Austin Energy's Carbon Reduction Plan calls for Austin's CO2 emissions to be reduced by a greater amount than what the the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 calls for.

Also known as the "cap and trade" bill, the act was passed by the US House of Representatives in June and calls for emissions to be reduced by 17% by 2020, compared to the recorded levels in 2005. Austin Energy head Roger Duncan says the local utility's plan calls for a 20% reduction.

To see the presentation Duncan presented to the Austin City Council yesterday, click here.

Duncan says putting the plan in place could potentially cost the city around $2.6 billion. He says Austin Energy customers should expect to see a slight rate increase in three years, stemming from some of the changes that have already been made.