The City of Austin's Generation Resource Planning Task Force recommendations, created by the Task Force in a unanimous vote and approved by the Electric Utility Commission and Resource Management Commission strengthen Austin Energy's Generation Plan in five key ways:

• Setting the highest priority on low rates
• Ensuring the plan has a strong focus on local economic development
• Creating a bi-annual review process
• Increasing the goal for energy efficiency
• Creating a self sustaining 300 MW market for distributed generation in Austin

This last recommendation reflects the goals of the Pecan Street Project, a joint effort by Austin Energy, UT Austin, Environmental Defense Fund, and several local hi-tech firms who see their best hope for future profitability in solar and smart grid technologies. Below is a partial synopsis of the recommendations.

Maintain maximum transparency and public participation in energy resource decisions

• Austin Energy would present major energy resource decisions to appropriate city boards and commissions and to council twice.
• Austin Energy would also provide to the public more information on what makes up different portions of their electric bill.

Re-assess the energy plan every two years to adapt to changing cost, environment, and risk factors

• As the needs of Austin and the costs of energy generation technologies change, Austin Energy must reevaluate its energy plan frequently to respond to those changes. The recommendations require a public reassessment every two years as well as at least two City Council votes for any major new investments in generation technology.

Create a self-sustaining market for local renewable power

• A 300 MW goal for distributed renewable generation, like commercial and residential on-site solar, by 2020 is achievable with the proper mix of utility leadership, rebates, low-interest loans and performance incentives for larger systems and will lower electricity use, saving money.
• Distributed generation will take advantage of economic multipliers and other social benefits by creating businesses that manufacture, operate or manage the assets.

Maintain reliability and quality of the distribution grid

• Routine reporting of information related to grid system reliability
• Austin Energy will continue to ensure that all customers receive the highest level of power quality possible at all times.
• Public workshop on ERCOT market reliability issues shall be held by Austin Energy so that concerned businesses, citizens and policy makers can hear from ERCOT and industry experts to better understand these complex issues in the context of the generation plan.

Consider natural gas and other alternatives if long-term stability in prices emerges

• While natural gas is a carbon-emitting resource, it emits less carbon than coal. If the long-term risk of price fluctuations goes down, and environmental factors are sufficiently minimized, Austin Energy could consider adding more natural gas if it substantially reduces costs.

Increase Austin Energy's energy efficiency goal

• Because projected increases in energy prices will burden the poorest in our community the most, a special effort should be made to extend the free weatherization programs for those Austinites at 200 percent or less than the federal poverty rate, as well as special programs for Austinites between 200 and 400 percent of the federal poverty rate.
• Special attention should be paid to programs for renters who do not have the ability to make certain efficiency upgrades.

NB. Texas's state weatherization program saves Texas families an average of $431 every year from energy savings. Demand reduction through energy efficiency and conservation is one of the best and most affordable ways to meet the growing energy needs of Austin

Assume leadership role in clean energy initiatives

• The Climate Protection Plan requires Austin to be a leader in fighting global warming and Austin Energy to establish its own CO2 cap. The generation plan would reflect this commitment.

NB. As a result of historical leadership Austin Energy and the affiliated programs have recently received $21 million in federal funding for a range of low-income weatherization, green jobs training and clean technology initiatives.

The plan and recommendations would achieve emissions reductions greater than the proposed Waxman-Markey climate bill being debated in Congress.

Special Amendment to the Resource & Climate Protection Plan

• Five members of the Task Force also voted to review the feasibility of reducing dependence on coal by 2020 within two years.

NB. Austin's use of coal-fired power as new ozone, sulfur dioxide, mercury and global warming regulations will increase the cost and risk to customers over the next 10 years.

The Task Force, EUC and RMC recommended that Austin Energy set a target to end reliance on coal by 2020 and produce a report and assessment within two years of how it could achieve this target.

For the full Task Force report, click here.