Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers. At REC, about 130 lineworkers are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year.

To do this, they maintain more than 17,000 miles of power lines across portions of 22 Virginia counties. In addition to the highly visible tasks lineworkers perform, their job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair a wire.

Today’s lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. Line crews now use laptops, tablets, drones and other technologies to map outages, survey
damage and troubleshoot problems.

“The essential work our lineworkers do every day, be it a mild spring day or the toughest environments imaginable, is critical to grid reliability,” said John Arp, Chief Engineering and Grid Operations Officer. “Without exceptional dedication and commitment of these hardworking men and women, we would not have the reliable electricity that we rely on for everyday life.”

Join REC in showing appreciation for our lineworkers and the essential work they do every day by using #thankalineman on social media on April 11.