Mayor Watson and Mayor Pro-Tem Vela are pushing Austin Energy to put a deposit on overpriced gas-burning peakers (power plants) without examining better options.
Austin Energy is already increasing base rates at 5% per year. Committing to a deposit on gas-powered electric generation now that won’t be available for years to come could put customers at risk for even higher rate increases and are not in keeping with Austin’s already-adopted plans.
The Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan adopted by the Austin City Council in 2024, recommitted to achieving zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. It established a process - which includes public input and analysis of clean energy alternatives and the impact on meeting the 2035 goal - that Austin Energy and the Austin City Council must follow before purchasing gas peaker units.
Remind Mayor Watson and the City Council that they're required to assess clean energy alternatives before burning more fossil fuels!
