Guardians of the grid: Duke Energy celebrates National Lineworker Appreciation Day April 18

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (DUK) is celebrating National Lineworker Appreciation Day on April 18, 2025, honoring the critical workforce that maintains power grid reliability. The company's lineworkers demonstrated exceptional service during Hurricane Helene (September 26, 2024), restoring over 3.1 million customer outages across the Carolinas, Florida, and Midwest.

The hurricane response involved 23,000 field personnel from 19 states and Canada, requiring the replacement of 14,000 power poles and 9 million feet of wire. Duke Energy currently employs more than 10,000 lineworkers and technicians, including substation and relay specialists.

The company partners with 22 community college training programs and has committed over $3.3 million in grant funding since 2020 to support lineworker programs. This investment reflects the growing demand for skilled workers as Duke Energy expands its grid infrastructure and improvement projects across its service areas.

• Lineworkers are helping build a smarter, stronger grid
• Duke Energy lineworkers restored more than 3.1 million customer outages after Hurricane Helene

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 18, Duke Energy celebrates National Lineworker Appreciation Day – a day to recognize the service, commitment and sacrifices of lineworkers, team members who are critical to ensuring customers have access to safe and reliable electricity.  

Why it matters: Lineworkers provide an invaluable service to communities. Among the first to respond after storms to help ensure public safety, they frequently work in challenging conditions including extreme weather and heights to restore power and keep the lights on. 

Lineworkers support the growth of industries and businesses in Duke Energy's service areas across the Carolinas, Florida and the Midwest by helping build and expand power infrastructure. Line technicians install new power lines, transformers and other equipment to reliably accommodate growth. This work is increasingly important as communities continue to grow and new and existing businesses expand.

A historic year: Hurricane Helene (Sept. 26, 2024) was one of the most impactful storms in Duke Energy's history, requiring an unprecedented response. Duke Energy lineworkers – many of whom were personally impacted by the storm – restored more than 3.1 million customer outages in the Carolinas, Florida and Midwest after Helene hit. 

By the numbers

• In the Carolinas, Hurricane Helene response involved 23,000 field personnel from more than 19 states and Canada.
• Lineworkers replaced 14,000 power poles and 9 million feet of wire as part of the restoration.
• In total, more than 10,000 Duke Energy and contract lineworkers, including substation and relay technicians, make up Duke Energy's lineworker team. Substation technicians manage energy distribution at substations, while relay technicians test electrical equipment to ensure reliable power distribution.
• Since 2020, the Duke Energy Foundation has committed more than $3.3 million in grant funding to support lineworker programs and participants.

A fast-growing occupation: The demand for lineworkers continues to grow as Duke Energy engages in more grid and infrastructure improvement projects. The company works with and recruits from 22 community college lineworker training programs throughout its service areas that have lineworker training programs. 

What they're saying

Scott Batson, senior vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy: "Our customers live and work in some of the most vibrant, fastest-growing areas of the country. Duke Energy can efficiently meet current and future energy needs in large part due to our trusted line teams' commitment to safety and excellence, and we value their work immensely."

Harrison Cochran, apprentice lineworker, Duke Energy (North Carolina): "Working for Duke Energy is really rewarding and has given my colleagues and I so much gratitude to be able to help our customers and get the power back on. Our Greensboro-based line team is proud to always be willing to sacrifice time whenever needed, whether it's getting the power back on for our customers or taking time to teach the apprentices essential skills that are important to have as we continue to build a stronger grid."

Go deeper: Additional media is available online.

Lineworker b-roll and photography:  
Lineworkers brighten our communities
Multimedia Gallery | Duke Energy | News Center (duke-energy.com)
(Photos) Hurricane Helene - Carolinas | Duke Energy | News Center
(Video) Hurricane Helene Carolinas | Duke Energy | News Center 

Duke Energy 

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.

Contact: Logan Stewart
24-Hour: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DukeEnergyNC

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

How many customer outages did Duke Energy (DUK) restore after Hurricane Helene in 2024?

Duke Energy restored more than 3.1 million customer outages across the Carolinas, Florida, and Midwest following Hurricane Helene in September 2024.

What infrastructure damage did Hurricane Helene cause to Duke Energy's (DUK) power grid?

The hurricane damaged 14,000 power poles and required replacement of 9 million feet of wire across Duke Energy's service areas.

How much has Duke Energy (DUK) invested in lineworker training programs since 2020?

The Duke Energy Foundation has committed more than $3.3 million in grant funding to support lineworker programs and participants since 2020.

How many field personnel did Duke Energy (DUK) deploy for Hurricane Helene recovery?

Duke Energy deployed 23,000 field personnel from more than 19 states and Canada in the Carolinas for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.

How many lineworkers and technicians does Duke Energy (DUK) currently employ?

Duke Energy employs more than 10,000 Duke Energy and contract lineworkers, including substation and relay technicians.