August 30, 2010
New Energy Efficiency Services Manager starts at Austin Energy

Stephen Leinweber, who has more than 30 years experience working in the electric utility industry, starts his work today as Austin Energy's new Energy Efficiency Services manager responsible for the delivery of programs to both residential and commercial customers.

"Stephen Leinweber has front-line responsibility for executing the single largest piece of Austin Energy's Resource Plan – our next 800 megawatt energy conservation power plant," said Karl Rábago, vice president for Distributed Energy Services. "We are confident in his experience and potential to deliver on this important goal for our community."

Leinweber has worked at five electric utilities during his career including Colorado Springs Utilities, Seattle City Light, Lower Colorado River Authority, Pedernales Electric Cooperative and the City of Austin's Electric Utility Department (now known as Austin Energy). Leinweber also has worked as a research manager publishing technical reports and newsletters for E Source, a leading electric industry research firm.

Almost 40,000 customers participate annually in Austin Energy's energy-efficiency programs that offer a comprehensive menu of more than 40 products and incentives. Those programs include rebates and low-interest loans through an outside lender to make energy-saving improvements, a free weatherization program for low- to moderate-income residents, a free programmable thermostat program, rebate incentives for multifamily properties, small businesses and large commercial customers among other programs.

Austin Energy's nationally and internationally recognized conservation programs began in 1982 and in 2006 achieved the nation's first "conservation power plant" by avoiding the equivalent of more 600 megawatts of generation by instead implementing energy-efficiency programs. In 2007, the Austin Climate Protection Plan passed by the Austin City Council set a new goal of offsetting 700 MW by 2020 and in April of this year, on Earth Day, the Council increased the goal by another 100 MW to 800 MW by 2020 with the passage of Austin Energy’s new generation plan.