Beginning Dec. 1, 2025, their safety will be reinforced through a new North Carolina law, Senate Bill 311, also known as the Law and Order Act. Signed by Governor Josh Stein this summer with broad bipartisan support, the law strengthens protections for thousands of utility and communications workers across the state, including more than 1,300 cooperative lineworkers.

“This new law affirms what we have always known, our employees are essential, and their safety matters,” said Don Gatton, CEO of Four County EMC. “Senate Bill 311 helps ensure that the men and women who work so hard to power our communities are protected as they carry out their mission.”

Under the new law, anyone who assaults a clearly identifiable utility worker performing their duties will face a Class 1 misdemeanor charge, one of the most serious levels in the state. The law also extends to contractors, vegetation crews, and others who help keep electric systems safe and reliable. For Four County EMC, this includes crews performing routine maintenance, circuit upgrades, line inspections, and right-of-way clearing to ensure tree limbs and vegetation do not interfere with power lines during storms.

For our lineworkers, this law is more than words on paper. It means the state recognizes the risks they face each time they put on their gear and step into the field. But lasting safety will depend on all of us as a cooperative family. As member-owners, you have the power to help protect the very people who work tirelessly to serve you. That starts with simple actions: slow down when approaching a work zone, never crowd a bucket truck or roadside crew, and always give lineworkers plenty of room to do their jobs.

We also know that right-of-way maintenance can sometimes cause frustration. Tree trimming is one of the most important steps we take to prevent outages and protect system reliability, but it can also be where our crews face the most conflict in the field. Communication is key. Before maintenance begins in an area, members receive a notification letter with details. Together, as a cooperative, we must ensure the men and women who keep our lights on return home safely every single day.

Sources: NC General Assembly – Senate Bill 311 (2025; North Carolina Electric Cooperatives Legislative Update (2025); Photo courtesy of https://governor.nc.gov