Thread by @EllenTroxclair

Many Texans have the right to choose energy providers. Not those on #AustinEnergy! They are captive to the monopoly bc of the Austin City Council, which manages AE but doesn’t have the knowledge or experience to do so -causing high rates, poor service, & frequent outages. #txlege

Over 50% of the outages across the state were #AustinEnergy customers, even though other cities had more icing, more large trees, and providers who serve more customers. Why? Because…

#AustinEnergy’s Board of Directors is the Austin City Council, without oversight from any independent entity. They are the largest utility that owns generation that does not have an independent board.

This means 4 things that are bad for customers:

#txlege #txwx

1) Their decisions are influenced by interest groups that help City Council members get elected, NOT utility experts. City Council members generally (& understandably) have no utility management experience & do not have the time or expertise to run a massive utility. #txlege

2) There is no independent body holding #AustinEnergy accountable. Customers have no recourse to protest rates or services. Many Texans have the right to protest to @PUCTX. A bill (SB556) would have given this same right to AE cust. but was killed on a motion by Rep. Goodwin

3) They can (and do!) lose money on electric generation, but bc they are a vertically integrated monopoly (owning generation, polls, & retail service), they can raise customer’s rates to hide the losses. They have a history of poor investment decisions & customers pay the price.

4) #ATXCouncil uses money that you pay to AE for things other than your electric service. $117m is transferred annually from AE to the city’s general budget, $9m to Eco Devo, & $30m for other. $$ you pay 4 utilities should fund your electric service, not reckless city spending.

Here are 4 ways we could fix #AustinEnergy’s problems & protect customers:

1) Break up the AE monopoly to allow Austin Energy customers to choose their energy provider - this would ultimately lead to better services and rates and compel more competent management. #txlege #txwx

2) Allow #AustinEnergy customers the right to protest rates and services to the Public Utility Commission so there is independent oversight of the utility and customers have recourse. #txlege #txwx

3) Stop the slush fund transfer of AE funds to the city’s general fund now. Require that money paid to #AustinEnergy through customer bills actually goes to providing utility services. #txlege

4) Create a separately elected and/or appointed board of directors made up of experts who have utility management experience. This has pros and cons but is worthy of discussion. #txlege #txwx

We have to give Texans stuck in the failing monopoly of #AustinEnergy the opportunity for cheaper and more reliable electric service for the safety and security of their families and businesses. I will be working with colleagues in the Texas House and Senate to do this. #txlege