We should all be aware of the Austin Energy rate increase issue. Two events have occurred concerning the proposed event. First, WCID 17, which services the Steiner Ranch area has announced on their website, http://www.wcid17.org/ , that they will be supporting and joining into the PUC appeal process. That is a major step. Second, a couple of groups have constructed websites which clearly outline the issues and debunk much of Austin Energy's position. One is Homeowners United for Rate Fairness (HURF) at www.hurf.org, and the other is Austin Energy Rate Protest at www.aerateprotest.com.

Time To Volunteer!
If the Austin City Council follows Austin Energy's recommended schedule OUR PETITION DRIVE MAY START IN LESS THAN A MONTH.  Under the rules, we will have only 45 days from start to finish to gather somewhere on the order of 3,000 qualified household signatures.  We will be using a number a methods to gather signatures, but in the end, there is no substitute for neighbor-to-neighbor, face-to-face signature gathering.  Would you be willing to gather signatures from all or part of your neighborhood?  Neighborhood leaders are going to be the backbone of a successful campaign. Please contact us at aerateprotest@gmail.com to volunteer.  If you have suggestions for other special ways that you may be able to help, let us know.

Austin Energy's Rate Madness Doesn't Stop With Your Electric Bill.  Watch For Water Bills To Rise Too!
Excessive electric rates will force your water suburban water utility to raise your water bill, too.  Suburban utilities don't share in the special rate break Austin gives to its own water utility.  See the letter to the Mayor and City Council of Austin from the suburban water utility that serves Steiner Ranch, Hudson Bend, and surrounding areas  (WCID 17).

Keep Spreading the Word
The more emails we have on our list at www.aerateprotest.com , the faster start we will have in gathering petitions when the time comes.  Also, "like" our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/aerateprotest, and you'll get updates on what's happening right on your own Facebook news feed page.

 
Establish Your Online Login At Austin Energy
Austin energy will be providing a calculator at their site to allow you to see what the proposed rate hike will do to YOUR electric bill.  By having online account access, you can get information on your actual historical energy usage.  Be sure to look at what happens to your bill in the summer!  We'll be letting you know as soon as we can whether we think the calculator is telling the whole story.