Lineworker Appreciation Day is April 18, 2022
From the powerplant through the grid—both above and underground and right up to your meter—lineworkers build and maintain the system that keeps our nation running. The job these men and women do is demanding, essential, and often done in challenging conditions.
This month, we celebrate Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18 and take time to express gratitude to those who keep our lights on. The job requires many technical skills, years of training, and hands-on learning. Did you know that to become a journeyman lineworker can take more than 7,000 hours of training or about four years?
National studies consistently rank powerline work among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and for good reason. Laboring high in the air wearing heavy equipment and working directly with high voltage creates the perfect storm of a dangerous and unforgiving profession.
But electric lineworkers are up to the task. Working with high-voltage equipment requires specialized skills, experience, and a commitment to safety.
Despite the challenges, PenLight lineworkers are committed to powering our local community. During major power outages caused by severe weather, lineworkers are among the first ones called. They must be ready to leave the comfort of their homes and families unexpectedly, and they don’t return until the job is done.
That’s why the lineworker’s family members are also dedicated to service. They understand the importance of the job to the community.
Nationwide, there are approximately 120,000 electric lineworkers.
PenLight’s 10 dedicated and extremely efficient lineworkers/apprentices are responsible for keeping power flowing 24/7, 365 days a year to Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, FoxIsland, Herron Island, and Anderson Island. They maintain 1,006 miles of overhead, underground, and transmission lines across 112 square miles.
A lineworker’s job today goes far beyond climbing utility poles to repair equipment. Lineworkers are information experts who can pinpoint power outages from miles away. They use laptops, tablets, and other technologies to map outages, survey damage, and troubleshoot problems.
Without the exceptional dedication and commitment of these hard-working men and women, we would not have the reliable electricity we need for everyday life.
The next time you see lineworkers, please thank them for the work they do to keep power flowing, regardless of the time of day or weather conditions. Lineworkers are the power behind your power.
Please join us as we recognize them on April 18.