Several amendments to Austin's charter are set to be placed on the November ballot, capping off a process that was first launched by city leaders more than three years ago. Voters will also decide on a separate charter requirement, a citywide audit measure conceived by the political action committee Save Austin Now.

The details: The charter, which serves as the city's legal rulebook for government structure, can only be revised in an election. Charter amendment elections can't be held sooner than two years after the most recent changes were approved by voters.

City Council started a charter review process in 2023, eventually resulting in more than a dozen propositions voters were meant to consider in 2024. However, a district court judge found city officials likely violated state open meetings law when calling that election, and the propositions were put on hold. Council members voted to place seven of those items on this November's ballot, along with the Save Austin Now audit requirement.

The Geothermal Resolution, sponsored by council member Mike Siegel, will require the city to gather a group of experts to research and evaluate potential geothermal energy projects in Austin. Led by the city of Austin’s Climate Action and Resilience Department, the initial planning and research are estimated to be completed by May 2027.

Why it matters: According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, geothermal energy has a minimal carbon footprint, emitting 99% less carbon dioxide than an oil plant of a similar size.

This renewable energy resource is also widely abundant. While building a geothermal facility involves a substantial upfront infrastructure investment, it lowers operational expenses over time, said Kaiba White on behalf of Public Citizen's Texas office.

Quote of note: “If we're serious about addressing climate change, strengthening our energy system, protecting Austinites and growing our economy, we need every tool available,” said Jeremy Hendricks, Central Texas Building Trades Council local president. “Geothermal can be another tool in our clean energy toolbox.” 

Check out the latest transportation projects across the Austin metro. 

Upcoming projects

I-35 at Inner Loop Interchange

Project: The project includes the design and construction of improvements to the interchange between SE Inner Loop and I-35 in Georgetown.

Update: All work for the project has been put on hold pending TxDOT advancing the design of I-35.

• Timeline: TBD

• Cost: TBD

• Funding source: Williamson County 2023 road bond

Ongoing projects

Oak Hill Parkway

Project: The Texas Department of Transportation is currently reconstructing Hwy. 290 in Oak Hill, transforming the existing four-lane, undivided roadway to a six-lane divided highway with new frontage roads and 14 miles of shared-use paths.

Update: As of July, drivers can now travel on newly opened mainlanes, frontage roads and ramps. Drivers can expect ongoing painting, landscaping, asphalt paving, striping and shared-use path improvements to cause lane closures.

• Timeline: 2022-26 (total project)

• Cost: $677 million allocated for the entire project

• Funding source: TxDOT

This summer, Texas is launching a new process to study the viability of data centers and other large projects seeking to connect to the state’s power grid. The process’ strict requirements could deter major industrial projects from coming to the state, experts warn.

The overview: The Electric Reliability Commission of Texas’ new "batch study process" will require that large projects be evaluated in groups, rather than individually. The process was developed in response to Texas’ data center boom.

What they're saying: All projects that would use at least 75 megawatts of electricity will be required to participate in the batch process—including industrial and hydrogen production facilities. However, industrial and manufacturing projects operate differently from data centers and may not be able to meet some of the batch requirements, industry representatives said July 29.

In a state that works to attract major companies and bills itself as business-friendly, that’s a concern, lawmakers said.

"Where are y'all at on trying to differentiate those types of traditional, enterprise, big commercial, large load projects?" Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford, asked.