Item 4- RMC 2025-2026 Annual Review — original pdf

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Resource Management Commission Annual Internal Review This report covers the time period of 7/1/2025 to 6/30/2026 1. Name of Board or Commission Resource Management Commission 2. Has the board or commission's actions throughout the year complied with City Council directives and bylaws? This should address all elements of the board's mission statement as provided in the relevant sections of the City Code. (Yes, No) YES. All actions of the RMC during the reporting period were within the scope of and in compliance with its Code-mandated mission statement. ○ If No, please explain 3. How many recommendations did your board or commission approve? 8 4. Please list the recommendation numbers. ● 20250715-006 ● 20250916-003 ● 20251021-002 ● 20260120-002 ● 20260217-002 ● 20260429-004 ● 20260616-006 ● 20260616-007 5. Which recommendations are closely aligned to the organization's core mission and why? ● 20250715-006: Recommendation to Create a Revolving Fund for Solar and Energy Efficiency Investment on City Properties. Advises City Council in developing programs in the area of alternate energy technologies, renewable energy sources, and energy conservation. *Bylaws updated during the fiscal year; item effective February 24, 2025. Resource Management Commission Annual Review Report 2025-2026 ● 20250916-003: Recommendation on Texas Gas Service Conservation Proposal Pending Before the Railroad Commission of Texas. Advises City Council regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. ● 20260120-002: Recommendation on Texas Gas Service Franchise. Advises City Council regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. ● 20260217-002: Recommendation on Fairness of Residential Electric Rates. Recommends progressive electric rate structure to promote energy conservation. ● 20260429-004: Recommendation on Texas Gas Service Franchise. Advises City Council regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. ● 20260616-006: Recommendation on Austin energy District Energy and Cooling System. Advises City Council to perform an audit to ensure long-term financial viability of Austin’s district chilling utility, generating peak demand savings. ● 20260616-007: Recommendation on City of Austin Study for Municipal Purchase of Texas Gas Service. Advises City Council regarding recommendations for the natural gas utility ratemaking, franchise agreement priorities, and operational policies for which the City has regulatory authority. 6. Which recommendations are adjacent to the organization's core mission and why? ● 20251021-002: Recommendation on amending City Code to use both City and personal email addresses for boards and commissions. Simplifies communications between and amongst Commission members and City staff. 7. Please share any further context that could support or explain your recommendations. 8. Is there another body that overlaps with the role and work of the board or commission you serve? (Yes, No) YES ○ If yes, which body? ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION Resource Management Commission Annual Review Report 2025-2026 ○ Please explain their alignment. The Electric Utility Commission shall review and analyze all policies and procedures of the electric utility, including electric rate structure, fuel costs and charges, customer services, capital investments, new generation facilities, selection of types of fuel, budget, strategic planning, regulatory compliance billing procedures. These policies may have the intent or effect of promoting or discouraging energy conservation, and may inform selection of renewable energy sources and alternate energy technologies, which are the purview of the Resource Management Commission. 9. Do the bylaws need to be updated? (Yes, No) NO ○ If yes, what would be the amendment (including section) and why? 10. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged are the board or commission members? 8 11. On a scale of 1-10, how engaged is the community? 6 12. Do you see any gaps in important policies that are not currently covered by a board or commission? (Yes, No) NO ○ If yes, please explain. 13. List the board’s goals and objectives for the new calendar year. ○ 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. ○ 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. Resource Management Commission Annual Review Report 2025-2026 ○ Continue to work with the staff of Austin Energy, Austin Water, Austin Development Services, Austin Climate Action and Resilience (formerly the Office of Sustainability), Atmos Energy, CenterPoint Energy and Texas Gas Service, specifically to assist staff in achieving the City’s goals in regard to greater adoption of resource conservation, the use of alternate technologies and renewable sources, and reduction of CO2 emissions. ○ Develop recommendations for priorities for gas utility franchise agreements and rate case negotiations and operational policies around for which the City has regulatory authority. ○ Continue to regard citizen input on these issues as important as any other source. ○ 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. ○ Support Austin Water staff in the development of a comprehensive water conservation plan and annual reporting. ○ 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. ○ Continue to provide opportunities for City departments to highlight their successes in energy efficiency, water conservation, and sustainable practices. ○ 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. ○ Advocate for and monitor compliance with adopted policies, such as the Energy Code and water restrictions, and review proposed changes. ○ Leverage synergies of existing and emerging methods and technologies to enhance resource management such as the water-energy nexus. ○ 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. Resource Management Commission Annual Review Report 2025-2026 ○ 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.