A $25,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority will help Bastrop County Emergency Services District #2 purchase two new mechanical CPR devices.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $14,142 in matching funds from the department, will pay for devices that will perform chest compressions, allowing first responders to focus on other aspects of emergency care. The devices also will help reduce fatigue in first responders who are called upon to perform CPR for extended periods.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members in Washington County will experience a temporary power outage Tuesday, May 23, as crews complete an upgrade to electric distribution lines. The upgrade will increase the voltage carried through the power lines and is needed to continue to reliably serve the growing demand for electricity in the area.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors unanimously voted during its April meeting to return $5.69 million in capital credits to member-owners of the cooperative, an increase of nearly $500,000 over last year. Beginning in May, Bluebonnet’s members will receive a credit on their electric bill for their share of $5.69 million in capital credits.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative has received a Platinum Safety Partner award from Texas Mutual Insurance Company. Safety and serving its members with reliable electric service are top priorities for Bluebonnet. Texas Mutual is a workers’ compensation company, and the award recognizes its policyholders that practice top-quality workplace safety. Only 200 of Texas Mutual’s more than 74,000 policyholders are recognized with the distinction annually. The award is given to those that excel at protecting workers and providing safety resources.
A $4,463 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority will help the Maxwell Social Club purchase new energy-efficient windows and solar screens.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant will allow the club to replace seven metal single-pane windows with double-pane windows and solar screens, enhancing the comfort and appearance of the facility and making it more attractive as a meeting location.
The McMahan Community Women’s Club will replace windows, siding and an outdated HVAC system at the McMahan Community Center, thanks to a $23,055 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $5,764 in matching funds from the club, will allow the McMahan Community Women’s Club to replace a failing air conditioning and heating system and rotted wood siding at the 1920’s-era event center.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members recently reported an increase in attempted phone scams by people claiming to represent Bluebonnet. The fraudulent callers have told co-op members that their power will be disconnected within 30 minutes unless they make an immediate payment over the phone.
The Washington Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase new personal protective equipment thanks to a $15,654 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $3,914 in matching funds from the department, will provide eight new sets of protective gear.
Washington VFD firefighters are using personal protective equipment that’s almost 13 years old, but best practices call for gear to be replaced every 10 years.
A $14,953 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will help a church in Winchester replace outdated playground equipment at a community park and play area.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,100 in matching funds from the church, will allow Saint Michael’s Lutheran Church to improve a park on its land that hosts numerous community events and is open to area residents and visitors.
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative Board member Debbi Goertz earned a Director Gold credential from the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, which represents more than 900 of the nation’s electric cooperatives.
Goertz has served as a Bluebonnet director from District 3, Bastrop County, since 2017. To earn this certificate, Goertz completed two other certifications and three courses, and she will complete three continuing education courses every two years. Of the more than 500 electric cooperative directors in Texas, only 95 have received this credential.