Current members will see a credit on their May electric bill
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will return more than $11 million in capital credits in 2025, an increase of $747,000 over last year. Bluebonnet’s members will see a reduction on their May electric bill as a result of the capital credits approved by the Board of Directors during its April meeting.
Spring planting season may inspire you to grow something pretty that also blocks the view of that green utility box on your property. But those boxes — also known as pad-mounted transformers or junction boxes — house high-voltage equipment that connects your home to electricity. They are safe when properly maintained, but blocking or tampering with them can be dangerous.
Keep people — and plants — a safe distance from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s pad-mounted equipment by following these rules:
Government-in-Action Youth Tour will take them to historic landmarks and the U.S. Capitol
A student passionate about civic engagement, an award-winning FFA member, and a committed leader and athlete will represent Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative this summer in Washington, D.C. Zoe Moreno, a senior at Bastrop High School; Ruby Meachen, a senior at Giddings High School; and McKenzie Tiemann, a junior at Brenham High School, were selected for the Government-in-Action Youth Tour, an all-expenses-paid trip that will take them to historic landmarks and the U.S. Capitol.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative awarded scholarships to 160 graduating high school seniors across the cooperative’s 14-county service area, totaling $400,000. The $2,500 Scholarships of Excellence will help these students achieve their goal of earning a bachelor’s degree, an associate’s degree or a trade-and-technical certificate.
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.
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.
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.
"When you call Bluebonnet, the first thing you hear is a friendly voice saying, Hi, thanks for calling Bluebonnet! Our member service representatives are ready to assist you — whether it’s during business hours, in the middle of a storm or even on social media. We’re here to provide the answers you need, whenever you need them.’’
— JENNIFER MARTIN, Bluebonnet's manager of member operations
Spring officially begins March 20, bringing new opportunities to save electricity and money. Here are some ways to get started on spring energy savings.
CLEAR THE AIR
Open windows to let fresh air circulate.
COOK OUTSIDE
Soak in the sunshine by grilling or smoking meals. Or toss a salad and make sandwiches to enjoy outdoors.
SEARCH AND SEAL
Cracks and gaps let conditioned air escape. Caulk and weather strip to seal leaks, especially around windows and doors.
Don’t let the name fool you. Today’s heat pumps can cool and warm your home year-round.
Story by Sharon Jayson
Photos by Sarah Beal
The typical heating and air conditioning systems in Central Texas homes now have competition. Despite the name, a heat pump — more specifically, an air-source heat pump — can warm a house in winter and cool it in summer. Proponents tout the technology for its money-saving energy efficiency.