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Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Upcountry Fiber



Click on the links below for news about Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative & Upcountry Fiber published in The Pickens County Chronicle in 2025. (Links to these stories are also on The Pickens County Chronicle's Local News pages.)

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative tree lighting brings in the Christmas season: Rep. Davey Hiott and granddaughters Rubylyn and Marianne light the tree, Liberty Primary School choir sings, Pickens First Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Daniel Heeringa gives the devotion

Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 12 photos from the event

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's 2025 tree-lighting ceremony to be held Tuesday, November 25 at 5:15 p.m. with message by Pickens First Baptist Church Pastor Dr. Daniel Heeringa, a visit by Miss South Carolina Teen LilyKate Barbare, and carols from Liberty Primary School students: Click here for details and to read The Pickens County Chronicle's story from last year's tree-lighting ceremony, with 35 photos

Through charity golf tournament, Upcountry Fiber Foundation raises $133,000 for Upstate area nonprofits

Blue RIdge Electric-1 (BREC)
Blue Ridge Electric-2 (BREC)

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative employees mark 85 years with $87,000 in donations

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to power new AnMed Central/Clemson campus

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative celebrates 85 years of service with commitment to the future

Jonathan Stewart talks with peers at Cooperative Youth Summit (Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative photo)
David Montes, Maggie Blankenship, and Ava Alexander (Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative photo)
Matthew Morris and Jonathan Stewart (Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative photo)

High school students take part in Washington Youth Tour and Cooperative Youth Summit

Upcountry Fiber Foundation gives $15,000 to local upstate nonprofits The Hiding Place, Preserving Our Southern Appalachian Music (POSAM), and Ripple of One

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative to waive peak demand charge for Tuesday, June 24 and Wednesday, June 25

Upstate electric cooperatives take unified action to ensure electric reliability amid heat wave

Due to extreme temperatures, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative asks members to conserve nonessential energy usage to help protect the electric grid and help avoid possible temporary outages

Upcountry Fiber Foundation gives $18,000 to local upstate non-profits

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's 2025 annual meeting brings out nearly 6,300 members

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative announces information on 2025 annual meeting on Thursday, April 10

Blue Ridge Electric Empowerment Rate
Blue RIdge Electric Flat Rate

Flat Use Rate is available for Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative members

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood: New rate gives you control

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative lineman Clay Jones is one of 10 linemen at Governor Henry McMaster's State of the State address, representing rural electric cooperatives in South Carolina

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative announces power cost adjustment to help reduce home energy bills, launch of $100 smart thermostate rebate program

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is monitoring winter weather, urges members to prepare now

Denise McCormick, Senior Vice President of Marketing, pictured with Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood at a celebratory breakfast in Westminster in December (Photo courtesy of Blue RIdge Electric Cooperative)
Dianne Lyles, Customer Service Representative, pictured with Blue RIdge Electric President and CEO Jim Lovinggood at a celebratory breakfast in Westminister in December (Photo courtesy of Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative)
Mike Keasler, Customer Service Representative, pictured with past Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Charles Dalton (left) in Pickens (Photo courtesy of Blue RIdge Electric Cooperative)

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative announces retirement of three employees with a combined service of 188 years: Denise McCormick, Dianne Lyles, and Mike Keasler

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood: A storm to remember

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: Hurricane Helene causes historic devastation


Click on the links below for news about Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Upcountry Fiber published in The Pickens County Chronicle in 2024. (Links to these stories are also on The Pickens County Chronicle's Local News pages, in chronological order.)

The Publisher's column: Blue Ridge Electric brings light to our communities year-round

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative brings in the Christmas season with the lighting of the majestic Deodar Cedar, with a special appearance by Miss South Carolina Davis Wash, the lighting of the tree by retired Judge Eddie Welmaker, Christmas music sung by the Liberty Primary School choir, and a Christmas devotion by Oolenoy Baptist Church Pastor Bart Turner - Read The Pickens County Chronicle's story and view 35 photos from the event

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's annual tree-lighting ceremony to be held Tuesday, November 26

Upcountry Fiber continues to grow

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood looks back over the year

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative President and CEO Jim Lovinggood gives update on historic Hurricane Helene and recovery

Update on Hurricane Helene from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: Historic storm Helene continues to break records

Update on Hurricane Helene from Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative: Helene brings widespread damage

Pickens High School student Millie Heeringa, Pickens County student sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, participates in Cooperative Youth Summit

Local students Colin Gilstrap, Sarah Beth Brock, and D.J. Holland, sponsored by Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, gain new perspectives on Youth Tour

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative's annual meeting is a success, brings record crowd

Upcountry Fiber expands broadband into areas of need