Local Georgia Power crews recognized with Emergency Response Award during Lineworker Appreciation Month

Rhea-AI Summary

Georgia Power, serving 2.8 million customers, has received the Emergency Recovery Award from Edison Electric Institute for its exceptional response to Hurricane Helene in 2024. The hurricane, making landfall on September 26, 2024, became the most destructive in the company's 140-year history, affecting over one million Georgians.

The storm's impact included 11,800+ broken power poles, 1,500+ miles of downed power lines, 5,800+ damaged transformers, and 345+ transmission structures requiring repair. A team of 20,000 workers, including crews from New Jersey, California, and Canada, worked to restore power.

Looking ahead, Georgia Power plans to hire approximately 180 lineworkers annually over the next several years, with Power Delivery hiring around 700 positions annually. The company partners with technical colleges offering Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification programs, with over 60% of new lineworkers coming from these institutions.

Positive

• Received Emergency Recovery Award for exceptional disaster response
• Plans to hire 700 Power Delivery positions annually
• Strong technical college partnerships providing skilled workforce pipeline
• Serves 2.8 million customers across Georgia

Negative

• Experienced most destructive hurricane damage in company's 140-year history
• Required extensive infrastructure repairs and replacement
• Over 1 million customers lost power during Hurricane Helene

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National industry recognition from Edison Electric Institute highlights exceptional response to Hurricane Helene in 2024; 
Georgia Power hiring hundreds of new lineworkers in coming years as Georgia grows

ATLANTA, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power, the state's leading electric utility serving 2.8 million customers, is joining other utilities across the country in marking April as Lineworker Appreciation Month. This April, the company is highlighting the work of local power crews during Hurricane Helene in 2024 and celebrating the recent recognition by Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with its Emergency Recovery Award, commending the company's exceptional efforts to swiftly restore service to the public in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in the fall of 2024. The winners were chosen by a panel of judges following an international nomination process.

Senator John Kennedy and other state lawmakers also recognized the work of the state's electric companies last month when they designated March 11 as Georgia Lineworker Day at the Georgia State Capitol. Read more about that event here.

"The worst from Hurricane Helene certainly brought out the best in every Georgia Power employee – starting with our lineworkers on the front lines of our response to the historic storm, aided and supported by every other employee who participated in restoration and rebuilding in the aftermath and months following. This award from EEI is a testament to their shared dedication and commitment to our neighbors and communities, and the excellence they bring in service for our customers when it counts the most," said Kim Greene, chairman, president and CEO of Georgia Power. "I'm honored to be a part of this incredible team and couldn't be more grateful for their dedication and commitment to being here for Georgia every day."

Hurricane Helene made landfall at approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024. By dawn Friday morning, Helene had barreled through Georgia, downing hundreds of thousands of trees, damaging thousands more power poles, and grounding nearly 1,000 miles of power lines – leaving more than one million Georgians without electricity in what became the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power's 140-year history.

Georgia Power's dedicated crews, along with assisting teams and resources from as far away as New Jersey, California, and Canada combined to create a team of more than 20,000 strong – working tirelessly to rebuild crucial parts of Georgia's power grid. Restoration required the use of resources including helicopters, boats, and unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) to restore power to customers around the state.

The damage to Georgia Power's electric system from Hurricane Helene was severe and included:

• 11,800+ power poles broken
• 1,500+ miles of downed power lines
• 5,800+ transformers damaged
• 345+ transmission structures rebuilt or repaired

"Throughout 2024, America's electric companies and their dedicated workforce answered the call to help restore power and hope to communities impacted by extreme weather events and natural disasters," said EEI interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. "EEI commends Georgia Power for its efforts to respond safely and efficiently to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Georgia Power and its storm response team are extremely deserving of this well-deserved recovery award."

This April, Georgia Power is also inviting Georgians to "tune in" to Instagram as local line crews takeover the company's account (@ga_power) to share their stories from Hurricane Helene, and offer a glimpse into their work on the line. On April 11, the company will feature a crew from Vidalia, followed by a crew from Network Underground (Atlanta) on April 18, and then wrap up the month with a crew from Rome on April 23.

Opportunities to Join the Best in the Business
For more than a century, Georgia Power has provided high-quality careers for Georgians as lineworkers who work every day to build, repair and maintain the state's transmission and distribution network providing reliable power for millions of Georgians. 

Georgia Power's Power Delivery team hires for around 700 positions on average annually across various roles, and the company expects to hire approximately 180 lineworkers per year over the next several years. The company is known for investing in its team members and offers a multi-year apprenticeship program for those just entering the field, as well as continuing education for seasoned employees to help them remain at the forefront of industry advancements; competitive compensation; and health, welfare and retirement benefits.

The company works with technical colleges around the state to recruit, train and help connect new, talented team members with employment opportunities. More than 60 percent of new Georgia Power lineworkers come from technical schools with Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification (ELAC) programs. Certification through this program offers basic line skills, the opportunity to obtain a CDL license, and on-the-ground exposure in the field. Some programs can be completed in 8-12 weeks, and many can be completed nearly free of cost by taking advantage of Hope Grants. Currently participating Georgia technical colleges include:

• Atlanta Technical College
• Coastal Pines Technical College
• Georgia Northwestern Technical College
• North Georgia Technical College
• South Georgia Technical College
• West Georgia Technical College
• ELITE Lineman Training Institute

To learn more about the company's commitment to workforce development, and explore opportunities with Georgia Power, visit poweringcareers.com.

About Georgia Power
Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

About Edison Electric Institute
EEI is the association that represents all U.S. investor-owned electric companies. Our members provide electricity for nearly 250 million Americans, and operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The electric power industry supports more than 7 million jobs in communities across the United States. In addition to our U.S. members, EEI has more than 70 international electric companies, with operations in more than 90 countries, as International Members, and hundreds of industry suppliers and related organizations as Associate Members.

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SOURCE Georgia Power

FAQ

What was the extent of damage caused by Hurricane Helene to Georgia Power's (SO) infrastructure in 2024?

Hurricane Helene damaged 11,800+ power poles, 1,500+ miles of power lines, 5,800+ transformers, and 345+ transmission structures, affecting over 1 million customers.

How many new lineworkers does Georgia Power (SO) plan to hire in the coming years?

Georgia Power plans to hire approximately 180 lineworkers annually over the next several years.

How many workers were involved in Georgia Power's (SO) Hurricane Helene restoration efforts?

Over 20,000 workers, including crews from New Jersey, California, and Canada, participated in the power restoration efforts.

When did Hurricane Helene make landfall and impact Georgia Power's (SO) infrastructure?

Hurricane Helene made landfall at approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, September 26, 2024.