The Yellowhammer State’s lineworkers were celebrated Thursday by the Energy Institute of Alabama as part of Linemen Appreciation Day. The occasion, hosted at Whitewater Montgomery, was attended by several EIA member companies, including Alabama Power Company, Alabama Rural Electric Authority, Energy Southeast, Electric Cities of Alabama, PowerSouth Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority.
Multiple state officials were on hand to commend the lineworkers for their invaluable work, including those with personal ties to the trade.
“My grandfather was a lineman. I remember learning from a young age that a storm meant my grandfather would be out in tough conditions for days or weeks restoring power to communities in need,” State Sen. April Weaver (R-Brierfield). “Seeing his commitment and dedication to doing this kind of work gave me the greatest appreciation for our linemen. The work that they do for the state is critical to our daily lives, and I thank them and their families for all they do to ensure that we have access to the electricity we need.”
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Houston Smith, chair of the Energy Institute of Alabama, echoed Weaver’s message of gratitude.
“We often forget how hard the job of keeping the lights on really is,” said Smith. “On Lineman Appreciation Day, we want to recognize those linemen who are out in the field doing a dangerous job to make sure that Alabamians have the power they need.”
WSFA Chief Meteorologist Josh Johnson, Alabama Emergency Management Agency Director Jeff Smitherman, and EIA Executive Director Blake Hardwich were also on hand to deliver remarks.
For video of the event, please click HERE.
Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten
