Minnesotans encouraged to “thank a lineworker” this April

This April, the Minnesota Rural Electric Association (MREA), in partnership with electric cooperatives across the state, is proud to recognize the essential work of Minnesota’s lineworkers — those dedicated professionals who ensure our homes, schools and businesses have reliable power day in and day out.

Each year, the second Monday in April marks Lineworker Appreciation Day, as designated by the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Arlington Virginia.

“There are around 1,000 cooperative lineworkers across Minnesota serving approximately 1.7 million people with safe, dependable electricity,” said MREA CEO Darrick Moe. “They’re the ones braving storms and dangerous conditions to restore power to keep our communities running. It’s important that we take a moment to thank them for the critical work they do.”

In Minnesota, there are 44 distribution cooperatives and six wholesale power companies working together to deliver power to every county in the state through more than 135,000 miles of power lines. It takes a dedicated crew of powerline workers to keep those lines operating safely and reliably in Minnesota. Whether it’s the heat of summer or the depths of winter, lineworkers are among the first to respond when outages strike — often leaving their families behind to serve others.

So, on Monday, April 14, take a moment to say “thank you.” Whether it’s a wave from your front porch, a post on social media, or a heartfelt note — let Minnesota’s lineworkers know how much they’re appreciated.