Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E) is celebrating its dedicated line crews in honor of National Lineman Appreciation Day. Held on April 18, this annual holiday recognizes those who service powerlines across the nation. OG&E’s line workers of more than 330 line workers ensure every OG&E customer - individual, family, and business - has reliable, and sometimes lifesaving, electricity.

“OG&E line workers dedication to energizing all of our lives in Oklahoma and Arkansas by safely constructing, maintaining and repairing electric power lines defines our value of public service,” said Sean Trauschke, OG&E’s President, CEO, and Chairman. “It could be sleeting, raining, hailing – no matter the weather conditions, our linemen provide the electricity we all count on to live our lives. Indisputably, our linemen are heroes.”

Oklahomans and Arkansans are no strangers to the severe and often unpredictable weather that regularly impacts our communities. Severe weather such as tornadoes, ice, hail and high winds can damage critical electric infrastructure and cause widespread power outages. Recently, a powerful tornado hit Norman, Oklahoma, destroying and severely damaging power lines. As soon as it was safe, OG&E line workers arrived on the scene and repaired powerlines and restored electricity to residents. Crews worked through the night and, in less than a week, all power was restored to schools, homes and businesses in the area.

Electrical work includes inherent risks, regardless of the weather. All line crew members, employees and contractors are required to complete extensive training to ensure proper knowledge of electric lines, safety protocols and correct handling of dangerous equipment. OG&E is committed to the safety of both our employees and the public we serve.

“OG&E makes sure we all go home safe. Rigorous safety protocols and trainings help minimize our on-the-job risks,” said Dan LeDuc, an OG&E lineman who began his career with the electric company as an intern more than six years ago. “It’s a really rewarding job: people don’t realize how much they rely on power. When storms hit and the lights go off, we put our training and planning into action, and we go out to restore power as quickly and safely as possible.”

OG&E linemen’s service sometimes extends beyond the electric company’s service area. When natural disasters call for extra support in other parts of the nation, OG&E crews travel outside of their service area to provide muchneeded mutual assistance. In October 2022, when Hurricane Ian hit the coast of Florida, OG&E linemen were quickly deployed to Florida and spent the next several weeks repairing powerlines and restoring electricity amidst the hurricane’s devastation.

“Our crews’ commitment to safety, teamwork, and service is recognized across the nation,” said Andrea Dennis, OG&E’s Vice President of Transmission & Distribution Operations. “I am humbled by the unwavering dedication of every one of our linemen, who have given countless hours to our community, and want to thank each and every one of them for their service and commitment to energize the lives of our neighbors.”

National Lineman Appreciation Day was established by Congress in 2013, following the devastation of Hurricane Sandy the prior year. Line crews from across the nation volunteered to restore power and rebuild power systems from the ground up. Following the incredible contributions of thousands of electrical linemen in the aftermath of this natural disaster, the US Senate Resolution 95 set April 18 as National Lineman Appreciation Day.

To thank the OG&E linemen in your community, use the hashtag #ThankALineman and tag @OGEpower on social media to share your gratitude.

About OG&E Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp. (NYSE: OGE), is Oklahoma’s largest electric company. For 121 years, we have provided customers in Oklahoma and western Arkansas the safe, reliable electricity needed to power their businesses and homes with some of the nation’s lowest electric rates, according to S&P Global Market Intelligence. Our employees are committed to generating and delivering electricity, protecting the environment, and providing excellent service to approximately 889,000 customers. OG&E’s 7,240 MW of electric generation capacity is fueled by natural gas, wind, low-sulfur coal, and solar. OG&E employees live, work, and volunteer in the communities we serve. For more information about OG&E, visit us at OGE.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.