REGULAR MEETING OF THE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION July 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 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 June 17, 2025. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 2. Recommend approval of the Annual Internal Review of the Resource Management Commission for July 2024 through June 2025. STAFF BRIEFINGS 3. Staff briefing regarding the 2025 Texas Gas Service rate case by Marija Norton, City Controller, Financial Services Department and Thomas Brocato, outside counsel, Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C. 4. Staff briefing on Heat Pump Water Heater Rebates by Hammad Chaudhry, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Austin Energy. 5. Staff briefing on Home Energy Savings by Hammad Chaudhry, Director, Energy Efficiency Services, Austin Energy. DISCUSSION AND ACTION ITEMS 6. Discuss and action to recommend creating a revolving fund for solar and energy efficiency investment on City properties. (Sponsors: Davis and Luecke) 7. Discussion on natural gas utilities: fuel costs, low-income customer issues, environmental effects, clean-energy programs, and policy related issues related to them. (Sponsors: Robbins and 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 at least two days (48 hours) before the meeting date. Please call Nici Huff at Austin Energy, (512) 972-8621 or email Nici.Huff@austinenergy.com, for additional information; TTY users route through Relay Texas …
Resource Management Commission Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2024 to 6/30/2025 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 Commission. C. Receive citizen input on alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and on 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 4. 5. projects in other cities and states; the City Code to identify potential amendments that encourage the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources, and the conservation of energy; recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority (amendment effective February 24, 2025) E. Advise the City Council: 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; Item 2 Resource Management Commission Annual Review and Work Plan 2024-2025 3. on energy conservation, on alternate energy technologies, and on renewable 4. energy sources and report to City Council on the status of its activities at least annually; 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. 6. regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority (amendment effective February 24, 2025). F. Encourage: 1. 2. the conservation of energy, the use of alternate energy technologies and …
Mr. Brocato’s Direct Line: (512) 322-5857 Email: TO: FROM: DATE: RE: M E M O R A N D U M City of Austin Thomas Brocato Samantha Miller July 3, 2025 Texas Gas Service Company’s 2025 Statement of Intent to Change Gas Utility Rates Within the Incorporated Areas of the Central-Gulf, West North, and Rio Grande Valley Service Areas Overview of Application On June 30, 2025 Texas Gas Service Company (“TGS” or “Company”) a Division of ONE Gas, Inc. filed a Statement of Intent to Change Gas Utility Rates within the Incorporated Areas of the Central-Gulf, West North, and Rio Grande Valley Service Areas (Application) pursuant to Subchapter C of Chapter 104 of the Gas Utility Regulatory Act in all municipalities exercising original jurisdiction within the incorporated service areas and at the Railroad Commission of Texas (“Commission”). The proposed effective date for new rates is August 19, 2025. Below is a summary of the key components of the filing: • • • • • • TGS is seeking to increase its revenues by $41.1 million, which is an increase of 7.07% including gas costs, or 9.83% excluding gas costs. TGS currently has four service areas in Texas. In its application TGS is seeking to consolidate all service areas into a single statewide jurisdiction served by TGS. The Company’s proposed rates for all customers are based on the systemwide cost of providing service to customers throughout the entirety of Texas. The estimated change in rates would result in small residential customers’ average monthly bill, including cost of gas, of $48.82 per month, and large residential customers average monthly bill, including cost of gas, of $74.30. For the Central Gulf Service Area, the impact of this change would be an increase of $3.94 per month for small residential customers, and a decrease of $2.99 per month for large residential customers. For West North Service Area, the impact of this change would be an increase of $10.38 per month for small residential customers, and an increase of $14.64 per month for large residential customers. For the Rio Grande Valley Service Area, the impact of this change would be a decrease of $13.71 for small residential customers, and a decrease of $4.59 for large residential customers. Currently, Central Gulf Service Area rates consist of a $21.36 per month customer charge and $0.87646 Ccf volumetric rate for small residential customers. Under TGS’s proposed rate change, …
M E M O R A N D U M TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Genesis D. Gavino, MPA, Chief of Staff FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Zach Baumer, Director, Office of Climate Ac�on and Resilience May 8, 2025 Staff response to Resolu�on No. 20240718-093 (Comprehensive Climate Implementa�on Program) Background The purpose of this memorandum is to provide a final update on the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Plan. The Austin City Council adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan in September 2021 to equitably achieve net-zero community-wide greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. With five sections — Sustainable Buildings, Transportation Electrification, Transportation and Land Use, Food and Product Consumption, and Natural Systems — the plan outlines 17 goals and 75 strategies to be completed by 2030. Considerable progress has been made since the plan’s adoption, but work remains, requiring collective action and continued investment. According to a recent analysis conducted by the Office of Climate Action & Resilience (OCAR), 11 of the 17 goals in the plan are either “in need of support” or “off track.” In July 2024, Austin City Council passed Resolution 20240718-093, directing the City Manager to create a comprehensive climate implementation program to refocus City resources toward achieving our community-wide net-zero goal. In the Fall of 2024, staff researched global best practices for improving Austin’s climate plan implementation, including interviews with peer cities and their networks. Staff then worked collaboratively across the City organization to create the Comprehensive Climate Implementation Program, which includes a 2-year Implementation Plan and Programmatic Adjustments. This implementation program aims to equip our City’s leadership with clear and actionable projects and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2027. If all actions in this plan were accomplished, our city could reduce up to 2.3 million metric tons of CO2e by 2040. The plan is best viewed as a direct extension of the Climate Equity Plan and follows best practices in municipal efforts to reduce emissions and improve public health outcomes. This memo describes how this work was completed, what programmatic adjustments are being made, and lists the actions in the 2-year implementation plan. The 2-year Implementation Plan The Office of Climate Action and Resilience compiled several hundred potential actions, drawing from the Environmental Investment Plan, departmental plans, and Joint Sustainability Committee recommendations. These actions were prioritized using C40’s “Action Selection and Prioritization” tool to evaluate equity impacts, considering housing, health, green jobs, accessibility, air quality, feasibility, …
BOARD/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Resource Management Commission Recommendation No. 20250715-006 Recommendation to Create a Revolving Fund for Solar and Energy Efficiency Investment on City Properties 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 steps to accelerate local greenhouse gas emissions reductions; and WHEREAS, on September 30, 2021, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Climate Equity Plan, which established a goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for the Austin Community by 2040; and WHEREAS, on December 12, 2024, the Austin City Council adopted the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035, which reaffirmed energy efficiency, local solar, demand response and customer-sited batteries as priority strategies for meeting Austin’s energy needs; and WHEREAS, on May 22, 2025 the Austin City Council adopted resolution 20250522-052 directing the City Manager to conduct an analysis of City property, make recommendations for maximizing solar installation, and utilize the energy cost savings or revenue generated to fund projects with a beneficial environmental impact; and WHEREAS, of the 47 recommendations in Austin’s Climate Implementation Plan identifies installing solar on City facilities as the second most cost effective action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and WHEREAS, Austin’s Climate Implementation Plan identifies creating a climate revolving fund to invest in energy upgrades to city facilities, capture savings, and reinvest funds for additional investment as a foundational action; and WHEREAS, other jurisdictions in Texas and across the country have successfully established revolving funds, including the City of San Antonio, which has invested $42 million into its Item 6 revolving fund for energy efficiency upgrades and solar installations at city properties, and the resulting savings are available for additional investments; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin recommends that the Austin City Council direct the City Manager to establish a revolving Sustainable City Facilities Fund of at least $15M to seed solar energy installations on city buildings and other city properties and make energy and water efficiency upgrades at city facilities. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission recommends that the cost savings from such projects be continuously reinvested to fund additional projects identified in the Climate Implementation Plan that have a beneficial environmental impact. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the …
Second Natural Gas Utility Policy Briefing Resource Management Commission Paul Robbins July 15, 2025 Item 7 There Are Other Gas Utility Issues Besides High Rates 1. High Fuel Costs 2. Taxes & Fees 3. Low-Income Assistance 4. Greenwashing– Faulty Programs for Conservation & Renewable Natural Gas Three Reasons for High Fuel Prices 1. Rising Support Costs 2. Securitization 3. Gas Exports “Securitization” Winter Storm Uri Surcharge Legalized Piracy • $3.5 Billion Financed Over 16 Years • $1.11/MCF Surcharge • ≈ $38/Year/Residential Austin Customer • ≈ $608 Over 16-Year Payoff Liquefied Natural Gas Taxes & Fees • ≈ 3% for State Fees • 5% for City of Austin Franchise Fee • No Cap on Amount Low-Income Assistance 2024 Austin Energy – $20.1 Million Austin Water – $17.4 Million Austin Watershed Protection – $1.2 Million Total City of Austin – $38.7 Million Texas Gas Service – $200,000 (For Entire Central-Gulf Region) Conservation & Renewable Natural Gas When Clean Energy Is Greenwashing Efficiency of the Direct Use of Natural Gas From Atmos RMC June Presentation y c n e i c i f f E y g r e n E Direct Use of Natural Gas Source Energy Extraction, Processing, Transportation Generation Pipeline Loss Water Heater Efficiency 100 MMBTUs 93 MMBTUs Austin Energy Electric Mix No Losses X 93 MMBTUs 92 MMBTUs 53 MMBTUs Source Energy Extraction, Processing, Transportation Generation Line Loss Water Heater Efficiency 100 MMBTUs 90 MMBTUs 60 MMBTUs 57 MMBTUs 53 MMBTUs Austin Energy Electric Mix With Heat Pump Water Heater Source Energy Extraction, Processing, Transportation Generation Line Loss Heat Pump Water Heater 100 MMBTUs 90 MMBTUs 60 MMBTUs 57 MMBTUs 100 MMBTUs- 204 MMBTUs TGS gives rebates way in excess of the national average. Conservation Total Resource Benefit/Cost Test Total Lifetime Investment vs. Lifetime Monetary Savings = Gas Dryer With Moisture Sensor • Between $200 and $500 to save –– $2.35/Year (Gas-to-Gas change-out). • No other gas utilities give rebates for dryer stubs except One Gas. • Payback of 213 Years at Higher Rebate Level. Tankless Water Heaters • $4,150 to $5,050 for New Tankless Installation vs. $1,600- $1,850 for Tank Unit (2021 dollars). • Requires Regular Scale Cleaning • Claims of Increased Lifetime May Be Exaggerated • No Payback. In fact, it will cost $1,200 to $2,200 more over life. • Expensive • Scale Cleaning • Freeze Damage Efficient Furnaces Built for Northern Climates • Estimates of Increased …
Energy Efficiency Services - Commercial and Multifamily Enrollment Pipeline Program Code Enrollment Number WFS Location Name Installation Address Council Dist. Measures 7/1/2025 Est. kWh Savings Est. $ Incentive Commercial 1340142 5-QA Review HEB 754 2400 S CONGRESS AVE Multifamily 1329500 3-Installation CAMDEN-GAINES RANCH 4424 GAINES RANCH LOOP Multifamily 1323774 3-Installation SOUTH LAMAR VILLAGE 3505 S LAMAR BLVD Multifamily 1302240 3-Installation THE MICHAEL AT PRESIDIO 13535 LYNDHURST ST LEASE Multifamily Income Qualified 1334002 3-Installation High Point Village 2400 WICKERSHAM LN A UNIT 2 Multifamily Income Qualified 1328829 3-Installation BRIDGE AT BALCONES 12215 HUNTERS CHASE DR S12 Multifamily Income Qualified 1327092 4-Post Inspection AGAVE AT SOUTH CONGRESS 625 E STASSNEY LN A 3 8 5 6 3 6 3 HVAC, Lighting New Construction 2,650,925.9 $134,684 Building Information, Property Information, QC - Qualification, Solar Screen/Solar Film 168,642.1 $70,256 Attic Insulation, Property Information, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, Plenum Redesign and Remediation - Qualification, Supplemental Measure, HVAC Tune-Up 343,826.2 $115,950 Building Information, Property Information, QC - Qualification, HVAC Tune-Up, Unit Information 154,933.0 $146,287 Attic Insulation, Building Information, Limited Time Bonus Offer, Property Information, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, QC - Qualification, Supplemental Measure, HVAC Tune-Up, Unit Information Building Information, ECAD Incentive, Limited Time Bonus Offer, Lighting, Property Information, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, QC - Qualification, HVAC Tune-Up, Unit Information Attic Insulation, Building Information, ECAD Incentive, Limited Time Bonus Offer, Lighting, Property Information, Smart PPT Eligible Thermostat, QC - Qualification, QC - Verification, Supplemental Measure, HVAC Tune-Up 166,350.4 $126,824 319,824.0 $178,520 210,361.6 $138,501 Rebate Fact Sheet - Energy Efficiency Services June 2025 Rebate Program Enrollment Customer or Property Property Address Year Built * Property Information Commercial Rebates 1337032 HEB 754 2400 S CONGRESS AVE AUSTIN, TX 78704 Total Number of Rentable Units N/A Building Total Square Feet 143385 Measure ** Rebates and Estimated Annual Savings Est. Kilowatt (kW) Reduction Est. Kilowatt- hours (kWh) Reduction Est. $/kW Rebate per Tenant Unit HVAC Lighting New Construction 23.8 525.3 32,160 2,618,765 $547 $132 Total Rebate $12,997 $69,298 Total *** 549.1 * 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 2,650,926 $82,295 $679 Date (Year) Measure Rebate Amount Energy Efficiency Rebates in Past 10-Years N/A Rebate Fact Sheet - Energy Efficiency Services June 2025 Rebate Program Enrollment Property Information Multifamily Income Qualified 1329351 Customer or Property HILLSIDE ON CANNON Property Address Year …
