Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative's five member service centers in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Lockhart and Manor will shine blue at night throughout April to raise awareness of National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the region’s organizations that support families affected by abuse and neglect. 

In the Bluebonnet area, six Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) programs cover all 14 counties where the cooperative provides electricity. 

Other organizations in the Bluebonnet region that support cooperative members and their families include the Children’s Advocacy Center, which serves Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties and offers care, support and services to children who have been abused or neglected; and SAFE Alliance, a nonprofit which operates in eastern Travis County and supports children, adults and families who have been affected by abuse or neglect. These local organizations welcome adult volunteers and donations.

If you suspect a child is being abused or neglected, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400, or submit a report online at txabusehotline.org. In case of immediate danger to a child, call 911 to contact local law enforcement.

About the region’s abuse assistance agencies

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.

507 Water St., Bastrop 

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

512-303-2272 

On the web: casabfl.org

Email kristi.bauer@casabfl.org

Children’s Advocacy Center

Children’s Advocacy Center, serving Bastrop, Lee and Fayette counties, provides a safe, child-friendly environment where law enforcement, child protective services, court prosecution, and medical and mental health professionals can share information and develop strategies to meet the needs of each case and child.

59 TX 150 Loop, Bastrop

Open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

512-321-6161

On the web: childrensadvocacycenter.org

Email info@CACBastrop.org

CASA for Kids of South Central Texas

CASA for Kids of South Central Texas, serving Austin, Colorado, Waller and Washington counties, supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.

1500 S. Day St., Brenham

Open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday

979-277-0088

On the web: wespeak4kids.org

Email info@wespeak4kids.org

CASA of Central Texas, Inc.

CASA of Central Texas, Inc., serving Caldwell, Comal, Guadalupe and Hays counties, supports children by providing specially trained community volunteers  appointed by juvenile and family court judges to represent the interests of children who enter state custody after being removed from their families by Child Protective Services.

2725 Hunter Road, San Marcos 

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday

Phone: 830-626-2272

On the web: casacentex.org

Email info@casacentex.org 

The SAFE Alliance

The SAFE Alliance provides housing, support services and prevention programs to stop the cycle of violence in Central Texas

Children’s Shelter

P.O. Box 19454

Austin, TX 78760

Administrative office open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 

Phone: 512-369-5900

Reach the 24/7 SAFEline at 512-267-SAFE (7233), text “SAFE” to 737-888-7233 or chat online at safeaustin.org

On the web: safeaustin.org

Stories of outages, response and restoration — and communication every step of the way

Story by Kirsten Tyler
Photos by Sarah Beal

Imagine this: It’s night, and a powerful storm is moving through the region. There is thunder and lightning. Your lights flicker once, twice, a third time. Then, darkness. As you reach for your phone to report the outage, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s control center operators are standing by to take the first steps to restore your power.

GUARDING BLUEBONNET'S GRID: Operators watch the electric system to locate outages, coordinate crews and keep the lights on

Every day, control center operators monitor more than 138,000 meters spread across 12,000 miles of power lines. They notify lineworker crews and member service representatives when power outages occur. All day and night, teams work until your and your neighbors’ electric service is restored.

The members — Jeanne and Wiley Mathis

Bluebonnet members Jeanne and Wiley Mathis have lived at Kick Back Ranch on Geers Road in Brenham since 2007. Several family members — Jeanne’s two sisters and the couple’s niece — also live nearby. On May 16, 2024, a powerful “derecho” storm swept through Central Texas. Derecho is Spanish for “straight ahead,” a reference to this type of storm’s wide swath of straight-line winds, which on this day were measured at 60 to 100 mph. The destructive wind and lightning knocked out power to the Mathises. Those outages are representative of the hundreds of other outages in the Bluebonnet service area caused by this storm.

Jeanne Mathis knows what to do when electricity goes out: watch for texts from Bluebonnet about her outage, check in with neighbors and look at Bluebonnet's online outage map for more information.

During the May storm, she called Bluebonnet directly to report the outage. “Bluebonnet’s service has always been great, and the member service representative I spoke with was knowledgeable and congenial,” Jeanne said.

During the outage, the family remained at home and waited out the storm to care for their livestock and cats. The “derecho” developed in West Texas. It increased in strength as it swept through Central Texas and caused the most severe damage in Washington and Austin counties. Trees were uprooted and twisted, ripping down power lines and breaking poles and crossarms.

Those kinds of outages are the most time-consuming and labor-intensive. They require specially trained and equipped crews to remove trees before power restoration crews can begin to repair or replace equipment and restore members’ power.  

Bluebonnet crews were prepared and ready to respond to the massive storm. More than 345 lineworkers, contractors and tree trimmers worked around the clock to repair damage and restore power.

Like many outages during the derecho, the outage at the Mathises’ property was caused by trees falling into power lines. Bluebonnet crews attacked these complex outages across the region, which suffered widespread damage.

Jeanne Mathis received four text messages from Bluebonnet. The messages included information about the trees falling into the power lines that served her home, when crews arrived on location and their progress while repairing the damage.

After her power was restored, she shared a kind message on Bluebonnet’s Facebook page. “Thank you to all the linemen in restoring our power on Geers Road and all the other linemen helping the Brenham area. Job well done!!! Stay safe out there and get back home to your families and loved ones.”

The lineworker — the complex job of restoring power

Jeffrey Bolding started at Bluebonnet as a lineworker in 2009. “My brother, Danny, and several others I grew up with worked for Bluebonnet and loved it,” he said. “I figured  I would give it a try. I have never looked back because it is a tight, proud, loving and community-oriented organization.”

In the last 16 years, Bolding has worked on challenging outages, from troubleshooting and repairing damaged underground lines to restoring service after tornadoes tore down above-ground power lines and poles. He said it is always rewarding to restore power to members after a storm.

Bolding has plenty of experience working through some of the most destructive weather events in Bluebonnet’s recent history. The weather always factors into what he takes to the job. He packs plenty of snacks and extra clothes — a shirt, pants and two pairs of socks — to change into. Keeping his feet dry and warm inside steel-toe boots is especially important.

For Bluebonnet and other utilities across the state, restoring power during an outage is an all-hands-on-deck effort. Teams work nonstop until power has been restored to all members.

Because of this, Bolding also makes sure his family is prepared. “Every time I am called out, I get a hug and kiss from everyone. They tell me to stay safe and they make sure I have everything I need,” he said. “Often times, packed away with my lunch or in the pockets of my clothes, I find notes and drawings from my family.”

Bolding said the best part of his job is that after working long hours in terrible weather, he goes home to his family, takes a hot shower and sleeps in his own bed. “That is really wonderful,” he said.

Bolding and other lineworkers said they get great satisfaction from hearing members shout with joy once a storm passes and their electricity is restored. “I feel a huge sense of relief. Not only because the power to members was restored, but because I know my crew and my family are safe,” Bolding said.

The communications team — keeping members updated

“Whether it’s one member out of power or thousands, we stay in constant contact with the control center to gather details about what caused an outage, what is being done to fix it and how long repairs will take,” said Clarissa Ortiz, part of the team responsible for communicating with Bluebonnet members during outages.

Ortiz joined Bluebonnet in 2016 as a member service representative in Bluebonnet’s Bastrop-based call center. She answers calls from both English- and Spanish-speaking members to connect new service, process bill payments and address any questions about electric service. Since November 2023, she has also been part of the member communications teams that work shifts to send text messages to Bluebonnet members whose power is out.

She and her teammates stay in contact with control center operators through texts and phone calls to get updates about power outages.

“Members want to know when crews are on-site, what caused the outage — whether it was an animal or a car hitting a pole — and when their power will be restored. It is our job to give them those answers as soon as possible,” Ortiz said. “We also let members know if we are still investigating the cause of their outage.”

Communications teams also monitor Bluebonnet’s social media and sometimes call members during smaller or multi-hour outages. During major storms that can cause hundreds of outages across Bluebonnet’s large service area, Ortiz and the team are in the control center, working side-by-side with operators to provide rapid updates to members.

“Every outage is different, and so is the information we send in text messages,” Ortiz said. “We typically determine the cause within 30 minutes of the crew’s arrival. Lineworkers provide the control center with an estimated repair time. Then this information is passed to the communications team to send an update to the members affected.”

One storm was particularly memorable for Ortiz. In July, after Hurricane Beryl affected part of Bluebonnet’s service area, she arrived at the control center at 6 a.m., prepared to work a 12- to 16-hour shift.

“The atmosphere was intense. Phones were ringing, radios crackled with updates and large TV screens displayed maps of outages across Bluebonnet’s area,” she said. “Everyone was locked in and focused to get our members’ power back on.”

Ortiz took a seat in the middle of it, listening closely to conversations between control center operators and field crews. “Every piece of information mattered,” she said.

“We have families, too, so we understand what we would want to hear and strive to tailor our messages to that,” she said.

Bluebonnet crews start preparing long before bad weather arrives

When severe weather is headed for Central Texas — regardless of whether it’s a fierce spring thunderstorm, the threat of a tornado, flooding from a hurricane pushing inland or a winter storm that could ice roads and power lines — Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative employees are prepared.

Leadership and operations teams start preparing days and weeks in advance by stocking additional materials, filling fuel tanks, and creating staging areas for crews and contractors.

“Our members deserve and expect the very best service from us, and we take that responsibility seriously,” said Eric Kocian, Bluebonnet’s Chief Engineer and System Operations Officer. “Storms can be unpredictable, but our preparation isn’t. The more planning we do ahead of time, the more efficiently we can restore power.”

If the possibility of long outages looms, contractor crews are notified to be on standby to efficiently support Bluebonnet’s crews. These additional lineworkers, whether from Texas or out of state, are called in based on the anticipated severity of the storm, and staged at service centers and areas where the most damage is expected. The need for these crews is consistently reevaluated as severe weather moves through the cooperative’s service area.

As the storm approaches, Bluebonnet’s operations teams continuously monitor the forecast and provide updates around the clock to ensure a rapid response. Meetings are held to assess the changing situation and adjust crew deployment accordingly. Depending on where the storm impacts Bluebonnet’s 14-county service area, crews are strategically moved across counties to restore power as efficiently as possible.

The fleet and operations teams also prepare specialized equipment, including tracked machines, side-by-side offroad vehicles, snow chains for tire traction and drones to locate storm damage and make necessary repairs.

While preparations vary based on the anticipated size and severity of a storm, some steps are the same for every weather event.

“We show up at the office, gather the other guys on the crew like any other day,” said Logan Lancaster, a lineworker crew supervisor who started at the cooperative’s Giddings service center in 2013. Crews are then assigned to an area or section of line to work on.

“I once worked a storm in the Washington County area, 100 miles from the service center I work out of,” said Joe Lockhart, a Bluebonnet crew supervisor in Maxwell. “Our job is the same regardless of where we work. Our priority is still getting the power on as quickly and safely as possible.”

As soon as conditions are safe, crews are dispatched to assess damage, prioritize critical repairs and restore power as quickly as possible. Lineworkers are in constant contact with crew supervisors, who are always communicating with control center operators.

By ramping up resources before and during storms, all crews can operate on shifts to ensure their safety while restoring power.

“Depending on the type and severity of the storm, we transition to 12-hour shift work and are put on rest when we are not working,” Lancaster said. “It is hard to sleep during the day when the sun is up, especially after working all night, so I try to rest as much as I can to be prepared for storm events.”

No matter the season or severity of the storm, Bluebonnet’s commitment is always to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, and to keep its members informed.

The power of connection

It’s easy to get updates quickly through Bluebonnet outage text alerts.

All cooperative members with a smartphone are automatically enrolled in the outage alerts program and will receive regular text updates on outages affecting them.

If you are a member with a power outage, you will:

1. Receive a text whenever an outage occurs at your home or business.
2. Get text updates on the status of the outage.
3. Receive a final text when your power is restored.

Are you not receiving outage text notifications? Enroll in the program by texting “BBOUTAGE” to 44141 or call member services at 800-842-7708.

Update your contact information

Did you change your phone number? You must update your contact information with your new number in order to receive outage text alerts from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

You can update your number on your online MyBluebonnet account or mobile app. This ensures that Bluebonnet will be able to text you in the event of an outage, maintenance or any other concern. 

All day, every day, skilled operators watch Bluebonnet’s electric system to locate outages, coordinate crews and keep the lights on.

By Alyssa Meinke

When a storm rolls in, a vehicle hits a power pole or an animal touches the wrong piece of equipment, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s control center is the first to respond. A team of 10 control center operators work in shifts to monitor Bluebonnet's electric grid. When an outage occurs, the operators dispatch lineworkers to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

POWER ON: Stories of outages, response and restoration — and communication every step of the way

These operators are the unseen first responders of Bluebonnet’s electric grid that keep power flowing to more than 138,000 homes, businesses and critical facilities. They are the vanguard of a team that works to keep members’ lights on 99.93% of the time, on average.

The process is complex and constant, requiring continuous reprioritization. “It’s like running a busy restaurant kitchen during a dinner rush — serving multiple dishes at once while new orders keep coming in,” said Bryn Janca, a control center operator at Bluebonnet for five years.

In addition to tracking and prioritizing outages — whether they impact a single member or thousands — and dispatching Bluebonnet and contractor crews to restore power, the operators use advanced technology to monitor and troubleshoot the entire electric system. They coordinate planned work requests and track the location and status of crews. They keep a close watch on weather conditions. They communicate regularly with member services and other departments to provide status reports to members.

The process has come a long way since Greg Roeber, Bluebonnet’s control center manager, started dispatching crews in 1995. Back then, the control center had one computer. “We used the computer to print outage reports and stacked them on a desk, prioritizing them by height — based on the number of pages,” Roeber said.

Now, operators use advanced software to detect outages, pinpoint issues on power lines and, when possible, reroute power to minimize disruptions. “We’re a support system,” he said. Roeber began working at Bluebonnet in 1982 as a lineworker before transitioning to the control center in 1995. He became its superintendent in 2005, then manager of the control center in 2017. After more than 40 years of service, he plans to retire in July.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is seeing how our team has grown,” Roeber said. “Training a new employee that doesn’t have a lot of electrical experience and watching him connect the dots as he becomes a knowledgeable and thoughtful operator is one of the most fulfilling aspects of the job.”

The operators come from various educational and military backgrounds, contributing diverse strengths to the team.

“The best trait of an operator is being self-motivated and having the ability to learn,” Roeber said. When there is downtime, the team runs drills to ensure they are prepared for any situation.

“We want everyone to learn,” Roeber explained. “We take a look at what we can improve and how we can operate differently to get better.”

Despite all the technological advancements, the heart of the control center is the people. Operators ensure lineworkers are safe in the field, relay information to update members on the status of their outage and respond to emergency calls.

Communication is key to a smooth response to outages. Operators constantly relay information to and from the field, with 350 to 400 messages by phone, radio and text coming in and going out on a typical day. “As soon as we get any relevant information, we relay it – whether it’s from the members, our guys in the field or other operators,” Janca said.

“It’s like community service,” said Max Baird, a control center operator with 11 years of experience. “Serving the community while supporting our families is rewarding.”

“We don’t like to see our members out of power for any reason,” Janca said. Baird agrees: “We’re a team. We’re here for our members.”

There is one piece of advice operators want to give to members: Keep your contact information updated. “It helps us find you in the event of an outage, dispatch crews and get your power back on faster,” Janca said. “Leave detailed and clear messages when you call to report an issue. We’re always listening,” Baird said.

Three graduates began Bluebonnet careers as interns; two employees get advanced technical training certifications

By Connie Juarez

Fourteen apprentice lineworker graduates at Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative are now prepared to join the skilled team of journeymen who provide reliable service across the cooperative’s 3,800-square-mile service area.

Three of those graduates began as lineworker interns at Bluebonnet, completing a six-month training program before beginning years of apprentice courses and on-the-job learning. 

In addition to the lineworker graduates, Tristin Lagrone, a substation technician, received his certification from the U.S. Department of Labor. Dillon Stavinoha, a control center operator, completed a 10-month program and proficiency exam to receive a certification as a system operator.

Each program has unique requirements for study, testing, training and work experience. Bluebonnet's lineworker apprentice program requires 8,000 hours of on-the-job training, along with 672 hours of technical instruction, typically completed over four years. Program graduates receive certification as lineworkers from the Department of Labor.

For John Courtney, an apprentice graduate, the program offered a stable career with room for growth.

“I earned something I can really be proud of, something that’s going to help me build a better future,” said Courtney, who is based in Brenham. “If anyone’s thinking about the program, I’d say go for it and give it 100%. It’s going to be a challenge, but it definitely pays off.”

Lagrone said he was inspired by the lineworkers he saw as a child. 

“I grew up in Lexington, and I can remember as a kid watching Randall Bownds and other linemen come out during storms and outages to restore power,” said Lagrone, who is based in Giddings. “I thought that was pretty cool that they could get the lights back on.” Bownds is an assistant field superintendent also working out of Giddings. 

The best parts of his job, Lagrone said, are the variety each

day brings and the satisfaction of helping his community.

Several apprentice graduates spoke about how much the program has helped them grow personally, emphasizing that the skills they’ve developed go beyond just their work.

“The leadership skills I’ve gained through the program have truly changed me as a person. I apply them every day — whether it’s in my role as a husband and father, or by stepping up to give my time in the community,” said Thurston Bennett, who is based in Bastrop.

With the addition of this year’s group, 153 Bluebonnet lineworker apprentices have graduated from the program since it began in 2004.

In addition to hundreds of classroom hours, apprentices gain extensive experience in the field, learning skills such as building overhead and underground power lines, restoring power during outages, maintaining equipment, and installing and repairing meters.

Paul Herzog, superintendent in Giddings, discussed the value of the program.

“This program gives local people a chance to get into a rewarding career. It’s more than just a job — it’s about building a future, learning skills that’ll last a lifetime,” Herzog said. “By offering these opportunities, we’re not only making sure our community has the right people to keep things running smoothly, but we’re also building the next generation to serve and support the community for years to come.”

The newest Bluebonnet apprentice graduates, in addition to Courtney and Bennett, are Dustin Barker, Jordan “J.D.” Boecker, Stephen Braneff, Colton Burch, Kyle Jenke, David Martin, Colton Matthijetz, Timmy Medack, Dior Smith, Trey Townsend, Preston Vaughn and Brad Young. 

Smith, Townsend and Vaughn began their careers as lineworker interns.

The intern program, which started in 2018, provides six months of technical instruction in line work. To advance into the apprentice program, participants must also obtain a power-pole climbing certification and a commercial driver’s license.

Learn more about Bluebonnet’s lineworker intern and apprenticeship programs at bluebonnet.coop/careers.

Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 14 

Electric cooperatives across America will observe April 14 as National Lineworker Appreciation Day. Take time to recognize the hard work and dedication of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative's lineworkers by visiting our social media pages on that day to see a special video tribute to our lineworkers. Not only are they on call to work — any time, any day of the year — to restore electricity during outages, but they install, repair, replace and maintain the cooperative's electrical equipment.