S.C. Co-ops help members save millions

Eight years after its introduction, Touchstone Energy’s Co-op Connections card remains a valuable benefit for S.C. cooperative members. Four co-ops in the state are national leaders in the program. Since 2007, Berkeley Electric members saved more than $3 million on prescription drugs—the highest number of any co-op in the country. Right behind at number two is Blue Ridge Electric. Blue Ridge members saved more than $2.8 million over the past eight years. Fourth on the list is Palmetto Electric whose members saved more than $2 million. And, York Electric began offering the program in May of 2009 and is currently ranked 19th with members saving $902,462 as of Dec. 31, 2014.

In 2014, discounts on prescription drugs reached an all-time high of 45 percent. Nationwide since 2007, Co-op Connections cardholders saved more than $82 million on prescription drug purchases. Connecting members to discounts has never been easier. The Co-op Connections mobile app provides a link to deals on everything from rental cars to dining. Last year, the Connections.coop website received more than 1.3 million page views. Close to 500 electric cooperatives across America participate in the Co-op Connections Card program—one of the strongest ways co-ops can display the cooperative difference.