Utility Shut-offs, Evictions, Court Dates Suspended Due to Pandemic

City and county officials aim to soften economic blow of COVID-19

"...of COVID-19, Austinites who are unable to pay their utility bills will not have their service shut off, per..."

March 13, 2020 News Post by Austin Sanders

Austin Energy Still Hasn't Fixed Problems With Utility Bill Discounts on Expensive Homes

Consumer advocate requests audit of AE's Customer Assistance Program

"...(CAP) discounts – designed to help lower-income customers with utility bills but in practice, he alleges, still being offered..."

Jan. 29, 2021 News Feature by Lina Fisher

The Good, The Bad, and the Pricey of Texas Energy Bills

Incentives for gas move ahead, energy efficiency measures stall

"...Bills that further subsidize natural gas and discourage renewables –..."

May 19, 2023 News Post by Lina Fisher

Total Utility

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

"...a rate hike of the sort suggested by the utility would bury them. Austin Independent School District Superintendent Meria..."

June 15, 2012 News Feature by Mike Kanin

Cool City: Water Utility Flows Green

Daryl Slusher hops from Austin Energy to Austin Water Utility to serve as first assistant director of environmental affairs and conservation

"...Can the Austin Water Utility – like its sister utility, Austin Energy – become..."

May 25, 2007 News Feature by Katherine Gregor

1995-96 City Budget: The Electric Utility Holding the Line

"...et al.'s ceaseless clamor to sell the city's electric utility is the sound of money being counted. Not necessarily..."

Aug. 25, 1995 News Feature

When Good Things Happen to Bad Bills – and Vice Versa

Bad bills fly, while good bills die

"...author Valinda Bolton, D-Austin, put it: "Unfortunately, these county bills are like moving the ball down the field against..."

May 22, 2009 News Column by the News Staff

Council: About Those Tax Bills ...

Vested rights returns to agenda

"...The longstanding argument over utility costs associated with new construction hits the dais with..."

June 6, 2014 News Feature by Michael King

AE Rate Gate

Shockingly, nobody wants to pay more for electricity

"...energy with cutting-edge technology. Just an all-around good-guy city utility that zipped along for 17 years without a rate..."

Jan. 13, 2012 News Post by Amy Smith

Fact Checking the Galindo Mailers (UPDATED)

'NO Green Tax' talk from self-described green builder Galindo

"...goals: Reduce needless energy consumption, while lowering monthly homeowner utility bills. Within a few years, the up-front investment would..."

June 3, 2008 News Post by Katherine Gregor

Austin's Utilities Brace for Busy Billing Season

"If the water goes through the meter, you bought it. If electricity goes through the meter, you bought it."

"...Thousands of Austin Water Utility customers were floored when they got their bills later..."

May 19, 2017 News Feature by Nina Hernandez

Second Street Retailers Take Stand Against Landlord

Second Street retailers hire lawyers to fight wacky billing system

"...has been trying to force them out through inflated utility bills, unfulfilled promises, and threats of eviction. "They sent..."

Nov. 2, 2007 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Red Ink on Second Street: Default or Confusion?

Something's fishy Downtown, and local retailers say it stinks

"...they were unexpectedly hit with lease-default notices containing large bills for utilities and back rent. Invoices from the West..."

May 4, 2007 News Feature by Wells Dunbar

Savings or Slush?

In a tight budget year, Austin Energy's debt management fund is under scrutiny.

"...Clint Smith. "It is unconscionable that the city's electric utility holds $183 million in cash while the rest of..."

Aug. 23, 2002 News Feature by Mike Clark-Madison

Watson's Speech for Preserving Two-Thirds Rule

"State government appears to be more concerned with protecting partisan rule than governing to protect the people"

"...historic two-thirds rule would create a special class of bills – a special class of bills that the normal..."

Jan. 15, 2009 News Post by Lee Nichols

Then There's This: Consumer Report

What apartment tenants should know before they sign a lease

"...upgrades need to be made and what their electric bills will look like come August...."

June 8, 2012 News Column by Amy Smith

Then There's This: Westward Hos?

City Council takes its rate case to the people of Lakeway

"...with the possibility of a 6.1% discount on their bills. If the city does decide to grant them a..."

April 13, 2012 News Column by Amy Smith

Then There's This – Poor People to AE: We're Not Deadbeats

New ordinance gives needy ratepayers a payment plan they can work with

"...customers trying to climb their way out of mounting utility debt...."

Dec. 13, 2013 News Column by Amy Smith

Headlines / Quote of the Week

"...who they had once sued to prevent rent and utility hikes and eviction. The park is the second resident-owned..."

June 5, 2020 News Feature

Postmarks

Our readers talk back.

"...many City Council members and staff believe routine bond-funded utility maintenance should not be left to the voters. But..."

Oct. 20, 2006 Column

City Denies Voters' Rights

"...many City Council members and staff believe routine bond-funded utility maintenance should not be left to the voters. But..."

Oct. 18, 2006 Postmarks

The Rich, the Poor, and the AE Generation Plan

Social service groups weigh in on Austin Energy's generation plan

"...Regardless of the plan council ultimately approves, electricity bills are expected to rise over the next decade. In..."

Dec. 25, 2009 News Feature by Nora Ankrum

Naked City

The City Council adopts a legislative agenda focused on protecting the city’s right to govern itself.

"...from input by all the city departments. "There are bills out there already filed that could have an negative..."

Feb. 2, 2001 News Feature by Emily Pyle

Eco-Education 101

The DUD: New Heitz or New Lowz?

"...Manager Jesus Garza. When Garza created the new Drainage Utility Department on January 3, he removed those programs from..."

Feb. 9, 1996 News Feature by Alex de Marban

Time to Deregulate Austin

"...to hear this nonchallengeable response when inquiring about higher-than-usual utility bills. Higher than usual is insult to injury when..."

Oct. 21, 2009 Postmarks

Postmarks

Duncan Offers Correction

"...than ever to improve air quality and reduce consumer utility bills. Furthermore, if the Austin Electric Utility can offer..."

Sept. 5, 1997 Column

Not So Cool

Austin's 2009 Climate Protection Program update confirms progress on energy – but reflects a feeble citywide effort

"...of significant and impressive work by the city-owned electric utility on all the pertinent fronts. Many goals have been..."

June 19, 2009 News Feature by Katherine Gregor

Nightmare on Second Street

Eight store owners served with lease-default notices on their properties

"...management firm Urban Partners distorted and inflated their rent bills and provided guesstimate spreadsheets instead of accurate utility bills..."

Oct. 19, 2007 News Feature by Richard Whittaker

Point Austin: Return on Investment

Austin Energy rate cuts are both a financial and political dividend

"...said, "You won't find a city, or a municipal utility, that did just what we did. It made everybody..."

Sept. 2, 2016 News Column by Michael King

And the Winner Is...

Who Will Benefit the Most From Annexation?

"...materials to install a light outside Mays' business, rising utility bills are no small thing. "Hell, 10% of anything's..."

Nov. 14, 1997 News Feature by Kevin Fullerton

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