Apparatus and method for electrostatic charging of a container for an electrostatic coating operation includes a support member for supporting a container during an electrostatic coating operation with the support member comprising a non-metallic conductive material or electrically semiconductive portion that directly contacts a surface of the container. The electrically semiconductive portion comprises non-metallic, resistive or low conductivity material and is coupled to a source of electrical energy such that the container is electrostatically charged to an opposite polarity to offset or reduce electrostatic charge build up produced by the electrostatic coating operation.