FAQs

Our service area is within 14 counties in Central Texas, mostly east and south of Austin and stretching nearly to the outskirts of Houston. To find out if your home or business is in our service area, call us at 800-842-7708 during business hours or take a look at our interactive map.

We'll provide you with the proper meter loop specifications. You can find a list here.

We're constantly working to improve our electric distribution system. Occasionally, those changes and improvements — most often to increase voltage — require isolated, short-term planned power outages to ensure the work is done efficiently and safely. Planned outages are typically scheduled during the spring or fall when temperatures are milder, and generally last from 60 to 90 minutes.

During voltage changes, Bluebonnet crews flip switches on hundreds of transformers or replace transformers with equipment designed for higher voltage. Bluebonnet notifies members when there will be planned outages in their area. The information is also provided on our website, bluebonnet.coop.

Please report your outage online, via text message, or call us at 800-949-4414. You can see outages in our service area using our outage map. For updates and information on restoration times, follow us on Twitter, or sign up for outage alerts.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) listed the Houston toad (Bufo houstonensis) as an endangered species more than 30 years ago. The toad is protected under the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits the "take" of threatened and endangered species. "Take" is defined as "harass, harm, pursue, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct."

Bluebonnet joined with the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA), Austin Energy and Aqua Water to obtain a permit from the USFWS that allows us to work within the Houston toad's sensitive habitat, as long as Bluebonnet complies with specific conservation practices. The permit, issued in 2005, lasts 30 years, and covers central, northern and eastern Bastrop County, as well as western Lee County. Bluebonnet acquired a 452-acre land tract within the permitted area, where the cooperative built its headquarters and established a nature preserve and Houston toad habitat.

You can pay your monthly bill online, by mobile app, by phone or in person at one of our five member service centers. When you pay by phone, we accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. When you pay online, we accept those same credit/debit cards, plus eChecks. Find out more about our payment options.

The monthly residential electric bill has two charges: Wholesale Power Cost and Bluebonnet Residential Service. In addition, members who live in cities are charged a franchise fee by their city. The fees for businesses are similarly calculated, but depend on the amount of electricity used and the type of commercial service.

If you're having trouble keeping up with your payments, you can apply for a payment extension or seek financial assistance. Or for more information, contact us. 

What is a payment extension?
This option gives qualified members an extension on the due date of their current monthly bill.

What qualifies a member for a payment extension?
The member must be past due only on their current bill, have applied within 10 days of the due date and have met the requirements of previous payment extensions.
 

Payment for monthly electric bills is due 16 days from the date the bill is issued. Bluebonnet sends a delinquency notice if payment is not received by the due date. Members are allowed 10 days to pay the bill after the date of the delinquency notice. If the amount due continues to be unpaid, electric service may be disconnected.

If electric service is discontinued for bill non-payment, members must pay the full amount owed, a service interruption fee and a deposit if applicable.

Learn more about our past due policy or financial assistance.

Check out the guide to our new features ​»

Log in to MyBluebonnet, click on the “My Profile” tab and select from the menu to update your: 

• Login Email or Password
• Billing Address
• Stored Payment Accounts
• Security Phrase
• Custom Meter Descriptions
• Paperless Settings 

Enter your updated information and click the “Save” button.

Log in to MyBluebonnet, click on the “My Profile” tab and “Update My Billing Address,” enter an effective date, make changes, then click “Save.”

Log in to MyBluebonnet, click on the "My Profile” and “Update my Log In Email or Password" menu item. Make changes and click the “Update” button to save.

Log in to MyBluebonnet, click on the "Notifications" tab and “Manage Contacts,” then add, edit or delete a phone number.

Tree trimming near power lines is a critical service offered to members to maintain safe and reliable electric service. Trees near power lines can contribute to outages and, in some cases, be dangerous. In an emergency, call 911. If not an emergency, please notify Bluebonnet if you believe trees on your property pose a threat to a power line. To request tree trimming or to report a potential hazard, make a service request or call 800-842-7708.

You can request one test free of charge every four years. You may have your meter tested more often, but if the meter is within accuracy standards of plus or minus 2 percent, you will be charged $50.

To request meter testing, make a service request online or call 800-842-7708 during business hours.

If a meter does not register electric consumption for any period, unless bypassed or tampered with, Bluebonnet will charge the member an amount based on the kilowatt hours used under similar conditions and time period during the preceding periods or previous years. The time period used to estimate the member's charge cannot exceed three months.

Bluebonnet is one of the most progressive utilities in the country and supports renewable energy, energy efficiency and conservation. As a member-owned electric distribution co-op, whose sole source of revenue is the bills our members pay, rebate programs must make good economic sense and benefit every member in addition to the member who receives the rebate. We constantly evaluate other utilities' rebate programs to see if one could be used as a model for a Bluebonnet rebate program.

When purchasing new appliances and electronics, always remember to look for the ENERGY STAR^® label. ENERGY STAR is the U.S. government's rating program that shows which items are more efficient, and will save you money over the product’s useful life.

As a Bluebonnet member, you can choose to get your energy from renewable resources by signing up for our Green Energy Rates or by generating your own power.

Learn more about green rates and home renewable »

Call 811 to find out if there are underground lines in your work area. Your local city's representative will contact Bluebonnet to locate primary power lines nearby. If you outline the excavation area in white paint beforehand, it will help the crew find the dig site. Please allow at least 48 hours.

Bluebonnet offers a variety of safety presentations for local schools and community organizations.
Learn more »

Bluebonnet has 11 directors, each representing one of the seven districts of Bluebonnet's service area. Directors are elected by ballot at each Annual Meeting of the members (held the second Tuesday in May). Directors are elected to three-year staggered terms.

To run for director or accept a nomination, candidates must meet certain eligibility requirements and complete the application for nomination process. Learn more »

You can find agendas for upcoming Board of Directors meetings as well as past meetings in our archives.
View Board agendas »