It’s a special privilege to witness firsthand what it really takes to keep the lights on for our members. In April, we pause to honor the brave men and women who make that possible every single day—our lineworkers.
When storms impact our communities and outages happen, many people feel the inconvenience, but our lineworkers see a call to action. Our crews are always prepared when it matters most, whether it’s leaving family dinners, working through the night, or facing tough conditions to restore power as safely and efficiently as possible. That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, deep experience, and a shared commitment to serving others.
What makes 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.
Electric cooperatives like Dakota Electric Association are 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. Sometimes, serving our neighbors means extending beyond our service territory through a process called mutual aid. During major outages, Dakota Electric 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.
In 2024, Dakota Electric crews provided mutual aid to support Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative in Dade City, Florida, with Hurricane Milton restoration efforts.
We know that when the lights go out, it can be frustrating and disrupt daily life. We sincerely thank our members for your patience and support during these times. Linework is tough, physical, and sometimes dangerous. Our crews focus on safety and teamwork with each job. They take pride in their work and the trust our members place in them.
On April 13, 2026, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but one day isn’t enough. Every day, we thank lineworkers for their service and dedication, which form the backbone of our cooperative.
To our lineworkers: thank you for your hard work, your dedication, and your unwavering commitment to the communities we serve. We are proud to stand with you and grateful for everything you do.
To report an outage in your area, please visit www.dakotaelectric.com/report-an-outage/.
Article provided by NRECA
The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association is the national trade association representing more than 900 local electric cooperatives. From growing suburbs to remote farming communities, electric co-ops serve as engines of economic development for 42 million Americans across 56% of the nation’s landscape.
