Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), along with cooperatives across the nation recognizes the dedication, skill and sacrifice of its lineworkers throughout the month of April each year. These critical team members’ work keeps power flowing safely and reliably for members across the Cooperative’s growing service territory.
From setting poles and stringing wire to installing transformers and protective equipment, REC lineworkers do the demanding, hands-on work required to build, maintain and restore the electric system. Their work is critical every day, and especially during storms and emergencies, when they respond in harsh and often dangerous conditions to restore service as quickly and safely as possible.
As REC continues to grow by about 4,000 new members each year, lineworkers remain central to keeping pace with demand and maintaining the Cooperative’s high standards for reliability and service.
“We’re experiencing unprecedented growth, but our lineworkers continue to meet the moment,” said Jason Satterwhite, REC’s chief grid operations officer. “They bring consistency, safety and pride to their work every day. We appreciate the sacrifices they make, the standards they hold themselves to and the example they set for our Cooperative.”
Linework is among the most challenging and essential jobs in the utility industry. In addition to routine maintenance and system upgrades, lineworkers often work long hours during emergency restoration efforts, facing extreme weather, physical demands and serious safety hazards.
“We ask so much of them, and they respond time and again,” said Darrell Potter, senior director – operations and construction for REC’s Blue Ridge District. “They work around the clock for multiple days, away from their families and in extreme cold and blistering heat. They prioritize public safety and critical infrastructure. After storms, lineworkers are often the first on the scene to repair downed power lines and broken poles.”
The lineworker profession traces its roots to the earliest utility and communications systems, when workers built and maintained telegraph and telephone lines long before rural electrification brought power to communities across the country in the 1930s. As electric systems expanded, linework evolved into a highly specialized trade that combines construction, troubleshooting and an unwavering commitment to safety.
Today’s lineworkers carry that legacy forward, maintaining an increasingly complex electric grid while standing ready to respond when severe weather, accidents or equipment failures threaten service.
REC is proud to recognize its lineworkers for the essential role they play in powering homes, businesses and communities, and for the professionalism and dedication they demonstrate every day.