In recognition of National Lineworker Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 18, Indiana Michigan Power asked our customers for their thoughts about the work our lineworkers perform. We received an amazing response of more than 2,000 emails from customers who offered their thanks to I&M’s lineworkers.

• "We’ve been wanting to thank all of you for a long time!! We’ve always appreciated your service and resilience to the dangers you face everyday! When power was lost … we knew you were working extremely hard to restore every home/business as quickly as you could. Thank you, thank you for your dedication and expertise!! Michael and Janie, Granger, Ind

On a typical day, line mechanics work diligently in all kinds of terrain and weather to build and maintain the power lines and equipment that bring electricity to our customers’ homes and businesses. Lineworkers are often called upon in the middle of the night – and in all types of weather – to respond to emergencies and power outages. Their No. 1 priority is the safety of our customers and employees while working to turn the lights back on.

• “I want to say thank you to all the Lineworkers and Support Team for putting your lives in actual harm’s way to help keep us all safe and where we can enjoy a huge piece of life’s luxury ... POWER for all our everyday needs and enjoyment!!! Thank you again and keep safe!” – Tammy, Paw Paw, Mich.
• “Thank you for always being there.” – Carlotta, Niles, Mich.

How big is their job? I&M’s lineworkers maintain more than 20,000 miles of distribution lines in the areas the company serves – more than 4,500 square miles across 24 Indiana and six Michigan counties

• “Thank you for all you do! I think lineworkers (teachers and trash pickup folks too) are very under appreciated and underpaid for what they add to our communities. So just know we always appreciate your hard work and dedication to getting power restored and/or keeping it going, in all kinds of conditions and locations. Please stay safe and thank you again.” – Robin, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Lineworkers’ skills and commitment to safety are especially important when winds, rains, snow, ice and other weather events knock down trees, power lines and poles. Their work was particularly valued over the past year, when numerous storms swept across northern Indiana, east-central Indiana and southwest Michigan. To restore power interrupted during widespread outages, line crews work 16-hour days, every day, until all customers’ lights are back on.

• “We appreciate how quickly power was able to be restored after our recent tornadoes. We thought for sure we would be without power for a few days, but we got it back on within 12 hours thanks to your hard work!” – Alexandra, Swayzee, Ind.
• “We want to thank all the electrical workers on their dedication in restoring power so quickly after the winds and tornadoes hit Allen County this last month. Your work was exceptional and deserves recognition. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! – Thomas, Woodburn, Ind.

When violent storms cause numerous power outages, lineworkers respond in force. When tens of thousands of customers are without power, our lineworkers mobilize, often with the assistance of fellow lineworkers from other states providing mutual assistance. And when storms elsewhere cause widespread power outages, our I&M crews sometimes travel hundreds of miles to places as far away as Florida and even Puerto Rico to restore power.

• “Thank you for all you guys do and for putting your life on the line in more ways than one every time you report for work. Shout out to your families for supporting you and sacrificing quality family time with you. Keep up the great jobs you do and stay safe out there.” – Michelle, Muncie, Ind.
• “Thanks for your extra time you gave away during your family and events. Thanks for this work that is also very dangerous and requiring skills far above most people's talents.” – Margaret, Fort Wayne

This year marks the 10^th annual National Lineworkers Appreciation Day. This annual day of recognition on April 18, was established in 2013 by Congress to honor the thousands of men and women who often work in hazardous conditions to ensure the reliable delivery of electricity.

• “Thank you soooo very much for your dedication, attention to detail, and most of all - performing at top notch safety skills all so we may be in the comforts of our home while you sacrifice for us in horrible weather conditions. Your job is amazing and very much appreciated by me. Thank you for risking your life daily for a job that is necessary but unseen or hidden from the public’s view as to the depth, scope and degree of all that it requires from you.” – Christina, Eaton, Ind.

Time and again – especially following a damaging storm – customers demonstrate kindness, consideration and understanding toward our lineworkers. I&M is particularly humbled by the time more than 2,000 customers took out of their busy lives to write an email expressing their appreciation.

• “Thank you for all you do to keep us comfortable while you are out in all kinds of weather making repairs.  I for one am very thankful for your dedication.” – Janis, Niles, Mich.
• “As a customer of I&M for nearly 60 years I have seen your dedication and hard work first hand and want to say thank you very much. You are a valuable asset to our community.” – Helen, South Bend
• “Thank you for tackling the toughest job out there!!” – Steven, Hamilton, Ind.
• “I appreciate all the sacrifices you make in this line of work making sure that the community is safe.” – Amber, Plymouth, Ind.

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Indiana Michigan Power (I&M) is headquartered in Fort Wayne, and its approximately 2,100 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 80% of its energy delivered in 2022 was emission-free.  I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 2,620 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana.

American Electric Power, based in Columbus, Ohio, is powering a cleaner, brighter energy future for its customers and communities. AEP’s approximately 17,000 employees operate and maintain the nation’s largest electricity transmission system and more than 224,000 miles of distribution lines to safely deliver reliable and affordable power to 5.6 million regulated customers in 11 states. AEP also is one of the nation’s largest electricity producers with approximately 31,000 megawatts of diverse generating capacity, including more than 6,900 megawatts of renewable energy. The company’s plans include growing its renewable generation portfolio to approximately 50% of total capacity by 2032. AEP is on track to reach an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 and has committed to achieving net zero by 2045. AEP is recognized consistently for its focus on sustainability, community engagement, and diversity, equity and inclusion. AEP’s family of companies includes utilities AEP Ohio, AEP Texas, Appalachian Power (in Virginia and West Virginia), AEP Appalachian Power (in Tennessee), Indiana Michigan Power, Kentucky Power, Public Service Company of Oklahoma, and Southwestern Electric Power Company (in Arkansas, Louisiana, east Texas and the Texas Panhandle). AEP also owns AEP Energy, which provides innovative competitive energy solutions nationwide. For more information, visit aep.com

MEDIA CONTACT:
Tracy Warner
Corporate Communications Manager
260-479-9484
tkwarner@aep.com