Item 4: DRAFT Review and Approve the Annual Internal Review of the Resource Management Commission for July 2020 through June 2021 — original pdf

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Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2020 to 6/30/2021 RESOURCE MANAGEMENT COMMISSION The Resource Management Commission’s 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, Commission. 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 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. (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; (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; (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, 1 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2020-2021 (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) the conservation of energy, the use of alternate energy technologies and renewable energy sources in City-owned facilities; and (2) 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) met 11 times during the reporting period. The February 2020 meeting was cancelled. The March 2020 meeting was a special called joint meeting of the Electric Utility Commission and RMC to receive a briefing from Austin Energy on its response to the February 2021 winter storm event. All meetings were held via videoconferencing due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The RMC’s mission-specific actions included:  Reviewed and took action supporting the following Recommendations for Council Action (RCAs): o Authorized issuance of energy efficiency program rebates by Austin Energy for multifamily, commercial and small business energy efficiency technologies. o Recommended approval of an ordinance to encourage the development of local, sustainable water supplies using alternative source waters in commercial buildings for non- potable uses. o Recommended approval of an ordinance related to commercial and industrial cooling tower water efficiency performance standards administrative requirements and penalties. o Recommended approval of a resolution authorizing Austin Water pilot program incentives for alternative onsite water reuse systems for large new commercial and multi-family developments. o Recommended approval of Austin Water Capital Improvement Projects. o Approved issuance of capacity-based incentives to the Housing Authority for the installation of solar electric systems on a new multifamily affordable housing community. o Approved an ordinance increasing the Conservation Rebates program to provide additional funding for the Austin Energy Weatherization Assistance Program. 2 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2020-2021  Discussed and approved the following recommendations and resolutions: o Established a workshop of the Commission with the City of Austin Equity Office on racial equity and inclusion. o Established a working group to work on the Emissions Dashboard of the Office of Sustainability. o Approved a resolution supporting the Austin Climate Equity Plan. o Approved a resolution on Solar ready code enforcement staffing at Austin Energy.  Received briefings and reports on the following items: o City of Austin Equity Office on equity and inclusion in Austin o Austin Energy Customer Energy Solutions Budget o Water conservation programs by Austin Water Utility o Natural gas conservation and efficiency programs by Texas o Austin Community Climate Plan overview and revisions by the Gas Service Office of Sustainability o Austin Sustainable and Holistic Integration of Energy Storage and Solar Photovoltaics (SHINES) project o Implementation of the Resource Management Commission Access to Solar Working Group Recommendations o Texas Gas Service rate structure as it relates to energy conservation o Solar ready provisions plan review and inspections by City of Austin Development Services Department o Electric vehicle and infrastructure program o Austin Energy Weatherization Programs for Limited Income Customers o Texas Gas Service Conservation/Energy Efficiency Program review for the program period of 2018 o Austin Energy solar program and multifamily solar installations o REACH Update o Austin Energy Green Building and energy code updates o Equitable Participation in Programs RFP Update o Alternatives for EV Ready, Electric Ready, and Residential Multifamily Water Heating  Received input at meetings during Citizen Communications on the following topics: o Austin Energy multifamily efficiency and weatherization programs and their importance to the community o Cost-effectiveness of natural gas energy efficiency programs o Customer Assistance Program o February 2021 Winter Storm Event o Reorganization of Austin Energy’s CES Program 3 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2020-2021 o Energy Code o Equitable Participation in Programs 2. Determine if the board’s actions throughout the year comply with the mission statement. All actions of the RMC during the reporting period were within the scope of and in compliance with its Code-mandated mission statement. 3. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. a. Continue to provide: review of programs, studies and proposals; advice to City Council; and encouragement for the conservation of energy and water, use of emerging energy technologies and renewable sources in City facilities and departments, specifically highlighting departments that have accomplished goals toward this end. b. Encourage the use and greater adoption of sustainable building methods, emerging technologies such as energy storage, renewable energy sources, and resource conservation strategies, specifically through the advancement of customer programs, policies, and education. c. Continue to work with the staff of Austin Energy, Austin Water, the Development Services Department, Fleet Services, the Office of Sustainability, and Texas Gas Service, specifically to assist staff in achieving the City’s goals in regards to greater adoption of resource conservation, the use of alternate technologies and renewable sources, and reduction of CO2 emissions. d. Continue to regard citizen input on these issues as important as any other source. e. Support additional studies to evaluate energy efficiency and distributed generation, and to assist the staff in developing new programs and policies that have achievable, affordable, and aggressive goals. f. Support Austin Water staff in the development of a comprehensive water conservation plan and annual reporting. g. Support Austin Energy staff in the development of new energy conservation programs and policies, and renewable energy projects and policies, including community solar projects and additional programs to expand access to solar for low income residents and those in multifamily housing. h. Continue to provide opportunities for City departments to highlight their successes in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable practices. i. Utilize the concepts of triple bottom-line sustainability in the RMC’s decisions, recommendations, and advice to council, i.e., consider the balance between the environmental, economic, and societal equity impacts of our decisions, recommendations, and advice. j. Advocate for and monitor compliance with adopted policies, such as the Energy Code and water restrictions, and review proposed changes. k. Leverage synergies of existing and emerging methods and technologies to enhance resource management such as the water-energy nexus. l. Support the goals of the Austin Climate Equity Plan by exploring options and making recommendations on strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions as quickly as possible. 4 Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review Report 2020-2021 m. Work with Austin Energy, the Office of Sustainability, Cap Metro, and Fleet Services to develop policies, programs, and rate structures that facilitate and encourage electrification of transportation, provide ancillary services, and reduce peak power consumption. n. Review and monitor progress of the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2030, including studies called for in the plan, and participate in any updates to the plan. 5