Perennial Public Power Press Release
June 14, 2025, Thane Wetjen of Henderson participated in the Nebraska Rural Electric Association (NREA) Rural Electric Washington Youth Tour. Thane represented Perennial Public Power District on the seven-day tour in Washington, D.C., with twenty-one other students from across rural Nebraska.
Each year, the NREA participates in the Youth Tour, providing rural high school students, representing their public power districts and electric cooperatives, the opportunity to see the sights of our nation’s capital firsthand. While on the Youth Tour, students visited Gettysburg Battlefield, Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, the National Cathedral and numerous historical sites and monuments around Washington, D.C. Participating students also met with members of the Nebraska Congressional delegation and came together with 1,800 other rural high school students from across America for the annual National Rural Electric Cooperative Youth Day where they will learned about political engagement, leadership, and the pressing issues facing the electric industry today.
James Dukesherer, NREA Youth Tour Director, stated: “Most of the rural students that we take on the Youth Tour have never been to Washington, D.C. and would not have had an opportunity like this if not for the NREA Youth Tour program and the sponsorship of the participating public power districts and electric cooperatives. Youth Tour is a unique opportunity for these students to see first-hand our democratic government in action while at the same time visiting some of our Nation’s most historic sites.”
This all-expense-paid trip gives participants an opportunity to learn firsthand about our nation’s history and the pressing issues facing the energy industry. In addition, the experience fosters students’ appreciation for the democratic process, builds leadership skills, and educates the students about the role rural electric systems have in the national economy. To be eligible for Youth Tour, Thane attended the Nebraska Rural Electric Youth Leadership Camp in 2024 where he was also sponsored by Perennial.
Perennial Public Power District is a Nebraska rural electric utility system that serves York and Fillmore Counties in south central Nebraska. Organized in 1938, Perennial PPD provides service to more than 7000 electric meters and maintains 1958 miles of transmission and distribution power lines. Perennial PPD also serves several villages, including Benedict, Exeter, Grafton, Gresham, Henderson, Lushton, McCool Junction, Milligan, Ohiowa, Strang, Thayer, and Waco. To learn more about Perennial Public Power District, visit www.perennialpower.com.
