Community
Luminant is proud to be an integral part of the communities where our employees live, work and serve. The safety of the public and our employees is always our top priority. We constantly strive to improve the safety of our operations to protect our employees, communities and facilities.
Economic and Community Benefits
As the largest power generator in Texas, our operations produce a significant economic benefit to Texas and its communities through payrolls, purchases, contracts, taxes and other expenditures. Country and school taxes alone contribute more than $100 million annually, and we have an estimated influence on employment amounting to nearly 17,000 jobs. We also invest billions of dollars in infrastructure improvements and development. Our investment of $3.25 billion in the recent construction of new power facilities generated employment for thousands of construction workers. Today, the completed units mean hundreds of additional high-quality, permanent jobs for rural areas of the state.
When there are community needs, Luminant's neighbors know our employees will be there. On top of more than $1.2 million of philanthropic contributions in 2010, employees pledged more than $600,000 in support of United Way and TXU Energy Aid. Luminant employees also spend thousands of hours helping others, serving on myriad civic organizations and volunteering countless hours for the well-being of their neighbors and communities.
Educational Outreach
Educational outreach is also an essential part of Luminant's community involvement. The centerpiece of our educational and research partnerships, the Luminant Environmental Research Program has produced outstanding scientists and environmental professionals and provided Luminant with sound environmental solutions. Luminant Academy, a partnership with Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas, is improving our current workforce's capabilities and helping assure the next generation of high performers. The Luminant Scholar Program increases young students' environmental awareness and has provided $150,000 in scholarships and grants to students and schools since 2008. Luminant Power Track, a new career development scholarship program, has awarded the inaugural class of 35 students a scholarship covering books and tuition toward a two-year associate degree in power plant technology at Tyler Junior College. They will also participate in a paid internship at a Luminant power plant and gain the opportunity to forge a relationship with Luminant that could grow into a full-time job following successful completion of the program.