BLUEBONNET ELECTRIC TOPS 100,000-METER MARK

  

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative celebrated a new milestone this month, passing the 100,000-meter mark for the first time in its 80-year history.

The number of meters on a utility’s system is an important metric used to measure utilities. As of 2018, less than 35 of the 800-plus electric cooperatives nationwide served more than 100,000 meters.  Five of those co-ops, including Bluebonnet, are in Texas.

Bluebonnet Board Chairman Ben Flencher said passing 100,000 meters “puts Bluebonnet in elite company and the next tier in terms of size among electric co-ops across the country”.

Bluebonnet’s meter growth has accelerated during the past two years, adding nearly 4,000 meters per year. Its growth has been the result of a boom in housing on the western side of its service area, as well as large industrial growth in its central and eastern regions.

In addition to serving more than 100,000 meters, Bluebonnet owns and maintains 11,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 central Texas counties. Its service area stretches from Washington County to Travis County, and Milam County to Gonzales County.

Bluebonnet General Manager Matt Bentke said this is an exciting time in the co-op’s history, and its future is bright. He said, while it has experienced great growth in recent years, the co-op will always “remain committed to providing outstanding, reliable service” for members, as well as being an integral part of the communities it serves.

Three new members who helped push the cooperative over the milestone meter count will receive gift baskets.