City of Austin Council Message Board

My top priorities in this process are to divest from the Fayette Power Project and ensure reliable and affordable power for our community.

I am proposing an amendment to the Resource Generation Plan that introduces a new Carbon Intensity Standard. By using this metric, we ensure that any future generation investments Austin Energy makes will have the effect of reducing emissions from where they are today. This metric includes CO2, NOx, and other greenhouse gases. It is worth noting that NOx standards are required as part of the permitting process for any new generation.

The goal of this proposal is to strengthen guardrails as cleaner resources become available to meet customer needs. Further, if Austin Energy’s generation mix changes and a single carbon intensity guardrail isn’t sufficient, it will establish a similar NOx intensity standard for the generation portfolio.

Amendment: http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 104811.pdf

I invite my colleagues to post amendments here for our discussion tomorrow. We will have the opportunity to hear a brief introduction from Austin Energy, then I suggest we hear from speakers, and proceed to questions and discussion of amendments from the dais.

I see some other amendments have now been posted. I understand Austin Energy staff will compile all of these and will have an organized document for us to review.

Looking forward to our discussion.

Thanks,
Kirk

On behalf of Mayor Watson

Posted on behalf of CM Qadri:

I am proposing increased goals for both local solar and battery storage by 2027. It’s important that we show progress to the community in the short term, while we are working toward our overarching goals in the long term.

My first amendment sets a goal of reaching 205 megawatts of local solar energy by the end of 2027 and keeps the proposed overall goal of 405 MWs by 2035. (http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 134957.pdf)

The second amendment commits Austin Energy to installing 125 megawatts of battery storage by the end of 2027 as well as reaching toward installing up to 300 MWs of storage by the end of 2030. (http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 135041.pdf)

As we consider new resources of all kinds, I believe it’s critical that we push ourselves immediately to be innovative on the sources our community has said they want most, which is expanded local solar and battery storage.

Best,
Zo

Colleagues,

We’ve seen some thoughtful amendments today from the Mayor and from Council Member Ryan Alter, Council Member Alison Alter, Council Member Vela and Council Member Fuentes. I’m grateful for your ideas and the spirit of collaboration we have on this dais.

I have two amendments I’d like to add:

The first is to increase ways for renters to participate in Community Solar. More than 70% of District 3 residents rent their homes and do not have the ability to install their own rooftop solar. I’d like to make sure Austin Energy is focused on maximizing opportunities for all Austin residents, regardless of their home-ownership status, to have the option to provide clean energy for their families.

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 144410.pdf

I’m also proposing an amendment that directs Austin Energy to put out an RFP for any and all resources that could meet our energy needs before investing in new gas peakers. An all-resource RFP would allow us to see if pollution-free resources are ready and available to solve our challenges.

http://assets.austintexas.gov/austincou ... 144126.pdf

I bring these amendments in an effort to make sure that the whole Austin community is front and center. We need to think creatively and be as innovative as possible in making sure all residents can benefit from clean energy sources.

My thanks to our colleagues in Austin Energy and, as always, to our Council office staff for their hard work on this item and ongoing efforts as they support us through this week’s meetings.

a sus ordenes,

CMJV