For lineworkers across North Carolina, keeping the lights on is more than just a job, it’s a commitment to the communities they serve. Working long hours in all conditions, they help ensure reliable power reaches homes and businesses across the state. That dedication is why Gov. Josh Stein has proclaimed Monday, April 13 as Lineworker Appreciation Day.

“Lineworkers are among the first people to respond to storms and other catastrophic events, and the work is challenging,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Lineworkers work with thousands of volts of electricity high atop power lines to keep electricity flowing 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, putting their lives on the line to provide power that North Carolinians can count on.”

Cooperative lineworkers play a vital role in building and maintaining the electric system that powers North Carolina’s communities. They work on more than 106,000 miles of line connecting urban and rural areas, helping ensure homes, farms, schools and businesses have reliable electricity. Lineworkers also respond during the most difficult conditions, working long hours in challenging environments to restore service and keep power flowing for the communities that depend on it.

“Lineworkers embody a level of selflessness that often goes unseen, responding to outages in the most adverse conditions, and always with a commitment to putting members first,” said Becky Alston, director of job training and safety at North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives. “Lineworker Appreciation Day in North Carolina is an opportunity to recognize the dedication these individuals show year-round in serving their communities.”

Across the state, North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives employ more than 1,000 lineworkers who serve members in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. These crews help maintain the infrastructure that delivers electricity across nearly half of the state’s land mass, ensuring cooperatives can provide reliable power to more than 2.8 million people.

The training that North Carolina’s electric cooperative lineworkers undergo is extensive, with formal apprenticeships lasting between five to seven years, in addition to 14 weeks of on-site classes with the job training and safety team. Even after completing their apprenticeship, co-op lineworkers continue to adhere to a rigorous training schedule, especially as technology evolves.

“As a lineworker at Wake Electric, the greatest reward is providing our communities with the power that supports their daily lives,” said Sean Elliot, journeyman at Wake Electric. “Whether it’s midday on a clear afternoon, or 2 a.m. during the harshest conditions, the demand never stops, and it’s humbling to be among those able to answer that call. This work requires dedication and a unique skill set, and we are proud to serve our members who are at the center of everything we do.”

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North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives collectively serve approximately 2.8 million people in 93 of the state’s 100 counties. For more information, please visit ncelectriccooperatives.com.