Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...pass after a 4-4 tie with one abstention. Commissioner Tom "Smitty" Smith urged his colleagues to call each other..."

May 6, 2022 News Feature

Austin’s Steady Strides Toward Climate Sustainability

How are we doing and how effective can local policies be at mitigating a worldwide crisis?

"...where it gets a lot more challenging." Austinites long accustomed to driving alone (74% of today's commuters) have to..."

Nov. 1, 2019 News Feature by Michael King

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the Upcoming Legislative Session

Lawmakers set to tackle immigration, education, legalization, transportation, and more

"...moment, Rep. Matt Rinaldi, R-Irving, called U.S. Immi­gra­tion and Cus­toms Enforcement on Latino protesters who had flooded the House..."

Dec. 14, 2018 News Feature by the News Staff

Point Austin: Saved by Billionaires?

The fight against climate change gathers allies high and low

"...When I spoke to Public Citizen's Tom Smith last year about the dim prospects of action..."

May 19, 2017 News Column by Michael King

The Texas Hammer: Save Our Springs (If They’ll Let Us)

Austin's environmental values are in perennial conflict with the legislators

"...from [political] donors that explain what's going on," said Tom "Smitty" Smith, retiring director of Public Citizen and a..."

March 17, 2017 News Feature by Michael King

Environmental Defenders

Tom "Smitty" Smith's retirement gives way to Adrian Shelley's arrival

"...the Barr Mansion, Public Citizen honored longtime Texas director Tom "Smitty" Smith, who is retiring after 31 years of..."

Feb. 10, 2017 News Feature by Michael King

85th Texas Legislature Preview

Can the GOP-run House and Senate get along well enough to get anything accomplished?

"...Paul Betten­court, R-Houston, any raise over four cents would automatically trigger a vote. Both the Texas Municipal League and..."

Jan. 13, 2017 News Feature by the News Staff

Top 10 Environmental Stories

We've only got one planet

"...Smitty Steps Down The Austin voice of climate protection, Tom "Smitty" Smith, announced his retirement after 35 years at..."

Dec. 30, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

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 of the Lone Star..."

Dec. 16, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Headlines

"...Tom Smith – known universally as "Smitty" – announced his..."

Sept. 23, 2016 News Feature

Tom “Smitty” Smith Announces Retirement

Public Citizen director to remain during search for new director

"...Tom Smith – known universally as “Smitty” – will today..."

Sept. 20, 2016 News Post by Michael King

Texas Book Festival 2016: The Full List

TBF hosts Don DeLillo, Thomas Dolby, Emma Cline, 277 more

"...The Regional Office Is Under Attack! Jose Skinner, The Tombstone Race Mauro Javier Cardenas, The Revolutionaries Try Again Duncan..."

Sept. 15, 2016 Arts Post by Robert Faires

Austin Energy: Rate Cuts Solve Everybody's Problems

Council votes to approve utility rate reduction

"...the Austin Regional Manufacturers Association, Austin Energy Low Income Customers, Building Owners and Managers Association, Greater Austin Chamber of..."

Sept. 2, 2016 News Feature by Michael King

Democracy Awakening Rally

On May 1, Public Citizen hosted a rally to call attention to two issues "threaten[ing] our core democratic values": current campaign finance laws and laws restricting the right to vote.

"...Public Citizen's Tom "Smitty" Smith..."

May 2, 2016 Photo Gallery

Environment: Hydrocarbon Rules

Fallout from the 84th Texas legislative session

"...Tom "Smitty" Smith of Public Citizen also summarized a mixed..."

June 5, 2015 News Feature by Michael King

Public Notice: Schools and Environment

Big Saturday events for education and environment

"...County Commis­sioner Brigid Shea, Pliny Fisk, Chris Riley, and Tom "Smitty" Smith – which will also be broadcast live..."

April 17, 2015 News Column by Nick Barbaro

AE's Solar Deal: 'Game Changer'

Recurrent Energy price could lower energy rates

"...aiming to be in 2020," says Public Citizen Director Tom "Smitty" Smith, who serves on the Generation Resource Planning..."

July 4, 2014 News Feature by Nora Ankrum

Then There's This: Faith and the Environment

Interfaith leaders push for more renewables in city's generation plan

"...raise hell for a living. They include Public Citizen's Tom "Smitty" Smith, the Sierra Club's Cyrus Reed, poor people's..."

April 4, 2014 News Column by Amy Smith

Then There's This: Clouds Over Solar

Is AE throwing shade at sun-powered energy?

"...decision to cut the compensation rate to residential solar customers who generate power that feeds the electric grid...."

Jan. 10, 2014 News Column by Amy Smith

Point Austin: The Affordability Conundrum

If we want an affordable Austin, we'll have to afford it together

"...this fall, with a housing bond vote. Public Citizen's Tom "Smitty" Smith noted that, in addressing climate change, we..."

Sept. 20, 2013 News Column by Michael King

The Deal Gets Done

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

"...trimmed to match the third), as well as the customer assistance program charges, transfers to the city's general fund,..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Austin Energy Wins Round One

Austin Energy fends off rate case with only minor loss

"...outside the city and burn electricity like there's no tomorrow – AE will grant them a break from the..."

March 8, 2013 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Council Approves AE Settlement

Utility gives up $5.75 million; keeps everything else

"...the attorney for the petitioners, Public Citizen executive director Tom "Smitty" Smith and longtime environmental and consumer activist Paul..."

March 1, 2013 News Post by Amy Smith

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

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

"...city. That's the proposal put forward by Public Citizen's Tom "Smitty" Smith and others...."

Feb. 15, 2013 News Column by Amy Smith

Beside the Point: All the Arguments That Fit

City Council agenda packed with volatile materials

"...a dozen folks, including Lanetta Cooper, Jeff Jack, and Tom "Smitty" Smith, will address a pending proposal for an..."

Dec. 7, 2012 News Column by Michael King

Green or Greenwash?

COTA agrees to "sustainability" at F1, but is it the real deal?

"...in the city's green agreement is happy with it. Tom "Smitty" Smith of Public Citizen, who was part of..."

Nov. 16, 2012 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Fayette's Fate Up in the Ozone

AE proposes to sell its Fayette interest, but it may not fly

"...veteran environmental activist with the solid green pedigree of Tom "Smitty" Smith can dispute the conclusions of a report..."

Sept. 28, 2012 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Council: Follow the Props and the Money

It's a full docket as council tries to set November's bond election

"...takes seriously the pending AE rate case). Public Citizen's Tom "Smitty" Smith (and others) countered that the experience with..."

Aug. 17, 2012 News Feature by Michael King

Then There's This: AE and the Lege

City officials planning for the worst, hoping for the best

"...and an appeal by out-of-city ratepayers – the "captive customers" of Austin Energy, as lobbyist and West Lake Hills..."

July 20, 2012 News Column by Amy Smith

Then There's This: Consumer Alert

There's a glimmer of hope that we won't go broke paying for electricity

"...to keep Austin Energy afloat without tapping out residential customers, who would see the largest increase under AE's existing..."

Feb. 17, 2012 News Column by Amy Smith

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