JEA Recognizes Lineworkers Appreciation Day

2013-08-26

Jacksonville, FL - Today, August 26, is designated Lineworkers Appreciation Day in Florida. Electric utilities across the state will be honoring the men and women across Florida that work tirelessly in varying conditions to make sure our lights stay on.

In 2012, the Florida House of Representatives introduced a resolution honoring the thousands of men and women risking their lives every day ensuring the reliable delivery of electricity throughout the state. The resolution, sponsored by Rep. Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland) designated August 26, 2012, as “Lineworker Appreciation Day” in the State of Florida. This date holds particular significance for Lakeland resident Tracy Moore, whose husband, Marc, a lineworker for Lakeland Electric, died tragically on August 26, 2002. Electric utilities across Florida continue to recognize August 26 every year as Lineworker Appreciate Day.

More than 215 linemen and apprentices work at JEA. Apprentices must train four years to reach journeyman. This year, JEA linemen and apprentices won top honors at the annual Florida Municipal Electric Association Linemen Competition held in Jacksonville.

Barry Moline, executive director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association, noted the daily demands endured by lineworkers. "When you stop and consider the complexity of the nation's power grid,” he explained, “the essential role of the lineworker comes into sharper focus. As a group, they're responsible for maintaining the nation's more than 5 million miles of power lines in all kinds of weather and hazards and do so 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year." 

JEA is the seventh-largest community-owned electric utility in the United States and one of the largest water and sewer utilities in the nation providing electric, water and sewer service to residents and businesses in northeast Florida. 

Category:

• corporate
• electric