On April 18, utilities around the country celebrated National Lineworker Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to the 120,000+ laborers that keep our nation powered. Whether in the extreme heat of summer or the cold snowy days of winter, lineworkers are out in the field maintaining, improving, and building the electric infrastructure that runs our world. With approximately 180 million utility poles, 450,000 miles of power lines, and 2.7 million transmission towers in the United States, lineworkers have their hands full making sure you can turn the lights on just by flipping a switch.
In the mid-1800s, President James Buchanan signed the Pacific Telegraph Act into law, calling for the construction of a telegraph line across the continental United States. This spurred an initial need for lineworkers in the country, which has only increased in the decades since. As the popularity of electricity increased through the 1900s, lineworkers traveled around the nation following jobs to bring power to communities. As residential electrification became commonplace by the 1950s, more linemen were able to stay in place to preserve and build on local infrastructure.
Now, linework is the cornerstone of public power utilities, with linemen working to provide safe and reliable electricity to the more than 55 million Americans that receive public power.
Linemen work in varying conditions on diverse projects throughout the year. Some lineworkers focus on bringing utility service to new areas that are being developed. Others work on infrastructure projects that serve to strengthen already existing infrastructure, such as pole replacements and undergrounding lines. All linemen are familiar with working long hours, especially during the aftermath of a storm when outage restoration becomes a priority. While the job is both mentally and physically draining, those who dedicate their life to linework express the satisfaction of finding a sense of purpose in their job.
“I always say, if you work for a municipal utility, then you have no exact job description,” said Dick Justice, Superintendent of Gas City’s utilities and Chairman of the Indiana Municipal Power Agency Board of Commissioners. “You are there to complete whatever work is needed in the community. The lineworkers in municipal utilities understand this, do their jobs to their fullest, and show their commitment to our communities each and every day. I could not ask for a better crew than the one that I have in Gas City, and I know that those who work for public power communities take pride in bringing power to their friends, families, and neighbors.”
While National Lineman Appreciation Day serves as a great reminder to consider the work that goes on behind the flip of a light switch, IMPA likes to commend its lineworkers every day. Join us in thanking these utility professionals for delivering our power and caring for our communities.
For more information on the history of linework and statistics on the profession, visit these websites: