Blue Ridge Electric Program Aims to Help Members Struggling with Energy Costs

Observer Reports

Employees at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative have donated $30,000 to kick off a new program aimed at helping co-op members struggling with utility bills and home energy costs.

The funds seed the Watts of Love Member Assistance Program, which provides two main forms of support to eligible members. Bill assistance offers short-term financial help during times of hardship. Home upgrade grants can cover improvements like programmable thermostats, new windows, mini-split units or added insulation.

“Blue Ridge has helped members with bill assistance and financially in other ways for decades, but we’ve never had a dedicated program like the one our employees have come up with,” said Grayson Kelly, senior vice president of government and public relations. “Our co-op wants to continue the 85-year legacy of giving back to the community and our membership. We believe Watts of Love does that.”

Applications for the program are accepted year-round. They are available online at blueridge.coop/watts-of-love or at co-op offices in Pickens and Westminster.

Blue Ridge Electric serves more than 73,000 members across Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Spartanburg counties, maintaining over 7,300 miles of power lines.

Program applications are accepted year-round and can be found online at blueridge.coop/watts-of-love or at co-op offices in Pickens and Westminster.