By Alyssa Dussetschleger
 

We’re celebrating a new milestone! Earlier this year, Bluebonnet’s 100th line worker apprentice, John Horton, graduated. Apprentices go through approximately four years of coursework and on-the-job learning to earn the designation of U.S. Department of Labor-certified journeyman linemen. 

Bluebonnet began offering an apprentice program in 2004. We currently have 27 apprentices and 79 journeyman linemen on staff. 

Bluebonnet’s apprentice program requires 672 hours of technical instruction and 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning. The program generally takes four years, though previous experience and education can speed things along. Some apprentices start right out of high school, while others have had years of experience in utility line work or other fields.

On-the-job training focuses primarily on building overhead power lines, though apprentices also learn about underground lines and transmission of power at substations. One of the most technical tasks an apprentice must learn in the field is the proper way to connect meters, including large commercial meters.  

The final step in becoming a Bluebonnet journeyman lineman is demonstrating the capability of troubleshooting an outage and making the needed repairs.

Check Bluebonnet’s Facebook and Twitter pages on April 12, Lineman Appreciation Day, for a tribute to Bluebonnet’s line workers. Feel free to thank them there.

WANT TO BECOME A LINE WORKER?

Find applications and other career opportunities here.

 

By Kristin Finan
Get out of the house and enjoy some safe, family-friendly excursions with our March social media guide to fun activities across Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s service area. 

Go green at a farmers market
Add some fresh fruits and veggies to your meals and help out local farmers at one of the area’s many farmers markets. Options include the Bastrop 1832 Farmers Market (10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturdays, 1302 Chestnut St., bastrop1832farmersmarket.org), the Elgin Farmers’ Market (4-7 p.m. Thursdays in Veterans’ Memorial Park, ElginTXFarmersMarket.com) and the Burleson County Farmers Market in Caldwell (7 a.m.-noon Saturdays at Echols and Fox streets, and 5-8 p.m Wednesdays on Buck Street, co.burleson.tx.us/living/farmers-market). 

The sweet smell of spring
At Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, you can take in the stunning panoramic views, stroll past the scenic gazebo and enjoy a glass of lavender lemonade. Admission is free. Learn more at chappellhilllavender.com. Learn more at chappellhilllavender.com. 

Get wild with animal encounters
Stop by the Dinosaur Park in Bastrop, where dozens of life-size creatures await. 893 Union Chapel Road in Cedar Creek; thedinopark.com; 512-321-6262.

Smithville’s movie sights
Smithville is well-known as the location for the 1998 Sandra Bullock drama “Hope Floats.” The town has also played host to more than 40 other productions, most recently “Fear the Walking Dead” and the not-yet-released Amazon TV series “Panic,” which just wrapped filming in town. Smithville even earned the distinction of being a “Film Friendly Town” from the Texas Film Commission. Find a printable, color-coded map of film locations at smithvilletx.org/tours.

Take in a unique view 
Get a great underwater glimpse of Spring Lake in San Marcos on a 30-minute private tour at the Meadows Center. Learn about the springs, its ancient history and endangered species. Open daily; pre-register for boat tours, which are limited to 10 people; masks/social distancing required; meadowscenter.txstate.edu.

Get the scoop in Brenham
Blue Bell Creameries is still churning out some of Texas’ favorite ice cream. Precautions are in place for visitors and the observation deck is closed, but you can learn about the history of Blue Bell in the visitor center, pick up gifts and, most importantly, grab a scoop to eat on the spot. The Little Creamery in Brenham is open to visitors 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; bluebell.com. 

Stay at a state park
From fishing at Lake Somerville State Park to spending the night in an Airstream at Lake Bastrop North Shore Park, there’s something for everyone at Texas state parks. COVID-19 precautions are in place and reservations are recommended. Visit tpwd.texas.gov to explore options.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative's service center in Caldwell County is now the cooperative's third facility with solar panels. The service center, which opened in July 2020, is located between Lockhart and San Marcos in Maxwell. It allows field operations personnel to better serve the area. In December 2020, New Braunfels-based Speir Innovations installed 292 solar panels totaling 100 kilowatts of AC power with four power inverters on two roofs of the facility. The array will produce enough power to offset about 70 percent of the facility's total annual energy consumption. 

The campus also features two rainwater collection tanks that each hold 30,000 gallons. 

Looking to install solar? You're in luck – the 26 percent federal tax credit was recently extended through 2022. Learn more about connecting your power source to the grid at bluebonnet.coop.