Duke Energy announced on April 16 that it will recognize National Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18, honoring the lineworkers who maintain and restore power across South Carolina. The company also reported a $75,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support local programs that train future lineworkers in the state.
The recognition highlights the essential role of lineworkers in keeping communities powered, especially as South Carolina experiences rapid growth. Reliable energy infrastructure is increasingly important as new businesses relocate or expand in the area.
Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy, said, “Customers trust us to deliver safe, reliable power every day – and to bring it back quickly after storms and other outages. That’s why the work of our lineworkers’ matters: they strengthen the system through daily maintenance and upgrades, and they respond in our communities when it matters most. Their skill and safety-first mindset help us provide the dependable service our communities expect today while building a stronger grid for the future.”
This year’s $75,000 grant will go to York Technical College, York Comprehensive High School, Clover High School, Tri-County Technical College and Denmark Technical College. According to Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president: “South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, and the need for reliable energy, and the smart-thinking grid to deliver it, has never been more urgent. As our state grows and businesses relocate to or expand in the state, thousands of jobs will be created and filled – and the need for skilled lineworkers to build and maintain this infrastructure will be at the top of that list.”
Brandon Duncan, a senior journeyman lineworker assigned to Clemson Operations Center at Duke Energy said: “Being a lineworker at Duke Energy means standing on the front lines when it matters most – when our customers need their lives restored to normal. It’s a job built on grit, teamwork, and pride where every line restored is a promise kept to the communities we serve.”
Duke Energy reports that its electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers across six states with over 55 gigawatts of capacity; its natural gas utilities serve an additional 1.6 million customers.
Looking ahead as demand grows statewide due to economic expansion population increases these investments aim ensure resilient reliable energy delivery well into future.
