BTU's Year-in-Review: 2025
New calendar years give us the chance to reflect on the year that was, and 2025 was filled with growth, challenges, and new foundations for BTU. Though it all, we were proud to continue our mission of improving the quality of life in our community by providing exceptional reliability and excellent customer service at competitive and stable rates. As we turn the page to 2026, here's a look back on BTU's biggest highlights of the past year!
January
The public saw BTU's new Administration Building for the first time at a B/CS Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting and open house on January 28. The building opened for daily operations on February 10.
February
BTU lineman apprentices tested their skills at our Lineman Rodeo.
March
The BTU Board received a report on the impact of BTU's safety culture over the last ten years. The report concluded that the employee-led culture has improved participation and greatly reduced injuries.
April
BTU received the Diamond Level Safety Award of Excellence from the American Public Power Association for 2024. This award underscores BTU’s unwavering commitment to the safety of employees and the public.
May
Contracts were approved by the BTU Board for concrete poles for the Brushy Creek 138kV transmission line and the construction of distribution facilities at the Steele Store Substation.
June
BTU General Manager Gary Miller received the James D. Donovan Individual Achievement Award from the American Public Power Association.
BTU sponsored three local students on the Government-in-Action Youth Tour. This included an all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. where they toured landmarks, met with congressional leaders, and connected with students from across the country while learning about the power of public service and civic engagement.
July
Six BTU linemen answered the call to assist the Kerrville Public Utility Board with powerrestoration following the devastating July 4th floods.
BTU employees participated in our first-ever blood drive, organized by the BTU Community Involvement Committee in partnership with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.
August
The BTU Board approved a contract for the engineering and design of the RELLIS Station 138kV capacitor banks project. This project will support the anticipated growth of the RELLIS campus over the next decade and beyond.
September
BTU honored employees that reached service milestones at our annual Service Awards Banquet.
October
The new fiscal year began for BTU, bringing with it a bevy of new projects as we build for the future.
Mr. Pete J. Bienski, Jr. assumed the role of BTU Board Chair, Mr. Paul Madison, Sr. assumed the role of Vice Chair, and Mr. John A. Bond assumed the role of Secretary.
BTU joined public power providers around the country in celebrating Public Power Week from Oct. 5-12.
November
BTU’s efforts to modernize our website earned the American Public Power Association’s Award of Excellence in Web & Social Media for like-sized utilities.
December
BTU Employees participated in the 30th Annual Food for Families Food Drive.
The First Annual Powering the Holidays Christmas Light Contest, presented by BTU was held.