Austin passes sweeping green energy plan

[ccharles000]

Austin City Council unanimously passed the controversial Austin Energy Resource, Generation, and Climate Protection Plan today, but the proposal will not take effect until the council approves a subsequent affordability plan.

The resource planning tool is meant to bring together demand and energy management options over the planning horizon for the next 10 years.

Developing the plan involved extensive analysis of the expected risks, costs and opportunities to meet the future demand for electricity services. The goals outlined in the document are based on Austin Energy’s current understanding of technology and of national, state and local energy policies. The plan also benefited from substantial input from citizens, customer groups, utility advisory commissions and a Council-appointed Taskforce.

Interim Austin Energy director said he plans recommend a consultant to council for in May to compare rates between Austin and other Texas cities, and submit an affordability plan by the end of December.

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2010/04/19/daily62.html?surround=lfn