N.C. Honors Linemen, Gov. McCrory Signs Lineman Appreciation Day Into Law

RALEIGH, N.C., April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thousands of linemen in North Carolina will now have a day set aside each April dedicated to recognizing their selflessness in building, maintaining and repairing the infrastructure that powers modern lives. Gov. Pat McCrory today joined linemen from North Carolina's electric cooperatives, the not-for-profit utilities serving primarily rural parts of the state, as well as the bill's sponsors from the House and Senate at the cooperatives' annual business meeting in Raleigh to sign the appreciation day into law.

"I respect the work and sacrifice of linemen and their families," Gov. McCrory said. "It takes talent and skill to do the job they do in sometimes dangerous conditions, and they deserve this recognition."

"I'm honored that our state's legislators and Gov. McCrory saw it fit to honor linemen this way," said Donald Neems, a crew leader with 24 years of experience from Piedmont EMC based in Hillsborough. "It feels really good to know they appreciate what we do and understand the unique nature of our jobs." Neems was joined on stage with the Governor by Corey Hayes, a serviceman from Roanoke Electric in Aulander, and Derek Avery, a first class lineman with South River EMC based in Dunn.

The act designates this Saturday, April 18 as Lineman Appreciation Day in 2015; in future years, the occasion will be celebrated on the second Monday of April. The bill's sponsors were Rep. Kelly Hastings (R-Gaston), Rep. John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg), Rep. Gary Pendleton (R-Wake), Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield (D-Wilson) and Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke).

North Carolina's 26 electric cooperatives collectively employ more than 1,400 linemen who maintain more than 95,000 miles of power lines in 93 of the state's 100 counties. The electric cooperatives serve more than 2.5 million North Carolinians. Cooperative board members and employees are proud to have a day that recognizes all of their linemen for the services they perform around the clock to keep power flowing and protect the public's safety.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150416/199154

SOURCE North Carolina's Electric Cooperatives

Related Links

http://www.ncelectriccooperatives.com