Meter Reading: Water Rates May Go Up in San Antonio, New Regs to Watch For, and More

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A proposed rate increase could cause water bills in San Antonio to go up over eleven percent.

A proposed rate increase will hike up water bills for folks in San Antonio; one man is trying to use mini solar power units to help those still without power after Hurricane Sandy; and eight environmental rules to watch out for after the election, all in your morning Meter Reading:

• If At First You Don’t Succeed … Kate Sheppard reports in Mother Jones on eight environmental rules that didn’t get passed in President Obama’s first term and environmental groups are pressuring to move forward in the second. It’s a handy list of federal regulations to keep an eye on, including finalizing greenhouse gas emissions rules and new regs for coal ash disposal.
• The Sunny Side of Sandy: Forbes tells the story of a man who runs a solar powered-generator business and how he’s gone to some of the areas hit the hardest by Hurricane Sandy to help provide power. 
• Water Rate Increase for San Antonio: The San Antonio Water System (SAWS) is proposing an 11.3 percent increase for customers next year, with most of that money going towards sewer improvements. You can read more in the San Antonio Express-News.
• About That Whole ‘We’re the Next Saudi Arabia’ Thing: Plenty of analysis out there on a new report that predict the U.S. will soon outpace Saudi Arabia in oil production (read ours on what it could do to the climate here). Brian Palmer of Slate looks at the report and wonders, Will the U.S. join OPEC?

What we’re watching: A settlement in the criminal case over the BP 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill could be coming today, and word is it will involve a record penalty for BP, over a billion dollars.

And we’re starting to think about Turkey day. If you’re in Austin and looking for Texas Thanksgiving ideas, wild game chef Jesse Griffiths of Dai Due Austin will be giving a free wild game sausage making class this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. at Callahan’s General Store on 183. You can RSVP by calling 512-385-3452.