Date:                April 14, 2025

Contact:          Casey Hollins
                         Managing Director - Communications and Public Relations
                         (540) 891-5908, news@myrec.coop

REC Celebrates Lineworker Appreciation Day

Fredericksburg, Va. – April marks Lineworker Appreciation Month, and we’re taking time to recognize the dedicated lineworkers and crews who keep the power on—day in and day out, through all kinds of weather. At Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC), reliability is at the core of everything we do. Not only does the hard work of these employees ensure you have the power you need, but it helps keep your power affordable and safe.

 Why April 14?

April 14 is the nationally recognized Lineworker Appreciation Day for electric cooperatives like REC, following a resolution passed by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association and a executive order from 2014. It's a moment to say thank you to the men and women who climb utility poles, brave storms, and restore power in the toughest conditions—not just when something goes wrong, but through the everyday work that helps prevent outages.

Upgrading Critical Equipment to Boost Reliability and Value:

 REC lineworkers and other employee teams are behind some incredible reliability upgrades—improving your service, reducing outages, and preparing our communities for future energy needs:

• 6,000+ poles replaced in 2024 to strengthen the grid and improve storm resilience—plus another 1,650 already in early 2025. These new, stronger poles improve storm resilience and support future needs, including our ongoing efforts to bring high-speed internet access to our communities.
• 2,500+ new transformers installed across neighborhoods and communities to meet growing demand for electricity and improve performance.
• 10,000+ animal guards installed since last year to prevent wildlife-related outages and keep your power steady.

Why we celebrate our lineworkers:

“Reliability doesn’t happen by accident—it’s made possible by skilled  and dedicated employees with a deep commitment to serving you,” said Casey Hollins, Managing Director — Communications and Public Relations at REC. “Our lineworkers are often the face of that effort, but they're supported by engineers, designers, dispatchers, and many other team members who work behind the scenes to plan, monitor, and act—24/7.”

So this month, we invite you to join us in saying thank you.

“Whether it’s with a wave, a message on social media, or simply by noticing the quiet work happening behind the scenes,” Hollins said, “you make a difference when you recognize the people behind your power.”

Serving nearly 182,000 connections across 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information on REC’s initiatives, visit www.myrec.coop and follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.