Where are we now?

If you’ve had any experience working with city governments, you know how confusing it can be. We’re following the progress of this program closely and will keep you updated as it winds its way through our city government.

August 27, 2008
Task Force recommendations due for release
Soon, Austinites will see the final recommendations of the Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Task Force. From this point, the proposal could be referred to additional review bodies within city government or go directly to the Austin City Council for a vote. Because the path of this initiative is uncertain and could come up for a vote at any moment, we’ll keep Austinites closely apprised of its progress.

Summer 2008
City of Austin task force crafts energy efficiency proposal
The Energy Efficiency and Retrofit Task Force has been busy crafting its proposal all summer. While progress has been made – such as adjusting its stance that energy efficiency upgrades be entirely mandatory and enforced when a home is sold (called “point of sale”) and establishing some spending caps – work still remains to ensure Austinites are not priced out of the housing market by expensive hidden mandates.

April 22, 2008
KeepAustinAffordable.com launches to inform Austin homeowners
The Coalition to Keep Austin Affordable, led by the Austin Board of Realtors, launches KeepAustinAffordable.com to inform homeowners about the proposal and engage their support keeping homeownership within the reach of Austinites.

April 2008
Concern grows among Austinites
Austinites learn about the city’s plan and begin investigating the costs of the proposed retrofit guidelines, estimated at anywhere from $1,500 to $15,000 for Austin homeowners.

Late December 2007
Task Force created to enforce energy mandates at the “point of sale”
The Austin City Council votes on Resolution No. 20071213-064 to create the Energy Efficiency Retrofit Task Force and charges it with drawing an ordinance where “protocols shall apply to owner-occupied residential properties at the point of sale.” This Resolution requires that, whatever energy efficiency requirements are agreed upon by the task force, they must be enforced when a homeowner attempts to sell an existing home.

Early 2007
Climate Protection Plan launched
Austin Mayor Will Wynn releases the Climate Protection Plan with the goal of making Austin the “greenest” city in the country.