Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative
APRIL 2019, Vol. 50, No. 4
www.chec.coop
The Commitment of a Lineman Lineman Appreciation Day is April 8
N
ational studies consistently rank electric lineman among the most dangerous jobs in the country, and for good reason. Laboring high in the air wearing heavy equipment and working directly with high voltage creates the perfect storm of a dangerous and unforgiving profession. But linemen are up to the task. These brave men are committed to safety, as well as the challenges of the job. CHEC’s linemen are responsible for keeping power flowing day and night, regardless of national holidays, vacations, birthdays, weddings or other important family milestones. Beyond the years of specialized training and apprenticeships, it takes internal fortitude and a mission-oriented outlook to be a good lineman. In fact, this service-oriented mentality is a hallmark characteristic of lineworkers. The job requires linemen to set aside their personal priorities to better serve their local community.
Family Support System
To perform their jobs successfully, linemen depend on their years of training, experience and each other to get the job done safely. Equally important is their reliance on a strong support system at home. A lineman’s family understands and supports their loved one’s commitment to the greater community during severe storms and power outages. This means in times of prolonged outages, the family and their lineman may have minimal communication and not see each other for several days. Without strong family support and understanding, this challenging job would be all the more difficult.
From left: Josh Austin, Gary Tolson, Jonathan Vernesoni, Robbie Easley, Mark McCracken, Richard Augustson, Silas Hooper, Kevin Scarborough, Earl Fountain, Donnie Farrow. Not pictured, Jamie Midgett
Community Commitment
On Hatteras Island and across the country, electric co-op linemen’s mission-focused mentality of helping others often extends beyond their commitment to their work at the co-op. You can find several of our linemen volunteering on local fire departments, coaching youth sports teams, volunteering for local charities and serving on local advisory boards.
Thank You
Monday, April 8 is Lineman Appreciation Day. Given the dedication of CHEC’s linemen, both on and off the job, we encourage you to take a moment and acknowledge the many contributions they make to Hatteras Island. And if you see their family members in the grocery store or out and about in the town, please offer them a thank you as well.
CHEC energizes new transmission cables over Oregon Inlet O
n February 27 & 28, CHEC and contract crews completed the installation, testing and energizing of the transmission cables that are attached to the new bridge over Oregon Inlet. The new 115kv transmission lines span the 2.8 miles of the bridge in fiberglass conduit, which are held in place by a hanger system located underneath the girder sections and inside the segmented box sections of the new bridge. The project includes four splice boxes, necessitating 20 cable runs and 24 splices and terminations throughout the project. The new transmission cable system is rated for 100 MW load and includes a spare cable, improving reliability for Hatteras and Ocracoke islands. Contract crews from New River Electrical, South Wire High Voltage Solutions and Lee Electrical Construction worked along side CHEC to complete the project. Booth and Associates provided engineering consultation throughout the project. CHEC’s staff and directors have anticipated the historic opening of the new bridge and have long awaited the day when the cooperative would energize new transmission cables over the inlet. This project further ensures safe and reliable delivery of electric service to Hatteras and Ocracoke Islands for years to come.
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