State's co-ops take hit in severe weather 

A line of storms that moved through the state early Wednesday morning led to widespread power outages for some of South Carolina's electric co-ops. York Electric reported that, at the peak of the storm, one-third of its members were without power. On Wednesday, the co-op was still working to restore power to approximately 8,000 homes and one school. Broad River Electric was working Wednesday morning to restore power to 1,350 members who experienced storm-related outages. Across the state, utilities reported 50,000 customers without power. Chester County officials said the damage was the worst they've experienced since Hurricane Hugo.   

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Thunderstorms, hail pound much of state 

Scrutiny of NRC includes actions at S.C. nuclear plant 

Duke Energy's Oconee Nuclear Station

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission's actions at Duke Energy's Oconee plant were praised, even as a New York Times article took issue with the NRC's oversight of plants around the nation. Over a two-year period, NRC regulators monitored blocked lines in the cooling systems of three reactors at Oconee, ultimately issuing a "yellow finding" in 2010, the agency's second-highest safety warning. The newspaper reports that the NRC is not consistent in its oversight, however. Among other actions, the article charges, the NRC has lowered safety requirements to allow some nuclear power generators to keep operating with sub-standard systems. 

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Laura Wood, left, with Ginger Adeimy-Benson of Elmcroft Assisted Living.

Saturday at the Darlington Raceway, it wasn't what happened on the track but what happened over it that put a smile on Laura Wood's face. The Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of South Carolina granted Wood a wish she'd had since she was a small child watching "The Wizard of Oz," a chance to ride in a hot air balloon. Wood, a resident of Elmcroft Assisted Living & Memory Care in Florence, took the skies as part of Second Wind Dreams, which grants wishes to people living in elder care communities. In addition to the balloon ride, Wood received tickets to the Showtime Southern 500 Race Saturday night.

Juan Pablo Montoya looks at a Chevy Volt owned by Palmetto Electric Cooperative

Thousands of race fans - and one NASCAR driver -  stopped by the Touchstone Energy Cooperatives booth during the Mother's Day race weekend in Darlington. Co-op volunteers staffed the booth all day Friday and Saturday, handing out free energy savings tips and key chains to race fans. Children got a chance to power a light bulb with the human power generator, and children and adults checked out the co-op owned Chevy Volt, which runs on electricity and gas. The car was so popular that NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Juan Pablo Montoya came by to take a look.

Retiring Broad River CEO Richard Baines

Broad River Electric registered 1,327 members in attendance May 7 at the co-op's 71st annual meeting. Members re-elected E. Dewitt McCraw, Antonio B. Nelson and Anita Whitney to the board. Board chairman Norris R. Fowler Jr.  announced that Broad River President and CEO J. Richard Baines will retire at the end of the year. "He has saved this co-op millions of dollars," Fowler said. "When he saves us money, he cuts that light bill." The board has selected Assistant Manager Douglas E. Wilson to succeed Baines.

Lindsey Smith, Muriel Carter and Van O'Cain

Muriel Carter of Aiken Electric and Lindsey Smith and Van O'Cain of The Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina were honored as Touchstone Energy Brand Champions at a national meeting of electric cooperatives in Denver. The award honors electric co-op employees who demonstrate exceptional efforts in promoting the Touchstone Energy brand at the local, regional or statewide level. Carter was recognized for organizing a community program to provide school supplies. Smith and O'Cain were presented their award for being "steadfast supporters of all things Touchstone Energy in South Carolina, mobilizing the state's co-ops to launch the Co-op Connections Card helping members save money." 

Berkley Electric Cooperative Vice President of Government and Consumer Affairs Jack Villeponteaux died Monday. Villeponteaux, a native of Moncks Corner, worked at Berkley for 38 years. 

Memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society, 5900 Core Road Suite 504, North Charleston, SC, 29406; to Hospice of Charleston, 3870 Leeds Avenue, Suite 101, Charleston, SC, 29405-7493; or to Callen-Lacey Center for Children, PO Box 1829, Moncks Corner, SC. 29461.