History
Download our history booklet, A Powerful History - How Local People Brought Electricity to the Area.
REC History Timeline
1935
May 11
Executive Order No. 7037 creates Rural Electrification Administration (REA) to make funds available for rural electric service.
November 29
Farmers Rural Utilities organized as Virginia's first non-profit utility corporation.
1936
March
The Virginia General Assembly approves the Electric Cooperative Act.
August 8
Farmers Rural Utilities energizes the first REA-financed line in Virginia and on the East Coast, serving 73 consumer-owners.
1938
June
Farmers Rural Utilities reorganizes into Virginia Electric Cooperative.
August 24
Northern Piedmont Electric Cooperative formed at a meeting in the Town of Culpeper.
1939
April 22
Northern Piedmont energizes its first REA-financed line in Brightwood.
1980
January
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative formed from the consolidation of Virginia Electric Cooperative and Northern Piedmont Electric Cooperative.
2007
Rappahannock Electric Cooperative surpasses the 100,000 member-owner mark.
2010
May 14
The Virginia State Corporation Commission approves the acquisition of Allegheny Power's Virginia assets by REC and Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative.
June 1
REC welcomes over 50,000 new Cooperative members.
