February 15, 2019 / City of Austin / 2 minutes of reading
In an effort to keep you informed, we wanted to let you know of a new solar leasing pilot, as well as to warn you of scammers posing as City of Austin Utilities representatives.
Update 1: Solar leasing pilot Austin Energy now has a pilot program offering Performance Based Incentives (PBIs) for commercial customers who want to use an operational lease to go solar. Operational leases can help make going solar even more attractive. With little to no up-front capital cost, companies will not have to use their working capital toward a solar investment. The lessor monetizes federal tax credits and depreciation on behalf of customers, so you can leverage the federal tax credit without tax liability. The solar assets are off the balance sheet with an operational lease. Lease payments are considered an operating expense that reduces taxable profit. Find out more about Austin Energy’s Solar PBI by visiting the website today.
Update 2: Watch out for scams Please be aware that scammers are targeting businesses in the Austin area with fraudulent emails, phone calls and even text messages. They pose as representatives of City of Austin Utilities and tell customers that service will be disconnected unless immediate payment is made.
We want you to know that City of Austin Utilities will never:
ask customers for credit card or bank account information over the phone
ask customers to purchase or pay via gift cards or prepaid debit cards
ask customers to make a wire transfer or pay by Bitcoin
The City of Austin Utilities Customer Contact Center does not call residential customers with cut-off deadlines. (Note: Commercial customers may receive a courtesy call two days prior to scheduled cut off for non-payment.)
If a customer receives a phone call or email threatening to interrupt service, demanding immediate payment or requesting credit card or bank information, they should dial 3-1-1 and report the incident immediately. If any customer is uncertain of their account status, they should call 512-494-9400 or visit our Online Customer Care Portal.
For questions, please contact Murray Jones at Murray.Jones@austinenergy.com or 512-972-7636 if your facility is north or Neil Leach at Neil.Leach@austinenergy.com or 512-972-7885 if your facility is south. We value your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
Thank you very much for your time. We value your business and appreciate the opportunity to serve you.
Sincerely, Kerri Davis Kerri Davis | Manager, Commercial & Key Accounts | Austin Energy 721 Barton Springs Rd. | Austin, TX 78704 | 512-322-6574
In an effort to keep you informed, we wanted to let you know of a new solar leasing pilot, as well as to warn you of scammers posing as City of Austin Utilities representatives.