Austin, TX

Texas Gas Service rate hearing at Council this Thursday – Austin Monitor

Published

4 months ago

August 28, 2024

Texas Gas Service rate hearing at Council this Thursday – Austin Monitor

Wednesday, August 28, 2024 by Jo Clifton

City Council will host a hearing on Thursday to allow members of the public, particularly customers of Texas Gas Service, to voice their opinions about a large rate increase the utility is proposing. The city has also joined a coalition of cities seeking to convince the Texas Railroad Commission, which makes the final decision about gas rates, to lower the increase that TGS seeks.

Consumer advocate Paul Robbins plans to be on hand for the item, which is on Thursday’s City Council agenda. He has prepared a lengthy explanation of the utility’s proposed rates and compared them with rates charged by CPS Energy in San Antonio. According to Robbins, if Texas Gas Service “gets its proposed rate increase, its residential rates per customer will have risen 105 percent in six years. Inflation between 2019 and 2024 was 23 percent.”

He noted that CPS Energy in San Antonio has had a net rate increase of 7 percent since 2014. Over the 10 years between 2014 and 2024, inflation was 33 percent when the new 2024 rate went into effect, he said.

“I do not believe San Antonio charges any taxes and fees,” he said, concluding, “So the current annual rate of $290 a year (for CPS) is less than half of the proposed rate increase from TGS at $596 a year.”

Safeena Walji, public relations manager for Texas Gas Service, told the Austin Monitor, “Texas Gas Service rates have been determined to be fair and reasonable. According to an internal rates analysis, the average monthly Texas Gas Service bill for Austin residents this year is $60.58, including all taxes and fees. Our rates are set through a rigorous review process conducted by the cities we serve and the Railroad Commission of Texas, making sure any adjustments are just and necessary to cover the costs of providing safe and reliable service.”

Robbins notes that Texas Gas Service has invested heavily in its infrastructure – he said those costs increased by 63 percent in a four-year period. He concludes that the infrastructure investment was the major cause of rate increases over the past five years “even though the company’s residential customer base grew by only 5 percent between 2019 and 2023.”

Walji said, “Our rate adjustments reflect the actual costs of maintaining and improving our infrastructure, including significant safety, reliability and efficiency investments.”

Even though Texas Gas Service is proposing a rate increase for residential customers, it is at the same time proposing to cut rates for industrial and commercial customers, Robbins noted. “TGS proposes a 31 percent increase in residential rates, while proposing a 34 percent decrease for industrial customers and a 7 to 9 percent decrease for commercial customers,” he said.

Robbins also complains that the TGS rate structure hurts lower-income people and discourages conservation. He notes, “Low-income utility customers use less energy than average because they have less disposable income.” He provided a chart from the U.S. Energy Information Agency’s residential energy consumption survey for 2020 in southern states. That chart clearly shows the link between income and residential energy consumption, with residents having the highest incomes also using the most energy and those with lower incomes using less energy. Robbins notes that both Austin Energy and Austin Water have progressive rate structures, charging those who have the highest consumption more than those who have lower consumption.

Austin Energy and Austin Water collectively spend at least $22 million a year in discounts to low-income customers, Robbins noted.

Austin Water rates for residents on the Customer Assistance Program are lower for people using the least amount of water. The opposite seems to be true for Texas Gas Service customers. There are no charts for the TGS customer assistance program for low-income customers, Robbins said, simply because TGS does not have one.

Walji disagreed, saying, “We’re committed to supporting our low-income customers and promoting conservation. Programs like ‘Share the Warmth,’ which we support annually, help with utility bills and encourage customers in need to apply for funds through community partners. These funds are often still available at the end of the year. Our Energy Efficiency program also aids in appliance repairs and updates. These initiatives keep bills manageable, promote energy conservation, and address concerns about their impact on low-income customers and sustainable practices.”

She also said the utility had surveyed its customers in Travis, Williamson and Hays counties, with 64 percent indicating “high trust in their utility to set fair and reasonable rates.” She concluded, “90 percent of responses indicated positive overall satisfaction.”

Austin, as part of the coalition of 17 cities referred to as TGS cities, has legal counsel and rate experts working on the rate case. In July, Council approved a delay that will allow the legal counsel and outside experts to determine their strategy in representing the city, according to materials related to the Council agenda. That material notes that “complaints from TGS customers residing in Austin have triggered the city’s obligation to hold a public hearing.”

Even though Council is holding a hearing on Thursday, they will not be voting on TGS rates for quite some time. Their legal team, led by Thomas Brocato, will meet with lawyers and consultants for TGS and staff of the Railroad Commission, with the goal of reaching an agreement on rates. Should they come to an agreement, Brocato will advise Council, who will then vote on whether to approve the agreement. If they approve it, the matter will go before members of the Railroad Commission for their approval. If Council does not approve the agreement, the matter will still go to the Railroad Commission, but the process will likely take longer. Regardless, nothing is expected to come back to Council before November.

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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Austin, TX

Texas A&M vs USC preview: Scouting report, predictions for Las Vegas Bowl

Published

4 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Texas A&M vs USC preview: Scouting report, predictions for Las Vegas Bowl

All that’s left in the season for Texas A&M football is the Las Vegas Bowl. With one game left, the Aggies head west to take on the USC Trojans for the first time since 1977.

Texas A&M (8-4, 5-3 SEC) dropped out of the US LBM Coaches Poll at the end of the season, while the Aggies’ next opponent is fighting to finish above .500. USC is 6-6 overall and is 11th in the Big Ten at 4-5.

BUY TICKETS TO TEXAS A&M VS USC

Will A&M take care of business in the final game of 2024? Can they send off Year 1 under head coach Mike Elko on a good note? How will the Aggies fare down three key defenders up front? Can Elko and the Aggies secure a nine-win season for the first time since 2020?

Here’s a full scouting report for the Texas A&M Aggies vs the USC Trojans:

Texas A&M vs USC in Las Vegal Bowl

When: 9:30 p.m. Friday.

Where: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

TV: ESPN.

Radio: 1370 AM in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.

Line: Texas A&M is favored by 3½.

Weather: Allegiant Stadium is a dome, rendering the weather ~~to be~~ a nonfactor.

Texas A&M vs USC history

All-time: USC leads 3-0.

Last meeting: 47-28 USC win (1977).

Most memorable meeting: It hasn’t been an extensive history between the two programs, and it hasn’t been a joyous one for the Aggies either. The latest matchup came in the 1977 Bluebonnet Bowl, played annually in Houston.

The final meeting between the Aggies and Trojans was also the last time A&M played in the bowl game. A&M lost to USC, 47-28, aided by a then-bowl record four-touchdown pass performance from USC’s Rob Hertel. Trojans’ running back Dwight Ford broke a school record with 94 rushing yards.

Know the foe: USC

Last game: 49-35 loss to Notre Dame.

Players to watch: Thanks to increased player movement, it’s oftentimes hard to get a beat on who will and won’t play in non-playoff bowl games. However, looking at the Trojans’ offense, their passing attack was led by sophomore wide receivers Makai Lemon and Zachariah Branch. The duo have combined for 93 receptions, 1168 yards and four touchdowns. Branch is in the transfer portal and is not expected to suit up against the Aggies.

The Trojans started the year with Miller Moss at quarterback, but thanks to USC making a switch, sophomore Jayden Maiava is the starting quarterback now. He has made the last three starts for the Trojans, while Moss has entered the transfer portal, reportedly joining Louisville ahead of the 2025 season.

As a starter, Maiava has totaled 840 passing yards, seven touchdown passes and three interceptions.

Central Texas connections: The USC Trojans football team is a national brand, and with that comes an extensive reach on the recruiting trail. As a result, the Trojans’ roster has its fair share of Texas natives. In total, 11 players call the Lone Star State home, including junior tight end Lake McRee who is from Austin and played at Lake Travis.

When Texas A&M has the ball

It will be interesting to see how the Aggies handle the Las Vegas Bowl, with 19 players reportedly in the transfer portal and at least Nic Scourton already forgoing the bowl game for NFL aspirations.

What Aggies fans can expect to see is Marcel Reed getting plenty of work with him being viewed as the unquestioned starting quarterback heading into the new season for the first time.

Also, preseason-projected starting running back Rueben Owens made his first appearance against the Longhorns in Week 14 following a knee injury that made him unavailable for most of the year. It will be interesting to see if they once again give him game action to close out the year.

Look for the Aggies to work in young players such as freshman wide receiver Ashton Bethal-Roman who finished the year with four receptions, 44 yards and one touchdown in limited action as they head into next season.

When USC has the ball

The Trojans’ passing game is well-documented. They enter the game with the 10th-best passing attack in the nation, averaging 291.7 yards a game. Maiava will be looking for Makai Lemon for much of the evening, while Austin native Lake McRee is also a viable option.

Even with all the attention being paid to their passing game, senior running back Woody Marks tallied 1,133 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns this year, and will be a problem the Aggies will need to contend with as well.

Texas A&M vs USC key matchup

Aggies’ defensive backs vs Trojans’ receivers

A&M’s secondary will have its hands full with this Trojans passing attack, and it will be up to Will Lee III, Dezz Ricks and BJ Mayes to limit the big-play ability of USC’s passing attack.

While teams have had success running on the Aggies recently, the Trojans’ strength lies in the passing game, and A&M should be prepared for an aerial attack during the season finale.

Texas A&M vs USC predictions

Tony Catalina: It’s hard to get a beat on how these non-playoff games will go with all the changes and uncertainty. However, Mike Elko has a chance to get his ninth win of the season, and there is still enough talent in the program and coming back that I think A&M is able to find a way. Texas A&M 27, USC 20.

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Austin, TX

Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian Prasies Clemson Tigers QB Cade Klubnik

Published

12 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Texas Longhorns HC Steve Sarkisian Prasies Clemson Tigers QB Cade Klubnik

The Clemson Tigers weren’t able to pull of the massive upset against the Texas Longhorns in the first-round of the College Football Playoff, resulting in their season coming to an end.

It was a really solid 2024 campaign for the Tigers. They were able to win 10 games, the ACC Title, and made the newly expanded CFP.

However, going on the road against the Longhorns proved to be no easy task. While it was a 14-point loss, the argument could be made that Clemson exceeded some expectations, especially on the offensive side of the ball.

Texas has one of the best defenses in the country, and certainly one of the best secondaries. Throwing the ball on the Longhorns has been something that few players have had success at this season. However, Cade Klubnik and the passing offense of the Tigers had one of their best games of the season in the big moment.

In the loss, Klubnik totaled 336 passing yards, three passing touchdowns, and one interception. Considering Texas was allowing less than 200 yards per game through the air, this was an impressive showing.

After the game, Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke very highly of Klubnik and what he was able to do against the Texas defense.

“I’m proud of Cade,” Sarkisian said via Clemson Insider. “I’ve known him for a long time, been recruiting him I feel like forever when he was in high school, and the fact that his career didn’t start off maybe the way he would have liked at Clemson, and there was a lot of expectations for him there, but to come out and have the season that he had this year for them, to get them to the playoffs, to be ACC champs, that’s a credit to him. He’s a very good football player.”

After a mediocre sophomore season, the Tigers quarterback took a massive leap in 2024. Overall, Klubnik finished with 3,639 passing yards, 36 passing touchdowns, and just six interceptions. While a lot of the attention goes to him throwing the ball, he was also able to rush for nearly 500 yards with seven scores.

The junior quarterback quickly became one of the best players at the position in the country, and was a massive part of why Clemson achieved as much as they did this season.

Now, the hope will be for the Tigers that Klubnik returns for his senior season. If he does, they will be entering 2025 with one of the best passing offenses in the country.

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Austin, TX

Fort Worth surpasses Austin to be Texas’ 4th-largest city

Published

21 hours ago

December 24, 2024

Press Room

Fort Worth surpasses Austin to be Texas’ 4th-largest city

FORT WORTH, Texas — Move over, capital city. Cowtown is making Texas history.

According to census data from 2023 and released in November, Fort Worth has surpassed Austin in population and now ranks as Texas’ fourth-largest city.

According to the Texas Demographic Center’s 2023 Population Estimates report, Austin now ranks as the No. 5 Texas metro.

As of Jan. 1, 2024, Fort Worth had a population of 989,878. Austin is creeping up on a million people as well. It’s population at the same time was estimated at 986,928.

Not only is Fort Worth larger than Austin, it appears to be growing at a faster rate. Cowtown’s population increased 7.75% from 2020 to 2024. During the same period, the Live Music Capital of the World only grew 2.6%.

Not surprisingly, Houston was ranked Texas’ most populous city with about 2,318,657 people as of Jan. 1, 2024. San Antonio came in at No. 2 with roughly 1,496, 876 residents, and Dallas landed at No. 3 with 1,308,404.

Austin has been a popular relocation destination in recent years but may have lost some of its clout. As recently as 2023, it was ranked the 10-most populous city in the U.S.

It has since been knocked out of the top 10.

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