Monday is Lineman Appreciation Day in Alabama, with the Energy Institute of Alabama continuing its proud annual tradition of honoring the state’s brave lineworkers.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the normal in-person celebration could not be held, however that is not stopping the Energy Institute from recognizing all of these individuals for their commitment and hard work to ensure Alabamians have reliable electricity.
“Alabama is blessed with linemen who work tirelessly and who have to take great risks to make sure all our state’s citizens can enjoy reliable energy infrastructure, even when disaster strikes,” Seth Hammett, Energy Institute of Alabama’s chairman, said in a statement.
“Thanks to these men and women, we get to live in comfort and rarely worry about our power unless it goes out,” he continued. “And, even then, these folks are who we depend on to get it restored. They deserve to have a spotlight placed on them each year to remind all of us just how much they do.”
Following a resolution sponsored by former State Rep. April Weaver (R-Brierfield), Lineman Appreciation Day was designated as the first Monday in June by the Alabama legislature in 2014. Nationally, linemen and women are celebrated on April 18, following a 2013 resolution passed by Congress to “recognize linemen, the profession of linemen and contributions of these brave men and women who protect public safety.”
There are more than 2,000 linemen working for the companies that are represented by the Energy Institute of Alabama – Alabama Power Company, PowerSouth, Electric Cities, the Tennessee Valley Authority and the electric cooperatives that are members of the Alabama Rural Electric Association and the Alabama Municipal Electric Authority.
“Utility workers are the lifeblood of utilities across this great state, and we are proud to honor them on this day,” Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth (R-AL) stated. “We remain grateful for their service and commitment to our people as these hard-working Alabamians not only keep the power flowing to our homes and businesses, but many times are the first responders during storms and catastrophic events.”
Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn
