Austin City Council to consider solar energy resolution

Austin Energy's Decker Plant will be phased out in favor of a 600-megawatts solar-powered plant that would be created if council passes the Aug. 28 resolution. Plans to shut down the Austin Energy plant have been in the works for some time because Decker Plant has nearly met its life expectancy, Riley said.

The solar panels would not go in place of Decker Plant but instead would likely end up in West Texas on property already owned by Austin, the councilman said.

The goal of the resolution, which is also supported by Councilman Mike Martinez and Mayor Pro Tem Sheryl Cole, is to help make renewable resources the sources for at least 50 percent of all energy consumed by Austin, said Riley, who targeted 2017 as the year for launching the solar alternative.

Some community members showed support on Aug. 26 for the council members who endorse the resolution. Dale Bulla, of Austin's Jester neighborhood, said his home has been fully powered using solar energy for the past five years.