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	'''Austin Energy''' is the United State’s 8th largest ], providing ] to more than 420,000 customers and a population of almost one million within a service territory of approximately 437-square miles, including ], ] and a small portion of ]. Austin Energy has been providing electric service to customers since 1895.<ref>http://austinenergy.com/wps/portal/ae/about/company-profile</ref>		'''Austin Energy''' is the United State’s 8th largest ], providing ] to more than 420,000 customers and a population of almost one million within a service territory of approximately 437-square miles, including ], ] and a small portion of ]. Austin Energy has been providing electric service to customers since 1895.<ref>http://austinenergy.com/wps/portal/ae/about/company-profile</ref>

	Austin Energy is a department of the City of Austin. The Austin City Council sets Austin Energy’s policies and strategic direction. Austin Energy uses a number of energy production entities. Most controversial of these is the nuclear component. The STNP was the subject of a binding citizen referendum (November 3, 1981) to sell Austin's part in the project. STNP went online in 1986. No council has sold Austin's STNP telling citizens that "no one wanted our 16 percent".		Austin Energy is a department of the City of Austin. The Austin City Council sets Austin Energy’s policies and strategic direction. Austin Energy uses a number of energy production entities. Most controversial of these is the nuclear component. The ] was the subject of a binding citizen referendum (November 3, 1981) to sell Austin's part in the project. ] went online in 1986. No council has sold Austin's STNP telling citizens that "no one wanted our 16 percent".

	Austin Energy returns profits to the community to fund other City Services primarily (] and ], but also , and ).		Austin Energy returns profits to the community to fund other City Services primarily (] and ], but also , and ).

Revision as of 02:02, 6 September 2014

Austin Energy is the United State’s 8th largest publicly owned utility, providing electrical power to more than 420,000 customers and a population of almost one million within a service territory of approximately 437-square miles, including Austin, Texas, Travis County and a small portion of Williamson County. Austin Energy has been providing electric service to customers since 1895.

Austin Energy is a department of the City of Austin. The Austin City Council sets Austin Energy’s policies and strategic direction. Austin Energy uses a number of energy production entities. Most controversial of these is the nuclear component. The STNP was the subject of a binding citizen referendum (November 3, 1981) to sell Austin's part in the project. STNP went online in 1986. No council has sold Austin's STNP telling citizens that "no one wanted our 16 percent".

Austin Energy returns profits to the community to fund other City Services primarily (firefighters and Emergency Medical Services, but also parks, and libraries).

Customers who buy photovoltaic (PV) solar panel installations are eligible for financing and monetary credits, applicable to their future energy bills. A vendor must be certified with Austin Energy's temporary Solar Rebate Program. Since 2010, Austin Energy’s contributions have totaled more than $100 million each year. For customers wanting to understand potential savings and learn about the benefits of switching to solar energy contact a local vendor certified within Austin Energy's temporary solar PV rebate program.

Powering the Community

Austin Energy’s total generation is nearly 3,000 megawatts (MW). The service area is powered through a diverse generation mix of wind power, solar power, biomass, natural gas, nuclear, and coal. Austin Energy has a goal to achieve 35% of its energy supply from renewable resources by 2020, including 200 MW of solar with 100 MW installed locally. As of January 2014, Austin Energy's renewable portfolio is at about 25%. Additionally, Austin Energy has a goal to reduce carbon emissions 20% below 2005 levels by 2020. Austin Energy is considering options for reducing the output of the coal-fired Fayette Power Project to meet carbon reduction goals.

Saving Money and the Environment

The Austin Energy energy efficiency program includes a portfolio of energy efficiency offerings for both homeowners and businesses. The program includes a free online Energy Audit that gives consumers feedback on their energy consumption and helps identify ways they can save on utility bills, among other features. Multiple rebates are also available to both residential and commercial customers to help pay for efficiency improvements in homes and office buildings. In 1990, Austin Energy developed the nation's first Green Building program — Austin Energy Green Building. It shares the distinction of being the largest and best established green building program in the country along with Built Green Colorado in Denver. Between 1982 and 2006, Austin Energy achieved its first conservation power plant of 700 megawatts. Austin Energy plans to offset an additional 800 megawatts through energy efficiency between 2007 and 2020.

Supporting Emerging Technologies

Austin Energy’s Plug-In EVerywhere network, powered by 100% renewable energy, expanded to a total of 186 public charging stations to help drive a two-year, 300% Austin EV growth rate. Austin Energy led a 10-county, regional effort to develop a community plan that supports the adoption of EVs and successfully deployed the first-of-its-kind EV home charging Demand Response program.

Generation Assets

Austin Energy owns and operates two natural gas-fired power plants in Austin: the Decker Creek Power Station and the Sand Hill Energy Center. The utility also owns 50% of units 1 and 2 at the coal-fired Fayette Power Project in LaGrange, Texas. Additionally, Austin Energy owns 16% of the South Texas Project in Matagorda County outside of Houston.

Unit	Fuel	Capacity (MW)	Install Year
Fayette Power Project (50% Share)	Coal	602	1979 & 1980
South Texas Project (16% Share)	Nuclear	436	1988 & 1989
Decker Creek Power Station	Gas	927	1970- 1988
Sand Hill Energy Center	Gas	570	2001-2010
Robert Mueller Energy Center	Gas	4.6	2006

Renewable Resources	Fuel Type	Installed Capacity (MW)	First Operation Year	Power Purchase Expiration Date
Sunset Farms	Landfill Methane	4	1996	2021
Tessman Road Landfill	Landfill Methane	7.8	2003	2017
Nacogdoches Power	Biomass	100	2012	2032
Webberville Solar Project	Solar	30	2011	2036
Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) Texas Wind Contract	Wind	10	1995	2020
Sweetwater Wind Farm 2	Wind	91.5	2005	2017
Sweetwater Wind Farm 3	Wind	34.5	2006	2017
Whirlwind Energy Center	Wind	59.8	2007	2027
Hackberry Wind Project	Wind	165.6	2008	2023
Iberdola Penascal I & II	Wind	195.6	2011	2015
Los Vientos II	Wind	201.6	2013	2037
Whitetail	Wind	92.3	2013	2037
TOTAL RENEWABLES	992.7 MW

Pending Wind Projects	MW Capacity	Year Beginning	Year Ending
Los Vientos III	200	2015	2040
Los Vientos IV	200	2016	2041

References

External links

Austin Energy

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