RMC asks City Council to request audit of Austin Energy district energy and cooling system; amends resolution to include Austin Energy edits

At its meeting, the Resource Management Commission voted to amend a draft resolution and to ask the Austin City Council to request a formal audit of Austin Energy’s district energy and cooling system.

Commissioner Paul Robbins, who said he had raised the issue at prior meetings, framed the action as a bid for transparency: “My goal here is not to punish people. It is to try to, figure out a way or ways that the district energy cooling system can be solvent, and profitable for this utility in the future.” Robbins told commissioners that his earlier attempts to obtain information had been “quixotic or even Kafkaesque,” and he recommended referring the matter to the city auditor because the city auditor’s office reports directly to the City Council.

Commissioner Silverstein said he co-sponsored the resolution and supported accepting edits submitted by Austin Energy staff.…