March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin Energy

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Vanessa Sarria
Posts: 29
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:47 pm

March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin Energy

Post by Vanessa Sarria »

These proposed agendas and speakers have not been finalized.

Monday, March 2, 2015
Policy Workshop on Resource Recovery - 9 to 11 am at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers

Context: How does the City manage Resource Recovery to maximize environmental and economic benefits?
o Bob Gedert, Austin Resource Recovery
o Natalie Betts, Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services/Austin Resource Recovery (Other staff available for questions)

How do we get to zero waste?
o Andrew Dobbs, Texas Campaign for the Environment

What are the obstacles to compliance with the Universal Recycling Ordinance and achieving zero waste?
o David Rodewald, River City Rolloffs
o Joaquin Mariel, Balcones Resources

How do we address litter and illegal dumping?
o Rodney Ahart, Keep Austin Beautiful

How do we translate our zero waste policies to economic development, job creation and greater affordability?
o Kendra Bones, ZWAC or Cathy Gattuso, ZWAC or J.D Porter, CR2, Central Texas Zero Waste Alliance

Other voices from community provide comments. Five of the following people will be asked to provide a different perspective in 3 minutes.
• Eric Goff, Compost Pedallers - community-based (decentralized) composting options
• Joseph de Leon – Keep Austin Fed
• Skeeter Miller - Greater Austin Restaurant Association
• Rebecca Stuch - Austin Creative Reuse
• Ruthie Redmond, Environmental Board
• Blythe Christopher - Sharing Economy and Using Less Stuff
• Ryan Hobbs or Adam Gregory - Texas Disposal Systems - haulers
• Fayez Kazi, Zero Waste Advisory Commission, engineer


Monday, March 2, 2015
Policy Workshop on Austin Energy - 12:30 to 2:30 pm at Austin City Hall, Council Chambers

Context
How will Council adjust the Policies and goals regarding Austin Energy to help it remain competitive and affordable while meeting the City’s values and interests?
o Larry Weis, Austin Energy

How can Austin Energy balance its affordability and environmental commitments?
o Phillip Schmandt, Former EUC & multiple task forces
o Joep Meijer- Right Environment, Electric Utility Commission, Austin Community Climate Plan Steering Committee

What does the business community need for it and Austin Energy to be successful?
o Catherine Morse, Samsung

What is the Council’s role in providing utility oversight?
o Milton Lee, Lee Energy Partners, Former CPS/AE General Manager

What are Austin Energy’s obligations to help disadvantaged customers?
o Carol Biedrzyck, Texas ROSE

Other voices from community provide comments. Five of the following people will be asked to provide a different perspective in 3 minutes.
o Cyrus Reed & David Cortez - Sierra Club & Austin Beyond Coal
o Trey Salinas, 3 Point Partners
o Roger Duncan, UT Energy Institute, Former AE GM
o Tom “Smitty” Smith, Public Citizen
o Chris Herbert, Electric Utility Commission
o Charles Cloutman, Home Repair Coalition
Policy Initiative and Advancement Director
Office of the Mayor
Vanessa Sarria
Posts: 29
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 4:47 pm

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by Vanessa Sarria »

Council Member Troxclair requested Kaiba White, Public Citizen and Solar Austin. She will be replacing Chris Herbert and Tom "Smitty" Smith in the Other Voices section. There is a limit of 5 for "Other Voices".
Policy Initiative and Advancement Director
Office of the Mayor
Don Zimmerman
Posts: 168
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:05 am

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by Don Zimmerman »

Hello Vanessa - a correction needs to be made here.

We had invited Mr. Bill Peacock (TPPF, expert on energy policy) for this question:

What feasible alternatives exist to the Austin Energy monopoly on providing retail and commercial electrical power?

This question absolutely needs to be asked, and Bill is an expert on such a policy question.
Don Zimmerman
Council Member District 6 (northwest Austin)
Leslie Pool
Posts: 231
Joined: Mon Jan 12, 2015 3:22 pm

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by Leslie Pool »

Vanessa, I see Roger Duncan listed as "Other Voices" - I recommend shifting him to a panel slot, please, for couple good reasons: former Council Member, former AE general mgr, and of course a long-time Austin resident. Roger has a very good perspective on AE's evolution and would be excellent on the panel. Roger is best able to address the question "What is the Council’s role in providing utility oversight?" because he has been in both capacities: an executive with AE and a council member exercising oversight.

Thanks, and I hope this suggestion is not too late to make happen - it's helpful that Roger is currently included in the list to speak, I think.

Leslie
Leslie Pool
Mayor Pro Tem
Council Member, District 7
John Michael Cortez
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:15 pm

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by John Michael Cortez »

Please see the updated agenda below. - jmvc

Resource Recovery Policy Workshop Monday March 2, 9:00am
Context:
o Bob Gedert, Austin Resource Recovery
o Natalie Betts, Economic Growth and Redevelopment Services/Austin Resource Recovery (Other staff available for questions)
- What services does Austin Resource Recovery currently provide?
- What is the plan for expanded services?
What is the role of Council and what will be coming to Council in the near future?

Key Policy Issues:
How do we get to zero waste?
o Andrew Dobbs, Texas Campaign for the Environment
What are the obstacles to compliance with the Universal Recycling Ordinance and achieving zero waste?
o Cathy Gattuso, Zero Waste Advisory Commission
o David Rodewald, River City Rolloffs
How do we address litter and illegal dumping?
o Rodney Ahart, Keep Austin Beautiful
How do we translate our zero waste policies into economic development, job creation and greater affordability?
o Fayez Kazi, Engineer, Zero Waste Advisory Commission

Other Voices:
o Eric Goff, Compost Pedallers
o Maia Corbitt, State of Texas Alliance for Recycling (STAR)
o Adam Gregory, Texas Disposal Systems
o Rebecca Stuch, Austin Creative Reuse, Reuse Alliance Texas
o Skeeter Miller, Greater Austin Restaurant Association

Austin Energy Policy Workshop Monday March 2, 12:30pm

Context: How will Council adjust the Policies and goals regarding Austin Energy to help it remain competitive and affordable while meeting the City’s values and interests?
Larry Weis, Austin Energy
Key Policy Questions:
How can we meet Austinites’ energy needs in an environmental and affordable way?
o Phillip Schmandt, Attorney, Former EUC & multiple task forces
o Clay Butler, Attorney, Generation Planning Task Force, former EUC
What does the business community need for it and Austin Energy to be successful?
o Catherine Morse, Samsung
What is the Council’s role in providing utility oversight?
o Milton Lee, Lee Energy Partners, Former CPS/AE General Managero Roger Duncan, UT Energy Institute, Former Austin City Council and Former Austin Energy General Manager
What are Austin Energy’s obligations to help disadvantaged customers?
o Carol Biedrzyck, Texas ROSE, Low-Income Consumer Advisory Task Force
An alternate view to the Public Power Model: what are the consequences of the City's ownership of an electric utility?
o Bill Peacock, Center for Economic Freedom
Other Voices:
o Dr. Cyrus Reed & David Cortez - Sierra Club & Austin Beyond Coal
o Kaiba White, Public Citizen, Solar Austin
o Charles Cloutman, Meals on Wheels & More, Home Repair Coalition
o Susan Meredith, Resource Conservation Contractors Association
Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor
Ann Kitchen
Posts: 294
Joined: Fri Jan 09, 2015 4:04 pm

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by Ann Kitchen »

Vanessa

I'd like to suggest adding Paul Robbins to the Other Voices section for the Austin Energy briefing on Monday

He has been heavily involved in policy of AE since 1977; helped start Austin's clean energy program in the 1980s; worked on purchasing green energy for City operations, and also alerted the Council to needed changes in the CAP Program.

Thank you

Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5
Ann Kitchen
Council Member District 5
John Michael Cortez
Posts: 34
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 2:15 pm

Re: March 2nd Policy Workshop - Resource Recovery, Austin En

Post by John Michael Cortez »

One late addition to the Austin Energy "Other Voices." In response to multiple requests, Paul Robbins, Environmental Activist and Consumer Advocate has been added. Many thanks - jmvc
Chief of Staff
Office of the Mayor
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