Austin’s public power utility, Austin Energy, is celebrating 130 years of service in May.
“It all began in 1895, when the utility lit up the now-iconic moonlight towers for the very first time. Now, we’re honoring that legacy—and looking ahead to the future,” it noted.
The Austin community is being invited to join Austin Energy for coffee and doughnuts on May 6 as this historic milestone is marked with a ceremonial lighting of the Moonlight Tower -- a tribute to the Texas public power utility’s legacy of service.
“For our nearly 2,000 employees, it’s about much more than just keeping the lights on. Austin Energy provides industry-leading energy conservation programs, a focus on clean energy, nationally recognized customer assistance programs and, of course, reliable electric service. This commitment to provide value for the community is the foundation on which Austin Energy was built—and continues to stand on today,” the utility said.
Beyond providing customers with electricity, Austin Energy noted that it makes an impact through:
• Pioneering renewable energy investment and committing to a carbon-free future by 2035
• Expanding Austin’s EV charging network to more than 1,500 chargers
• Serving more than 70,000 of our neighbors in the Customer Assistance Program
• Weatherizing homes for low to moderate-income customers
• Working with area schools to teach classes on electrical safety
• Constructing the Zilker Holiday Tree, an Austin tradition for more than half a century
Explore an interactive timeline and watch a short documentary trailer about the utility.
“The essential services that Austin Energy provides are even more important today, as we are not only powering our community, we are helping to power Austin’s economy,” said Stuart Reilly, Austin Energy interim general manager. “I am so proud of the contributions Austin Energy has made to this community for the last 130 years and the work we will do for years to come.”
