This month, Casey tells members how they can get involved with Rappahannock Electric Cooperative’s Annual Meeting…
Watch the live stream of the meeting at https://myrec.coop
Randy’s August Interview w/ Casey Hollins of REC
REC selects three Frederick County students for scholarships
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative announced that eight students including three from Frederick County were selected for scholarships through the Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives.
These students are among 92 other seniors selected to receive a total of $165,000 in scholarships this year and support their efforts in pursuing college, technical, or trade education.
The local students selected for $2,000 scholarships include Lubabah Qazzaz and Sumayah Qazzaz, both are home schooled students in Frederick County.
Jaxen Carter of Millbrook was also awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
The funds will be distributed directly to the student’s educational institution to help with tuition or room and board.
Casey Hollins, Managing Director- Communications and Public Relations, said, “Their achievements reflect years of hard work, support from their families and schools, and the strength of the communities we are proud to serve. We are excited to see what they accomplish next.”
To learn more or apply for the next round of scholarships, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Randy Talks PCA With REC’s Casey Hollins
In the name of transparency, Casey Hollins of REC talks with Randy about an upcoming Power Cost Adjustment (PCA), which could mean a higher electric bill in May. Visit Rappahannock Electric Cooperative for more information and all their happenings at https://myrec.coop
Local students represent REC for annual Youth Tour
Four high school students including Nigel Foster of Winchester represented Rappahannock Electric Cooperative during the 2025 Electric Cooperative Youth Tour in Washington, D.C. last month.
Foster was joined by Juliana Hernandez of Orange County, Seren McCoy of Hanover County and Fauquier County’s Noble Richter along with 1,600 other students from across the nation.
During the week-long experience, students visited national landmarks and other places of historical significance, visited the Capitol building and met with Congressional staff.
Casey Hollins, managing director of communications and public relations said, “REC is proud to support these future leaders and invest in opportunities that empower students through education, connection, and service. The Youth Tour tradition continues to be a powerful reminder of the role electric cooperatives play, not just in delivering electricity, but in lighting the way for the next generation.”
Applications for the 2026 Youth Tour will open later this year.
For more information on the 2025 Youth Tour including a video recap, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
REC warns of a new sophisticated scam that we need to be aware of
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) reports there is a new sophisticated scam that we need to be aware.
Where this scam targets REC members it is something that we should all be aware of and watch for involving other organizations.
This is an extremely sophisticated scam using in this case REC Email addresses.
Fraudulent emails appear conversational and reference real account transactions and appear legitimate.
These emails are attempting to divert payments intended for REC into fraudulent accounts.
Scammers are impersonating REC using a lookalike email address.
These emails might look like a payment change request.
These emails may reference real account details.
Before even clicking on the email look closer there is often a red flag and noticeable grammatical errors.
If you receive an email like this, it will likely tell you there is a process change or ask you to use a different payment system to make a payment.
Should you receive an email like this always call REC directly to confirm its authenticity.
Never give personal information or use a gift card or prepaid debit card to make a payment of any kind.
No legitimate company is going to ask you to do that.
REC confirms that they will never send an email about a change in the payment system or a change in payment process or method.
Always be on guard as scammers are constantly seeking ways to deceive and steal.
A very important Fraud and Scam Summit will happen February 22 at Box Office Brewery at 9 a.m.
Strasburg Police Chief Wayne Sager has details on the summit at this link.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
High winds and power outages across the region affect thousands
Wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour have been recorded throughout the region with an advisory in effect through noon February 17 according to the National Weather Service.
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative crews and contractors are working diligently and as safely as possible to restore power.
Should you be without power notify your power provider at their respective websites.
As of 10 a.m. Rappahannock Electric Cooperative reports under 190 active outages are being worked.
Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative reports over 107 active outages currently being worked.
Collectively just under 4,000 customers are affected by the outages across the valley from Warren to Page Counties and beyond.
Both counties and other area authorities are reporting power lines and trees down across roads in many locations.
Caution is advised across the region.
Power providers are reminding citizens to stay clear of downed power lines and report them.
Crews across the region are working to remove downed trees as well.
Keep devices powered up as much as possible to remain informed and to report outages.
Meteorologist Kemp Miller will provide updates throughout the day at the river 953 dot com.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
REC continues to restore power
Rappahannock Electric (REC) is continuing efforts to restore power across our county after Storm Freya caused damage to poles, lines, and equipment.
Crews are currently the damage and clearing hazards before starting repairs or rebuilding.
If you’re still without power, please check their outage map and report your outage through one of their available reporting options.
In some cases, if power goes out after being restored, it could be due to linemen repairing lines further down the route.
These outages are typically resolved quickly.
REC also recommends preparing for upcoming storms by considering a secondary heating source and gathering extra blankets, sleeping bags, and warm clothing.
Charge essential electronics like cell phones, and make backup plans for individuals with medical needs.
For a full list of emergency preparedness items, visit myrec.coop/stormprep.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.Â
REC warns of rolling blackouts if we don’t conserve electricity
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) reports that they are closely monitoring the energy availability of the power grid and warns that there could be rolling blackouts.
Customers of the cooperative can help prevent blackouts by reducing usage as much as possible.
With extreme temperatures anticipated through January 23 demand is likely to increase.
REC is asking customers to lower thermostats to the recommended 68 degrees and lower at night and when away from the home.
The use of space heaters should be limited to only when you are in the room that you’re attempting to heat.
Space heaters run constantly and use a great deal of electricity.
A space heater should be used as little as possible.
Peak hours of electric consumption are early in the morning and in the evening, these are the times it helps to conserve.
Running things like washers and dryers, dishwashers, and even running extreme amounts of hot water can cause a drain on the power grid.
If demand surpasses available supply utilities may have to resort to voluntary reduction of energy consumption in certain areas to stabilize the grid.
While the cooperative strives to prevent controlled outages to protect the grid it may become necessary.
It is recommended that you have a back-up heating source just in case.
A 2024 report shows that when electricity supplies become constrained sharp increases in demand can cause a blackout.
Where these blackouts are brief, they will prevent power grid failure.
Power-saving measures will help to protect the grid for the over 180,000 customers of REC and save the consumer money.
Additional information and money saving tips are available here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
Prepare for the winter weather headed our way
Be prepared for potential snowfall this Sunday & Monday.
Though forecasts may change, it’s always a good idea to stay alert and prepare now.
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) recommends always keeping a storm prep kit stocked with essential items including flashlights & fresh batteries, bottled water, extra blankets or bedding and nonperishable foods.
Find a complete list of what to include at myrec.coop/stormprep
What to do before the storm:
- Consider a secondary heating source such as a heating with a generator.
- Gather any extra blankets, bedding, sleeping bags, sweaters and other warm clothing.
- Generator Safety Tips:
- Use your generator safely by isolating it from REC’s power lines and connecting
devices directly. - If connecting to your home’s wiring, ensure you use a generator transfer switch.
- Never refuel a generator while it’s running and provide proper ventilation to avoid
carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Use your generator safely by isolating it from REC’s power lines and connecting
Stay informed, stay safe, and remember REC is always here for their customers!
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.
REC’s Power of Change awards $100,000 in local grants
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative awarded over $104,000 in grants to 39 local nonprofits thanks to the generosity of co-op members.
Over 24,000 REC members contribute directly to the community each month by rounding up their electric bill.
Each month, the round-up averages just 52 cents per member but builds up to allow meaningful contributions to the community for those in need.
The funding supports a diverse range of projects like emergency services, healthcare, food security, educational programs and more.
Some of the local organizations supported in this round of giving include:
- Our Health Inc
- Connected Communities
- Families Reaching Out Group
- Girls on the Run of the Shenandoah Valley.
- Barns of Rose Hill
- Front Royal’s Salvation Army
- Hope and Rest Temporary Shelter
- DementiaMatters
For a full list of supported organizations or a link to enroll in the power of change if you are an REC member, click here.
For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.