The Outlaws Who Keep the Power Grid Running
A fatal accident in Seminole, Florida, where a utility pole contacted high-voltage lines during routine maintenance, killed one lineman and severely injured two others, highlighting the dangers faced by power linemen. The article explores the lives and risks of these essential but often overlooked workers through the story of Jerry Pack, a veteran lineman and owner of Pack Power Services. It portrays the culture of the trade, shaped by physical danger, personal sacrifice, and a sense of freedom found in a demanding profession.
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Andrew SpearNewsThe Outlaws Who Keep the Power Grid RunningFollow NewsView feedThe Outlaws Who Keep the Power Grid RunningOver the last decade, an army of hard-living adrenaline junkies made a fortune and found a kind of freedom maintaining the nation’s energy infrastructure. It was good while it lasted.By Greg DonahuePublished: Apr 30, 202622 min readLast August, in Seminole, Florida, a suburb of St. Petersburg, a crew of power linemen were replacing a utility pole at a small electrical substation next to a used-car dealership. The temperature was pushing 90 degrees, but the sky was clear; an ideal Florida beach day.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Esquire.
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