Item 4- Draft AE Proposed Reduction in Energy Efficiency Service Fees Resolution 2 of 3 — original pdf

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION ON AUSTIN ENERGY PROPOSED RESIDENTIAL ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE Whereas, Austin has been a leader in energy efficiency since the 1970s; and Whereas, Austin Energy has the lowest average Residential electricity consumption of any large utility in ERCOT, which also allows it to have one of the lowest average Residential bills of any utility in ERCOT; and Whereas, proposed changes to Austin Energy’s Residential electric rate structure threaten further progress in energy efficiency by dramatically removing price signals to conserve; and Whereas, since low-income utility customers generally use less energy than average customers, changing Austin’s progressive electric Residential rate structure that discourages consumption will make bills more burdensome to the lower and moderate income residents; and Whereas, Austin Energy has made a proposal in its current rate case to completely replace the current progressive rate structure with one that rewards more consumption; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Resource Management Commission of the City of Austin advise City Council to retain Austin Energy’s current progressive rate structure; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if any rate increases are enacted, they be levied as a proportional increase to the utility’s current monthly base cost and tiers in its current rate structure.