[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6428783,"mediaKeyId","5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f","parentId",5906765,"title","Austin Energy, advocates push for residential solar options as 30% federal tax credit nears expiry","audioSeconds",833,"startMs",140000,"endMs",973000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f&start=140&end=973","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f/thumbnail_140000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6428783/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Energy-advocates-push-for-residential-solar-options-as-30-federal-tax-credit-nears-expiry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428783-2c68ab90dfb6d7f46a4253d0e09b0840/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500514&Signature=CTAWh6Nn2iS82qMKt3c5tGWUXiM608n-8hGcHmCE~mtyis3cIaE1pMyZsdUARqgfETPh~axqJA3gIeTUJnX8emIyGcMouqXqAi9qz3oeMUqbmZx9f2wsmVMKDqLNxC99YxkkzT4t8vgB0j-6O0611V8lQqjCmQcOJcqkw78Wtnh4NWPphA2OTaCtnHe8gHiT6HHW0pE3lWgjwQxKBHybS7~3BesZwLJlAiMM-cnbWscKZeyrmKBQcYsv4mtzb4yUmorzjwNe6u3eYkcXQE6e0aVQ06cZSUVE0zQHLtleQFQdsGYlNG7uc-C9IieHBBN0TZkBUf3vLuRbWlcTxs72aQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Austin","date","2025-10-07T00:00:00Z","article","Public advocates and Austin Energy staff urged the Utility Oversight Committee on Oct. 7 to accelerate residential solar pathways and related workforce supports as the 30% residential federal tax credit approaches expiration at the end of 2025.

Kaiba White, representing Public Citizen’s Texas office, told the committee she has participated in stakeholder meetings for the residential solar standard-offer program and asked council to “support getting this program up and running by January” and to “provide the same level of support for residential solar through this program as Austin Energy currently does through its residential solar programs.” White said timing matters because installations under some third-party ownership models can qualify for commercial tax incentives that extend through 2027 — and in select circumstances through 2029 if construction starts by July 4, 2026. “Timing is of essence,” White said.

Interim General Manager Stuart Riley and other staff described existing and planned program paths. Riley said Austin Energy launched a commercial solar standard-offer program in January; staff reported 11 projects in the queue totaling 6.26 megawatts and an additional 14 projects under consideration totaling about 9 megawatts. He said the residential standard-offer program is “under development” and that staff are evaluating consumer protections and aggregation approaches to achieve economies of scale.

Council members asked about leasing structures that would preserve eligibility for the commercial tax incentive while allowing rooftop deployments. Riley said Austin Energy has looked at solar leasing and believes the industry is mature enough to merit a city program structured as an equipment lease so the commercial tax credits can apply. Because Austin Energy is the sole electricity provider in its service area, staff said such programs must be structured “purely as an equipment lease” while including protections such as production guarantees and operational provisions for maintenance and defaults. Riley told the committee staff could provide an update at the next committee meeting and work toward a program that could be operational in “a few more months.”

The committee also heard that the nationwide Solar for All grant — a roughly $7 billion federal program — was put on stop work by the EPA and that the Texas coalition’s $250 million award (Austin Energy’s portion approximately $32 million) has been halted. Riley said Austin Energy and the Texas coalition are assessing legal options and potential “irreparable harms” from the cancellation while continuing other residential and battery program work.

Council members emphasized workforce and installer community impacts from the tax-credit change. Staff noted Austin Energy invested about $100 million in local solar programs historically and recorded 18.9 megawatts of new local solar in fiscal 2025, its highest year to date. Staff also called attention to a stalled landfill project managed by Austin Resource Recovery and urged follow-up before tax credits expire.

No formal committee vote was taken on program approvals at this meeting; council members asked staff to pursue leasing and to return with program updates.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee","oneSentenceSummary","Public commenters and Austin Energy staff urged quick deployment of residential solar pathways — including a residential standard-offer, leasing options and use of commercial tax credits — after the committee heard the EPA’s Solar for All grant stop-work notice and the fast-approaching residential tax-credit cutoff.","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},6428788,"Austin Energy warns rapid ‘large load’ growth will test transmission, generation and equipment supply",518,368000,886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f&start=368&end=886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f/thumbnail_368000.jpg","/articles/6428788/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Energy-warns-rapid-large-load-growth-will-test-transmission-generation-and-equipment-supply","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428788-0436f15b496e907cb2c440dd3a0ca9c9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500514&Signature=H16W4fRDGNCa3uKpf66WEBvDuZh1BDtxIu8zTL6CGo~eI3pp3vwMcaqQkBaDh9SW4jdp-VAUAeK2-H~I00VKRgK181~QANYOY6QiQ5tbWDjIwdnDEdygzAEuUsJU6NQwwLOYybal7EbstbIvdCj1eZCJiSsIYRWnCUsV1S0hchoU4da~cuV9kLKS98NvGQYUEzKxrJ-B-ciK2F~pdaZXy~0-S-adauzRzHkBJXGs4-xS7907P2Ev9p5v4ueuOhRzg7mZ698U1J0a4Pj3hDg4JCC-dYJ9bGxVjjPqrqd5~uEJsNCJWYi0gbFbpjlVhU0IlPcRClrLDDcBSN8VHqBEXQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Energy staff told the Utility Oversight Committee on Oct. 7 that a surge in “large loads” — customers such as data centers, industrial facilities and hydrogen or crypto operations — is changing planning and could strain transmission, generation and equipment supply chains.

Interim General Manager Stuart Riley briefed the committee on ERCOT forecasts and local requests, noting ERCOT’s adjusted load forecast shows 87 gigawatts in 2025 and, after adjustments, about 145 gigawatts of likely demand growth vs. a raw figure near 218 gigawatts. Riley said the adjusted forecast implies a roughly 67% increase in ERCOT demand over six years and described that increase as the equivalent of “adding more than 19 Austins” to the grid.

That scale of growth raises three linked problems, Riley said: transmission capacity and congestion where upgrades are needed; long lead times for grid-scale equipment (substation transformers, circuit breakers and other gear); and the time needed to site and construct new generation and transmission. “These customers want to be able to come online within one to two years,” Riley said. “But the regulatory process, the construction process, the supply chain… is really taking three to five years, probably closer to the five year aspect.”

Riley noted Senate Bill 6 (2023 Texas Legislature) set a 75-megawatt threshold that directs very large load requests into the ERCOT planning process; in practice, he said, some customers have sized down below that threshold and left the interconnection decision to local utilities.

Committee members pressed staff on implications for Austin. Riley said Austin’s service territory is relatively compact and that the utility has received interest that, if characterized by likelihood, totals roughly 500 megawatts. He emphasized the local planning tradeoffs: adding large, high-load customers can increase utility revenue and lower per-customer fixed costs, but only if transmission and generation are available to serve them without creating excessive scarcity or stranded investments.

Council members discussed whether to pursue targeted economic development that accounts for a customer’s ability to be curtailable or to provide on-site generation. Riley said some research-and-development data centers with flat, high load factors can be curtailable and that staff are exploring demand-response and on-site generation options in their negotiations.

Committee members also raised equipment lead times for new peaking units and other capacity additions. Riley said industry queues for peaker units and similar resources now run roughly three to five years, and that utilities are making early deposits to reserve manufacturing slots.

The committee did not take formal action on large-load interconnection policy at this meeting; members requested continued updates as Austin Energy advances transmission import capability, generation adequacy planning and customer-specific risk assessments.","Austin Energy staff told the Utility Oversight Committee that ERCOT’s adjusted load forecast and local requests from data centers and other large customers could add hundreds of megawatts of demand over the next several years, stressing transmission, generation adequacy and long equipment lead times.",{"_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},6428773,"Austin Energy nears goal on customer discounts; about 82,000 households enrolled",271,3795000,4066000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f&start=3795&end=4066","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f/thumbnail_3795000.jpg","/articles/6428773/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Energy-nears-goal-on-customer-discounts-about-82000-households-enrolled","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428773-ae529d835a7a1a0c29783cad9454201d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500514&Signature=kd1P0RM7U2q8HLDpsj379nRBe~uSm0peVQkZrIUB2NG8KpPSfZ-3Lu5IC4KAoTEX0c6BeRvernSD4k1iHL1X95MWOtEngfvVSFe7ov3s1fLacrST1tEart3aZXDKbeoVZek25RFNA~yvEeFFJ~23ervwkayp0HLiY6Beynk2rXFU9uoz7nuOJJ3CIkmfsowNE6NbVkGL3RKbMx4o7fmoshXF8dT-YagBURN3xHM4kaA9AkaNRLgTDsSfsD6kEoLoMHfq~WtPcEOaLtz~EAkUc1pWI13lh8CNUCfPryirTZNqH~jTaGDo2ya-kfjMx8hPc3uLEzwiXveYvrEvAU79Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Energy briefed the Utility Oversight Committee on Oct. 7 about the expansion of the citywide customer-assistance discount program. Staff said automation, data matching and community partnerships dramatically increased enrollment and that the program now reaches roughly 82,000 households toward a target of about 97,000.

Deputy General Manager and Chief Customer Officer Carrie Overton told the committee the 2022 council resolution directed the utility to expand discounts over three years to serve an estimated eligible population near 97,000 households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (about $67,000 for a family of four). Overton said the program reached roughly 32,000 enrolled households before the expansion and now stands at approximately 82,000.

Staff described several operational changes that contributed to faster enrollment: a customer portal that allows same-day eligibility determinations; address- and data-matching with partners including school districts; stronger data-quality and quality-control processes; and outreach collaborations with nonprofits and faith-based organizations. Overton described wraparound services including in-home case management, referrals to debt-management or one-time emergency assistance and coordination with housing-repair programs.

Austin Energy said households receiving all utility discounts could save just over $1,400 per year on combined city utility bills and that total customer savings in fiscal 2024 could reach about $38 million. Staff noted no additional permanent headcount was added to achieve the expansion, though temporary help and automation were used to handle peak workloads.

Council members praised the expansion and asked staff to continue data scrubs and quality-control reviews over the next 18 months to ensure benefits reach eligible households. No vote was required; staff said they would continue outreach and return with updated enrollment metrics.","Staff told the Utility Oversight Committee the city’s expanded customer-assistance discount program has enrolled roughly 82,000 households toward a target of about 97,000, delivering estimated annual utility savings and wraparound services to income-qualified customers.",{"_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},6428777,"Austin Energy highlights decade-high multifamily weatherization, 25,000+ single-family homes served",335,3347000,3682000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f&start=3347&end=3682","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f/thumbnail_3347000.jpg","/articles/6428777/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Energy-highlights-decade-high-multifamily-weatherization-25000-single-family-homes-served","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428777-c1c13ef714a904fe1250bd63be01f787/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500514&Signature=goIQCQKTeskzW1Xkn~ECZG8H2rLyLe1kxU-14l21j81x14diA5WyePY0Egm0bS9Cmx~YRDN89NMbFSWDuFXVjCZ-vMRr9j5L~eo7lwv6jlRzJZmzNle0gezdvmEUbooEkWZRucCdpJijbP-W3BxFHW3rekXPLLWGeYPiJ~lSkaYDCqrDYKrveg2zrRbqkEd7IIV1NRukB5eMizJWhB2PFftHFIZ5nSYdfXVk2PZHpuH~AC8W-AZLhhcAMOg9YGZb9h~2OswKdrRzNG-e~TaTPFVvBQHj5SvSfkQRPRwOpRNjhTJ6yybyo2j2bb6xMLHumvm5L~7b0luP0QUIyVmptA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Energy staff presented the utility’s income-qualified weatherization programs to the Utility Oversight Committee on Oct. 7, describing recent growth, contractor expansion and workforce training tied to energy-efficiency upgrades.

Richard Genesee, Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions, said Austin Energy has offered no-cost efficiency programs for income-qualified owners and renters since 1982. He reported the utility has weatherized more than 25,000 single-family homes and over 150,000 apartments to date and that 2024 marked an all-time high for multifamily apartments served (more than 10,000 apartments in 2024).

Staff credited program growth to several changes: expanding the contractor pool (single-family contractors increased from six to 18), adding a third-party implementer for multifamily work, simplifying and digitizing the single-family application (now a one-page mobile-friendly form available in English and Spanish), and workforce development partnerships. Staff also noted the program aligns its income standard to 80% of area median family income, consistent with the City of Austin Housing Department’s GoRepair eligibility.

Genesee emphasized health and safety benefits of climate control upgrades and pointed to average energy-bill reductions of about 20% for single-family participants. Multifamily upgrades, staff said, now average 2 to 3 measures per apartment compared with roughly 1.2 measures historically.

Staff described connections to other city programs: referrals to the Housing Repair Coalition for structural repairs (grants up to $20,000 funded by the GoRepair bond) when homes require work before weatherization, and training offerings such as the National Comfort Institute courses for contractors. No committee action was required; staff offered to return with program metrics as work continues.","Austin Energy briefed the committee on income-qualified weatherization programs, reporting the utility has weatherized more than 25,000 single-family homes and over 150,000 apartment units since 1982, with 2024 a record year for multifamily interventions.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6428780,"Austin Energy reports stronger-than-budget Q3 results; transfer boosts power-supply reserve",124,2710000,2834000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f&start=2710&end=2834","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5906765-ddebd5c9053802de747c49d5a34cbd9f/thumbnail_2710000.jpg","/articles/6428780/Austin/Travis-County/Texas/Austin-Energy-reports-stronger-than-budget-Q3-results-transfer-boosts-power-supply-reserve","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6428780-c5495028f880517fc0eb23d94e61a856/orig.mp4?Expires=1770500514&Signature=kYK-ZiPq7DKFOIkFdc2n~J6LUkvhEAmGWzH0jKb4TMaB7uj5kOlK5KEPiSZRkzP0rnZ7QTNx4siCxGj01yP6HXGh1Nj2nGzV0fK8RWX70GXmMiQAYUnlqPKFAh1waxuSHYhN~G3VyKsar5XSzPn~lruStj8M2C9tKr2Fjt2kvtpkuXP9fcH3zOzE-gKmlG3FQkFl2nQvlUEXsTALn1YgFKJ~3DR3zBlmmJ6Rm7djV2nls2du-Q-xwLdnaNojMD1gXGDpwxwdzt0RhZLy8k3nzQG7nx6vQPbdSZYYB34zZzib8CqIf7cJXPCfWf7zgW3K89CSfE15cd20DopHNFqPVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Austin Energy reported third-quarter financial and operational highlights to the Utility Oversight Committee on Oct. 7, with staff saying operating income and net income trended above budget for the period ending June 2025.

Interim Chief Financial Officer Stephanie Koudelka told the committee the utility moved $30 million from a power supply overrecovery into its power supply stabilization reserve earlier in the fiscal year. She said that transfer helped the utility meet its financial policy of 90 days of power-supply cash on hand and contributed to stronger operating results for the quarter, but noted the transfer was a one-time event and would not recur in the next fiscal year.

Koudelka said Austin Energy currently holds about 195 days cash on hand against its 150-day policy and that Standard & Poor’s affirmed the utility’s double-A-minus (AA-) rating with a stable outlook. She also reported a $109 million overrecovery on the power supply adjustment and noted the utility used administrative authority during the fiscal year to lower that adjustment rate in five 5% steps. Koudelka said staff would reassess the power-supply adjustment after closing September results.

On operations, Deputy General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Lisa Martin presented Q3 operational highlights for April–June 2025, reporting 44% renewable production and 68% carbon-free production as a percentage of load for the quarter. Martin said generators were generally available and that reliability metrics showed increased storm restoration activity; results exclude a major event (a May microburst) that is being reviewed separately.

Committee members asked follow-up questions about district-cooling capital timing and equipment lead times for peaker units; staff said district-cooling underspends were timing-related and that queue delays for peaker procurement had stretched to roughly three to five years.

The committee approved the minutes from the July 22, 2025 meeting by motion of Council Member Duchin, seconded by Council Member Alter, approved without objection.","Interim CFO Stephanie Koudelka said operating results for the quarter ended June 2025 trended above budget, enabled in part by a $30 million transfer to the power supply stabilization reserve; the utility remains rated AA- and reported $109 million overrecovery on the power-supply adjustment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Austin Energy, advocates push for residential solar options as 30% federal tax credit nears expiry

Austin Energy warns rapid ‘large load’ growth will test transmission, generation and equipment supply

Austin Energy nears goal on customer discounts; about 82,000 households enrolled

Austin Energy highlights decade-high multifamily weatherization, 25,000+ single-family homes served

Austin Energy reports stronger-than-budget Q3 results; transfer boosts power-supply reserve