The Energy Institute of Alabama, or EIA, on Wednesday recognized the state’s lineworkers during a Lineman Appreciation Day event at Dixie Electric Cooperative in Montgomery.
When weather affects Alabama, lineworkers are often the first to respond to restore power to affected communities—replacing damaged poles, repairing downed lines and clearing the way for others to assist.
“Most of us don’t realize how hard of a job it is to keep the lights on,” EIA President and CEO Clay Scofield said. “But these linemen do it every day, and the Energy Institute wants to recognize that and thank them for their commitment to ensuring that Alabamians have the power they need.”
Lineworkers from several EIA member companies attended the event, including Alabama Power, Alabama Rural Electric Association, Energy Southeast, Electric Cities of Alabama, PowerSouth Energy and Tennessee Valley Authority.
EIA presented its Lineman of the Year Award on Wednesday to Alabama Power lineman Jay Johnson. Johnson is a local operations lineman assigned to the Prattville operations area.
EIA said Johnson consistently leads the division and company in worked callouts. In 2025, he recorded 310 callouts with 100% callout availability, covering the Prattville operations area and assisting the Wetumpka operations area with after-hours calls. That total was more than 100 answered callouts above the next closest employee in the company. Johnson also completed 1,661 work orders in 2025.
“The work our linemen do is critical to our daily lives,” Senator Weaver said. “I know the dedication it takes to be a lineman. My grandfather was one, and I learned from a young age that a storm meant he would be out in tough conditions for days or weeks at a time restoring power to communities in need. I want these linemen here today to know that I thank them and their families for all they do to ensure we have access to the electricity we need.”
National Lineman Appreciation Day is observed annually on April 18 and recognizes the contributions of the men and women who help ensure Alabamians have reliable electricity.
