IBM Rate Fight, New Energy & City Lights
IBM Rates Debated:
The Electric Utility Commission strongly opposed IBM's pursuit of unique, privately negotiated electricity rates, advocating instead for standard rate-setting processes. The Council ultimately did not adopt this commission resolution.Future Energy Policy Discussed:
Policy guidelines were presented regarding customers generating their own electricity on-site, indicating early considerations for distributed energy.Historic Downtown Lighting Upgrades:
Funds were approved for installing underground electric facilities to support historic streetlighting projects on East First and East Sixth Streets.Major Fuel Contract Approved:
A $1.1 million contract was adopted for fuel gas to power the Decker gas turbine generators, securing a key energy supply.
Full Transcript
T Austin City Council MINUTES For May 10, 1988 - - 3:00 Ρ.Μ. REGULAR MEETING CONVENED AS BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF ELECTRIC UTILITY Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Cooksey called to order the regular meeting of: the Council and announced the purpose of the meeting was to meet as the Board of Directors of the Electric Utility. Mayor Cooksey noted the absence of Mayor Pro Tem Trevino, Councilmembers Humphrey and Urdy. ELECTRIC UTILITY COMMISSION REPORT Mr. Albert H. Fairweather, Chairperson, Electric Utility Commission, presented their report and read two resolutions which they had passed. One resolution dealt with IBM's initiation of separate negotiations with the Council to obtain specific rate relief unique to it and unique from other ratepayers in its class. The resolution stated the Electric Utility Commission opposes any privately negotiated rates outside the proper ratemaking venue of the Hearing Examiner Ordinance. The other resolution deals with recommendations concerning policy guidelines for customers choosing on-site generation. Copies of both resolutions are on file in the City Clerk's office. The resolutions were not passed by Council. CITY MANAGER REPORT John Moore, Director, Electric Utility, presented a report to Council by means of graphics which included the introduction, key issues, financial report and the report on major performance indicators and fuel. CONTRACTS APPROVED 4 The Council, on Councilmember Carl-Mitchell's motion, Councilmember Shipman's second, adopted the following resolutions all in one consent motion: (4-0 Vote, Mayor Pro Tem Trevino, Councilmembers Humphrey and Urdy absent) - REATA INDUSTRIAL GAS, L.P. P.O. Box 53720 Houston, Texas 77052-3720 - Fuel gas for Decker gas turbine generators, Electric Utility May 13, 1988 - May 1, 1989, Supply Agreement Total approximately $1,100,000. : Council Memo 2 5/10/88 BURNUP & SIMS OF TEXAS, INC. 2716 E. 5th Street Austin, Texas BURNUP & SIMS OF TEXAS, INC. 2716 E. 5th Street Austin, Texas PRIESTER-MELL & NICHOLSON, INC. 601 East 56th Street Austin, Texas - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM Construction of underground electric distribution facilities for East First Street historic streetlighting, Electric Utility Total $81,425.20. - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM Construction of underground electric distribution facilities for East Sixth Street historic streetlighting, Electric Utility Total $73,561.00. - CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS PROGRAM Load Survey Packages, Electric Utility, Total $274,500.00 ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned its meeting at 4:35 Ρ.Μ.