Palmetto Electric
| Company type | Non-profit cooperative |
|---|---|
| Industry | Electric utility |
| Founded | 1940 |
| Headquarters | Ridgeland , United States |
Area served | Southern Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, South Carolina |
Key people | Jeremiah E. Vaigneur (Chairman), C. Alex Ulmer (Vice Chairman), Eunice F. Spilliards (Secretary-Treasurer) |
| Products | Electricity |
Palmetto Electric Cooperative Inc. operates as a non-profit electric utility cooperative based in Ridgeland, South Carolina, providing electricity to around 66,000 members.
History
Established in 1940 to fill the rural service voids left by investor-owned utilities, Palmetto Electric initiated operations in Hampton County by 1942 and quickly expanded its coverage to Jasper County. By 1950, the cooperative had extended its services to Hilton Head Island.
Leadership
The cooperative is overseen by a board of trustees consisting of 12 members from Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, each serving staggered three-year terms. As of January 2012, the board leadership comprised:
- Jeremiah E. Vaigneur, Chairman (Jasper County)
- C. Alex Ulmer, Vice Chairman (Beaufort County)
- Eunice F. Spilliards, Secretary-Treasurer (Jasper County)
Service area
Palmetto Electric delivers electrical services across southern regions of Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, maintaining office locations in Hampton, Hilton Head, Hardeeville, and Ridgeland.
Charity
In 2017, the cooperative contributed $50,000 to the Technical College of the Lowcountry’s Criminal Justice Program to assist in procuring a virtual weapons training system aimed at enhancing local law enforcement capabilities.
Affiliations
- Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina: provides members with legal counsel, public relations support, advertising assistance, employee development programs, and insurance services.
- National Rural Electric Cooperative Association
- Palmetto Economic Development Corporation
- Touchstone Energy
Energy sources
All electricity supplied by Palmetto Electric is sourced entirely from Santee Cooper.