About Us

What is a Cooperative?

National Rural Electric Cooperative Association: The Electric Cooperative Story (Video)

Cooperatives are not-for-profit, consumer-owned businesses. Electric cooperatives were formed over 70 years ago with the specific task of electrifying rural America. South Carolina’s electric cooperatives now serve over half a million consumers or nearly one-third of the population of our state. Together, this makes us the largest utility in the state in the total number of consumers served and the only utility with a statewide electrical system.

Lynches River Electric Cooperative is one of those member-owned SC electric cooperatives, headquartered in Pageland, South Carolina. Founded in 1939, the co-op provides service to more than 21,000 residential, commercial and industrial consumers in Chesterfield, Kershaw, and Lancaster counties.

More About Cooperatives

Cooperatives Put Consumers First

Cooperatives build and maintain three times the miles of power line of other utilities and do so at comparable rates despite fewer revenues. They do this by operating on a not-for-profit, cost-of-service basis. The margins are given back to the members, in the form of capital credits, to reduce their electric costs.

Once a consumer pays the $5 membership fee, they become a part owner of the cooperative. They have a voice in how the cooperative is operated and influence this process through casting their vote at the annual meeting.

The bylaws of all cooperatives require that they hold an annual meeting of members once a year. Lynches River’s annual meeting is held in the fall and is attended by approximately 1500 members.

It is also at the annual meeting that Lynches River’s nine-member board of trustees is elected from the membership by the members.

Cooperative Principles

Board of Trustees

History

Mission & Values

Service Area

Bylaws

Employment

Holiday Office Closures

Infographic explaining how capital credits work with four steps: track usage, calculate revenue, determine returns, and distribute credits to members.

Capital Credits: Your Ownership Stake

Lynches River is able to return capital credits to its members after the board has determined the cooperative’s finances are sound. Capital credit funds are derived from margins, money left over at the end of the year after the co-op has received all revenue and paid expenses.

Capital credits are allocated to members and held in their accounts for a predetermined amount of time. During that time, LREC uses the capital credits to pay for new construction, storm repair, and other expenses. Using capital credits in this manner reduces the amount of money Lynches River would need to obtain from other sources.

Lynches River Electric Cooperative is a member-owned electric cooperative committed to delivering reliable electric energy and related services at a competitive price, which will improve the quality of life of its customers and communities.

Search the list of unclaimed Capital Credits to see if we owe you money

Testimonials

Learn what some of your fellow member-owners think about your electric cooperative.

Rhonda Brasington

I've got Rivernet now, and I love it. It's so much better. ... I feel that I'm a member, I'm not a number. I really feel like they care about their co-op members and whatever goes on.

LREC members MIldred Ratliff and Mary Louise Moore are interviewed

Mildred Ratliff & Mary Louise Moore

I had a problem with the lines and they came and corrected that. Anything I need, I call, they send somebody round. We get good service from them.

Mike Graves

You call them, and then within a short period of time, your power is back on. So really, they're very dependable, You don't have to worry about anything with them.

LREC members Lynn Reeves and Peggy Bowers are interviewed

Lynn Reeves & Peggy Bowers

I really love Lynches River, as far as service and great people that you deal with. I think they're excellent. I've had some good experiences. Courteous professionals.

A person with short hair and glasses stands outside, wearing an orange shirt. Trees and a road are visible in the background.

Sue Townsend

I love the service. When I see what they do so much in the community, giving children an opportunity to go and win scholarships and everything, I think that's awesome.

A person with short hair sits in a car wearing a seatbelt, with magazines and a hat visible inside the vehicle.

Jo Hegler

They're very quick in getting your power restored, and then you see posts about how long, what's going on. They keep you updated. The office over here is very friendly.

A person wearing a plaid shirt and cap sits in a vehicle. Another person is in the background, looking outside. Outdoor setting.

Bob Rollings

The co-op is always responsive, and we just appreciate them. We think that's a feature that is exclusive to the co-ops, and we feel like that gives you a voice. We love the co-op.

Two people sitting in a car, the person in front has an oxygen tube. The background shows a building exterior.

Michael Johnson

If we lose power for a long period, they do something to supply power. We're on concentrators that make oxygen, and they can only run with power, so we have to have power.

A person smiling in a classroom with bookshelves full of books and educational supplies in the background.

Pamela Jones

Lynches River, their employees, they've really been a great help to me, my summer camp, to our families in the community. I really appreciate the service that they provide for us.

About Us

What is a Cooperative?

More About Cooperatives

Cooperatives Put Consumers First

Locally Owned & Operated