The modern lineworker: celebrating the backbone of our grid

When most people think of a lineworker, they picture someone climbing a wooden pole to repair the damage after a storm. But there is a lot more to the job we don’t see every day. These brave men undergo hundreds of hours of rigorous training to play an essential role in delivering reliable electricity to our homes, businesses and communities.

This April, we celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day by honoring the South Carolina electric cooperative linemen who work in hazardous and difficult conditions to ensure our communities stay connected. Here are a few ways Central supports these essential co-op employees.

Powering communities at the local level

Electric cooperative lineworkers are the ones members see in their communities—working long hours, often in challenging conditions, to keep the lights on. Whether responding to storms, upgrading aging infrastructure or connecting new services, their work directly impacts the reliability and quality of life for the people they serve.

Their role is both highly technical and deeply personal. They live and work in the same communities as the members they serve, and their commitment shows in every mile of line maintained and every outage restored.

Supporting reliability across the grid

In 2025, our transmission reliability reached its highest level in more than five years. This success was no accident. It came from:

• 79,000 miles of energized lines kept clear and functional.
• Persistent vigilance across all 46 counties.

And a standing principle of Cooperation Among Cooperatives. When local crews need backup, co-ops across the state send lineworkers to help. This coordination of mutual aid helps co-ops respond to major outages with the manpower of a big power company while retaining their local feel.

Join us in showing appreciation

This month, when you turn on a light, take a moment to think of those who keep the power on. Share your appreciation using #ThankALineWorker.