T&D Grid

“The bottleneck is organizational: The absence of shared definitions, common standards, and distributed governance over what gets measured, how it gets validated, and what obligations come with participation in a collective intelligence effort.”

“Line school was a big part of getting over that fear. It’s repetition and taking one step at a time. Climbing a pole for the first time was scary, but you get on a pole and say, ‘Okay, one more step.’”

“Safety has got to be our first priority. It’s my responsibility to look out for all the guys I’m working with and vice versa. Everyone’s responsible for each other’s safety and speaking up about it is of the utmost importance.”

“A lot of our projects are rebuilding lines at higher voltage, bigger wire, and sometimes multiple bundle conductors where traditionally it’s been single conductors. They’re building up to handle all the growth.”

“A good line crew working is almost like watching a ballet, particularly when you have a couple of men on a pole climbing and working together. You anticipate each other’s moves.”

In celebration of National Lineworker Appreciation Day, PUF’s Paul Kjellander speaks with former lineman Rich Walje, and Idaho Power lineworkers Jesse Allen, Kyle Bligh, and Isaiah Krohn.

“NARUC and NASEO, in conjunction with 26 state agencies, have collaborated since early 2025 to develop comprehensive electricity planning roadmaps through a series of virtual and in-person workshops.”

“APS’s VPP journey reflects a broader industry shift. VPPs are no longer just an idea. They are an essential component of the modern grid.”

“The Iberian Peninsula blackout is a case study the U.S. cannot ignore. Electricity markets with high IBR penetration and limited external interconnections, such as ERCOT and CAISO, are similar to the Iberian grid. The centralized regulatory and operating environment in the Southeast faces similar risks.”

“There is no doubt that the investments we make today enable the reliability and resilience that Americans depend upon day in and day out.”