Lineworkers Are Ready When It Matters Most
Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative (PSREC) proudly celebrates Lineman Appreciation Day on April 18. We invite cooperative members to take a moment to thank the hardworking individuals in the field who keep the power on.
Your local line crews do more than maintain your electricity. They are fathers, husbands, brothers, sons, coaches, volunteers, and sources of inspiration for those who witness their dedication and determination. Our lineworkers reflect the values of our community, often leaving their homes to ensure power is restored for members in all weather conditions.
They serve as the first responders of our workforce, always ready to get the job done, day or night.
In the electric cooperative industry, there is a well-known saying: “When you’ve seen 1 co-op, you’ve seen 1 co-op.” This phrase emphasizes that while all electric cooperatives share a similar foundational structure, each is uniquely tailored to the specific communities it serves.
PSREC is no exception. In addition to keeping the power on, our crews have taken on another vital responsibility: providing fiber-optic internet to members and nonmembers.
Over the past few years, Plumas- Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative, alongside its subsidiary, Plumas-Sierra Telecommunications, has successfully applied for and received several grants. In total, the co-op secured nearly $67,000,000 through 11 grants to bring high-speed internet to areas in Plumas, Sierra, Lassen, and Nevada counties.
This initiative has transformed PSREC’s line crews into a fully active construction crew—all while continuing maintenance and system hardening for wildfire mitigation and reliability.
In the past 3 years, line crews have installed or replaced almost 2,400 poles. This work is essential in reinforcing PSREC’s infrastructure and ensuring service reliability for decades to come.
Lineworkers are divided into 2 groups: north-end or south-end crews, with 11 members in total who work closely together. Alongside several contracted vegetation management crews during the summer, PSREC employs a full-time professional timber faller who has worked daily with line crews for the past 26 years to prevent accidental fires and infrastructure damage.
Unlike large utility companies that have extensive crews divided into specific departments for various tasks, staff at a small electric cooperative, such as PSREC, must wear a multitude of hats. Crews develop broad skill sets and respond to challenges with flexibility. Decision-making is often local and collaborative.
This structure fosters close working relationships between dispatch, crews, and members. The same crew that builds a new line extension on Monday may be troubleshooting voltage complaints on Tuesday and restoring service after a storm on Wednesday.
How can you celebrate Lineman Appreciation Day? Email Member Services to submit a thank-you note or mail a letter to our office at 73233 State Route 70, Portola, CA 96122.
Here are other ways to show your appreciation:
- Recognize the risks that lineworkers take, and acknowledge their sacrifices.
- Be patient during power outages.
- Express your gratitude directly to them. A handshake or a handwritten note goes a long way.