Total Utility

The pain and politics of raising electric rates as a means of controlling our destiny

"...two years of preparation, several crowded weeks of tedious public work sessions, and – at that point still –..."

June 15, 2012 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Public Hearing: Rate Your Rate Increase

AE takes another stab, with middling results

"...General Manager Larry Weis briefed City Council on the utility's revised electric rate increase proposal, but the changes have..."

Feb. 10, 2012 News Feature by Amy Smith

Public Citizen Tom “Smitty” Smith Looks Back on a Life Well Lived

The man in the white hat's relentless hard work and willed optimism

"...The appearance of Public Citizen Execu­tive Director Tom Smith at the November meeting..."

Dec. 16, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

In the Public We Trust

Is the Public More Trustworthy Than City Staff?

"...alone explain the difficulty surrounding its emancipation from the public world. Similarly large hairballs have also occurred of late..."

Oct. 11, 1996 News Column by Alex de Marban

Servicing the Public or Public Service?

"...and state levels who have become lobbyists/consultants after leaving public service:..."

Aug. 9, 1996 News Feature

Public Notice: Doomed?

Looking forward to the November ballot

"...The 2018 Charter Review Commission will hold their final public hearing this Satur­day to..."

April 6, 2018 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Public Notice: Planning for Affordability

Council tackles thorny zoning cases

"...the "Response to CodeNEXT Prescrip­tion Papers" which the Planning Commission issued this week, largely praising the city staff for..."

Sept. 23, 2016 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Public Notice: The New Industrial Revolution?

Is Mayor Adler our Teddy Roosevelt?

"...Then there'll be a Public Workshop/Wrap-Up Meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 6:30-8:30pm at Waller..."

Jan. 22, 2016 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Public Notice: The 30% Solution

Capital Metro slow-rolls out the next draft of the rail plan

"...billion to the estimate, but also $260 million for utility work, $350 million for additional bike and pedestrian facilities,..."

April 29, 2022 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Public Notice: A Drop in the Aquifer

Still in a drought, in the middle of a downpour

"...that you can measure month to month in your utility bill. And on a civic level there's a lot..."

Sept. 2, 2022 News Column by Nick Barbaro

Settlement Pending in AE Rate Case

Details Few -- City Council posted for Friday consideration

"...Friday. If it happens, a deal could spare the utility heaps of trouble – at least from the state’s..."

Feb. 26, 2013 News Post by Mike Kanin

Then There's This: Who Should Control Austin Energy?

A fast-tracked proposal poses radical changes for city-owned utility

"...believe such efforts place business interests ahead of the public's interest...."

Feb. 15, 2013 News Column by Amy Smith

The Players

The utility, the appellants, and the intervenors

"...Austin Energy The city-owned utility that raised electric rates. Key representatives are Mark Dreyfus,..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Point Austin: Electric Lessons

Beneath the AE rate debate stands the strong ground of public process

"...bill this fall. As Mike Kanin recounts in "Total Utility," the rate changes, finally ratified by City Council last..."

June 15, 2012 News Column by Michael King

Austin Energy: Rate Cuts Solve Everybody's Problems

Council votes to approve utility rate reduction

"...to an agreement with Austin Energy that will reduce utility rates for all AE's customers for the next five..."

Sept. 2, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Explosive Charge Against Ignite Consulting

"Your neighbor Lisa" just the beginning of Kim campaign manager's problems, says Public Utility Commission

"...to be in deep prevaricator’s doo-doo. According to the Public Utility Commission, he could be liable for fines of..."

May 8, 2008 News Post by Katherine Gregor

The Sunset Shuffle

Legislature moves the massive Health and Human Services review back two years

"...Texas Department of Insurance and the Texas Department of Public Safety, not getting their current Sunset review bill passed,..."

May 31, 2009 News Post by Richard Whittaker

What's Doing at City Hall?

An incentives package, a possible rate case settlement, and more

"...package for National Instruments, which will include time for public comment. But the bigger-name item comes Friday with a..."

Feb. 27, 2013 News Post by Amy Smith

Council Approves AE Settlement

Utility gives up $5.75 million; keeps everything else

"...out-of-city ratepayers. At first glance, the deal leaves the utility's business operations relatively unscathed, while big electricity users living..."

March 1, 2013 News Post by Amy Smith

Smitherman: It's Always The Quiet Ones

AG candidate flies to the far religious right

"...If anyone remembers Barry Smitherman from his time as Public Utility Commission member, they'll recall him as an uninspiring,..."

Sept. 3, 2013 News Post by Richard Whittaker

Referred to Committee

Quite a few items pushed to the curb in late Council session

"...Despite his late public email push, Mayor Steve Adler’s proposal for more staffing..."

Feb. 27, 2015 News Post by Michael King

Austin Energy Wins Round One

Austin Energy fends off rate case with only minor loss

"...administrative law judges. Five parties and representatives of the utility were ready to debate dry notions about cost, operations,..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Twisting in the Wind

Austin Energy is trying to find the right price for renewable energy – but that's much easier said than done

"...selling its latest batch of GreenChoice wind power, the utility announced plans to significantly lower the price, a proposal..."

Aug. 21, 2009 News Feature by Nora Ankrum

Naked City

Austin Energy readies a "secrecy resolution" to present to council that would allow it to conceal some of its financial information from the public. The resolution already has many consumer activists up in arms.

"...So, Austin, how much do you trust your electric utility to work on your behalf? Enough to let it..."

July 14, 2000 News Feature by Kevin Fullerton

Winds of Change

As electric industry restructuring opens utilities up to competition, some, including Austin's municipally-owned utility, are looking to renewable energy sources to win customers and meet the requirements of a 1999 law.

"...renewable power development, he says. Last year's landmark electric utility restructuring bill, Senate Bill 7, forces the state's privately-owned..."

April 21, 2000 News Feature by Kevin Fullerton

The Deal Gets Done

City Council settles AE rate case in principle, details to come

"...City Council vote to accept a deal between the utility and its rate case challengers. Indeed, if it hadn't..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Then There's This: Another Swipe at Austin Energy

State report calls for slashing low-income assistance program

"...households would suffer a devastating blow if a state commission heeds the recommendations of its staff...."

Feb. 22, 2013 News Column by Amy Smith

City Hall Hustle: Milk Cows and Cash Cows

AE's uncertain future means wobbly program budgets

"...With apologies to federal "Cat Food Commission" chair Alan Simpson, the municipal milk's going bad at..."

Sept. 3, 2010 News Column by Wells Dunbar

Shock to the System

Brace Yourselves: Deregulation Is Coming, Eventually

"...to try and wrangle a rate break from the publicly-owned utility). It's too early to say that the issue..."

Feb. 21, 1997 News Feature by Louisa C. Brinsmade

Big, Contentious Austin Energy Rate Hike Finally Arrives at Council

Power for the people?

"...the first time since 2017. Back then, the city-owned utility gave customers a discount; this time, it wants to..."

Nov. 25, 2022 News Feature by Lina Fisher

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