Oct 02 2024

Graham Visits Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today met with leadership and employees at Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative in Pickens, South Carolina.

Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative is a customer-owned electric utility company that has been operating in South Carolina since 1940. Graham is a customer of Blue Ridge.

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Graham gave an update with Blue Ridge President and CEO Jim Lovinggood during his visit.

  • LOVINGGOOD: “This storm was historic in every way you choose to measure it. We had about 90 percent of our customers out of power Friday morning at 10:00 AM… So far we’ve been able to get about 70 percent of those back on. So we’re down now to about 30 percent of our customers without power.” https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=MaDIT-YOP2UWp52C&t=69
  • GRAHAM: “This is Hurricane Hugo for the Upstate, if you’re old enough to remember that…We got flattened up here, folks. I wanted to come by and thank the co-ops and all the line crew out there and the people working out in the field. You know it’s a team sport here.” https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=5LSZOZI3CNz8NLEa&t=167
  • LOVINGGOOD: “We are working around the clock. We’ve set up in both of our campuses to house up to 700 outside workers. We have over 500 currently in the field and we’re hoping to get more help as the days go by.” https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=YdQY-t_gt1KbejXG&t=116
  • GRAHAM: “Just be patient. The people who are trying to restore your power lost their power. They haven’t seen their families, they are out there working 16 to 18-hour days working under very dangerous conditions. So to the extent you can be patient, please do. I know it’s frustrating, but the people trying to help you have suffered like you have.” https://youtu.be/vTY7g3AqZwQ?si=f_7q90Lk6sX3VLer&t=193

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