Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA Provide Grant to the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department

August 22, 2007

( Bastrop ) – Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, in partnership with the Lower Colorado River Authority, today awarded a $25,000 grant to the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department, which will help pay for a new fire truck.

“Safety and community are two of Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative's foundation values,” said Vance Hamilton, Bluebonnet's community representative for the Brenham area. “With this grant, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA are demonstrating their commitment to New Ulm and its hard-working volunteer fire department. The equipment this grant will provide enables the New Ulm volunteer firefighters to better protect the lives and property of their neighbors.”

The grant, part of LCRA's Community Development Partnership Program, will enable the New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department to replace a 25-year-old, two-wheel drive truck with a new four-wheel drive model. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA's wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

“The new fire truck will greatly improve the safety and protection of our firefighters along with a quicker and improved response to emergency scenes,” said Floyd Tonn, New Ulm Volunteer Fire Department fire chief. “With the new fire truck we can provide improved protection for property and lives.”

The Community Development Partnership Program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in the Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA electrical and water service areas as part of their effort to give back to the communities they serve.

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative owns and maintains about 11,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Southeastern Texas counties. Bluebonnet's service area stretches from Travis to Washington County and from Milam down to Gonzales County . For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative go to www.bluebonnetelectric.coop .