NBU NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 9, 2006
Contact: Gretchen Reuwer, NBU Communications Manager, (830) 629-8486

NBU Electric Division recognized for hurricane relief efforts

NEW BRAUNFELS—The entire NBU Electric Division was recently honored by Texas Governor Rick Perry with a proclamation recognizing their selfless and dedicated work to help restore utilities to the citizens of East Texas following last year’s hurricane. The recognition included both the volunteers who worked in East Texas as well as the crews that remained behind and continued to maintain and respond to NBU electric customers’ needs.

NBU rotated electric crews for several weeks during September and October to assist with repair and restoration of service in Hemphill and other areas of East Texas. NBU crews worked directly with linemen from both the City of Georgetown and San Marcos Electric Utility. They were among more than a dozen public power systems, including Lampasas, Kerrville, CPS, College Station, Bryan Texas Utilities, City of Garland, City of Denton, City of Lubbock, City of Floresville and the LCRA, that were assisting with the restoration efforts throughout the area. NBU rotated out its staff each week due to the extreme working conditions and long hours of restoration efforts. Over 16 NBU staff volunteers worked in the East Texas communities with the final crew returning to New Braunfels on Monday, October 17.

“The response to these disasters by NBU employees and those of the other utility systems is typical of the manner in which public power employees approach major events in their own communities, as well as their day-to-day jobs,” NBU CEO Paula DiFonzo says. “Many of the areas would have been without electric service for a much longer time without help from NBU and other public power systems. Although the living and working conditions were extremely rough, each of the NBU linemen has indicated that they were glad to have the opportunity to help in East Texas and hope to be able to serve other communities should the need arise in the future.”