Powering the place they call home
April 1, 2026
I have the unique privilege of seeing firsthand what it truly takes to keep the lights on for our members. It’s something I think about often, especially when severe
weather tests our system.
When you see forecasts of storms across our part of South Carolina, our lineworkers see a call to action. They are always ready to respond when outages occur. They are prepared to work long hours in challenging conditions to get your power restored as safely and quickly as possible.
That readiness is not accidental. It comes from rigorous training, experience and a shared commitment to serving others.
What makes lineworkers especially remarkable is that they are restoring power to their own communities. They raise their families here. Their children attend local schools. They shop at our grocery stores. They understand that the service they provide is essential to our daily lives.
Powering the place they call home is deeply personal to them.
Electric cooperatives like Palmetto Electric were built on the principle of neighbors helping neighbors, and our lineworkers embody that spirit every day. They are the first to respond and the last to leave, often working long hours to get the job done.
At times, serving our neighbors means going beyond our own service territory and exemplifying the core principle of “Cooperation Among Cooperatives,” through a process known as mutual aid. During major outage events across South Carolina and beyond, Palmetto Electric crews are ready to assist neighboring co-ops. Sometimes just up the road, as they did after Winter Storm Fern, and sometimes across state lines.
When an extreme weather event happens here, crews from across our state and nation return the favor and come to our aid, as they did after Hurricane Helene. This “Cooperation Among Cooperatives” strengthens all co-ops and ultimately benefits the members we serve.
We understand that losing your power can be frustrating and inconvenient, and we are grateful for your patience and encouragement during these times. Linework is demanding, physical and dangerous. Our crews approach each job with a focus on safety and teamwork. They take pride in their craft and in the trust you’ve placed in them. A simple wave of thanks to our crews in the field or an encouraging comment on social media means more than you might realize.
On April 13, we will celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day, but every day we are thankful for their service and dedication.
Their hard work, readiness and unwavering commitment to the communities they serve and the place they call home are the backbone of our cooperative.
.
A. Berl Davis Jr.
President and CEO