More than 30 Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members in January reported recent attempted phone scams by people claiming to represent Bluebonnet. The fraudulent callers have told co-op members that their power will be disconnected unless they make a payment immediately over the phone. 

“Attempted scams like this are definitely on the increase,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “The key to stopping them is to be aware of them and know your account status. Our members can access their account information by calling our member services number or through our website or mobile app.” 

Bluebonnet makes at least two attempts to remind its members whose payments are late – once by mail and again by a courtesy phone call – within 10 days after the payment due date on the bill. The call comes from the cooperative’s automated phone system. 

If you are a Bluebonnet member who has not received a reminder in the mail or a courtesy call about your account, and someone calls demanding an immediate payment, do not pay. Do not provide the caller with personal information, information about your Bluebonnet account, or any banking or credit card account information. 

Bluebonnet members can check their account status 24 hours a day, every day, from their computer, smartphone or tablet through the co-op’s website, bluebonnet.coop, via the MyBluebonnet mobile app or by calling 800-842-7708. 

Along with fraudulent bill pay calls, a neighboring utility has recently received a report of a home robbery by people claiming to represent that utility. Be aware of people who come to your home claiming to represent Bluebonnet, or any other service providers. Bluebonnet employees carry photo identification badges, travel in company vehicles and wear shirts with Bluebonnet’s logo. Bluebonnet’s contractors may contact members in person or by leaving a card at their door; automated calls will notify Bluebonnet members in advance. If the individual or organization seems suspicious, do not let them in your home. Ensure the request is legitimate by calling Bluebonnet at 800-842-7708. 

Report any potential scam attempts to Bluebonnet and your local law enforcement agencies. 

Story by Alyssa Dussetschleger

Brooks Kasper was 19 when he became a lineworker intern at Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. He did not know many details about the job, the rigorous training he would receive or the welcoming culture of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

“I was excited to get started, but didn’t realize what was ahead in my career,” said Kasper, who is now 23.

Kasper was one of the first line-worker interns at Bluebonnet. For some in that group, it was their first full-time job. “They looked young, some looked a little scared and nervous, but I could tell they were excited to be there, eager to learn and that they were going to do well,” said Aaron Seeliger, Bluebonnet’s assistant superintendent of operations for the co-op’s Maxwell and Red Rock service centers.

The line-worker internship program at Bluebonnet began in 2018. The program focuses on hiring local candidates and introducing them to electric linework and Bluebonnet’s focus on safety and service to its members. 

Kasper and the other interns spent their first six months in the classroom at a Bluebonnet facility, learning about safety, which is of utmost importance at Bluebonnet. Interns also received technical instruction on linework, earned climbing certifications and obtained commercial driver licenses. Then they began training in the field alongside journeyman lineworkers. Now six of them have become U.S. Department of Labor-certified journeyman lineworkers and Bluebonnet’s first graduates of the internship program.

Their names and hometowns are: Ty Duesterheft from Maxwell, Dylan Dussetschleger from Lexington, James Flores from Elgin, Zackary Handrick from Somerville, Brooks Kasper from Giddings and Tra Muston from Rockdale.

They received their certification in October 2021 after more than four years, which included 672 hours of technical instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training. They will work with crews out of Bluebonnet service centers in Bastrop, Brenham, Giddings, Maxwell and Red Rock.

The youngest intern graduate, Dylan Dussetschleger, grew up in Lexington and started the program at 18. Now 22, he works across the 3,800-square-mile Bluebonnet service area, performing maintenance on power lines and poles, restoring power and repairing equipment. “I never knew when I started I’d find a career I loved. The intern program has changed my life,” he said.

The most recent class of interns began their training in July 2021. “The new intern class will gain more knowledge and have more experience to put them farther ahead,” Duesterheft said. “New interns are placed in the field and begin observing lineworker crews their first week.”

Handrick, who works out of the cooperative’s Brenham Service Center, looks forward to teaching new interns. His advice for them is to take it slowly. “You’re not going to learn everything after your first day on the job,” he
said.

In addition to the intern graduates, five other employees completed Bluebonnet’s apprentice lineworker program and received Department of Labor journeyman certification in 2021. They are Trevor Eckert of Brenham, John Horton of Ledbetter, Frank Garza of Kyle, Joshua Tristan of Kyle and Matt Waltzer of Bastrop. They work with crews out of Bluebonnet service centers in Brenham, Bastrop, Giddings and Maxwell. 

Apprentices go through approximately four years of coursework and on-the-job training to earn their certification. Some come to Bluebonnet with previous linework experience, while others are new to the trade.

Bluebonnet began offering an apprentice program in 2004. There are now 28 apprentices (including 11 who began in the intern program) and 52 journeyman lineworkers on staff.

Two other Bluebonnet employees also received certifications for specialized work. Justin Siegeler of Giddings completed the Electric Meter Tester Certification program through the Northwest Lineman’s College and received his Department of Labor certification last year. The four-year electric meter tester certification consists of 30 proficiency exams and 8,000 hours of on-the-job training.

Mason Mertz, a control center operator who lives in Bastrop, completed a 10-month program and proficiency exam to obtain his System Operator Certification from Northwest Lineman’s College in 2021.

INTERESTED IN BECOMING A LINEWORKER?

You can find applications for these and other career opportunities, at bluebonnet.coop. Click on Careers at the bottom of any page on the website.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors unanimously voted during its April meeting to return $4.7 million in capital credits to member-owners of the cooperative. Beginning in May, Bluebonnet’s members will receive a credit on their electric bill for their share of $4.7 million in capital credits, a $500,000 increase over last year.

“Approving the amount to return in capital credits is one of the best things we get to do as Directors on behalf of our members,” said Ben Flencher, board president. “The credit our members will see on their bills in May is one of the many benefits of being a member-owner of Bluebonnet. During the last few years due to growth and our financial success we have been able to return record amounts to our members.”

Capital credits are excess revenue above what it takes to run the co-op. Every April, Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors approves the capital credits payment during its April meeting. When determining how much to return to members, the Directors consider the impact that the amount returned to members will have on electric rates and the co-op’s financial strength.

The amount each member gets back depends on how much electricity they used in previous years through 2020 and how long they have been a Bluebonnet member. Current members will see a credit on their May electric bill for their share of this year’s capital credits retirement. Former members who are still owed a capital credit will receive a check in May or June.

Since 2005, Bluebonnet has returned $66.7 million to its members in capital credits.

“The ability to return millions of dollars to our members is possible because of prudent financial decisions and responsible daily operations,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors and all employees have great respect for our fiduciary duty to our members. That in turn has led to the financial capacity to provide record capital credits to our members in 2021, and to reinvest more than ever in the Bluebonnet electric system, employees and the communities we serve.”