Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: Line Workers Day by Consumers Energy

A Day to Honor Line Workers

On April 18, 2025, Consumers Energy marked Line Worker Appreciation Day, a day dedicated to acknowledging the hard work of the skilled professionals who ensure our electricity remains reliable and accessible. These line workers, operating under varying weather conditions and challenging environments, form the backbone of our energy infrastructure. Their commitment is not just vital for 24/7 services, but also plays a crucial role in the company’s long-term Reliability Roadmap, aimed at improving the electrical grid resilience and accommodating future energy needs.

According to Chris Laird, the vice president of electric operations at Consumers Energy, line workers are the "skilled surgeons" of the power grid. With his own background in electric line work, Laird understands the dedication and expertise required to maintain safety and efficiency in the field. His statement encapsulated the day’s spirit: "If power lines are the backbone of our electric grid, line workers are the skilled surgeons keeping it responsive and resilient," he remarked, emphasizing the importance of their role in ensuring fewer outages over the past year, resulting in an impressive reduction of power interruption time.

A significant figure featuring on this day was Scott Shoemaker, a veteran line worker. Shoemaker, who boasts over thirty years of experience, now dedicates his time to training the next generation of line workers. His philosophy is clear: the industry’s future lies in fostering safe work practices and instilling a strong work ethic in apprentices. "I am proud to help train the next generation of line workers, ensuring they carry the necessary skills while prioritizing their safety on the job," said Shoemaker. His sentiments reflect a growing recognition within the industry of the need for mentorship and knowledge transfer.

Consumers Energy stands as Michigan's largest energy provider, delivering natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million residents across the state’s 68 Lower Peninsula counties. The company acknowledges that keeping the lights on is its primary focus, thus the dedication and expertise of line workers are paramount in fulfilling this commitment.

The celebration of Line Worker Appreciation Day not only allows Consumers Energy to recognize the invaluable contributions of their line workers but also underscores the continuous efforts to improve service reliability throughout Michigan. As the energy landscape evolves, the focus on cultivating skilled professionals ensures that the needs of the future are adequately met, thereby sustaining both community and economic growth.

For further insights into Consumers Energy and their ongoing initiatives to enhance energy delivery and reliability, please visit ConsumersEnergy.com. Don’t forget to connect with them on social media to stay updated on their projects and appreciate the hard work of their employees.