(November 7, 2025) - Media outlets from across the Lowcountry gathered for Co-op Media Day, an event designed to give reporters a behind-the-scenes look at how electric cooperatives work and serve their communities.
Co-hosted by Berkeley Electric Cooperative, Coastal Electric Cooperative, Edisto Electric Cooperative, Santee Electric Cooperative and Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, the half-day program featured panel discussions with cooperative executives, a tour of Berkeley Electric’s emergency operations center and interactive demonstrations with linemen and the equipment they use in the field. Reporters also observed a live-line safety demonstration and enjoyed a lunch that would normally be prepared for lineworkers during the first day of a major outage response.
“Media Day was designed to bring area reporters together and give them deeper insight into our industry on a sunny day — in other words, outside of a storm or natural disaster. Educating the community, including our media partners, about how cooperatives are different and how they work is one of our governing principles,” said Libby Roerig, director of marketing and communications. “We have a responsibility to connect with the media proactively, not just in times of crisis. This event reflects our commitment to openness and our ongoing mission to share our story with members and the broader public.”
Avery Wilks, vice president of communications for Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, emphasized the importance of co-op voices being included in today’s conversations about energy. “At a time of great change in the utility industry, it’s important that journalists know what co-ops are and how we’re approaching these challenges and opportunities on behalf of our members,” Wilks said. “We want the media to know we’re here to help.”
Electric cooperatives deliver power to roughly two million South Carolinians in all 46 counties, maintaining more than 78,000 miles of power lines across the state. That’s enough line to circle the equator three times.
Media outlets represented at Media Day included The Post and Courier, The Berkeley Independent, The Summerville Journal Scene, Goose Creek Gazette, WCIV, WCSC, WCBD, CHS Today, Latin Groove News and Media, El Informador, iHeart Media and Kirkman Broadcasting.
Participating cooperatives included Central Electric Power Cooperative and Horry Electric Cooperative. Sumter Utilities and Right Way Tree Experts also participated.
“Bringing cooperative leaders together with working journalists is a win for our members,” Roerig said. “Our media partners play a vital role in helping us share the cooperative story — and that’s a story worth telling.”
For photos of the event, please visit our SmugMug site at:
https://berkeleyelectric.smugmug.com/PublicRelationsandEnergyServices/P…
About Berkeley Electric Cooperative:
Berkeley Electric Cooperative serves more than 135,000 meters and more than 114,000 member-owners living in portions of Berkeley, Charleston and Dorchester counties. More than 300 employees in four districts strive to fully embody all seven of the cooperative principles every day as they serve a diverse area spanning more than 6,400 miles of distribution line and 37 substations and includes the world-renowned Kiawah and Seabrook islands, a fast-growing metro area, and many rural communities, including the Francis Marion National Forest. This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
About Coastal Electric Cooperative:
Founded in 1940, Coastal Electric powers Colleton, Dorchester and Bamberg counties from its headquarters in Walterboro. Serving 12,244 members across 1,767 miles of line, the cooperative maintains a strong commitment to reliability and community, with 34 employees supporting an average of 6.91 consumers per mile.
About Edisto Electric Cooperative:
Founded in 1939 and headquartered in Bamberg, Edisto Electric extends more than 3,700 miles of line covering 1,600 square miles across portions of eight counties: Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Berkeley, Colleton Dorchester, Hampton, and Orangeburg. With 67 employees and district offices located in Barnwell and St. George, Edisto Electric serves 21,317 accounts, including the Volvo plant in Ridgeville.
About Santee Electric Cooperative:
Santee Electric serves more than 45,000 accounts across Williamsburg, Georgetown, Clarendon and Florence counties. With more than 5,800 miles of line covering 2,500 square miles, SEC is committed to delivering reliable electric service and products to its members while enhancing the quality of life in the communities it serves. Headquartered in Kingstree, SEC also operates branch offices in Lake City and Georgetown.