FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, April 18, 2025
PIE&G Salutes Its Line workers on National Lineman Appreciation Day
Crews have worked 20 consecutive days, 16‑hour shifts, to rebuild the grid for rural Northern Michigan
ONAWAY, Mich. — Today, Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co‑op (PIE&G) joins utilities across the country in celebrating National Lineman Appreciation Day, observed each year on April 18 to honor the men and women who keep electricity flowing.
For the past 20 days, nearly 400 line crews—more than 1,400 skilled men and women—have worked 16‑hour shifts to replace more than 1,550 broken poles, restoring countless miles of wire and power to 34,487 members in Michigan’s most remote areas. Many have delayed repairing their own storm‑damaged homes and spending time with their families so they could serve their community first.
“Our lineworkers embody the cooperative spirit,” said Allan Berg, PIE&G President & CEO. “They left warm beds, hot meals, and the chance to clean up their own properties so the rest of us could turn the lights back on. Their commitment and courage define who we are as a member‑owned utility.” Berg continues, “I want to express my extreme gratitude to each of the men and women working on our lines. They meet this challenge each day with an unwavering commitment to their work and our community.”
PIE&G encourages members to show support by sharing a message or photo with the hashtag #ThankALineman and by offering a friendly wave from a safe distance when they see crews in the field. For everyone’s safety, please do not approach work sites; even that quick wave means the world to workers who have spent weeks away from home.
“Every pole set, and every span of wire hung, tell the story of teamwork,” added Tiffany Larson, Chief Human Resource Officer. “Behind each crew is a family holding things together. We thank spouses, partners, parents, and children for the sacrifices that make this work possible.”
Although the cooperative has reached system‑wide restoration benchmarks, individual service repairs and debris cleanup continue. PIE&G pledges to stay in the field until every member is back on and every line is safe.
Visit pieg.com/spring-2025-storm-updates for updates.
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