LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Co-op award $18,123 grant to Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department

New generator will help keep VFD operational even during power outages

DEC. 4, 2024

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Texas – The Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department soon will install a new generator at its fire station, enabling the department to serve as a temporary shelter and helping keep communication systems online during power outages, thanks to an $18,123 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, combined with $5,036 in matching funds from the VFD, will help the department maintain vital fire and rescue services in the Meyersville area even when the power is out.

“The addition of this generator means we can continue responding to fires, accidents and other emergencies in Washington County without interruption, even if the power goes out,” Meyersville VFD Fire Chief John Burleson III said.

“Thanks to this grant and the supplemental power system it provides, our station can also provide a place of refuge to residents, offering them safety and comfort when it is needed most,” he said. “Without this support, our ability to respond effectively during such events would have been impacted, and we would not have been able to serve as a critical safety resource for the community.”

The generator will be available to power dispatch operations and help ensure the fire station remains fully functional, enabling the department to provide critical public safety services. The Meyersville VFD serves northeastern Washington County, including the communities of Meyersville, Sandy Hill and Wiedeville.

The community grant is one of 37 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible 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.

About LCRA

The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.

About Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 135,000 meters and owns and maintains 13,000 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 X/Twitter.

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