$500 Prize Awarded in Refrigerator Recycling Drawing

Winners of the $500 award, Mike and JoAnn Riggen, pictured with grandchildren and an Austin Energy representative at the check presentation ceremony.

Austin Energy customers Mike and JoAnn Riggen won $500 from Appliance Recycling Centers of America, Inc. (ARCA) in a drawing by Austin Energy, held for customers who recycled their old, inefficient refrigerators and freezers. More than 415 appliances were recycled during the contest period of August 1 through September 15. 

Next to air conditioning/heating systems and water heaters, refrigerators use more electricity than any other household appliance, especially when located in the garage, where the Texas heat makes it work even harder. We provide free pickup and pay customers $50 for old, working refrigerators. The contractor, ARCA, recycles 98 percent of the appliance’s materials and correctly captures and disposes of any harmful refrigerants. 

More than 26,000 appliances have been recycled since the program’s 2005 inception, saving more than 5 megawatts of electricity, or the equivalent energy used by 2,500 Austin homes during the hottest part of the summer. Call (800) 452-8685 to schedule your free pickup. More details on our website at http://bit.ly/OseNfx

Austin Energy Launches Energy Use Application

Austin Energy’s residential customers have a new, free tool to help monitor home energy use. The Web-based interactive application can be accessed on a mobile device or personal computer. In addition to daily energy consumption, the app displays your bill history and a future forecast of your electricity bill cost. Once logged in, you can activate an option to receive a text or email alert when your energy use approaches the next electric rate tier.

Along with energy use data, the app offers practical conservation tips for helping you reduce energy consumption and save on energy costs. Try the AE app today by visiting www.austinenergyapp.com and logging in with your City of Austin Utilities (online bill pay) username and password. 

To share your feedback on the app or if you experience any problems, email the application developer at: support@smartebuilding.com.

Sample view of energy usage history as displayed in the Austin Energy app

Community Connections Family Event This Saturday, Sept. 21

Austin Energy Looks to Hire at Austin Community College Job Fair

Senior Austin Energy IT staff interview applicants at a recent job fair in Austin

Austin Energy's IT department has posted four positions they hope to hire this week from applicants at Austin Community College’s job fair at ACC Highland (in the former Highland Mall Dillard’s). The job fair is open from 3 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, September 17. Applicants for the four IT positions will be screened by HR and IT hiring managers during the job fair, and candidate interviews are planned for Wednesday.

At a similar event for military Veterans two weeks ago, Austin Energy IT made contingent job offers to two successful candidates identified and interviewed at a job fair.

Interested applicants should check out Austin Energy’s job listings at http://bit.ly/1560sMQ and bring their resume and be prepared to meet with a hiring manager for a screening interview if requested. 

Find out more about the ACC Highland job fair, part of the ACC’s 40^th Anniversary Event at http://www.campus2careers.com/Iia/. More than 200 employers will participate, offering full-time, part-time and intern opportunities, for students, graduates and alumni.

Veterans Job Fair Today at Palmer Events Center

Austin Energy is among several dozen companies and City departments reaching out to military Veterans at a job fair today at the Palmer Events Center. With openings for engineers, scientists, financial, and a wide variety of technical positions, Veterans bring recognizable skills and training that Austin Energy can use.

The particular emphasis at Friday’s job fair is recruiting IT professionals. Austin Energy Chief Information Officer Alan Claypool, a United States Air Force Veteran, and several of his senior managers are present conducting on-the-spot interviews with potential hires and are working with AE’s Human Resources staff to make contingent offers today if they find the right candidates.

Find out more about Austin Energy and other City of Austin Jobs and apply online at https://www.austincityjobs.org/. The job fair at Palmer ends at 3 p.m. today. Locator map: http://bit.ly/1fouTCY

Job-seeking Veterans meet with Austin Energy Human Resources, Power Production and Information Technology staff at a Veterans Job Fair featuring several dozen Austin area companies and City departments today at Palmer Events Center.

Senior Austin Energy IT staff interview job applicants at a Veterans Job Fair today at Palmer Events Center.

Austin Energy's Rich Wilkes, Decker Creek Power Station Maintenance Supervisor, talks to a potential applicant at today's Veterans Job Fair.

Austin Energy Line Workers Demonstrate Skills, Knowledge at Statewide Event

Austin Energy linemen, including journeyman teams and apprentices, participated in the 17th Annual Texas Lineman's Rodeo competition and training event this past weekend in Seguin, Texas. 

Thirty-nine journeyman teams and 67 apprentices representing electric cooperatives, investor-owned and municipally owned utilities from across Texas participated. Competitors performed a range of electric system maintenance or repairs to test safety, speed and quality of work. Utility poles and lines were set up for the event. 

Austin Energy won 1st and 3rd place in the Municipal Division for journeyman teams. Images are of our competitors in action!