Austin just marked a major milestone in its fight against climate change. Last week, our city's electric utility (Austin Energy) announced that it had begun receiving energy from the East Pecos Solar Facility, a new 120 megawatt solar plant in West Texas. Austin Energy has...
Environmental advocates gathered at the Texas State Capitol last week to protest the Texas Senate confirmation of Kelcy Warren to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. Warren has been a controversial choice to the commission ever since Texas Governor Greg Abbott first appointed him. That's because...
Construction on the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline has resumed. That's despite the work of thousands of protesters who gathered throughout the country decrying the potential negative effects of the pipeline on the environment, as well as on Native American land and water. The protests had...
Austin Energy residential customers have the second lowest energy bills in the state. That's according to the latest federal data, which shows that the an Austin Energy customer (with average electricity use) spent $97 a month on their electricity bill in 2015, compared to the state...
Austin's favorite green building course is back! Green by Design is a three-part workshop series hosted by Austin Energy Green Building. Attendees will learn how to build, remodel or buy green homes that improve energy and water efficiency, increase comfort, and reduce maintenance. Attend one session...
Thinking of ways to reduce your energy usage? One simple step that you can take is to install a smart thermostat in your home. These thermostats are connected to the internet, can be adjusted remotely, and usually "learn" your living habits in order to run...
Have you been near the old Seaholm Power Plant lately? It's in the area downtown (south of 5th street between Lamar Boulevard and Nueces Street) that is being completely redeveloped. The power plant was decommissioned many years ago, and has since been transformed into an office...
Austin is leading the way in advancing solar energy in the US. This week, the city was recognized by the US Department of Energy for its work in improving access to solar energy. Together, Austin City Council, local advocates, and Austin Energy have done this by...
The controversial Dos Republicas coal mine has been given permission to expand. At a hearing in Austin on Wednesday, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality voted to renew and expand a wastewater permit that will allow the mine to grow its operations in Texas near the...
Austin is a nationwide leader in renewable energy adoption. According to the latest rankings from the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Austin Energy sold more renewable energy in 2015 than any other public power utility in the country. It was the only public power utility...