Honoring Our Linemen on Lineman Appreciation Day

At Black Hills Electric Cooperative, we take great pride in the dedication and hard work of our linemen, who keep the lights on for our members every day. While Lineman Appreciation Day in April gives us an opportunity to recognize their commitment, our gratitude extends far beyond just one day. We appreciate their resilience and commitment every day as they brave all conditions to ensure reliable power for our members.

Lineman work is not just a job—it’s a commitment to safety, precision, and service. Whether they are responding to outages, maintaining power lines, upgrading electrical infrastructure, conducting routine line patrols, or staying up to date on workplace safety, our team plays a key role in keeping homes, ranches, and businesses powered.

Last month, I had the unique opportunity to be out in the field with our linemen, witnessing their knowledge and hard work firsthand. I watched as they efficiently and safely switched substation loads to balance and maintain the reliability of our system while carrying out crucial repairs. The crew followed detailed step-by-step instructions, outlined and reviewed multiple times by the Operations Manager and the crew to ensure the safety of all personnel on the job. The repairs they carried out in the substation will ensure long-term stability for our current and future members. It was incredible to see their teamwork, attention to detail, and knowledge of our electrical system in action.

Being there firsthand gave me a true picture of what their normal day looks like—something I usually only hear over the radio while logging their hot work time from the office. Seeing them in action reinforced just how critical their role is—not just when storms hit, but every single day. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure that when our members flip a switch, the power is there.

We want to extend our gratitude to all our linemen for their dedication, skill, and sacrifice. Their work often takes them away from their families at a moment’s notice, in extreme weather conditions, and at all hours of the day and night.

Next time you see a lineman, take a moment to say thank you. Their work is important, and we are grateful for everything they do to keep Black Hills Electric Cooperative running strong.

To all our linemen—we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you!