As ordered by the Austin City Council, city owned Austin Energy released a report to the Electric Utility Commission on Monday night. The report claims that the energy company could replace its share of the coal-fired Fayette power plant with a natural gas facility at reasonable costs to the city. Utility officials say they need to test their theory with real life offers to determine if the change will be efficient. Environmentalists support the change to natural gas facilities because of the detrimental effects burning coal has on the climate. Austin Energy is asking for permission from the council to begin receiving offers on their stake at the Fayette power plant that provides about one-third of Austin's energy. A federal court recently denied stricter environmental standards to be placed on coal-fired plants, which means the Fayette plant could be sold at a fair price on the market. Furthermore, natural gas prices are at a historic low which would allow the city to build a facility at lower costs. A natural gas facility would produce less than half of the emissions than that of a coal-fired plant.
Read the entire article from Austin American Statesman and determine for yourself if this sounds like a good idea. This is an issue that could very well affect how much citizens pay in energy costs for the future. Turning to more economically and environmentally friendly energy options may be right around the corner.
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