Seventy-five students from Hallettsville Junior High School discovered the connection among wind, water, coal, propane and natural gas this past week as they learned about producing electricity from renewable and non-renewable resources.

Seventh-graders in Hunter Hlavaty’s science classes recently participated in the PowerHouse™ Energy Investigation Program, which was developed by the LCRA and sponsored locally by the City of Hallettsville, Fayette Electric Cooperative, Inc., and San Bernard Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Shay Haynes was impressed with the program and said, “PowerHouse made an impact on me because now I know how to save money on appliances and things.”

PowerHouse participants learn how electricity is produced and gets to their homes. By evaluating their own energy-use habits, they see firsthand how wise choices can help their families save money and reduce their impacts on the environment.

“We should change the light bulb to LED because it saves eight times the energy and can last up to 40 years. PowerHouse shows us a lot of cool tips on how to save energy,” said Briley Rother after she witnessed the presentation.

The PowerHouse™ energy investigation program teaches students to be responsible and help conserve energy and water to protect our natural resources and environment,” said FEC General Manager Gary Don Nietsche. He said he is pleased with the investment of time and money into this community initiative, which has been underway since 1999.

“While students develop their individual home energy profiles, they learn that simple changes – like using LED lighting and changing thermostats to energy-efficient settings – can help save on their household’s utility bills,” he added.