February 27, 2018
By Cyrus Reed
Earlier this month, the City of Denton voted to revise the city utility's energy plan to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2020, becoming the second city in Texas to make the commitment (Georgetown was the first).
However, the work did not end with the 6-1 vote. The transition to an all-renewable energy portfolio for the city of 133,000+ residents requires addressing their existing fossil fuel assets - some old, some brand new.
First, Denton City Council must make good on its intention to permanently retire the Gibbons Creek coal plant that is currently mothballed until next summer. They are co-owners of the plant with three other municipalities that have public utilities - Bryan, Greenville, and Garland.
Second, an amendment to the updated energy plan would have required Denton Municipal Electric to develop goals for local solar, energy storage, energy efficiency, and demand response, but it was not adopted. Denton Municipal Electric must match its commitments to off-site sources of power with a commitment to also invest in local clean sources and demand-side solutions.
Investing in local solar, energy storage, and energy efficiency would create more opportunities for economic growth in the Denton area, strengthen community independence, and reduce the need to use short-term expensive natural gas power plants.
Third, Denton is still planning to go ahead with a natural gas-burning peaker plant - the too-late-to-cancel-it-now component of the 2016 energy plan - and concerned Dentonites should make sure this power plant is used as infrequently as possible. Since Denton is essentially stuck with this new power plant that is not in line with their new, more informed objectives, the city’s utility should consider joining the Natural Gas Supply Collaborative (NGSC) - a consortium of nine very large natural gas producers and users that promotes safer and more responsible practices for natural gas production. At least until the transition plan can address this new addition to their portfolio.
Do you live in Denton? There are two opportunities to make your voice heard.
Wanna get more involved than sending an email? The Public Utilities Board is a good place to start. The PUB meets at least once a month in the City of Denton’s Work Session Room, 215 E. McKinney St and they may review issues related both to natural gas contracts and efforts to increase demand-side management at the utility. All meetings include an opportunity for public input and we encourage you to attend future meetings or let the PUB board members know that you want to see Denton make more investments in local clean energy and assure that gas is produced more cleanly. The next meetings are scheduled for March 12 at 9am and March 26 at 6pm.