Municipal or Monopoly: How New Braunfels Utility Company is Not Open for the Competitive Utility Market

New Braunfels Utility Company
Photo by Morgan Mitchell

By Morgan Mitchell

New Braunfels Utility Company has been the only utility company for New Braunfels for several years despite the citizen’s rights to pursue the option for a competitive market.

In 1999, Texas State Senate put Senate Bill Seven into works and it went into effect on January 1, 2002. The bill made it possible for cities, towns, and other communities to opt for a competitive market concerning utilities. The process was named deregulation. This allowed for the people to lobby their local officials for the right to choose which electric provider to use.

There were a few contingencies. The bill made it so there could be no monopolies within the cities. The monopolies only referred to the utilities being owned by only a private company, but allowed for municipal ownership – the city can own all the utilities.

Media Spokesman for the Association of Electric Companies of Texas Ben Gaffaney explained the process of getting a competitive market in New Braunfels.

“The law says that a city is allowed to enter into a competitive market if it wants to if a governing body,” Gaffaney said. “So it’s basically the decision of the city of New Braunfels if they wanted to enter the competitive market.”

While the citizens have a right to lobby, the decision is ultimately up to the city council itself. City Councilwoman Aja Edwards of District Two has often wondered why there is only one utility company allowed in New Braunfels.

“I don’t know why they initially went with that option and I’ve often wondered, because it’s basically like a monopoly,” Edwards said.

New Braunfels is among these select few that are not deregulated due to the municipal ownership. New Braunfels Utility Company, NBU, has been the longest running utility company for the city of New Braunfels with the mayor of the city being declared the city appointed chairman for the board of directors for the utility company.

“[The mayor] and his mom have been running this town for forever,” Edwards said. “He knows the why and how of the legalized monopoly that is NBU.” 

Mayor Barron Casteel of New Braunfels explained the costs of the utility bill and how there would be minor changes to them if New Braunfels were to go to a competitive market.

New Braunfels has no options
Photo by Morgan Mitchell

“I don’t think deregulation would have a great impact on New Braunfels Utilities, because we don’t actually recover any cost associate with the actual power charge,” Casteel said. “We do that entirely as a pass though expense.”

According to powertochoose.com, New Braunfels is not eligible to be open for competition. However, comparing New Braunfels Utility rates to those of other power company rates in Houston were astounding.

The current rate for power in New Braunfels is $0.0452 per kWh. Whereas in Infuse Energy based out of Houston has the rate as $0.012 per kWh.

Rates for Houston Texas
Photo by Morgan Mitchell

The mayor says that the city only makes its money from delivery cost. However, based on these numbers it is hard to say why the cost is that much larger.

Citizens of New Braunfels have every right, and should lobby for the right to choose their utility provider. They can do so at the City Hall meetings and by making phone calls to their district representative. 

AWOLNATION returns to Austin, Texas

 Austin, TX – Rebecca Mendoza Mejia

The rock band, AWOLNATION, performed at Stubb's outdoor stage on November 3rd, 2015 to a sold out audience coming back to where they had one of their first gigs ever.

AWOLNATION is a band started in 2009 that combines rock and electronic music to create a new, unique sound. This concert was part of their "RUN tour" after releasing their album "RUN" eight months prior to their performance at Stubb's. This was a highly expected concert not only for the fans of the band, but to the band as well.

AWOLNATION had one of their first gigs in Austin Texas and the band was excited to come back to where it all started.

The concert began at 7pm by singer and songwriter from Tennessee, Meg Myers, and rock band IRONTOM, who opened for AWOLNATION. After two hours of new music and an excited crowd, the band of the night opened with their new single, "RUN" from their newly released album.

Daisy Robles, a fan, said this is a dream come true. Robles has been listening to the band for more than five years but could never find a way to go to their concerts.

In order from left to right: Daisy Robles, Jamie Reyes

“Their performance was amazing!” said Robles. “If they come again, you will definitely see me here supporting their amazing music.”

Jamie Reyes had never heard of the band before but her friend convinced her it would be a great night. Reyes said she had never heard anything like this music before and she became and instant fan without knowing the lyrics to their music.

"I usually don't like loud bands or rock in general. said Reyes. "AWOLNATION is making me rethink my music decisions!"

Miguel Renteria started listening to the band recently along with his girlfriend. He said he would have never expected the band to tour in Austin. Renteria had no idea this is where they had one of their first gigs.

“It’s crazy!” said Renteria. “This makes me love them even more!”

At the end of the night, AWOLNATION thanked the audience and Austin, Texas where according to Bruno, the lead singer, was “the place where they knew they would make it.”

Luxury Student Living Coming to San Marcos

By: Clayton Kolavo

The luxury apartment, Ella Lofts, will be opening its doors to Texas State students for the Fall 2016 semester after years of the structure sitting empty near campus.

The complex is on schedule to be complete this summer and move-in for residents will be in mid-August. The former name of the high-rise was Eight17 Lofts and Stonemont Financial Group purchased the project in September of 2015 after the project had been halted for nearly two years.

The building is located near the intersection of Sessom Drive and North LBJ Drive in San Marcos and when Eight17 went bankrupt in 2013, the concrete structure was sitting there vacant.

Gavin Oakley, a future resident of Ella Lofts thought it was an eyesore sitting so close to campus but the new concept and guaranteed completion helped his decision to sign a lease.

“I live near the construction there on North LBJ and having to drive by this building with scaffolding and tarps hanging off for a couple years was not very appealing,” said Oakley. “But my leasing agent for Ella Lofts showed me concept pictures and told me that it is guaranteed to be done by next fall, so I signed immediately.”

All of the great features and convenient utility payment are some of the reasons future residents are choosing this location as their new homes.

“I decided to live at Ella Lofts because I wanted a great deal on a one-bedroom somewhere it would include all the utilities,” said Estafania Gomez, junior psychology major. “It also had great amenities and it’s still a great price.”

Not everyone is excited about the six-story complex being built right next to campus. Not only does the look of the building not match the campus, but also the fact that it has taken so long has bothered sophomore Haley Perdue.

“The building is so ugly and it has been sitting there for too long,” said Perdue. “I can’t wait for it to be done because maybe it will look better”

Move-in is scheduled for August 19 and Ella Lofts is offering VIP features for $35 per month extra. The VIP experience will include express move-in, valet trash service, complimentary apartment cleanings and more.

Haley Perdue - Sophomore, Family and Child Development Major









Estefania Gomez - Sophomore, Psychology Major











Gavin Oakley - Sophomore, Undeclared Major

Braking for Ridesharing

By Judith Prieto

Travis County voters will have the option on May 7^th to vote for or against Proposition 1, compromised of ridesharing regulations for Austin, such as Uber and Lyft.

Elizabeth Espinoza

Photo by Judith Prieto

According to the proposition’s website, voting for Prop 1 would keep the current guidelines that have been in place since 2014. It would also keep the national, criminal background checks for all the drivers. Ridesharing companies would keep doing the criminal background checks. However, voting against the proposition would make the city responsible for the checks.

Elizabeth Espinoza, 45, an Austin stay-at-home mother of three girls, said that safety is key in all ridesharing.

“I don’t trust the driver, it’s just like going inside a taxi,” Espinoza said. “I still have to be cautious, and I vote for the proposition. Companies like Uber and Lyft have to do their job, not the taxpayers.”

Christianne Celeste

Photo by Judith Prieto

Ridesharing options in Austin have not been used by Christianne Celeste, 18, a University of Texas environmental engineering freshman. Cooke said that background checks are ultimately necessary.

“A criminal background check should always be performed,” Celeste said. “If some Uber driver happened to pick me up and was in jail for doing something bad, and then did something to harm me, I would not be happy. It could have been easily stopped with a check.”

The website also states that the existing rules that were approved two years ago and located in the ordinance have mandatory digital safety features. The features order TNC (Transportation Network Companies) apps to display accurate information of the driver: a picture of the driver and a description or picture of the driver’s license plate number. In addition, uses outside of the app are forbidden, such as street hailing. The estimated fare before entering the vehicle, as well as an electronic receipt with details of the trip fare and route afterwards is also intact.

Another Austin resident, Brissa Coronado, 15, high school freshman, said that ridesharing companies have more than enough funds to cover background checks for their drivers.

“The taxpayers’ money should go to other beneficial things on board,” Coronado said. Uber has a lot of money, they need to keep paying for the background checks.”

Early voting for the proposition will start April 25th and go through May 3rd.

Brissa Coronado

Photo by Judith Prieto

Texas State University Students Want Campus Carry

By Corey Rowland

Home to 35,000 students and growing, Texas State University has recently passed the campus carry law that will go into effect on August 1, 2016, and will make many students grateful for their right to express their second amendment.

In order to be able to qualify for Texas State University’s campus carry policy, students and faculty at Texas State University need to meet the regulations which includes going through the training process for safety and a background check to make sure the person applying isn’t a convicted felon.

One student feels that the law will eliminate the feeling of being unsafe while walking around on campus at all times.

“With all of the robberies that happen almost every week, I feel that this new campus carry law will eliminate the feeling of being unsafe, especially for women,“ Texas State University student Luke Scott said.

With this being a place of education, a lot of students feel that the campus should be a safe environment without the burden of worrying about being robbed. This new law will only add to that satisfaction.

“I have already registered to get my concealed handgun license and taken the course so I can legally carry my weapon on campus,” Scott said. “I’m just waiting for my background check and everything to go through.”

Many students are supposedly doing this, not just Scott. With this law going through, students have started to take the necessary repercussions to get their license so they no longer have to walk around scared and worried.

“Robberies that are occurring aren’t even at just at night anymore, they happen during the day,” Texas State University Brodie Lemons said. “If a hoodlum can rob another person in broad daylight, then every student should be able to carry their weapon on campus.”

If someone has the audacity to rob and attack someone in open daylight, then it has to leave students wondering what these same individuals would do in the night.

“I read a campus in Colorado allowed for campus carry, and that dropped crime by 60 percent or something like that I think,” Texas State University Student Alex Alldredge said.

If another campus that allowed for campus carry dropped crime by 60 percent, then all students should be in favor for this law. The fact alone that students and residents know that someone they are thinking about robbing could possibly have a gun on them has dropped the rate without anyone actually getting shot.

Optional Story- ATX Fashion Week

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 April 17, 2016

Gabrielle Gibson              

MC 1313       

gag71@txstate.edu
Luxe Apothetique
201 W 2nd St.
Austin, Tx 78701

                                Austin Fashion Week Creates Local Synthesis 

        Austin, Texas April 17th 2016. This year is Austin Fashion Week’s 8th anniversary. With events held all around Austin, both private and public, there is plenty of options for fashion-forward entertainment. 

      One local store Luxe Apothetique, stands out with their attempt at fusing fashion, food and local artist. The company decided to team up with Cru Wine Bar to host a brunch in-store called “Turn Down for Brunch”. The event not only cross-promoted the two companies but involved several local artist from around town. Austin Fashion Week is a chance for companies to join together and showcase their local goods.

    The company has been around for over 25 years. Luxe is known for not only having local clothing but also having high-end apothecary products and featuring local artwork.

Ke'leigh Sapp, Store Manager

Ke’leigh Sapp the store manager of the downtown location said this is her first fashion week with the company. She shared what she feels the event means for local businesses. 

Mina Akerman, employee

“We had the event today to get more involved with the local fashion community and we cross-promoted with other local businesses, like Cru and Barbecue Wives. This sets us apart because of the fact that we are a local shop promoting local artist,” Sapp said. 

One employee, Mina Akerman, has worked for the company for a year and gave her opinion on what she thinks the company brings to fashion week. 

“I think it brings people and vendors together. Its a good opportunity for other companies to represent who they are, and for local businesses to showcase what the are about,” Akerman said. 

Though the store has hosted several events, there has never been a brunch themed event,  making this the first of many to come.

Barbecue Wives 

Catherine Stiles, is the owner of the handcrafted bloody mary mix company, Barbecue Wives. In each one of her handcrafted bottles of bloody mary mix is a picture of a “Barbecue Wife”, but in order to see it the customer has to drink some/all of the mix. 

“My bloody mary mix is handmade, no additives, though it’s labor intensive it is worth it. The bottles are double-sided with a secret drawing on the inside of each. I sell my mix at my husbands local barbecue joint, Stile’s Switch,” Catherine said. 

                                                   ###