Slashing of bid price leads to lack of trust, rejected submission.
An Austin Energy advisory board has voted not to recommend city staff’s recommendation for the contentious Holly Street Power Plant demolition contract, with one member saying he “lacked trust” in the chosen offer.
Four Austin Electric Utility Commission members voted against recommending TRC Environmental Corp.’s $11.5 million bid to dismantle the defunct East Austin power plant — an amount that was whittled down from the original $24.9 million proposed in December.
Commission Chair Phillip Schmandt said the company didn’t provide “a credible explanation,” for why the bid fell so drastically, and the decision came down to “a matter of trust.” Shudde Fath was one of three commission members that abstained from voting, but called conditions regarding the bid “muddy.”
“This experience has definitely made us more suspicious,” she said. “They never really fully explained the price change.”
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In addition, we’re using the Storify platform to collate and compile further background on this ongoing saga. You can read more background information here.
