32,827 Miles of Pipeline 1,978 Employees 550 $1.4 Billion FY24 Capital Investment $8.8 Million Communities Served Charitable Giving Y T E F A S Safety Drives Everything We Do Our vision is to be the safest provider of natural gas services, and we are doing our part to modernize the nation’s aging natural gas delivery network. Over the last 10 years, we have invested more than $10 billion to modernize our pipeline infrastructure and have committed to spending approximately $24 billion over the next five years. Y T E F A S Training for Safe Operations Atmos Energy field employees receive extensive in-person, virtual, and hands-on training and participate in our Pipeline Safety Management System that provides continuous feedback. 9,000 Hours spent on safety training across the enterprise in FY23. 2 Million+ Hours of training at the Charles K. Vaughan Center since its opening in 2010. Y T E F A S M E T S Y S Reducing Third-Party Pipeline Damage Safe digging starts with calling 811 to have underground utility- owned lines located and marked. It’s free. It keeps you safe. It’s the law. Call 811 Before You Dig • Natural gas safety is a partnership, so we want everyone to understand the importance of calling 811 before building a deck, planting a tree, installing a fence, or digging for any other project. • The most common cause of outside natural gas leaks is excavation that damages natural gas pipelines. APWA Uniform Color for Marking Underground Utility Lines Red: Electric Yellow: …
Austin Water Conservation Potential Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins • July 17, 2025 Item 6, V2 Stress on Highland Lakes Water Supply Lake Levels Adjusted for 1950s Drought Lake Levels Adjusted for 1950s and 1700s Drought Lake Levels Adjusted for Drought and worst global warming scenario Sedimentation Met Demand 2023 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 Water Supply Left/Unmet Demand t e e F - e r c A 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 -200,000 -400,000 -600,000 With Maximum Drought, Global Warming, Sedimentation, and increasing population, the Highland Lakes could be dry by 2040 Average temperatures have spike since 2009. Heat and drought influenced water conservation policy. On June 15, 2025, the Lakes Were Only 53% Full. Watering restrictions, building codes, efficiency mandates, rebates, education programs, and higher water costs have contributed to dramatic reductions in per capita water use. Some assume it can go no lower. New Programs and Strategies COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION RATES Other Texas Cities 12 to 122% Higher Than Normal Commercial Rates Austin 2% Discount Originally recommended in 2007 COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE REBATES In Austin, Residential landscape rebates are very expensive and rarely used. Commercial landscapes use 9 X as much water as Residential, so retrofits may be more cost effective – particularly coupled with high irrigation rates. COMMERCIAL INSPECTION FINES Landscapes since 2014 Car Washes since 2014 Cooling Towers since 2018 20% Non-Compliance – 68 Million Gallons/Year AGGRESSIVE REBATE PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL CLOTHES WASHERS AND DISHWASHERS About 10,000 Commercial Clothes Washers and Dishwashers in Austin. Clothes Washers: as much as 69% savings. Dishwashers: as much as 75% savings. But almost no rebates between 2021 and 2024. BUCKS FOR BUSINESS COMMERCIAL REBATE PROGRAM Replacing toilets in volume Poor participation in recent years until new staff person and third-party vendor. 24 million gallons saved in 2024, 6 X the previous 3 years combined. Recycling car wash water MANDATORY TOILET CHANGEOUT 140,000 old units left in 2012. Retrofits should be required. Originally recommended in 2007 MANDATORY SOIL DEPTH IN NEW SUBDIVISIONS Placing 6 inches of soil on disturbed ground enhances moisture retention (like a sponge). Originally recommended in 2007 OLD PIPE REPLACEMENT In 2023, 12.5% of Austin’s water leaked. Most was from old cast iron and polybutylene pipe. It has been getting worse since 2007. Replacing cast iron and polybutylene would require $1.6 billion in overnight costs. But only $11 million/year is typically spent to replace ≈6 …
Austin Water Conservation Potential Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins • July 17, 2025 Item 6, V3 Stress on Highland Lakes Water Supply Lake Levels Adjusted for 1950s Drought Lake Levels Adjusted for 1950s and 1700s Drought Lake Levels Adjusted for Drought and worst global warming scenario Sedimentation Met Demand 2023 2030 2040 2050 2060 2070 2080 Water Supply Left/Unmet Demand t e e F - e r c A 1,400,000 1,200,000 1,000,000 800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 -200,000 -400,000 -600,000 With Maximum Drought, Global Warming, Sedimentation, and increasing population, the Highland Lakes could be dry by 2040 Average temperatures have spike since 2009. Heat and drought influenced water conservation policy. On June 15, 2025, the Lakes Were Only 53% Full. Watering restrictions, building codes, efficiency mandates, rebates, education programs, and higher water costs have contributed to dramatic reductions in per capita water use. Some assume it can go no lower. New Programs and Strategies COMMERCIAL IRRIGATION RATES Other Texas Cities 12 to 122% Higher Than Normal Commercial Rates Austin 2% Discount Originally recommended in 2007 COMMERCIAL LANDSCAPE REBATES In Austin, Residential landscape rebates are very expensive and rarely used. Commercial landscapes use 9 X as much water as Residential, so retrofits may be more cost effective – particularly coupled with high irrigation rates. COMMERCIAL INSPECTION FINES Landscapes since 2014 Car Washes since 2014 Cooling Towers since 2018 20% Non-Compliance – 68 Million Gallons/Year AGGRESSIVE REBATE PROGRAM FOR COMMERCIAL CLOTHES WASHERS AND DISHWASHERS About 10,000 Commercial Clothes Washers and Dishwashers in Austin. Clothes Washers: as much as 69% savings. Dishwashers: as much as 75% savings. But almost no rebates between 2021 and 2024. BUCKS FOR BUSINESS COMMERCIAL REBATE PROGRAM Replacing toilets in volume Poor participation in recent years until new staff person and third-party vendor. 24 million gallons saved in 2024, 6 X the previous 3 years combined. Recycling car wash water MANDATORY TOILET CHANGEOUT 140,000 old units left in 2012. Retrofits should be required. Originally recommended in 2007 MANDATORY SOIL DEPTH IN NEW SUBDIVISIONS Placing 6 inches of soil on disturbed ground enhances moisture retention (like a sponge). Originally recommended in 2007 OLD PIPE REPLACEMENT In 2023, 12.5% of Austin’s water leaked. Most was from old cast iron and polybutylene pipe. It has been getting worse since 2007. Replacing cast iron and polybutylene would require $1.6 billion in overnight costs. But only $11 million/year is typically spent to replace ≈6 …
