NOVEC Archives - Potomac Local News

Published December 16, 2025 at 4:10PM

“Recycling holiday greens is just another way we help area residents and the environment,” Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative said.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is inviting residents to recycle their post-holiday Christmas trees and greenery at its Gainesville Technical Center, 5399 Wellington Branch Road, near Interstate 66 and U.S. 29. Drop-offs are accepted from Friday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, and do not need to occur during business hours. Trees and greens should be left in the parking lot area marked by orange safety cones, with all decorations, hooks, wires, and lights removed. NOVEC’s vegetation management team will process the materials into mulch to help reduce holiday landfill waste.

Fredericksburg

Federal shutdown fallout: SNAP delays, food needs rise, and NOVEC offers help

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 17, 2025 at 4:32PM

The City of Fredericksburg City Hall building.

As the federal government shutdown continues into its third week, thousands of families in the Fredericksburg and Northern Virginia regions are facing growing uncertainty about essential services like food and utilities. Local agencies are stepping up to warn residents and offer assistance.

The Fredericksburg and Stafford County Departments of Social Services have issued urgent public notices about potential disruptions to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. While October payments have already been disbursed, both agencies say November benefits may be delayed—or not issued at all—without Congressional action to fund the USDA. In Stafford, more than 12,000 residents across 5,000 households rely on SNAP. Officials are urging families to conserve existing benefits and use tools like Virginia Fresh Match and FredFoodVA to access local food support.

Prince William

Prince William Planning Commission Approves Battery Storage Facilities

By Uriah Kiser

Published July 25, 2025 at 7:30AM

The Prince William County Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve two new battery energy storage system (BESS) facilities—one on University Boulevard in Bristow and the other on Bethlehem Road near Manassas

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Features

NOVEC Crews Head to Doswell for Record-Breaking Gaff-n-Go Rodeo

By Potomac Local News

Published May 16, 2025 at 9:32AM

DOSWELL, Va. – Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) lineworkers are among hundreds of utility professionals heading to Meadow Event Park this weekend for the 21st annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, one of the largest events of its kind in the U.S.

According to the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives, which hosts the event, this year’s rodeo will feature more than 350 competitors from 12 states — including teams from as far away as Hawaii — making it the biggest turnout in event history. NOVEC crews will join linemen from across the region to showcase their safety skills, speed, and teamwork in events that simulate real-life challenges, including pole-top rescues and equipment operations.

News

Severe Winds Cause Power Outages Across Prince William and Stafford Counties

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 16, 2025 at 5:35PM | Updated February 17, 2025 at 11:02AM

Thousands of residents in Prince William and Stafford counties are without power as Dominion Energy and Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) report widespread outages amid a high wind warning.

As of Sunday evening, Dominion Energy has reported 7,496 outages in Prince William County and 8,363 outages in Stafford County. NOVEC has also reported power disruptions, with 3,322 customers affected in Prince William County and 1,031 in Stafford County.

Schools

NOVEC Accepting Scholarship Applications for High School Seniors

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 3, 2025 at 1:52PM | Updated February 3, 2025 at 7:10PM

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) is accepting applications for its college scholarship program. High school seniors whose families receive NOVEC service in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, Prince William, and Stafford counties, as well as the City of Manassas Park, are eligible to apply.

Students from public, private, or home schools must submit applications by April 1. Scholarship recipients will receive $1,500 and are automatically eligible for an additional $3,500 J. Manley Garber Scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding applicant.

Manassas

NOVEC to Accept Christmas Trees in Gainesville Starting Thursday

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published December 23, 2024 at 9:00AM

[Brett Sayles via Pexels]

According to a press release, NOVEC will be accepting both trees and greens without any decorations, ornaments, hooks, wires or light strings starting the day after Christmas. Drop-off will be available at its Gainesville Technical Center at 5399 Wellington Branch Road.

“Recycling holiday greens is just another way we help area residents and the environment,” Rick Carpenter, NOVEC Vegetation Management manager, said.

Manassas

NOVEC Sends Crews to Restore Power After Hurricane Helene

By Caitlyn Meisner

Published October 8, 2024 at 2:00PM | Updated October 17, 2024 at 1:41PM

[Photo courtesy of Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative]

The category 4 hurricane hit the southeastern region of the United States in late September and was the deadliest to strike the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Parts of North Carolina had access cut off due to flash floods and landslides.

These two teams — one made of five men and the other of four — helped local cooperatives restore power to the more than 1.4 million coop households in these impacted areas.

News

NOVEC Crews Continue Restoration Efforts After Major Storm

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 31, 2024 at 8:04AM | Updated October 26, 2024 at 4:41PM

Crews from the Northern Virginia Electrical Cooperative (NOVEC), along with contractors and support from other electric cooperatives, continue to restore power after a severe storm that hit Northern Virginia on Thursday, August 29, 2024. The storm caused significant damage, particularly in Stafford County and southern Fauquier County, leading to widespread outages and extensive repairs.

As of 7 a.m. on Saturday, August 31, NOVEC reports that the number of customers affected by the storm has decreased from 6,000 to approximately 430. In Stafford County, crews are focused on replacing broken electric poles and repairing downed power lines. Replacing a single broken pole can take several hours, especially when trees are down, and the ground is saturated from heavy rain.

Breaking News

Power Outages in Prince William, Stafford Follow Storms

By Uriah Kiser

Published August 3, 2024 at 7:26PM

A powerful line of thunderstorms swept through Northern Virginia on August 3, 2024, causing significant power outages across Prince William and Stafford counties. The severe weather left many residents in the dark as utility companies scrambled to restore service.

Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative (NOVEC) Outages