Every year, electric cooperatives across our state and nation celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day in April, recognizing the dedicated men and women who apply great skill and expertise to build, maintain and repair the power lines that provide electricity to cooperative members.
“Cooperative lineworkers go above and beyond to serve our members and communities,” said North Carolina’s Electric Cooperatives’ COO Nelle Hotchkiss. “They work in challenging conditions, day in and day out, and we’re proud to honor their skill, dedication and expertise.”
Lineworkers undergo extensive training and follow numerous protocols and procedures to ensure safety as they work to maintain co-op lines and restore power. In addition to serving their own communities, lineworkers step up to aid others in times of need, leaving their families to restore power following extreme weather or other factors.
“Our lineworkers are skilled professionals in every sense of the word,” Hotchkiss said. “They literally bring us through some of our darkest hours, and we count on them to power our lives day in and day out.”
About 1,400 lineworkers serve North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives, and there are more than 120,000 electric lineworkers nationwide.
The second Monday in April has been designated as Lineworker Appreciation Day in North Carolina by the N.C. General Assembly, and as National Lineworker Appreciation Day by the national trade association of electric cooperatives.
Join us in sharing the hashtag #ThankALineworker on April 11 and throughout this month to pay tribute to the dedicated men and women who keep the power flowing to our homes, communities and nation.