How the pandemic impacts Blue Ridge Electric

COVID-19 is having an impact within the operations of the Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative, a multi-county electric power retailer. Blue Ridge’s Terry Ballenger told 101.7/WGOG NEWS this afternoon: “We are going to suspend collecting bills in the field….We live by this emergency response plan that we have been practicing for the last several decades. So, we have our warehouse stocked with things like bottled water, masks, disinfectant, anti-bacterial materials….to try to keep our employees as healthy as possible because it is a fact that we are delivering an essential service….” Unknown so far is whether Blue Ridge will be able to go forward with the annual membership meeting at the end of April and the annual Blue Ridge Fest in early May.