Cooperative Living July 2024 - 4

OUR COMMUNITIES
Cooperative Living
ISSN 1529-4579
VOL. 79, NO. 7 ●
OUR MISSION
To inform you about your cooperative and
its eff orts to serve your energy needs; how to
use electricity safely and effi ciently; and the
people who defi ne and enhance the quality of
life in communities served by electric co-ops.
GREGG MACDONALD * Executive Editor
LAURA EMERY * Deputy Editor
JOHN GROTT * Creative Services Coordinator
SONJA KINNEY * Advertising Account Representative
JIM ROBERTSON * Manager of Member Services
TOMMY CAMPBELL * Digital Producer
NINA JACOBS * Production Coordinator
Published by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware
Association of Electric Cooperatives
C. MICHAEL SANDRIDGE * Chair
GEORGE N. GOIN * Vice Chair
FRANK W. BACON * Secretary/Treasurer
BRIAN S. MOSIER* President & CEO
Board of Directors: Christopher D. Bott, Belvin Williamson Jr., A&N;
C. Michael Sandridge, Bill Buchanan, BARC; George N. Goin,
Gary E. Wood, Central Virginia; Robert E. Arnold, Micheal E. Malandro,
Choptank; Jeannette S. Everett, Steven A. Harmon, Community;
James E. Huff man, Jeff M. Ahearn, Craig-Botetourt; Patricia S. Dorey,
Rob A. Book, Delaware; Fletcher B. Jones, John C. Lee Jr., Mecklenburg;
Russell G. Brown, Brad H. Hicks, Northern Neck; Wade C. House,
David E. Schleicher, Northern Virginia; David T. Kindle, M. Brad Coppock,
Powell Valley; Herbert R. Patrick, Sarat K. Yellepeddi, Prince George;
Sanford Reaves Jr., John D. Hewa, Rappahannock; G. Todd Van Horn,
Greg S. Rogers, Shenandoah Valley; Frank W. Bacon, Jason C. Loehr,
Southside.
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Austin, Texas 78704 * 800-626-1181
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To change your subscription,
contact your electric cooperative.
For editorial inquiries, contact
editor@co-opliving.com.
COOPERATIVE LIVING (USPS 473-300) is published
10 times a year, monthly except for combined JanuaryFebruary
and November-December issues, by the VMD
Association of Electric Cooperatives. POSTMASTER,
address changes should be sent to: Cooperative Living,
4201 Dominion Boulevard, Suite 101, Glen Allen, VA 23060,
(804) 346-3344. Periodicals Postage paid at Glen Allen, VA,
and additional mailing offi ces. Subscription: $5.69 per year
for members of subscribing co-ops; $10 per year for all others.
ADVERTISING published is accepted on the premise that
the merchandise and services off ered are accurately described
and willingly sold to customers at the advertised price.
Neither this magazine nor the electric cooperatives in Virginia,
Maryland and Delaware endorse any products or services
advertised herein. If any readers encounter noncompliance
with these standards, they are asked to inform the Association.
From left, Jake Bodley, Contract Forester; Jacoby Lipscomb,
REC Forester; Delaney Long, Virginia Department of Forestry;
and Adam Downing, Virginia Cooperative Extension
Standing Tall
REC receives Tree Line USA designation for 23rd year
by Gregg MacDonald, Staff Writer
EVERY YEAR, RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE'S VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
Please recycle.
2 * Cooperative Living * July 2024
TEAM and contractors play a critical role in improving the reliability of its members. They
remove more than 20,000 hazard trees and clear over 1,500 miles of rights-of-way annually
to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a power outage and improve reliability.
But their dedication goes way beyond trimming trees. They work with communities and
local groups to give away and plant dozens of new trees. They also earn new certifi cations
and learn new skills to ensure they perform at the highest levels for their member-owners.
In 2024, for the 23rd consecutive year, REC has been designated as a Tree Line USA
utility by the National Arbor Day Foundation. " This designation demonstrates how trees
and utilities can coexist for the benefi t of communities and citizens, " Delaney Long with
the Virginia Department of Forestry explains.
This recognition not only validates REC's eff orts but also instills confi dence in the
community about the cooperative's reliability and sustainability. " At REC, our vegetation
management team sets the bar for utilities across the country in terms of best practices
for pruning, the use of technology, and also our commitment to continuing education -
not only for our foresters and contractors, but also for the communities we serve, " adds
Cindy Devlin Musick, senior director of vegetation management services. " The Tree Line
USA designation is a true honor. "
REC's reach is extensive, providing electric service to over 178,000 connections and
maintaining more than 18,000 miles of power within 22 Virginia counties.
*
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PHOTO COURTESY RAPPAHANNOCK ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE

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Cooperative Living July 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Cooperative Living July 2024