For the 29th year, Pedernales Electric is joining other electric cooperatives across the country to participate in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s Youth Tour program. Six winners of PEC's 2011 Youth Tour essay contest will be awarded a trip to Washington, D.C., in June 2011.

For its 2011 contest, PEC is asking area high school students to write essays considering green jobs, products, and/or services. Twelve finalists will be selected to present their essays at the LCRA Redbud Center on November 20. An independent panel of judges will select six students as winners of a June 2011 trip to Washington, D.C., to tour historical sites and meet local political representatives. Six alternates will receive $100 each for their participation.

"Winning the Youth Tour Contest means that even though I'm only 17, I have the power to make a difference in energy conservation, as well as everyday ways to really change the future," said Hope Hoffmeyer, one of the 2010 Youth Tour Contest winners. Another winner, Minerva Hernandez, said, "Winning means that this is my first step toward a future where I can achieve what I put my mind to and what I believe I can achieve."

2011 Essay Topic

In 2009, PEC launched MyUse Energy Analyzer, which allows PEC members to view their daily electric use in kilowatt-hours and dollars so they can better manage their monthly electric consumption, budget accordingly, and reduce their environmental impact. In 2010, President Obama allocated $2.3 billion in Recovery Act Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credits for clean energy manufacturing projects nationwide to create thousands of jobs and clean power for homes.

Students are asked to write a 700-word essay that responds to this question: As new technology emerges in the renewable energy industry, what types of green jobs, products, and/or services would have a positive impact on the energy sector of the Central Texas economy?

Who Is Eligible

Contestants must have completed their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school by June 2011, and their parent or legal guardian must be a PEC member or receive PEC service at their residence. Former contest winners are not eligible. Essays must adhere to the topic above; essays that are off topic are not eligible.

How to Enter

1. Get a 2011 Youth Tour application here or from your high school or any PEC office, and complete it.

2. Write a 700-word essay that responds to the question stated above.

3. By October 25, 2010, submit your typed essay and the 2011 Youth Tour application to youthtour@peci.com, bring it to any PEC office, or mail it to PEC Youth Tour Contest, P.O. Box 1, Johnson City, TX 78636. If you have questions, call 1-888-554-4732.