Duke Energy announced on April 16 that it will honor its South Carolina lineworkers in recognition of National Lineworker Appreciation Day, which takes place on April 18. The company highlighted the essential role these workers play in maintaining and restoring power across the state.
The recognition underscores the importance of lineworkers in ensuring reliable energy delivery, especially as South Carolina experiences rapid growth and increased demand for electricity. Duke Energy also emphasized efforts to support workforce development by providing grants to local training programs.
Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy, said, “Customers trust us to deliver safe, reliable power every day – and to bring it back quickly after storms and other outages. That’s why the work of our lineworkers’ matters: they strengthen the system through daily maintenance and upgrades, and they respond in our communities when it matters most. Their skill and safety-first mindset help us provide the dependable service our communities expect today while building a stronger grid for the future.”
This year, Duke Energy Foundation is granting $75,000 to several educational institutions including York Technical College, York Comprehensive High School, Clover High School, Tri-County Technical College and Denmark Technical College to support their efforts in training future lineworkers. Since 2020, Duke Energy has invested $395,000 into such programs across South Carolina.
Tim Pearson, Duke Energy’s South Carolina president said: “South Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, and the need for reliable energy, and the smart-thinking grid to deliver it, has never been more urgent…the need for skilled lineworkers to build and maintain this infrastructure will be at the top of that list.” Brandon Duncan, a senior journeyman lineworker at Clemson Operations Center added: “Being a lineworker at Duke Energy means standing on the front lines when it matters most – when our customers need their lives restored to normal…every line restored is a promise kept to the communities we serve.”
Lineworkers are responsible for building and maintaining equipment that powers homes and businesses while responding swiftly during outages or severe weather events. Many live within their service areas—neighbors helping neighbors stay connected.
Duke Energy continues its modernization strategy with investments aimed at strengthening electric grids amid growing energy needs. More information about these initiatives can be found at duke-energy.com.
