PEC Press Release - Six high school students in Pedernales Electric’s service area will win a trip to Washington, D.C., as part of PEC’s 2011 Youth Tour Contest. Students on the annual Youth Tour learn about electric cooperatives, American history and U.S. government; participate in National Youth Day; visit with their House and Senate representatives; and explore historic sites around Washington, D.C.

This year, students will write 700-word essays that respond to the 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?”

“This year’s contest asks high school students to consider green careers, which are becoming so prevalent today,” said PEC Communications Manager Michael Racis. “We also look forward to hearing students’ ideas about products and services that can help PEC members conserve energy. Each year, we are more impressed with the creative and thoughtful essays that our PEC-area students submit.”

Essays and applications are due October 25, 2010, and all eligible applicants will receive cell phone ringtones on seeded paper. Twelve finalists will be selected to present their essays at the Lower Colorado River Authority’s Redbud Center in Austin on Saturday, November 20. An independent panel of judges will select six students as winners of an expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 9-17, 2011, and six alternates will receive $100 for their participation.

The Youth Tour contest was established by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in 1964, and PEC has been participating for 29 years. Almost 1,500 young people now make the trip to Washington each year as a result of nationwide electric cooperative sponsorship.

Students are eligible to participate if they have a parent or legal guardian who is a PEC member or receives PEC electric service at their residence. Contest applications are available at www.pec.coop, PEC offices and area high schools. For more information about the 2011 Youth Tour contest, send an e-mail to youthtour@peci.com, go online or call toll-free 1-888-554-4732.