REC has once again made history—this month becoming the first electric utility in Virginia to receive the prestigious Tree Line USA recognition for 25 consecutive years.
REC’s President and CEO, John D. Hewa, was on hand for a ceremony at Hoover Ridge Park in Madison County on April 25 to formally accept the award.
"Being recognized as a Tree Line USA utility for 25 years is an incredible honor,” Hewa said. “It speaks volumes about REC—about how deeply we care for the community, the habitat, the environment, and our rights-of-way. It also reflects the expertise and dedication of our staff in ensuring that we do the right things to keep power safe and reliable."
This national honor, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation, highlights utilities that demonstrate a strong commitment to proper tree care, community education and sustainable vegetation management practices.
For a quarter-century, REC has stood at the forefront of this effort.
“We take great pride in being an industry leader,” said Cindy Devlin Musick, Senior Director of Vegetation Management Services. “Our commitment goes beyond just pruning trees—we strive to protect natural habitats, leverage innovative technology to identify hazard trees, and educate our members about the vital connection between trees, rights-of-way, and reliable electric service.”
REC’s certified arborists and foresters play a key role in this mission. Each year, they partner with local communities to plant and give away dozens of trees, fostering greener spaces and stronger relationships. In addition, they continually pursue advanced training and certifications to ensure they are delivering the highest standard of service to REC’s member-owners.
Their work also includes overseeing vegetation management contractors—ensuring they not only prevent outages by clearing potential hazards, but also actively enhance natural habitats. This includes planting native vegetation, maintaining wildflower areas, and supporting biodiversity across the region.
Striking the right balance between safety, reliability and sustainability is no small feat. But it’s one REC takes seriously.
“We are honored to receive the Tree Line USA award for the 25th year,” Musick said. “It’s a reflection of our dual commitment—to reliable service and responsible environmental stewardship.”
