On April 18, Austin Energy will propose base rate changes. Austin Energy policy requires a regular review of the utility’s costs and revenues. Base rates cover the costs of owning and operating the electric system.
Austin Energy staff has presented initial findings from a recent cost-of-service study at both the April 5 Austin Energy Utility Oversight Committee meeting and the March 21 Electric Utility Commission meeting. The cost-of-service study looked at 2021 financial data on the costs of providing electric service to the community. The findings show a growing gap between revenues and costs.
“I want to let you know that this is not because of Winter Storm Uri,” said Austin Energy Vice President of Finance Russell Maenius on Tuesday. “While some utilities had to add charges in the wake of the winter storm, that is not the case here.”
2022 Base Rate Review Timeline
- April 18 — Austin Energy publishes base rate proposal; start of base rate review process.
- Mid-April through mid-May — Community meetings.
- Mid-April through September — Formal process, including discovery, briefing, participant presentations and Hearing Examiner recommendation.
- Late October through November — Electric Utility Commission meeting; City Council meetings; final City Council action.
- January 2023 — Base rate implementation.
Customers can register to attend a community meeting at speakupaustin.org/rates. Find more information about the base rate review at austinenergy.com/go/rates.
