LCRA, Bluebonnet Electric Co-op award $17,710 grant to Blue VFD

New generator, fuel tank will help keep fire department operational during severe weather, power outages

LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $17,710 grant to the Blue Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator and fuel tank. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet community representative, Giddings area; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet director, District 4; Ward Taylor, VFD assistant fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA Board members; Rick Isaacks, VFD fire chief; and Dan Brunner, VFD captain.

LEE COUNTY, Texas – The Blue Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase a new emergency generator and propane fuel tank that will help the department continue to provide essential services even during severe weather or blackouts, thanks to a $17,710 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,428 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to provide a safe shelter for people in the community during emergencies, as well as keep its trucks ready to go during extreme weather.

The department, which covers 103 square miles, faced unexpected challenges that highlighted the need for a new generator during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

“I’ve been with the department for 14 years and had never seen anything like it,” assistant chief Ward Taylor said. “We had tanks freeze and break, and we were completely caught by surprise. This grant will enable us to keep our trucks warm and ready at a moment’s notice.”

The new equipment also will allow the department to open its doors to provide shelter during emergency situations such as power outages or flooding.

“We are almost a completely self-funded department, so grants like this from LCRA and Bluebonnet are huge for us,” Taylor said. “We’ll now be able to provide a safe and warm spot for people to come to should there be a need. Anyone that requires electricity for life support, whether they need oxygen or are on dialysis, they’ll be able to rely on us.”

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.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January 2025. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

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.

Contact Info

Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
512-578-3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
After hours: 512-944-6719