Shades of Green

Our guest is Jill Gonzalez. She is the Executive Director for the Women's Storybook Project of Texas. It is a non-profit organization where volunteers go into Texas women's prisons, meet with mothers and have them read a book that is recorded and then brought back to their children. A heartwarming program. An incredible statistic: 80 % of incarcerated women in Texas are mothers. Visits for many families are often difficult or impossible because of cost and distance. Listen in on the interview and more information is available at https://storybookproject.org/

In this episode of the Austin Common Radio Hour we continue our focus on the February 2021 storm Uri and its effect on the Texas Electric grid system – why it failed. The University of Texas at Austin recently published a white paper called “The Timeline and Events of the February 2021 Texas Electric Grid Blackouts. It is available online at “energy.utexas.edu/ercot-blackout-2021”. We had the special opportunity to speak with Professor Joshua Rhodes, one of the co-authors on the study. Professor Rhodes shares insights into what caused the catastrophic failure of the Texas electric utility grid based on their study.

Patricia Bauer-Slate is the founder and former owner of the iconic Swedish Hill Bakery in Austin Texas. For over 30 years Patricia fed the hearts of the people of Austin with her love for well baked goods and specialty coffees She shares her exciting journey and the interesting characters she met along the way on this episode of KOOP's Podcast for People. Patricia will soon be publishing her second book and runs a new initiative called Patricia's Lunchbox, a school lunch service for kids.

In Part 2 we prepare for the CleanTX annual GridNext conference scheduled to be online April 20 and 21, 2021. CleanTX Board member Ken Donohoo, and Executive Director Brandon Cosinteno discuss the conference and some of the new clean energy technologies and energy policies that will be presented during the on-line sessions.

Our guests on Shades of Green discuss the new energy future, the 2021 electric grid failure in February, and what is in store for our energy future. Our guest for Part 1 is Renewable and Clean Energy Technology expert Peter Kelly-Detwiler. In Part 2 we prepare for the CleanTX annual GridNext conference scheduled to be online April 20 and 21, 2021. CleanTX Board member Ken Donohoo, and Executive Director Brandon Cosinteno discuss the conference and some of the new clean energy technologies and energy policies that will be presented during the on-line sessions.

This week on Shades of Green we discuss the environmental stresses on our oceans throughout the world. What can we do to help relieve the stress. Our guests are George Cummings, Ocean Activist and Mad Ocean Scientist, and Prasad Jaladi, Founder and Chief Facilitator for Suraksha.

What does in mean now that the United States is back in the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015? The day after his inauguration, President Biden re-entered our country into the agreement. Our guest on Shades of Green discuss how this will affect the United States and the rest of the world. Adrian Shelly is the Texas Director for Texas Public Citizen, Stephanie Thomas is a Ph.D., Community Organizer and Researcher for the Houston Public Citizen, and Rebekah Hinojosa is a Gulf Coast Campaigner with the Sierra Club.

Roger Duncan, Former General Manager at Austin Energy and Michael Webber a professor at the University of Texas at Austin co-authored a new book. It is called “The Future of Buildings, Transportation and Power.” Roger joined us on Shades of Green to share his many years of experience in local Austin advocacy, energy issues, and politics. He is a long-time friend to Austin’s environment, energy efficiency and renewable energy. He discussed the highlights of his book that he co-authored with Professor Webber.

Local Austin film makers Karen Kocher and Monica Flores produce a new documentary on the history of our Barton Springs jewel. It is called: “Origins of a Green Identity” and it has featured on PBS and is available streaming on the Web. Karen and Monica are also known for “Living Springs: An Interactive Documentary About Barton Springs.” They are our special guests on this episode of Shades of Green.

The award-winning curbside composting program for residences has expanded by 54,000 households in Austin, Texas. The program now covers all residences in the Austin service area. Our guest on Shades of Green is Ken Snipes, the Director of Austin Resource Recovery. He shares details about the composting program, how to participate, and what is next for the zero waste goals for the City.

Join our Hoffner Holiday Show and listen to poems, readings and our favorite songs.

Our first Shades of Green program was aired on KOOP radio on November 8, 2006. The original founders of the show were Programmer Ken McKenzie, and co-hosts John Hoffner and Jenny Nazak. Over the 14-year running of the show every Thursday we covered many topics with many varying co-hosts. On our retrospective show today, we are joined by several of the previous co-hosts to reminisce about the past on Shades of Green. We have John Hoffner, Reed Sternberg, Jenny Nazak, Amy Stansbury, Stacy (Guidry) Savage, Howie Richey, Christine Giordano, Brandi Clark Burton.

The iconic Austin Environmental Directory is now online and in print. Paul Robbins the editor, producer and founder of the Directory is our guest on Shades of Green. Paul shares with us the history of the Directory which has been part of the Austin environmental community for 25 years. This years is the 10th edition of the Austin Environmental Directory and it is full of interesting information and a listing of all things environmental in Austin.

Texan by Nature is an organization formed in 2011 by Mrs. Laura Bush with the idea to unite land conservation and business leaders who believe Texas’ prosperity depends on the conservation of our wonderful natural resources. Our guests on Shades of Green from Texan by Nature are: Joni Carswell – CEO and President, and a fourth generation Texan Taylor Keys – Program Manager, and leader of the TxN’s Conservation Wrangler Program Jenny Burden – Program Manager, and an avid cyclist and leads the TxN’s Certification Program

The 24th annual Cool House Tour is in Austin Texas on September 27 from 2-4 PM. Although you will not be able to physically visit the sites, you will have an enriching and enlightening virtual experience on-line. There will be tours of the exciting Green Building facilities, open discussions, and presentations by experts in the industry. You will be inspired to participate in the Cool House tour by our guests on this episode of Shades of Green: Patrice “Pete” Parsons, Executive Director of the Texas Solar Energy Society (TXSES) Debbie Kimberly, Vice President of Customer Energy Solutions at Austin Energy

It is time for the annual Trash Makeover Challenge fundraiser for Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE). The Trash Makeover Challenge is a fun, and high energy contest for fashion designers, stylists, and models to create original high fashion pieces out of recycled and recovered materials. This year celebrates Texas Campaign for the Environment’s 29th anniversary and the event’s 10th year and it will be online allowing people from all over the world to participate and watch. The event kicks off on August 29, 2020 at 7:00 PM. More information is available a trashmakeover.com. Our special guest to get listeners fired up to attend the event are: Ceci Guevara, Event Planner and Fashion Show Producer Megan Pinto, Fashion Designer and a 2019 winner in the Trash Makeover Challenge Donna Hoffman, Communications Director for Texas Campaign for the Environment

Can you see stars at night where you live? Or, do you live in an area where the streetlights and other light sources obscure the night stars? The Hill Country Alliance is working to protect and preserve our view of the night skies in the wonderful Texas Hill Country. Our guest on Shades of Green is Cliff Kaplan, the Night Sky and Community Program Manager at the Hill Country Alliance. He shares the details of the program and provides pro-active solutions to keep those night skies visible.

A new algal bloom has invaded Austin’s Lade Bird Lake killing four dogs and affecting recreational activities and could potentially affect our drinking water. Our guest, Dr. Brent Bellinger, Senior Environmental Scientist with the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department explains the issue, and how we can be mindful of it and be safe. He also gives us an update on the invasive zebra mussels that have now affected all the Hill Country’s Highland Lakes and most of the lower Colorado River below Longhorn Dam.

Public Citizen has sued the Texas Railroad Commission, the state's oil and gas regulator, over emergency orders in May that waived fees and relaxed regulations for the storage of crude oil. The the agency's three commissioners voted May 5 to enact orders that waived fees and charges for construction of new oil storage projects through the end of the year. Commissioners also gave oil companies more time to store waste in open pits and to plug abandoned wells. The relaxed regulations will affect our beautiful south and west Texas land and impinge on ranchers. Our guest on Shades of Green are: Adrian Shelly, Director of the Texas office of Public Citizen Hugh Fitzsimons, a South Texas rancher at the Shape Ranch, author and member of the Winter garden Groundwater Conservation District, and a beekeeper.

Our guest on Shades of Green is Peter Kelly-Detwiler, Principle of North Bridge Energy Partners and author of a forth coming book called “The Energy Switch”. Through his weekly 4-minute videos, blogs and social media outreach, Peter focuses on the fast pace of global change in energy and technology. Electric utilities are moving toward a decentralized model, customers want clean energy, and storage is helping to smooth out the smart electric grid. Peter says: “Humanity is attempting something more audacious than the Industrial Revolution - by orders of magnitude - and Texas is one of the few states that is sending us those proverbial ‘postcards from the future,’ about where the rest of the world may also be headed” Join us and listen to the podcast.

BioIntegrity started in 2015 as a for-profit focused on connecting altruistic donors to the most economically efficient environmental solutions in the world. Its mission is to help the world's most impactful, global environmental solutions succeed as fast as possible. It endeavors to make the world a better place by promoting partnered solutions that protect and restore the Earth's ecological systems, resources, biodiversity, and beauty, in perpetuity. So far, BioIntegrity donors have protected more than 8,000 threatened species and kept more than 10,000,000 tons of CO2 out of the atmosphere. Our guest on Shades of Green is Chris Searles, the Founder and President of Biointegrity. Chris has been active in environmental sustainability since 2005. He has worked in many capacities and acquired a broad range of professional experience. Chris is also a musician (drummer), and his career includes touring and/or recording with Shawn Colvin, James McMurtry, The Flatlanders, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Kelly Willis, Bruce Robison, and many more.

TexPIRG is an advocate for the public interest. They speak out for a healthier, safer world in which we’re freer to pursue individual well-being and the common good. As part of a national network, TexPIRG advocates for improved public transportation and safer streets for walking and biking here in Texas. Our guest is Bay Scoggin, the Director of TexasPIRG discussing the recent approval by Capital Metro’s board and the Austin City Council to a $9.8 billion transit plan that would fund three light rail lines through Austin. The plan is called Project Connect.

EcoRise inspires a new generation of leaders to design a sustainable future for all. Its school-based program empowers youth to tackle real-world challenges in their schools and communities by teaching sustainability, design innovation, and social entrepreneurship. Our EcoRise guests are Abby Randall, Deputy Director, and Jaynell Nicholson, Project Manager

Partners for Education Agriculture and Sustainability (PEAS) is an educational non-profit. “Our mission is to cultivate joyful connection with the natural world through outdoor learning and edible education!” PEAS runs 30 programs in 19 schools in Austin and Pflugerville ISDs during the 2019-2020 school-year! Our guest on Shades of Green is PEAS Executive Director, Lauren Zappone Maples. She co-founded PEAS Community Farm & Urban Orchard at Cunningham Elementary in 2011 and became the founding executive director of PEAS in 2015

Our oceans continue to be threatened by human interaction, climate change, and contamination from toxic wastes. World Ocean Week was June 8 – 12, 2020. This year, the UN Environment Program (UNEP) has issued a call to action in its latest campaign to remind everyone that human health is intricately linked to the planet’s health – from the air that we breathe to the food that we eat. Our special guests are: George Cummings. He is a United Nations SDG14 Ocean Ambassador, Biochemist, technology enthusiast with 30 years of scuba diving experience as a video journalist. Anna Farrell-Sherman. She is the Clean Water Associate at the non-profit Environment Texas. Luke Metzger, the Executive Director for Environment Texas.

The non-profit environmental organization, The Hill Country Alliance plays a vital role in preserving the beauty of the hill country of Texas. Their mission is: “The mission of the Hill Country Alliance is to bring together an ever-expanding alliance of groups throughout a multi- county region of Central Texas with the long-term objective of preserving open spaces, water supply, water quality and the unique character of the Texas Hill Country.” Our guest on Shades of Green is Daniel Oppenheimer, Land Program Manager for the Hill Country Alliance.

Amy Stansbury, Shades of Green Co-host and Director of the Austin Common breaks down the upcoming run-off elections that will be on July 14, 2020. Although this is a runoff election, it has major importance for local Travis County places such as the race to fill Senator Kirk Watson’s seat, and other seat for the Texas Legislature, local judges, etc. Join us to hear Amy describe the election procedures, where to vote, and what to know about the important run-off elections.

Clean tech and renewable energy are now combined into CleanTX, a non-profit with the goal of accelerating growth in Texas. The 30-year old Texas Renewable Energy Industry Alliance (TREIA) has merged with CleanTX founded in 2006, to form a broader network in Texas. Our guests on Shades of Green are the leaders of the newly merged association: Brandon Cosinteno, the Executive director of the new Cleantx, and; Melissa Miller, Board Co-chair of the new CleanTX and former Executive director of TREIA.

Our topic on Shades of Green radio is the Texas Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. Our guests are Charlene Heydinger, President of the Texas PACE Authority, and Bruce Elfant the Travis County Tax Assessor-Collector and Voter Registrar. Texas PACE is an innovative program that incentivizes Texas’ property owners to upgrade facility infrastructure with little or no capital outlay. The program targets energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements for the buildings. We also discuss some of the issues surrounding voting in Travis County - particularly mail-in voting.

Listen to our latest episode about the 2020 US Census! Our guest helps break down why it's important and how it impacts all of us living in Austin. Our guest on Shades of Green is John Lawler - Census Program Manager for the City of Austin and Travis County.

The growth of electric vehicles (EV’s) on Texas roads and highways is accelerating. It is only a matter of time when electric vehicles become a majority, and the fossil fuel guzzling, air polluting combustion engine cars and trucks become an anachronism. Our guest on Shades of Green is Tom “Smitty” Smith, Executive Director for the Texas Electric Transportation Resources Alliance (TxETRA), a non-profit collaborative with the goal of having “10 million electric vehicles and 75 % of all trips to be electric propulsion by 2035” in Texas. Smitty discusses the latest advances in electric vehicles, activities of TxETRA, and policy developments to help promote the EV industry.

Basic necessities such as water and electricity are critical, particularly during the time of a pandemic such as COVID-19. We spoke with local advocates that are ensuring that utilities in Texas are not cutting off these necessities as people have difficulty making payments. Our guests for the remote broadcast are: Kaiba White, Climate Policy and Outreach Specialist, Public Citizen’s Texas office Keegan Warren-Clem, Managing Attorney with medical legal partnership Texas Legal Services Center Chrissy Mann, Austin Sierra Club, Senior Campaign Representative for Beyond Coal

The Texas Campaign for the Environment (TCE) has a mission to empower all Texans to fight pollution through sustained grassroots organizing campaigns that shift corporate and government policy. With offices in Austin, Houston, and Dallas-Forth Worth, they envision a Texas free from pollution. Their main form of communication and organizing is through door-to-door canvassing and grassroots conversations. The COVID-19 crisis has not slowed their canvassing, they have adapted by using online communication and other outreach activities. Our guest is Jeffrey Jacoby, the Deputy Director of the Texas Campaign for the Environment. He gives us an update on the latest actions of TCE and policy issues facing Texans.

The shutdown and shelter-at-home orders throughout the United States have affected all industries. Wind power continues to grow and expand as it become more of a mainstream supply of electrical power. Our guest on Shades of Green is Susan Sloan, the Vice President of State Affair at the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Susan gives us an update on the wind power industry in the United States and how it is adapting. We discussed the incredible growth of wind over the last 10 years, new initiatives and new government policies that are affecting the immediate and long-term future of wind power.

The shutdown and shelter-at-home orders throughout the United States have affected all industries. The solar power industry in Texas is still strong and adapting to the new ways of doing business. Our guest on Shades of Green is Charlie Hemmeline the Executive Director of the Texas Solar Power Association. He gives us an update on the solar industry in Texas, both utility and residential-scale and how it is adapting. We discuss new initiatives and policies that are affecting the immediate and long-term future of solar power.

The Advanced Power Alliance is the industry trade association created to promote the development of wind, solar, and storage: resources that are clean, reliable, affordable, and infinite sources of power. The Alliance is the advanced power industry’s voice within the fourteen states including Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. The region is rich in wind and solar energy, along with vast quantities of natural gas. We have a recent and rich history of robust energy development and we are positioned well to lead in energy production long into the future. Our guest on KOOP Radio Shades of Green is Jeff Clark, the President of The Advanced Power Alliance. He shares his insights about clean energy resources and how they are contributing to our energy demand for now, and into the future.

We discuss the intersection of messaging around the Green New Deal, Earth Day Austin, and local Austin Sunrise Movement initiatives. Now more than ever we see the urgent state of affairs as our US government dismantles environmental protections. Our guests on our remote broadcast are: Janis Bookout, Executive Director of Earth Day Austin, and Vice Chair Board of Directors of Texas Electric Transportation Resource Alliance (TxETRA). Katie Horstman, local organizer for Sunrise Movement in Austin Christopher Cook, author and award-winning journalist, and green advocate. His writing appears in Harper’s, The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, Mother Jones, The Economist, The Christian Science Monitor, and elsewhere at www.christopherdcook.com

The City of Austin releases its “Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan” for providing affordable, clean energy over the next 15 years. The plan calls for 86% of Austin Energy’s electricity generation to be carbon-free by year-end 2025, 93% will be carbon-free by year-end 2030, and all generation resources will be carbon-free by 2035. Austin Energy commits to advance these goals more rapidly, if feasible given technological developments, affordability, and risks to Austin Energy customers. We discuss the aggressive and leading edge utility Plan with our guests: Erika Bierschbach, Vice President, Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning at Austin Energy. Matt Weldon, Austin Electric Utility Commissioner, and Board of Solar Austin. Al Braden, Member of the Resource Planning Working Group, environmental activist and photographer. Edit

Solar Austin, a local non-profit has teamed up with Huston-Tillotson University to provide training and mentoring for minorities interested in entering the solar energy field. Despite the issues associated with COVID-19 the solar mentoring program is forging forward. Our guests for our remote broad cast on KOOP were the following: Kaiba White, President of Solar Austin non-profit in Austin Beryl Dann, Equitable Clean Energy Jobs Program Manager at Solar AustinProject Karen Magid, Ph.D. Director of Sustainability and STEM for Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.

Shades of Green host Amy Stansbury talks with community organizer Angelica Erazo about the importance of considering communities of color during this dire time of Coronavirus. Angelica stressed the importance of keeping people informed and connected. Rather than relying on possible disinformation from the government or corporate America, Angelica and other organizers have developed a community run website: coronavirusaustin.org

How are CBD, Hemp and Marijuana similar, and how are they different; and what is legal? Our guest unpacked the details regarding CBD, Hemp and Marijuana. What makes them similar, what makes them different and what is legal in Texas and other parts of the United States? Our lively discussion in the KOOP studio included our guests: Daulton O’Neill, President of Green Light Events and the Hemp Business Exchange. Leah Lakstins, Founder of Higher Ed Hemp Tours in Austin Texas Chris Perling, Pharmacist and expert on CBD and other related products at the Pharmacy next door to the KOOP studios.

Sustainability was part of the plan for the SXSW Conference, which was canceled this year because of the threat of the COVID-19 virus. Our guests were part of a panel session that had been scheduled for the SWSW event. The panel participants were to present and discuss opportunities for making conferences and events more sustainable and environmentally sensitive. Our guests in the KOOP studio were: Cindy Lo, CEO for Red Velvet Events Kara Wright, Project Manager at the US Business Council for Sustainable Development

Taelor Monroe is the Co-director of the Austin Texas Permaculture Guild. She studied under Caroline Riley, at the Whole Life Learning Center from 2014-2015, where she worked to transform the space into a full functioning permaculture design. She received her permaculture teacher training certificate from Theron Beaudreau in the Fall of 2014. Taelor still helps organize these informational workshops and volunteer events. She previously helped start a Permaculture centered intentional community titled Sacred Roots in San Marcos, TX. She has studied Permaculture design under Theron Beaudreau, Kirby Fry, Caroline Riley and Dick Pierce. Her main focus and drive is to create community and educate others about regenerative permaculture design and practice. Her home base is at Spirit of the Elms, a permaculture community property in South Austin.

Our two topics on Shades of Green are The Nature Conservancy of Texas, and how to recycle your Christmas tree in Austin. Our guests are: Laura Huffman, Regional State Director of The Nature Conservancy in Texas. She heads a statewide team of scientists, conservation experts and support staff whose work protects the integrity of Texas’ vast natural resources and most iconic landscapes. Huffman is also chair of the North America Cities Committee, created to support cities as they integrate natural infrastructure into local planning and development initiatives in ways that safeguard people and reduce vulnerability to climate change. Max Anthony Morales, Environmental Technician (Recycling Coordinator) at Travis County, and Bailey Grimmett, with the Austin Resource Recovery Department of the City of Austin.

It is critical that everyone is counted within the borders of the United States! The 2020 census affects our lives more than we believe and the stakes are high for getting it right. The Census affects US Congressional, City Council, and even local school districts. Our guests help break down how the Census works, why it is important, and how everyone should participate. Our guests are: John Lawler - Census Program Manager for the City of Austin and Travis County Maria Milner - Director of Equity and Inclusion, League of Women Voters Sarah Ortiz Shields - Executive Director, Austin Tech Alliance

Our guest is Austin Texas author and journalist ASHER PRICE who writes about energy and the environment for the Austin American-Statesman. Asher has published three books and we discussed his two latest publications: His latest is a biography of Earl Campbell – Yards after Contact published in the fall of 2019. About racial divides in East Texas, the University of Texas at Austin, and how Earl Campbell became an icon running back for the Houston Oilers, then on to the N.O. Saints to follow Bum Phillips Year of the Dunk, a memoir published in 2016 about basketball, cancer and the frontiers of human potential and his yearlong quest to slam-dunk a basketball in a 10-foot high rim! The Great Texas Wind Rush – about the historic growth of wind power in Texas. Co-authored with Kate Galbraith in 2013. It is the backstory about how the oil-and-gas state became the country's top producer of wind power.

Twenty years ago in 1999 the Texas Legislation set goals for renewable energy. It was historic legislation that involved environmentalists, electric utilities, and the renewable energy industry. It was one of the first states to set hard goals for developing renewables such as wind and solar power. The Bill was known as SB 7 and widely known as the electric utility deregulation bill. It reshuffled the industry from having a defined monopoly to open competition. As part of the bill environmentalist and renewable advocates were able to include the goals for renewables. Guests: Mike Sloan, independent energy consultant with Virtus Energy. At the time of the legislation in 1999, Mike was the President of the Texas Wind Coalition, an industry lead group to promote the development of wind in Texas. Ward Marshall, Senior Director, Business Development, Pattern Development – a wind power developer. Ward was the Vice President of the Texas Wind Coalition in 1999. Jim Marston, Vice President, Political Affairs with the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in Austin. Jim was involved in the negotiations with legislators, environmental organizations and renewable industry representatives when SB 7 was being written.

For our Shades of Green Halloween show we focused on the important propositions on the November 5 ballot that will affect the State of Texas, Travis County and the City of Austin. These are not "spooky" issues, rather, they are important for our future. Our guests help unpack the details embedded in the propositions and how they will affect our communities. Our guests were: Emma Pabst, a Fellow at Environment Texas, and Anna Farrell-Sherman, Clean Water Associate also with Environment Texas. Christy Muse, Chief External Relations Officer, Shield Ranch. Fred Lewis, Attorney and representing Unconventional Austin.

Karin Ascot and Patrick Van Haren are our guests on Shades of Green. They are cofounders of an initiative to build a master planned community near Austin, Texas. The goal of the initiative is to work with land owners and developers to create a durable community and investments that can survive climate change and create superior value for all. We are very unique in our skill sets with a focus on the long haul, using systems thinking. Nature's success metrics are soil quality, wildfire and drought resilience, nutritional quality of the food and plants. Society's success metrics are affordability of the community, social resilience, health and wellness, number of jobs produced within the Citadel.

The William R. Sinkin Eco Centro, located in San Antonio, Texas strives to cultivate the understanding, process and practice of sustainability. It is operated by San Antonio College and it serves as a demonstration center for organic gardening, composting, sustainable building, low impact development, water conservation, native landscaping, and healthy living. It is a place to meet, learn, network and get inspired about sustainability. Our guest is Meredith Miller, Director of Eco Centro.

A large part of the City of Austin’s Net-Zero greenhouse gas emissions goals will be met by its municipally owned electric utility called Austin Energy. As a forward thinking utility, Austin Energy periodically updates its strategies to reach Net-Zero in the “Austin Energy Resource, Generation and Climate Protection Plan”. The last plan was published in 2017, and a new updated version will be out before the end of 2019. We discussed the goals, and plans with Austin Energy folks and community activists. Our guests were: Erika Bierschbach, Vice President, Energy Market Operations and Resource Planning, at Austin Energy. Al Braden, Resource Planning Working Group, appointed by the Electric Utility Commission of Austin. Phoebe Romero, Program Coordinator, Office of Sustainability, City of Austin.