Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, Inc.

Earlier this afternoon, a contractor working on behalf of Upcountry Fiber and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Anderson County encountered a live electrical line while assisting with the deployment of broadband internet services. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) responded swiftly and administered life-saving procedures on-site and then transported the injured person to AnMed Health Medical Center for further treatment.

“Our top priority is always the safety and well-being of our employees and contractors involved in every aspect of our operations,” said Jim Lovinggood, president and CEO of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative. “Our contractors are a part of the Upcountry Fiber, West Carolina and Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative families.
We are saddened to hear that one of our contractors was injured on the job.”

“We are conducting a thorough investigation and are fully cooperating with the authorities to determine how this incident occurred,” said Jeff Wilson, CEO of West Carolina Rural Telephone Cooperative. “We care about each of our employees and contractors and are praying for a full recovery.”

On Monday, July 22nd, the majority of members served by the Fair Play Substation and Townville Substation will experience an outage beginning at 11:30 p.m. This is a planned outage for maintenance to the system. All power should be restored by 2:30 a.m. Members that are affected by the outage should receive a telephone message or a text message if the contact information provided on the account is current. Thank you.

A new way to report outages and be notified about outages is here! Text Power will allow us to inform members who have a mobile number associated with their account when an outage occurs. Members will also be able to notify Blue Ridge of an outage with a simple text command. If members do not wish to receive texts, simply reply ‘QUIT’ and your number will be removed. Text messages were sent earlier today to members with a mobile number associated with their Blue Ridge Electric account. If you need to make a change to your contact information, please call 800.240.3400 or update on the member portal or mobile app.

We have been contacted by several members reporting that their payment, mailed mid-may, was not credited to their account. Payments are being posted as soon as the processing center receives them. If you have a question about the total amount due on your bill, please contact us at 800-240-3400.

Our offices will be closed Thursday, July 4, for the Independence Day holiday. Crews will be on stand-by should outages occur. Please report outages by calling 888-BLUERIDGE or report on the mobile app. Have a safe and wonderful holiday.

ATTENTION: We received notification that some of our members have received phone calls about Blue Ridge Electric owing them credits. They are requesting bank account information. If you receive a questionable call, please hang up immediately and let us know.

Last week, 57 high school delegates from South Carolina took on Washington D.C. for the Washington Youth Tour. Three of those students, Colin Gilstrap, Sara Beth Brock and DJ Holland, represented Blue Ridge Electric.

It was an exciting week of history, sightseeing, and friendship making for these students. Their week included stops at Mount Vernon, Arlington National Cemetery, National Museum of American History and the United States Capitol.

Thank you for the great representation of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and the State of South Carolina.

Have you checked your home’s insulation levels lately? If your home is unusually warm, it may be time to install additional insulation. While this can be an expensive project, adequate insulation reduces heat flow, and the savings will pay off over time. Bonus: your home will feel more comfortable during the dog days of summer.

If you can see daylight around a door or window frame, air is leaking. Tackle air leaks around exterior doors and operable windows with weatherstripping.

Wait at least 30 minutes after the last clap of thunder before going outdoors. Lightning can strike even after a storm passes.

During a thunderstorm, it’s best to stay away from windows.

It’s Lightning Safety Awareness Week! Summer storms can pop up quickly, so know how to stay safe. If you hear thunder, quickly seek shelter in a sturdy building.

The mailing address on our bills has changed from Atlanta to Charlotte. If you mail your payment to us, it will be posted immediately to your account as always.

Weatherizing your home provides comfort and energy savings year-round, especially during summer months when your air conditioner is working overtime. The simplest and most cost-effective weatherization projects include air sealing around windows and exterior doors.

Did you know air leaks account for up to 40% of energy used to heat and cool a home? Block leaks and outdoor drafts by sealing windows and exterior doors. This simple, low-cost project is a great way to grow summer energy savings!

Have you checked your electrical cords lately? Even the slightest bit of fraying creates a safety risk. And remember: extension cords should only be used temporarily.

Our offices are closed today, Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Crews are on stand-by for any outages. Please report by calling 888-BLUERIDGE or on the mobile app.

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 27, for Memorial Day. Crews will be on stand-by for any outages. Please report by calling 888-BLUERIDGE or on the mobile app.

Every year, more than 358,000 home fires occur in the U.S. Conduct regular tests to ensure your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. It only takes a second and could save a life.

Window coverings can enhance the aesthetics of your home and help save energy. Coverings like blinds, shades and curtains can be used to block unwanted heat gain from the sun on hot summer days.

When it comes to electrical safety, take time to understand important do’s and don’ts! Take a few moments to double check your home for any potential fire hazards. Electrical outlets should never be overloaded, and be sure GFCIs are installed in bathrooms, kitchens and other areas where a water source is present.