We Can Stop the 23 Rate Increase!
By Sibyl West
Texas Insider Report: AUSTIN Texas Why should residents and their churches be at odds with one another in seeking favorable treatment from their electric utility? We would both be better off if we could just pay the rates that users pay in the competitive market (or something even close). I like how Austin Energy doesnt even break a sweat trying to address our concerns.
For example when it is asserted that our electricity rates under the proposed plans will be more than 33 higher than rates paid by Round Rock residents with access to the competitive what is AEs response?
We have some of the lowest rates in the state right now. Our residential bills remain in the Lower 50 of comparable utilities in Texas."
Note that right now" refers to a time period before the proposed rate increase. AEs own residential rate advisor has predicted they wont remain in the lower 50 after this rate increase.
Frankly I was hoping theyd aim higher like the top 25. I hope Four Points News gets back to Mr. Clark
after he gets a chance to analyze our Round Rock example.
www.AERateProtest.com gets press coverage again this week in Four Points News. You can find the article online
here. In the article FPN presents our point of view and goes to Austin Energy spokesman Ed Clark for comment.
Will Austin Energy Answer to a Higher Authority?
See this weeks Four Points News for a Letter to the Editor from the pastor of Austin Baptist Church.
Austin churches are worried that their electricity bill may be going up 50-80! I suspect what is going to happen is that the politicians will make a concession to the churches.
Who wants to be the politician that puts churches out of business? Unfortunately any concessions to any other class of users will almost certainly fall upon suburban residential customers since we dont have a vote in Austin.
Spread the Word!
Thanks to your help our Facebook page (
www.facebook.com/aerateprotest) continues to grow in popularity. Please continue to share our Facebook page and website with friends and ask them to like" the page. Also have them go to
www.aerateprotest.com to sign up for our petition email list.
Whats Happening With the Rate Proposal and the Petition Effort?
Our best estimate is that the rate proposal will be finalized and approved by the Austin City Council around
February 1 2012. That will be the start of the 45 day clock for gathering petition signatures making the likely deadline for signatures March 15 2012.
Find Out Your New 10 Digit Customer Number For Austin Energy.
AE just changed to a system of new 10-digit customer numbers. It is important that you know this number as it will be required on the petition!
Sibyl West is the editor in chief of Ramparts360.com who was named 2010 Blogger of the Year by Americans for Prosperity-Texas.
