By Patrick McIntyre, CSU Energy Coordinator
Beginning with the invention of the Edison lightbulb in 1879, electric linemen have kept the nation energized.
Today, more than 227,000 linemen and women nationwide install and maintain nine million miles of electric grid to meet our power needs. Electric linemen at College Station Utilities work with voltages as high as 138,000 volts to the standard 120 volts in your home.
Linemen are also part of the first responder community. Trouble calls are typically at night and require our linemen to venture out in all conditions and weather. In most cases, other first responders can see their emergency issues, but electricity is invisible, creating an extremely hazardous environment during severe storms.
In addition, linemen spend much of their working lives high off the ground to maintain the electrical infrastructure. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, being a lineman is among the 10 most dangerous occupations.Â
College Station is committed to delivering the reliability of underground utility construction, and about 60 percent of our electric grid is under the surface. We require our electric personnel to be well trained in servicing and maintaining overhead and underground systems.
The City of College Station joins the U.S. Congress in recognizing today as National Lineman Appreciation Day in honor of the hard-working folks who protect public safety by keeping our power on. Please join us in thanking them for all they do.
Use #ThankaLineman to show your support.
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