Together, the generation team and line crews form a system that must function seamlessly to serve our members.
April is a month that naturally invites reflection. As seasons begin to shift and routines change, it gives us an opportunity to pause and recognize the people whose work often goes unnoticed, but whose impact is felt every single day. For electric cooperatives, April 13 holds special significance because it’s Lineworker Appreciation Day — a time to recognize those who keep our electric systems running through every challenge.
This year, that appreciation carries added weight. The winter of 2025–26 has been one of the coldest in recent Ohio history. Extended periods of freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and wind created difficult, and at times dangerous, conditions for anyone working outdoors. Yet through it all, our lineworkers continued to respond, repair, and restore, ensuring reliable service when our members needed it most.
Lineworkers perform highly skilled, physically demanding work that requires constant attention to both safety and precision. Whether restoring power after a storm or maintaining infrastructure in bitter cold, they often work in conditions most of us try hard to avoid. Their willingness to be on the front lines, at all hours and in all weather, allows the rest of us to stay warm, safe, and connected.
At the same time, it’s important to recognize another group of employees who are just as critical to keeping the lights on: our power plant operators. Reliable electricity begins with reliable generation. If there’s no power generated to run through them, the condition of the lines doesn’t matter. Power plant employees work around the clock, often in demanding environments that require constant focus and technical expertise, to ensure electricity is available.
Power plant operators, like lineworkers, faced challenges that came with extreme cold and high demand this winter. Their work may be less visible to the public, but it’s no less essential. Together, the generation team and line crews form a system that must function seamlessly to serve our members, and this month is the perfect time to thank them for their hard work and dedication. Their contributions are invaluable and we are grateful for their service.
