EEI and IBEW to Observe Lineworker Appreciation Day on July 10th

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Jul 10, 2017, 08:10 ET

WASHINGTON, July 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Monday, July 10, the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) will salute the nation's more than 74,000 electrical lineworkers by observing Lineworker Appreciation Day. America's lineworkers maintain the energy grid and work day and night in all conditions to ensure that customers receive reliable and safe access to the energy they need to power their lives. National Lineworker Appreciation Day is celebrated each year on July 10, and also honors the life and work of Henry Miller, the first president of IBEW.

"Every day our nation's lineworkers install and implement the many innovative technologies that are improving grid reliability and resiliency to better serve our customers," said EEI President Tom Kuhn. "You also see lineworkers hard at work in your communities restoring service in the wake of storms and other disasters. Their dedication and skill in the face of complex challenges should be applauded. These men and women truly deserve our recognition and appreciation."

"Highly skilled lineworkers are critical to ensuring that all Americans have access to safe and reliable electricity," said IBEW International President Lonnie Stephenson. "On Lineworker Appreciation Day, we are pleased to honor these men and women and to voice our sincere appreciation for their commitment to their customers and their communities."

Electrical work takes intense training to master, and the electric power industry works closely with organized labor to offer training, continuing education, and apprenticeship opportunities. For people interested in a career as an electrical lineworker, the Center for Energy Workforce Development offers information and resources. The IBEW website is also a source to learn more about lineworkers.

The electric power industry and organized labor also have a number of initiatives to train veterans seeking employment with energy companies. This includes the Troops to Energy Jobs program, the Utility Industry Workforce Initiative, the Veterans Electrical Entry Program, and Helmets to Hardhats. These types of programs recognize that America's veterans offer the leadership and technical skills needed to build and maintain smarter energy infrastructure to better serve customers.

EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for 220 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. As a whole, the electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 60 international electric companies as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) represents approximately 725,000 members who work in a wide variety of fields, including construction, utilities, manufacturing, telecommunications, broadcasting, railroads and government.

SOURCE Edison Electric Institute