Item 7 No final action
In plain language — from the agenda backup
Council is weighing whether to greenlight new natural gas "peaker" plants — quick-firing units that kick on when demand spikes — as part of Austin Energy's Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035. It's a notable call for a city utility that's mapping out how it generates power and meets its climate goals over the next decade. Funding is available in Austin Energy's Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget, with money for additional amounts depending on what future budgets allow.
The official agenda language
Approve implementation of efficient, local, natural gas-powered peaker generation units as part of Austin Energy’s Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan to 2035. Funding: Funding is available in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Capital Budget of Austin Energy. Funding for the additional amounts is contingent upon available funding in future budgets.
"Staff is withdrawing item number seven" — meeting transcript (unofficial)
The official voting record does not show a final action.
What got said
- Item was originally placed solely for public comment on gas peaker generation
- Environmental commission passed a recommendation rejecting the gas plants
- Numerous speakers opposed peakers citing environmental justice in East Austin
The roll call
Withdrawn 0-0
- Kirk Watson Mayor Withdrawn
- Natasha Harper-Madison D1 Withdrawn
- Vanessa Fuentes D2 Withdrawn
- José Velásquez D3 Withdrawn
- José "Chito" Vela D4 Withdrawn
- Ryan Alter D5 Withdrawn
- Krista Laine D6 Withdrawn
- Mike Siegel D7 Withdrawn
- Paige Ellis D8 Withdrawn
- Zohaib "Zo" Qadri D9 Withdrawn
- Marc Duchen D10 Withdrawn