As we near the end of a summer of record temperatures imagine if your energy bill were more than 33 higher than it is today. This is a real possibility that might become a reality should a proposal to quickly move Austin toward more renewable energy resources pass. If implemented this plan will cause utility bills to rise an additional 22 for residents and 19 for businesses. There is no legal requirement causing the city to move so rapidly to reach this aggressive goal.
Austin Energys Resource Generation and CO2 Plan is an effort to reduce the citys carbon footprint by 35 by implementing more renewable energy resources over the next 10 years.
Whether or not this plan is adopted utility rates are going to drastically increase in the next few years because of transmission lines being built and base rate and fuel increases.
We may be looking at rates increasing up to 50 percent in the next five years and even more in 10 years.
The Catholic Diocese of Austin must concern itself with preserving life and the dignity of people. We recognize that human dignity is not upheld without breathable air or drinkable water.
So we applaud greener initiatives.
At the same time we cannot forget our obligation to the poor and most vulnerable in society.
Currently requests for utility assistance are one of the top reasons people call 2-1-1. Though Austin Energy does have a deferred payment plan there are 
many members of our community who cannot afford even the deferred payments and thus seek assistance from Catholic Charities and other charitable organizations.
In addition to affecting low-income and fixed-income families raising utility costs would significantly effect the finances of churches private schools and charities resulting in staff reductions and a narrowed ability to provide assistance to those in need.
Churches of all denominations often serve their neighborhoods as community centers with meeting spaces for organizations such as neighborhood associations and Boy Scouts & Girl Scouts. Many private and parochial schools help ease the demands on the public school system. Many of the religious schools serve moderate and poor families. Higher expenses could put those services to an end.
As we look to the future we cannot choose between the environment and the poor.
We must find a path that brings more green energy without burdening those who have limited resources. If the Austin City Council determines to move forward with this plan it should consider the impact to all ratepayers especially the poor.
Mayor Lee Leffingwell has assembled a task force to review this issue. We hope it considers the costs to the poor churches schools and nonprofits.
We also suggest the City Council consider delaying the implementation of the CO2 plan until the full extent of anticipated increases is known.
In the words of Pope Benedict XVI:
Prudence does not mean failing to accept responsibilities and postponing decisions; it means being committed to making joint decisions after pondering responsibly the road to be taken decisions aimed at strengthening that covenant between human beings and the environment which should mirror the creative love of God from whom we come and towards whom we are journeying.
Mulvey is diocesan administrator for the Catholic Diocese of Austin.
