The Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives has 15 cooperative members for which we provide many services. But, during stormy weather, power restoration is the one that rises to the top.
We are responsible for coordinating the cooperative mutual-aid crews sent in to assist our member cooperatives during extreme outages. Fortunately, this is a rare occurrence, but, when that time comes, it is all hands on deck. That includes the CEO, staff and employees of each cooperative doing their part to support the lineworkers who are in the field overcoming the damage to restore power.
In winter storms, they have to battle snow, sleet, freezing rain, winds, frigid temperatures, fallen trees and broken poles. Just getting to the location is often a challenge. Cooperatives primarily serve the rural areas where the electric poles don’t always follow the roads. The determination and teamwork required to “get the lights back on” safely is truly inspiring. It is definitely true that when the weather is at its worst, our lineworkers are at their best.
Electricity isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity and we are committed to help our member cooperatives get the manpower they need to minimize any major outage situation. Working my first storm more than 25 years ago, and seeing the way everyone worked together in overcoming extreme conditions to make sure their members were taken care of, solidified my career with the electric cooperatives.
Brian S. Mosier, President & CEO,
Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, publisher of Cooperative Living