As Director of Operations of NWEC, I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we take time to pause and recognize the brave men who make that possible every single day — our lineworkers.
When storms affect our communities and outages occur, many people experience inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always ready when it matters most — leaving family dinners, working through the night, and heading into challenging conditions to restore power as safely and quickly as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.
What makes cooperative lineworkers especially remarkable is that they aren’t just restoring power to a system — they’re restoring power to their own communities. They live here. They raise their families here. They understand that electricity is more than a convenience; it’s essential to daily life, to local businesses, to schools, farms, and emergency services. Powering the places we call home is personal to our lineworkers.
Electric cooperatives like NWEC were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours behind the scenes. At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events, NWEC crews stand ready to assist neighboring co-ops — sometimes close to home, and sometimes across state lines — to help restore power. This spirit of mutual aid strengthens all cooperatives and ultimately benefits the members we serve.
We understand any time the lights go out can be frustrating, bringing everyday life to a halt. We are incredibly grateful to our members for your patience and encouragement during these times. Line work is demanding, physical, and at times, it can be dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust our members place in them.
On April 18, 2026, we will celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day is hardly enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which are the backbone of our cooperative.
To our lineworkers: thank you for your hard work, your readiness, and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand behind