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.

The outage will occur 9 a.m. to noon, and will affect about 650 homes and businesses near FM 2780, FM 1697, Engelbrecht Rd., Wildflower Rd., Christian Cemetery Rd., Hancock Ln., FM 1948, Post Oak Rd., Outback Ln., Fischer Rd., Rehburg, Rd., FM 1948 W, Colvin Rd., Edgewater Ln., Somerville Terrace, Weber Ln., FM 594, Ben Tap Ln., Stevens Rd., Harge Rd., Eberhardt Rd., Schulenberg Ln., Mallard Rd., Roberts Rd., Iron Bridge Rd., Wilhelm Ln., Pheasant Ln., Cheri Ln., Drake Rd., Deep Water Blvd., Longpoint Rd., Natalie Ln., Rocky Creek Park Rd., Friendship Circle, Coon Rd., Dorothy Ln., Joyce Circle, Caneople Ln., White Cap Ln., Malkey Ln., Rabbit Rd., Bates Ln., Bredthauer Rd., Flagpond Ln. and Faist Rd.

“Safety is our top priority every day,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “We will have more than 100 Bluebonnet employees and contractors, and about 75 vehicles in the area working to complete this conversion with as little impact on our members as possible. We take every precaution possible to make these jobs safe, and ask that residents in the area be cautious and aware of our crews.”

Bluebonnet has contacted every member who will be affected by the outage to inform them of the day and period of time they will be without power, and will call them again on Monday, May 22.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 125,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

“Approving the return of capital credits each year is the most enjoyable and meaningful vote our Directors cast on behalf of our members,” said Ben Flencher, board president. “Historic growth in Bluebonnet’s service area and sound fiscal management has enabled Bluebonnet to return record amounts to our members. The credit our members will see on their bills in May is one of the many benefits of being a member-owner of Bluebonnet.”

Capital credits are revenue above what it takes to operate the co-op. Every April, Bluebonnet’s Directors approve the capital credits payment. 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 2022 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 be mailed a check in May or June.

During the past 20 years, Bluebonnet has returned $84.8 million to members in capital credits.

“We are proud to return historic capital credits to our members year after year while successfully meeting the demand that tremendous growth has placed on our electric system,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “This is a major accomplishment that greatly benefits our members. Our Board of Directors and every employee is committed to being wise stewards of our members’ investment and providing the outstanding service they expect and deserve.”

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 125,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.