Austin City Council Rewards Austin Energy’s Lack of Transparency
The vote was taken in secret
AUSTIN, Texas — On Thursday, the Austin City Council voted behind closed doors to approve an Austin Energy proposal to buy gas-burning “peaker” power plants at a cost that has not been disclosed but could hover around $1 billion.
The council’s decision was the final act of a rushed process, with critical information about the proposal kept hidden by Austin Energy, including the true cost, who the city-owned utility plans to hire to build the plants, and where the plants will be located.
The council also did not disclose how each member voted or even the vote count.
“The Austin City Council has given its blessing to light the city’s climate and environmental goals on fire, telling residents they have to simply put up with toxic fumes,” said Kaiba White, climate policy specialist for Public Citizen. “Local government cannot work if constituents are kept in the dark about how enormous amounts of money are being spent, nor can it function when a mayor or city council simply decides they won’t honor past commitments that so many have worked so hard to secure. It is a shameful day for the city government, as it puts the zero-carbon by 2035 goal out of reach and the health of entire communities at risk.
“Each council member must publicly state how they voted.”
The final vote took place behind closed doors in executive session and followed a public comment session on Tuesday and another on Thursday in which opposition to the peaker plants was overwhelming.