Over the weekend, 30 lineworkers from Duke Energy in North Carolina and South Carolina achieved top awards at the Carolinas Lineman’s Rodeo. They have now secured the chance to participate in the International Lineman’s Rodeo, to be held in Bonner Springs, Kansas on October 18.
The rodeo serves as a platform to assess and exhibit the abilities of lineworkers, with events focusing on essential operational skills such as pole climbing, equipment repair, and rescue operations. It also fosters a culture of safety, teamwork, and collaboration.
Duke Energy hosts three lineman’s rodeos each year in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest to select participants for the international event. Emily Henson, Duke Energy’s regional senior vice president of Power Grid Operations, noted the dedication of the teams, stating, “While we are always proud of our line teams, their resoluteness to compete in the rodeo this year after the significant impacts of Hurricane Helene last fall across our service areas is an affirmation of how strongly committed they are to our customers and communities.”
In 2023, 60 Duke Energy lineworkers participated in the International Lineman’s Rodeo, earning four awards. The 2024 engagement was limited due to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The annual competition has become a tradition that connects lineworkers worldwide, emphasizing camaraderie.
A highlight of the event was the participation of company and community volunteers, including 33 Duke Energy employees, students and staff from eight community colleges, 72 judges, and six bucket truck operators. Besides the main events, there was also a cooking competition with six teams.
Duke Energy continues to address growing energy demands with an evolving grid and emphasizes safety and skill development for lineworkers. According to Rick Grant, regional senior vice president of Power Grid Operations, “Beyond battling extreme weather, the valuable work our line teams do every day is enabling Duke Energy to build a grid that is smarter, stronger and more reliable.”
The company is actively recruiting and training lineworkers to ensure the long-term success of its operations. Candidates interested in joining Duke Energy’s workforce are directed to local community colleges for information on training programs.
Duke Energy is among the largest energy companies in the United States, providing electrical utilities to several states and natural gas services in others. The company is committed to transitioning towards a cleaner energy future with ongoing investments in grid upgrades and sustainable energy solutions.
For more information about Duke Energy and its initiatives, visit their website or follow them on social media platforms.
