The reliability of your electric service is central to Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's mission. The cooperative exists to provide all the power members need when they need it. That's why Blue Ridge works diligently to build and maintain the infrastructure that brings electricity to your homes and businesses.

Of course, not everything is in the co-op's hands. Acts of God such as hurricanes and ice storms can wreak havoc on the system that delivers that power; no matter how much we plan and prepare.

Another important factor is the availability of the electric we generate as a state. For a long time, South Carolina has had plenty of electricity to meet the members' needs. But availability could become a real challenge in the future.

"Our power supply isn't growing fast enough to keep up with our state's rapid growth," says Riley Morningstar, Blue Ridge's communications manager. "South Carolina needs more electricity, especially for frigid winter mornings and sweltering summer afternoons when the power grid strains to meet demands."

Government policies and regulations play an important role in deciding whether enough energy is available. They always have, from the legislation that allowed for the creation of electric cooperatives in the 1930s to the government's role in hydroelectric power plant construction to the recent regulations requiring the shutdown of coal-fired power plants.

"As a member-owned co-op, we believe our service to our members includes doing everything in our power to make sure our state and country's energy policies enable us to deliver you all the power you need, when you need it, and at a price you can afford," says Grayson Kelly, senior vice president of government and community relations. "That's why Blue Ridge is fortunate that these elected officials are our friends and neighbors and that they understand the needs of the co-op members and the communities we serve."

That work is critical again this year as the S.C. General Assembly considers energy policies that will determine how we meet your power needs.

On Feb. 13, a day we call Co-op Day at the State House, our board members and employees joined other electric cooperatives in bringing your voice to policy makers. On behalf of thousands of co-op members across our state, we expressed a vision for a future that keeps electricity safe, reliable and affordable.

"It was a great day of collective action by South Carolina's electric co-ops," says Kelly. "But it is far from the end of our efforts to help shape our state's energy policies for the better. As we move forward, rest assured Blue Ridge is doing everything in our power to safeguard South Carolina's energy future."