Pioneer Electric Crews Respond to Hurricane Irene Aftermath

Greenville, AL - The lineman who keep your lights burning brightly across the Pioneer Electric service area were among several first responders to the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. Pioneer Electric employees Hunter Barrow, Johnny Taylor, Heath Peavy, Jason King, Steven Neighbors and Robby Howard left Sunday headed to Southern Maryland Electric Coop (SMECO) to help with storm recovery efforts.  SMECO is a customer-owned electric cooperative providing electricity to over 150,000 services in southern Prince George’s County, and in Charles County, St. Mary’s County, and all but the northeast portion of Calvert County.

More than 50 utility workers from Sand Mountain Electric Cooperative in Rainsville, Cullman Electric Cooperative in Cullman, Coosa Valley Electric Cooperative in Talladega, Dixie Electric Cooperative in Montgomery, Central Alabama Electric Cooperative in Prattville and Black Warrior Electric Membership Corp. in Demopolis are also making the trip.

 “Alabama is part of a nationwide network of nearly 1,000 electric cooperatives that come to each other’s aid in times of disasters,” said Fred Braswell, president and CEO of the Alabama Rural Electric Association of Cooperatives, which coordinates storm recovery assistance. “In the past few years, we have had cooperative crews from all over the eastern United States working in Alabama to help us. Now it’s our turn to repay the favor.”

 Alabama’s not-for-profit electric cooperatives supply dependable electricity to more than 1 million Alabamians in 64 counties.

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