Duke Energy announced on April 15 that it will recognize National Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18, honoring the men and women who maintain and restore power across its service areas. The company highlighted the year-round efforts of its lineworkers to strengthen the electric grid, improve reliability, and respond quickly during outages.
The recognition comes as Duke Energy seeks to emphasize the importance of reliable electricity for homes and businesses. The work performed by lineworkers is essential in keeping communities connected, especially during severe weather events when quick restoration is critical.
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.”
Lineworkers at Duke Energy are responsible for building, maintaining, and upgrading equipment such as poles, transformers, and power lines. Their tasks include replacing aging infrastructure with new technology designed to detect issues faster and minimize outages. During emergencies or extreme weather conditions like hurricanes or heat waves—especially prevalent in states like Florida—they coordinate with emergency responders while prioritizing safety.
John Thompson, a transmission line technician from Florida said,”Linework in Florida is both demanding and rewarding. Between extreme heat, lightning and hurricanes… It’s our job as a line crew to come together…and make sure the lights stay on—no matter what Mother Nature throws at us.” Other employees echoed similar sentiments about pride in serving their local communities through challenging circumstances.
Duke Energy employs about 3,600 lineworkers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio,and Kentucky—and works with additional contract crews totaling over 10,000 professionals dedicated to ensuring reliable electric service.
Looking ahead,the company continues investing in modernization strategies focused on grid upgrades,and efficient generation resources,to meet growing energy needs.More information can be found at duke-energy.com.
