[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6658576,"mediaKeyId","3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b","parentId",3868951,"title","Resource Management Commission presses for public input as city staff readies Texas Gas Service franchise negotiations","audioSeconds",253,"startMs",1644000,"endMs",1897000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b&start=1644&end=1897","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b/thumbnail_1644000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6658576/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resource-Management-Commission-presses-for-public-input-as-city-staff-readies-Texas-Gas-Service-franchise-negotiations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658576-5b6cfe607783b026ab43fc93da58dfdc/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492006&Signature=gcd4~xaHDzY~Rx2ONJiqWxyG506P09K~mAkTNkkOSlgkH8saUiigP-~RFiQdPzps~PVaFbW6UIQsLrjNZlzfNRoTYGH-oI-Ecw0IfnfriICxUkfo1kMs3pfjoa5eKuMwm4KydHOWMrii9~kpK3zbh8gSZ6LZ~oteCKOisBwQRN-YnhJ3RVrhRxcwFhgdgKUzcF-r6RTgbvgGVkZZqqOAhf0l-DNqN-6TSvme-mwieuLPn4yeb02yWw~kBKCmLByfyx-L8U35pWp59B8CGTiPEONGHPzF-vn7x4Kq7jcTdn9KqdvIJKt0CAGkKAYclIvc0BUws0WjhInq8VsQy7OmvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-06-17T00:00:00Z","article","City staff briefed the Resource Management Commission on the upcoming natural gas utility franchise renewals and requested policy priorities from the Commission for the Texas Gas Service (TGS) franchise negotiation.

City staff summarized the typical franchise terms and oversight provisions: franchise agreements grant non‑exclusive rights to construct, operate and maintain gas infrastructure in city rights of way, typically carry an initial 10‑year term with an additional 10‑year renewal, and include a 5% franchise fee on gross revenues for operations within city limits (paid quarterly and recoverable through rates), according to the staff presentation.

Staff also shared a proposed timeline for the TGS renewal process: departments provided requested franchise amendments by the end of the month and staff aimed to finalize a franchise agreement for city council consideration in July 2026. Staff said the ordinance adoption will require three council readings and that staff requested RMC priority recommendations be approved by council no later than November for consideration in franchise negotiation.

Commissioners said they wanted broader public engagement. Vice Chair Robbins and others urged staff to hold public hearings or other mechanisms to collect input from TGS customers beyond the commission’s six to ten members. Commissioner Lukey asked whether the RMC can hold public hearings and asked for clarity on how customers can participate; staff said there were no stakeholder‑facing public sessions scheduled and agreed to discuss options with legal and other departments.

Several commissioners asked staff to disclose the negotiation framework—including the specific issues and parameters staff expects to negotiate—so the RMC and public can provide focused policy input. Commissioner Sullivan suggested postponing the RMC’s formal recommendations until early 2026 to give volunteer commissioners and members of the public reasonable time to participate; staff said it would review how that adjustment would affect negotiations.

City staff also noted franchise provisions that permit city inspection and audit of franchise fees and allow the city to request management audits of company operations; the cost of such audits is charged to and recoverable from the company under the agreements, staff said.

No formal commission action was taken; commissioners asked staff to return with options for broader public outreach and with a framed list of negotiation topics so the RMC can provide informed recommendations.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin - Resource Management - Jun 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","After a staff briefing on gas franchise timelines for Texas Gas Service, commissioners asked for more public hearings and for staff to share the negotiation framework so the Resource Management Commission and customers can provide meaningful input.","taxTitle","Austin, Travis County, Texas","taxId",2819,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658581,"Briefing: Atmos Energy settles 2025 rate case with ATM coalition; Austin residential customers to see base‑rate decrease",295,686000,981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b&start=686&end=981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b/thumbnail_686000.jpg","/articles/6658581/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Briefing-Atmos-Energy-settles-2025-rate-case-with-ATM-coalition-Austin-residential-customers-to-see-baserate-decrease","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658581-71d72a11f16bb7b0ba988a5ff9f13853/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492006&Signature=mwER8cfrE5xD0wySwed9bCblJS3tSzvqo0QPItlV985cXBWpBqAZ3re8CrA2iE4yGBvi-T3oROnZOu30fYRHHtyQ51G7He9~JV5tI5YVQK5QA9MKq4ko2gA~S3ygp6ND~MFQlhbNXFMjksq6gbQgJXalQ8nKYjMO4r5ofiILf9ALboZgRhs40peCeTCRbeFe25qB2lugyQZxu6ktGU~wTjSy93duI2FYWMOf0jRTGTyFDIFkoyJbsVa5PIPAXJ2KYxrBWeIf6Ud3CwBlIwCr1Q~c8DzgxwRnIyFrd-3Oz4rk8qZbY9FPApK10dSiVlgn0UOlOfZD9eS1823Gaocu3w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and outside counsel provided a high‑level briefing to the Resource Management Commission on Atmos Energy’s 2025 rate case and a related discussion with the utility’s Mid‑Tex division.

Freddie Herrera of Hera Law and Associates, who represented the ATM (Texas Municipalities) coalition for about 50 cities, described the procedural timeline and the settlement outcomes. “The city will have … 125 days to make a decision,” Herrera said, explaining the local jurisdictional timeline relative to the Railroad Commission. Herrera said Atmos initially sought approximately $16 million in additional revenue for the ATM cities but the settlement reduced the increase to roughly $4 million. He emphasized that a central driver was the negotiated return on equity: “Atmos was seeking a return on equity of 10.65%… where we landed was a return on equity of 9.8.”

Herrera and Atmos’ representatives explained the rate design tradeoffs. Under Atmos’ initial proposal, the company proposed to place most of the increase on residential customers. The settlement altered that allocation: Herrera said residential customers under the settlement will see an approximate decrease in base rates (about 7.5% for an average user, per the settlement presentation), while commercial customers face higher percentage increases. “At the end of the day, Atmos walked out of the door with an increase of about a little over $4,000,000 for the ATM cities,” Herrera said.

Atmos Energy representatives described system scale, public‑facing programs and capital spending drivers. Kelly Biegler, vice president of public affairs at Atmos Energy, said the Austin system (part of Atmos’ Mid‑Tex division) serves just over 11,000 customers inside Austin, operates roughly 120 miles of pipeline in the city and provided $226,000 in charitable giving in fiscal 2024. “Safety drives everything that we do,” Biegler said, noting pipeline modernization investments and community safety outreach.

Shelley Bass, in Atmos’ regulatory/legal group, described Atmos’ customer assistance and efficiency programs—rebates, free energy kits, and a “Keeping the Warmth” program for low‑income customers delivered in partnership with local agencies. Bass said program budgets and decatherm savings were reported in Atmos’ annual program report and claimed carbon reductions tied to those programs.

Atmos’ capital explanation: Atmos’ Chris Phelan described division‑wide capital investment growth in Mid‑Tex and said roughly 85% of recent capital spending is safety‑and‑reliability‑related, including replacement of higher‑relative‑risk pipe materials required by state pipeline‑safety rules. Phelan also described line extension policies and growth pressures from substantial customer and economic growth within the Mid‑Tex footprint.

Winter‑storm costs and securitization: Staff and Atmos briefed the commission on post‑2021 legislative and regulatory actions. Phelan said the company participates in statutory and regulatory recovery mechanisms for extraordinary gas costs and described a uniform securitization component embedded in customer gas‑cost recovery rates for the winter‑storm period.

What commissioners asked: Commissioners raised questions on the settlement’s applicability across the ATM coalition, on customer‑class impacts, and on program funding and assistance in case of reduced federal LIHEAP funding. Herrera confirmed the settlement covers the ATM coalition members negotiated as a group. Commissioners also pressed Atmos on program detail and asked for further data on charitable and low‑income assistance distributions in the Austin area; Atmos said it would provide a breakdown on charitable giving and local assistance partners.

Context and next steps: City staff (Maria Norton) and Atmos representatives said the franchise and rate work are distinct processes—the rate settlement is complete while franchise agreements are on a separate timetable. Staff described an internal timeline for franchise negotiation and requested RMC priority recommendations be approved by council no later than November for inclusion in franchise discussions; commissioners discussed public engagement and requested staff explore broader public hearings and earlier visibility into the franchise negotiation framework.

Speakers included Freddie Herrera (Hera Law and Associates), Kelly Biegler (Atmos Energy, Vice President, Public Affairs), Shelley/Shelly Bass (Atmos regulatory/legal), Chris Phelan (Atmos rates and regulatory), and Maria Norton (city staff).","City staff and outside counsel briefed the Resource Management Commission on the 2025 Atmos Energy rate proceeding. The ATM coalition negotiated a settlement that reduced the utility’s requested increase and changed rate design so average residential base bills fall while commercial and industrial classes rise.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658585,"Resource Management Commission unanimously approves 15 Austin Water projects in drinking-water protection zone",567,97000,664000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b&start=97&end=664","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b/thumbnail_97000.jpg","/articles/6658585/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Resource-Management-Commission-unanimously-approves-15-Austin-Water-projects-in-drinking-water-protection-zone","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658585-c0f1106d3a697004938e875feae7d6db/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492006&Signature=UYyaE~qLL0~6yGzZaTbSoPKnQB-u-1ams81-ru0fLqUewzgqSp4bqvWrWyWYOTXi~CW7FOmHFLADbriwSCm4w9k~8IEq0-jMz5AIOjILn2RPOm5IvqKnTRoyrHDxpBgznWrKGnaKrUk7ab30BWjBqPJE62LgYaTCqr47xnrS9vnggouIpQ0Zs34oV8zyL5uBeygy3ZpQuxnSOnQKVeZCu-X9wgHvUz3Wd20KQArspxiRSoxrCbBYjV6SDwIfJPZOkquWr95BZtlMwq7ErVbOvhdARlgyoUq-75xFs-u9PSxTK6ee99qFw4SEbvtKSUbI30MmrYX044Cef11YiYH2Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Resource Management Commission on Monday voted unanimously to recommend approval of Austin Water’s capital improvement projects located in the city’s drinking‑water protection zone.

Austin Water financial manager Bridal Guo told commissioners the department had submitted a seven‑page memo and a map showing 15 projects in the protection zone as required under Austin Water Financial Policy Number 8. “In compliance with Austin Water Financial Policy Number 8, we are informing you of these projects and welcome any questions you may have about the individual items,” Guo said.

The memo and presentation list 15 projects with a combined five‑year spending plan of approximately $78,000,000. Ten of the projects are carryovers from the previous CIP cycle; five are new to this year’s plan and are identified in the materials. Martin Tower, infrastructure management division manager, described examples of the five new projects, including a water/wastewater relocation associated with the TxDOT Loop 360/Westlake Drive project, a small‑diameter waterline replacement IDIQ, a medium‑service pump station expansion at the Davis Water Treatment Plant, wastewater replacement in the Eanes area, and corridor work along South Lamar Boulevard from Barton Springs Road to U.S. 290.

Tina Romero, financial management division manager, said because 10 of the projects were included in the previous CIP cycle the department does not anticipate rate impacts from this package. “These projects … were already included in the previous year; we anticipate no rate impacts to the new proposed plan,” Romero said.

Commissioners asked about the geographic extent of the drinking‑water protection zone and the cost savings when Austin Water “piggybacks” on road reconstruction projects to install larger pipe now rather than reopening disturbed streets later. Tower said such coordination can reduce overall delivery and mobilization costs and also minimize repeated street disturbance.

Motion and vote: Commissioner Silverstein moved to adopt the Austin Water CIP projects; Vice Chair Robbins seconded. The Commission took a show‑of‑hands vote; the motion passed unanimously, 7‑0.

What this means: The commission’s recommendation will be included in Austin Water’s budget process and provides the statutorily required review under the referenced financial policy. The presentation materials included a table of the 15 projects and a location map; project spending beyond the five‑year window was provided for reference.

Speakers at the item included Bridal Guo (Austin Water financial manager), Tina Romero (Austin Water financial management division manager), and Martin Tower (Austin Water infrastructure management division manager). The commission recorded a formal motion and unanimous vote in favor of the recommendation.

Looking ahead: The projects will proceed through the city’s budget and approval process as described in the packet materials; individual project timelines and funding beyond five years vary by project and are included in the backup memo provided to the Commission.","The Resource Management Commission voted 7-0 to recommend approval of Austin Water's five‑year capital improvement plan for projects located within the city's drinking-water protection zone; staff said the package contains 15 projects with about $78 million in planned spending over five years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6658572,"Austin Water presents first quarterly Water Forward implementation report; highlights conservation gains, leak alerts and reclaimed water progress",4114,2744000,6858000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b&start=2744&end=6858","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3868951-0f4dc249b94270e58d208970deef867b/thumbnail_2744000.jpg","/articles/6658572/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Water-presents-first-quarterly-Water-Forward-implementation-report-highlights-conservation-gains-leak-alerts-and-reclaimed-water-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6658572-44e82030465780362d270b4fa3248e9d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770492006&Signature=ZQdZlKPw-Pa7qX4P5keXcARv7VMQYjLqoY1aYzmW8-viUOQ4O7Mr0m-YAgH4DET8jUEbm~mEKbnWruwi1iUgfNqKIa32dDS~6OwYZFm2OA5USPlz3dMgY-w8u9j2sSufI5y0V2S85FdHe~O6tDZw7e4Roo6Hvi7PGkh5Z3VuwgqapL5NVMkeaNQRV11Rpwq76RCiqLjRnZhNr6GDU4xQ4FDI8JFUT3rHbtOUBxGKy6WURurHLkcxr-6TTp2p0owz4IN7uQUxA99-7DvWxi6~8jlP2TX6bVVMiLuZTEVS-~39zqYE8BxuREbW7cObpRX190bc-PSseucTRmYtiI--Vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Water presented the commission with its first quarterly implementation report tracking progress on the Water Forward plan and the water conservation plan for the first quarter of 2025.

Assistant director Kevin Kluge said the quarterly slide‑deck format is new for the department and is intended to provide regular, succinct updates on five broad categories: water conservation, water loss reduction, reclaimed and reused water, conservation outreach and water supply strategies. “Quarterly reporting of implementation at this scale is a first for Austin Water and perhaps a first for anywhere in the state or nation,” Kluge said.

Key highlights and metrics presented by staff:

- Residential rebates: Staff reported a higher number of approved residential rebates in Q1 2025 than in Q1 2024, which staff attributed in part to more robust outreach and a warm late 2024 that prompted conservation interest. Kluge said the Waterwise Landscape and Rainscape program saw higher acceptance rates.

- Commercial rebates: 2024 was a stronger year for commercial rebates, with roughly 24,000,000 gallons claimed in savings and a notable pipeline of projects expected to show results in later quarters.

- Smart meters and leak alerts (MyATX Water): Staff reported near‑complete deployment of smart meters for residential customers and increased leak/continuous‑flow alerts. The department is tracking estimated water savings from alerts and said more meters in the field explain part of the uptick in alerts and captured savings.

- Water loss and infrastructure: Austin Water said it is implementing recommendations from an external Black & Veatch review and is increasing investment in service‑line replacements and leak detection. The department also reported the Infrastructure Leakage Index rose in 2024 relative to 2023; staff attributed that change to improved detection/data and to increased real losses during a hot, dry late‑season period.

- Reclaimed and on‑site reuse (Go Purple): Staff reported two additional reclaimed meters in Q1 and 222 total reclaimed meters citywide; the volume of centralized reclaimed water used decreased in Q1 relative to 2024 because a large user (the Jimmy Clay Golf Course) reduced its 2024 reclaim demand after turf reestablishment. Go Purple on‑site reuse incentives were in development with no finalized incentive payments in Q1; staff expects program activity to show up in later quarters.

Commissioners asked a range of follow‑up questions. Commissioner Silverstein asked about lead and PFAS in the system; staff said the city’s lead inventory is nearly complete and that Austin Water conducts PFAS testing and reports marginal detections well below advisory levels. Commissioners asked for additional detail on participation by geography or demographics in rebate programs; staff said they do not collect demographic data on rebate forms but have follow‑up surveys and can share available information.

On leak alerts, commissioners asked whether alert recipients fix leaks and how quickly; staff said much of the evidence is anecdotal and that the department does not yet have definitive metrics on time to repair, though MyATX portal adoption and notification are intended to improve response. Commissioners urged the department to expand outreach encouraging portal sign‑up and to consider gamification or other engagement tools proven in other utilities.

On reclaimed water, staff said they are advancing feasibility work on subsidy mechanisms for deeply affordable developments, drafting indirect potable reuse design criteria and continuing work on aquifer storage and a long‑term reservoir option, and that additional reclaimed storage/tank capacity has been identified in long‑range planning.

Staff requested and welcomed commission feedback on report formatting and requested clear guidance on how commissioners would like to see data summarized in future quarters.

Speakers for this item included Kevin Kluge and Marissa Flores Gonzalez (Austin Water water resources) and other Austin Water staff involved in conservation, finance and program delivery.","Austin Water presented its first quarterly implementation report for the Water Forward and conservation plans, reporting increased residential rebate participation, growth in commercial rebates in 2024, expanded deployment of smart meters and leak alerts, and ongoing work to reduce nonrevenue water and expand reclaimed water.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Resource Management Commission presses for public input as city staff readies Texas Gas Service franchise negotiations

Briefing: Atmos Energy settles 2025 rate case with ATM coalition; Austin residential customers to see base‑rate decrease

Resource Management Commission unanimously approves 15 Austin Water projects in drinking-water protection zone

Austin Water presents first quarterly Water Forward implementation report; highlights conservation gains, leak alerts and reclaimed water progress