Powering Our Lives: Lineman Appreciation Day is April 13, 2026

On April 13, electric membership corporations (EMCs) across the state celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, a special recognition dedicated to honoring the hard work, bravery and unwavering commitment of electric lineworkers, including those at Cobb EMC.

Lineworkers work around the clock, often in dangerous conditions far from home, to build, maintain and repair energy infrastructure, handling thousands of volts of electricity high atop utility poles and power lines.

While much of their work occurs behind the scenes, the critical role of electric lineworkers becomes strikingly evident during emergencies, like the recent Winter Storm Fern, when power outages disrupt daily life. These everyday heroes restore not only electricity but hope, working under extreme conditions to rebuild damaged infrastructure and bring power and normalcy back to homes and businesses.

"Through every storm, every day and every night spent working on power lines, our lineworkers show unparalleled commitment," said Jody Newton, Chief Operating Officer, Cobb EMC. "They work tirelessly to restore power to our members, even stepping up to assist neighboring cooperatives in their time of need. The dedication of our lineworkers is a perfect depiction of the cooperative spirit."

"In recent years, Georgia has faced its share of severe storms, including the recent Winter Storm Fern and Hurricane Helene, which both caused extensive damage to the electric grid," said Dennis Chastain, president/CEO of Georgia EMC. "During these storms and others, lineworkers continually rise to the occasion, working tirelessly to restore power at their own EMCs and then going above and beyond by traveling to assist restoration efforts at other impacted electric cooperatives. Their dedication and teamwork exemplify the true spirit of service and cooperation."

To formally recognize the contributions of lineworkers and their unwavering service to Georgia communities, state lawmakers introduced resolutions to designate April 13, 2026 as Lineworker Appreciation Day:

• House Resolution 1352, led by House Energy, Utilities, and Telecommunications Chairman Don Parsons (R - Marietta)
• Senate Resolution 756, spearheaded by Senate Regulated Industries and Utilities Chairman Bill Cowsert (R - Athens)

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR LINEWORKERS:

• #ThankALineworker
  Everyone is encouraged to show their appreciation on April 13 by posting messages of gratitude to lineworkers on social media using the hashtag #ThankALineworker.
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• Lineworker Specialty License Plate
  In honor of their service, the state of Georgia offers a specialty license plate for lineworkers. Proceeds from the sale of the "Thank a Lineman" license plate support the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, which provides assistance to burn patients and their families at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital in Augusta.
  
  Georgians can purchase the specialty plate by visiting the Department of Revenue website when renewing their annual motor vehicle registration.

EMCs statewide appreciate your support in celebrating and honoring the dedication, bravery and hard work of Georgia's electric lineworkers, the unsung heroes who keep the lights on and communities connected.

Media Contacts:

Cobb EMC | Krista Williams | [email protected]

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About Cobb EMC Cobb EMC is a not-for-profit, member-owned electric cooperative. The company safely delivers reliable electricity to nearly 200,000 residential and commercial consumers in Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Fulton, and Paulding counties. Cobb EMC is consistently recognized for low-cost, reliable power, a commitment to renewable energy, and giving back to the communities it serves. Cobb EMC is one of the largest EMCs in the nation, and the company's wholly-owned subsidiary Gas South is a leading provider of natural gas in the Southeast. For more information, visit https://www.CobbEMC.com.

About Georgia EMC
Georgia EMC is the statewide trade association representing the state's 41 electric cooperatives, Oglethorpe Power Corp., Georgia Transmission Corp. and Georgia System Operations Corp. Collectively, Georgia's customer-owned co-ops provide electricity and related services to 5 million people, nearly half of Georgia's population, across 73 percent of the state's land area. To learn more, visit www.georgiaemc.com and follow us on Facebook and X.