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Whether you’ve checked out the new bluebonnet.coop on your computer, phone or tablet. Share your thoughts and be entered to win prizes including an iPad mini and an Amazon Echo Show smart speaker.
HOW TO ENTER
Submit your feedback, whether good or bad, on our Facebook post, Tweet or by email to webservices@bluebonnet.coop for a chance to win an Apple iPad Mini Wi-Fi 64GB - Space Gray (6th Generation) or an Amazon Echo Show 8 smart speaker. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022.
CONTEST DETAILS
The contest period is June 1, 2022 – June 30, 2022. The winner will be chosen at random on Friday, July 1, 2022, from among all qualified entrants who are active members of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
OFFICIAL GIVEAWAY RULES
Only members of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative Inc. (“Bluebonnet”) can participate in the giveaway. To qualify, the member must submit by Thursday, June 30, 2022, their feedback on the new bluebonnet.coop. Entries can be submitted by commenting on our Facebook contest post or by replying to our Tweet. Entries can also be submitted by email to webservices@bluebonnet.coop. Bluebonnet members who qualify for entry in the contest will be entered into a random drawing for an Apple iPad mini, valued at $409 or an Amazon Echo Show 8, valued at $109. Deadline for entry is 11:59 p.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022.
The winner agrees to be photographed and to sign a release acknowledging that Bluebonnet, as owner of those photographs, can use winners' names, photos and contest-related information for use in any marketing, media releases, advertising, promotion or exhibition of the photos.
Odds of winning depend upon number of participants. Participants must be 18 years of age or older. Bluebonnet employees, directors, officers and their spouses and members of their household are not eligible to win. Winners must arrange to pick up their prizes at Bluebonnet’s Headquarters, 155 Electric Ave. (formerly 650 Texas 21 E.), Bastrop, Texas 78602, or at one of Bluebonnet’s five member service centers.
This offer may be changed or discontinued by Bluebonnet without notice. This offer and prizes are made available strictly on an “as is” basis. Bluebonnet makes no warranties, express or implied.
Bluebonnet is not in any way affiliated with the manufacturer of the prizes and offers no warranty, express or implied, or in any way warrants that the prizes have any special characteristics, functions, compatibilities, or uses. Winners acknowledge and agree that Bluebonnet, its agents, affiliates, sponsors, representatives or employees shall have no liability with respect to any damages out of acceptance and/or use of the prizes, and agree to hold Bluebonnet, its directors, officers, insurers, agents, employees and assigns harmless against any and all claims and liability arising out of the use of the prizes. Winners assume all liability for any injury or damage caused or claimed to be caused by promotion or use of the prizes.
By Will Holford
As the population increases across Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s service area and more rural land gives way to neighborhoods and businesses, preserving dark skies can help protect the quality of life that makes the region a desirable place to live and work.
For that reason, Bluebonnet has, since 2014, installed dark-sky compliant, LED lights when co-op members request security lights at their homes, businesses, farms and ranches.
The lights shine in a downward cone, with no light shining out from the side or above the fixture toward the sky.
This preserves the dark night sky while providing the safety and security of well-lighted ground.
A dark-sky compliant LED light can still be seen from nearby or at a distance. It also appears brighter than a standard security light because its cone of illumination is focused on, and contained to, a smaller area. Such a shielded light pointing only downward allows for the same level of brightness and security, but does not illuminate the sky above.
“The important thing for people to know is that dark sky doesn’t mean dark ground,” said Thomas Ellis, Bluebonnet’s manager of engineering. “The LED lights we install at our members’ request are an improvement over the previous security lights. They are better for the environment because they use less energy and significantly reduce light pollution.”
Although Bluebonnet has installed thousands of dark-sky compliant LED security lights in the last eight years, there are still many older lights on the cooperative’s power system. If one of these older lights stops working, and it cannot be repaired, Bluebonnet will replace it with a dark-sky compliant light at no additional cost beyond a standard $10 to $20 monthly fee per light. That fee varies depending on the size of the light.
Bluebonnet members who do not currently have a security light can request a dark-sky compliant light. Members who want to replace older security lights with a dark-sky compliant LED light will pay a one-time fee of $125, in addition to the monthly charge of $10 to $20.
Get information or request a security light online at bluebonnet.coop/security-lights or by calling a Bluebonnet member service representative at 800-842-7708, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
A $19,429 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will help the Heart of the Pines Volunteer Fire Department improve its response time and rescue operations.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,734 in matching funds from the department, will allow the VFD to purchase 12 sets of new personal protective equipment and a fire-rescue saw.
Heart of the Pines VFD currently uses gear that’s nearing its expiration date and was originally fit for volunteers who have since left the department. Since the gear doesn’t properly fit current firefighters, it takes longer to put the equipment on, extending the department’s response time.
Assistant Fire Chief Joshua Lucas said having equipment that fits properly allows first responders to arrive at emergencies and assess the situation more quickly.
“When seconds count, every moment matters,” Lucas said. “Gear fitted properly is a huge asset to the citizens of the areas we serve.”
The addition of a new fire-rescue saw will significantly cut the time for rescue operations Lucas said. A fire-rescue saw is used to cut concrete, rebar, tin roofs, metal buildings, garage doors and more.
The Heart of the Pines VFD is one of the only remaining all-volunteer fire departments serving Bastrop County. Fundraising, donations, grants and dues help fund the department.
The community grant is one of six grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and the LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here.
