Tell the Austin City Council to Retire the Fayette Coal Plant

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I write today to ask that you wash Austin’s hands of coal – and keep a key promise the city made to the community to shut down Austin Energy’s portion of the Fayette coal-burning power plant.

After this brutal summer of withering heat, addressing the climate crisis has never been so urgent. Climate scientists have plainly stated that our world is on track for catastrophic climate change. Catastrophic. Austin must do its part to reduce emissions to as close to zero as possible as soon as possible. We don’t have time for stalling and excuses. Austin’s portion of Fayette accounts for about 80% of Austin Energy’s greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 30% of the whole Austin community’s emissions. Climate action and burning coal simply don’t go together.

While the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) – which co-owns Fayette – has undoubtedly not been cooperative in negotiations, that isn’t a reason to give up – it’s a reason to try new strategies.

As Austin Energy’s governing body, it’s up to the City Council – and each member, including you – to hold the utility accountable for meeting established policy goals. The commitment to shut down Austin Energy’s portion of Fayette was first made in 2014 with a goal to get it done by the end of 2022. It hasn’t happened.

It’s time to get the job done. Specifically, I call on you to direct Austin Energy to do the following as part of the update to the Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan:

1. Stop funding Fayette: Council must direct Austin Energy to reject all proposed budgets and expenses for maintaining Fayette. Why would our city continue paying to maintain a facility it's trying to shut down? The Fayette Management Committee (which AE controls 50% of) votes on annual budgets each year, as early as May. While City Council votes on other expenses that exceed the $72,000 threshold, the significant expenses incurred at Fayette have escaped this important oversight. That should be changed.

2. Run Fayette as little as possible: While Austin Energy is running Fayette less than it has, it is still running it more than the minimum required by the contract with the LCRA, resulting in more greenhouse gas emissions and other pollution.

3. Direct Austin Energy to provide the City Council with a rate impact analysis and cost of carbon analysis of the offer that was on the table when the utility was last negotiating with the LCRA. How does the cost compare with the EPA social cost of carbon? Could the amount be affordably recovered from customers over the coming decade, or two or three?

Austin is counting on your leadership. I appreciate your time and service, and look forward to hearing from you soon on this important issue.

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Tell the Austin City Council to Retire the Fayette Coal Plant

Tell the Austin City Council to Retire the Fayette Coal Plant

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