Blue Ridge Energies, Ashe Oil Sign Purchase Agreement 

For Immediate Release 

Contact: Renee R. Whitener, Director of Corporate Communications, Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, Phone: (828) 758-2383 
E-mail:  Renee Whitener

Lenoir, North Carolina (December 2, 1999) – Blue Ridge Energies, LLC, a subsidiary of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation, has signed an agreement to acquire Ashe Oil Co., located in West Jefferson, NC.

Completion of the deal should allow Blue Ridge Energies to assume operation of the business on January 1, 2000. The sale includes all facilities located on Hwy. 163, and the company will continue to operate as Ashe Oil during the remainder of this heating season. 

Blue Ridge Energies is a for-profit subsidiary of Blue Ridge Electric formed in 1998. Blue Ridge Energies serves a 13-county area with propane gas, home heating oils, and commercial gasoline from operations in Lenoir, Morganton and Boone. The company also features a full line of gas appliances in its Lenoir and Morganton showrooms. 

“This is an excellent opportunity for Blue Ridge Energies to provide a full range of energy services to the members of Blue Ridge Electric and this fits with our commitment to be a full service energy provider to northwest North Carolina,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric and chairman/chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Energies. 

“Blue Ridge Energies brings quality customer service and competitive pricing to customers, and I believe that is a good match with the long history of Ashe Oil,” Johnson added.

Ashe Oil Co. has been in business for 37 years in Ashe County as a home heating oil provider. Ashe Oil also provides gasoline, kerosene, and diesel fuels. It will continue to provide these energy services to current and new customers. 

Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation is one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperatives. The cooperative serves approximately 60,000 customers and operates from corporate headquarters in Lenoir and Customer Service Centers in Lenoir, Boone, Sparta, and West Jefferson.

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