SEC's Power Connection

Newsletter, Issue 7

Have you Thanked a

Lineworker Today?

Lineworkers are heroes in every sense of the word. Every day, lineworkers face immense risks. Carrying heavy gear, they regularly scale 40-foot poles near high-voltage power lines, and often in the wake of Mother Nature’s worst. It’s no wonder their profession is among the 25 most dangerous jobs in the country.

Did you know SEC lineworkers maintain over 8,000 miles of electricity lines across 18 counties, keeping the lights on for 58,000 homes and businesses.

In April’s Cooperative Living magazine, you will read the following message from SEC’s CEO Jason Loehr:

“During the month of April, we celebrate National Lineworker Appreciation Day, and I wanted to recognize these exceptional individuals who put everything on the line every day to keep power flowing to our homes and businesses in Southside Virginia. It is equally important to recognize the families of these individuals who do not know when their line technician family member may be called to duty."

Young Southside Leaders

Two young adults from SEC whose parents are SEC members, Jill Reiter and John Benjamin Hite, participated in this year’s Virginia Institute on Cooperative Education, sponsored by the Virginia Cooperative Council.

Jill lives and works on a sixth-generation family farm. She was a recipient of the Southside Opportunity Fund scholarship last year, which was deferred, as she was selected State Vice President for Virginia FFA. She served as an advocate for the agriculture industry and worked with government and business leaders on behalf of agriculturists in Virginia. She attended Dinwiddie High School and will be attending NC State this fall. Jill is the daughter of James and Naomi Reiter of Dinwiddie.

Ben Hite attends Kenston Forest High School and lives in Kenbridge. He comes from a family of tobacco, cattle, soybean and organic vegetable farmers. Ben enjoys being outdoors and hunting, as well as playing basketball, golf and football. He intends to pursue a college education in agribusiness. Ben is the son of John and Kristin Hite.

Is that a Flying Saw? It is ...

Keeping rights-of-ways clear is a priority for SEC. With 6,067 miles of primary overhead lines to maintain, this job takes substantial planning and effort by SEC’s Vegetation Management Department. One effective measure regarding power line maintenance is aerial tree trimming, a system that uses helicopters attached with an extremely powerful aerial saw.

Aerial trimming is especially efficient in cutting vegetation encroaching into the SEC’s rights-of-way. Thus far, in 2023, SEC has trimmed 48 miles of line through aerial tree trimming, with additional miles scheduled to be trimmed later this year.

In addition, SEC contracts with three tree side-trimming crews to remove and trim tree limbs, manage undergrowth, and remove hazardous trees. In 2023, close to 1,000 miles of trees are scheduled to be trimmed.

“Aerial trimming is an exhilarating experience of which to be a part,” said Vegetation Management Supervisor Lauren Fleming. “Most importantly, it is most beneficial to our members."

Golf Anyone?

Again this year, Southside Electric Cooperative will host its 7th annual Opportunity Fund Golf Classic on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at The Lake Chesdin Golf Course in Chesterfield.

Teams are being sought for the captain’s choice tournament. The golfing package includes range balls, gift bags, carts, mulligans, lunch, beverage tickets, raffle tickets and an awards reception, all for $650 per foursome. Registration/warmup will run from 8:45-9:45 a.m. with a 10 a.m. shotgun start.

Tournament organizers are also looking for sponsors, with levels ranging from $200 to $2,000. Businesses and organizations that would like to donate prizes to the raffle are invited to do so. All contributors will be recognized for their support.

Money raised by the tournament will support Southside Opportunity Fund scholarships for high school graduates who get electricity at their homes from SEC. Since the scholarship program started in 2016, 141 grants totaling $163,000 have been awarded to local graduates headed to a college or university and to other students going to the Power Line Worker Training School. The SOF board will award the next round of scholarships at the end of April.

For more information about playing, sponsoring or donating, visit sof.coop/golf or contact SEC Community Relations Coordinator Joy Stump at 434-645-3219 or joy.stump@sec.coop.

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