How heavy is the transformer? A: It will be a 15kva transformer at actual weight.
What type block and tackle will we use? A: This will be the Ox block and tackle system from Buckingham
Will we remove just street light head or entire light? A: The entire street light
Will there be a lag bolt in the street light arm? A: NO
How will street light wire connection be made? A: There will be a pigtail of 12ga wire coming off the duplex and connections will be made with wire nuts. Each team will get 2 new wire nuts at start of event.
Individual Capacitor Isolation Event
Will cutouts be hanging on the same side of the capacitor bank A: Yes
Schedule
All times are in central time.
Wednesday, September 20th
Registration/ Packet Pick Up: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. ** Individuals ONLY **
11 a.m. – KRUS Golf, Crosswinds Golf Course: 1031 Wilkinson Trace, Bowling Green, KY 42103
6:30 p.m. – Head Judges Meeting
Thursday, September 21st
7:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.– Registration
7 a.m.– Mandatory judges and clerk meeting
8 a.m.– Welcome, national anthem, prayer
8:30 a.m.– Begin apprentice, journeymen, and senior events
6 p.m.- United Utility Supply sponsored evening event at Pub by Novo
Friday, September 22nd
7:30 a.m.– Lineman memorial
7 a.m. – Mandatory judges and clerk meeting
8:30 a.m– Events start
12-3 p.m.– Lunch served
30 minutes after conclusion of events–awards ceremony
The Safety Committee of the Kentucky Electric Cooperatives has voted to recommend that the 2021 Lineman’s Rodeo be postponed because of ongoing concerns about the coronavirus pandemic and the ability to comply with safety restrictions.
The full Board of Directors will hear the recommendation at its May 18th meeting.
The committee’s recommendation was informed by a survey of Kentucky co-ops.
Pending board action, it will be the second year that the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo to be hosted by Jackson Purchase Energy in Paducah will be postponed.
With the uncertainty of COVID-19 restrictions in Kentucky and in the interest of safety, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives decided on Wednesday to cancel the 2020 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo, originally scheduled for October 1-2 at Jackson Purchase Energy in Paducah. The statewide association board of directors discussed the decision on its virtual meeting.
Tentative plans for the 2021 rodeo call for Jackson Purchase Energy to host. The co-op is relocating to new headquarters in 2021.
“Our biggest concern is always safety,” said Tony Dempsey, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives safety instructor. “While the rodeo is a tremendous opportunity to share this safety commitment, the decision to cancel this year’s event also demonstrates the Kentucky co-op safety culture.”
“With the guidelines and restrictions we would be under, we felt that the rodeo would not meet the standards that Kentucky co-ops expect,” added safety instructor Randy Meredith.
Several co-ops had indicated they were unlikely to participate in the 2020 rodeo.
“The lessons learned at the rodeo continue to be important,” said Charlie Lewis, Kentucky Electric Cooperatives safety instructor. ”We pledge to work hard to communicate safety messages, support training and help JPEC make 2021 the best Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo ever.”
Teams from electric cooperatives around Kentucky will be in the area Sept 26-27
Electric cooperatives power more 1.5 million people across Kentucky. Everyday, lineworkers labor in all conditions to keep the power on for their members. Once a year, some of these lineworkers come together in a unique competition.
The Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo attracts the best lineworkers from around the commonwealth to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks and skills. This year, Nolin RECC along with Kentucky Electric Cooperatives is hosting this friendly competition at the Hardin County Fairgrounds September 26-27.
The action begins Thursday, September 26 at 9am with individual Journeyman, Apprentice and Senior events. They will compete in Hurtman Rescue, Skills Climb, Angle Clip and a mystery event. On Friday, September 27, there will be a Lineman Memorial at 7:30am with team competition starting at 8:30am. Team events include Hurtman Rescue, Cutout Replace, Suspension Insulator and a mystery event.
“Safety is a priority for all of our lineworkers in everything they do. The Rodeo is about friendly competition, but the focus really is on safety and the skill it takes to do the difficult work that they do in their jobs everyday,” says Nolin RECC Manager of Communications Sarah Fellows.
The first Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo was held in August 2005, with nearly 70 linemen competing. The Rodeo has grown to over 200 teams and 250 apprentices. The event is free and open to the public.
Every day, lineworkers across Kentucky are out in remote areas of the state doing what it takes to keep the power flowing to more than 1.5 million people served by electric co-ops. Once a year, however, a select group of these lineworkers come together for two days of competition like no other, the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo.
On Sept. 13-14, 125 lineworkers representing 17 of Kentucky’s electric co-ops converged on the Murray-Calloway County Fairgrounds to compete in the 14th annual rodeo.
“It’s about teamwork, it’s about camaraderie and it’s about showing off the skills these linemen have learned,” says David Smart, president and CEO of West Kentucky Rural Electric, which hosted this year’s event.
Blue Grass Energy was the big winner, sweeping the overall individual journeymen category and taking first in the overall team category. Tim Hembree, a journeyman lineman from Blue Grass, placed in the top three in eight categories.
“The Kentucky’s Lineman’s Rodeo is an opportunity for linemen to demonstrate their commitment to safety while showcasing their skills,” says Mike Williams, president and CEO of Blue Grass Energy. “I’m very proud of the hard work and dedication to safety that not only our lineworkers, but all linemen demonstrated while participating in this event.”
The Lineman’s Rodeo was created by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives to promote safety for co-op linemen around the state. The training and skills of these linemen are part of the mission of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, to provide a high level of electrical services at the lowest possible price through a local, consumer-owned form of business.
“Training for the rodeo has really helped our younger guys,” says Randy Meredith of Nolin RECC, which will host the 2019 rodeo. “They improved in safety and they improved in their technique. So, it was a real win, win situation.
Seven senior individuals, 36 individual journeymen and 36 apprentice lineworkers competed in these events: Capacitator De-Energize, Line De-Energize and Armor Rod & Tie. There were 31 teams from the 17 co-ops that competed in the OCR Changeout, Line Replacement and Underarm Disconnect competitions. Individuals and teams competed in the “Hurt man” competition, which focuses on following the correct procedures in the event someone needs to be rescued after coming into contact with a live wire.
Jason Isaacs, a lineman for Blue Grass who competed for the first time, says the experience was one he plans on repeating.
“It was nerve-racking, but it was a great experience,” he says. “With everyone watching, you just want to do good.”
First place, Senior Hurtman: Gerald Lakes, Jackson Energy
Second place, Senior Hurtman: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC
Third place, Senior Hurtman: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy
First place, Senior Capicitator De-Energize: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC
Second place, Senior Hurtman: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy
First place, Senior Line De-Energize: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy
Second place, Line De-Energize: Lance Moore, Warren RECC
First place, Armor Rod & Tie: Gerard Lakes, Jackson Energy
Second place, Senior Armor & Tie: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC
Third place, Senior Armor Rod & Tie: Lance Moore, Warren RECC
First place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Jon Tillery, Jackson Energy
Second place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Individual Journeyman Hurtman: Royce Baker, Jackson Energy
First place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Kevin Vance, Clark Energy
Second place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Individual Journeyman Capacitator De-Energize: Geoffrey Beck, West Kentucky RECC
First place, Individual Journeyman Line De-Energize: Jeremy Rayborn, Jackson Energy
Third place, Individual Journeyman Line De-Energize: Jon Tillery, Jackson Energy
Second place, Individual Journeyman Armor Rod & Tie: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Individual Journeyman Armor Rod & Tie: Royce Baker, Jackson Energy
First place, Apprentice Hurtman: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy
Second place, Apprentice Hurtman: Justin Staniford, Grayson RECC
First place, Apprentice Capacitator De-Energize: Trevor Evans, Owen Electric
Second place, Apprentice Capacitator De-Energize: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy
First place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy
Second place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric
Third place, Apprentice Line De-Energize: Ryan Ray, Nolin RECC
First place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: David Cotton, Gibson
Second place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: Trevor Evans, Owen Electric
Third place, Apprentice Armor Rod & Tie: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric
First place, Team Hurtman: Thomas Waltman, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy
Second place, Team Hurtman: Marlon Coffey, Jon Tillery, Brent Johnson, Jackson Energy
Third place, Team Hurtman: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric
Second place, Team Line Replacement: Jeremy Rayborn, Royce Baker, Kris Cunigan, Jackson Energy
Third place, Team Line Replacement: Kyle Strunk, Derek Bell, Jason Isaacs, Blue Grass Energy
First place, Team Underarm Disconnect: Thomas Walton, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Team Underarm Disconnect: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric
First place, Team OCR Changeout: Thomas Walton, Tim Hembree, Adam Mink, Blue Grass Energy
Second place, Team OCR Changout: Tony Bach, James Juett, Charlie Colligan, Owen Electric
Third place, Team OCR Changeout: Kevin Vance, David Dennis, Christopher Keyton, Clark Energy
First place, Senior Overall: Michael Nethery, Shelby Energy
Third place, Senior Overall: Mark Hutchinson, Grayson RECC
First place, Overall Individual Journeyman: Tim Hembree, Blue Grass Energy
Second place, Overall Individual Journeyman: Thomas Walton, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Overal Individual Journeyman: Derek Bell, Bluegrass Energy
First place, Overall Apprentice: Tommy Parks, Fleming Mason Energy
Second place, Overall Apprentice: Brandon Miller, Owen Electric
Third place, Overall Apprentice: Brett Alder, Warren RECC
First place, Overall Team: Adam Mink, Tim Hembree, Thomas Walton, Blue Grass Energy
Third place, Overall Team: Michael Nethery, Brandon Keyton, and Tyler Workman, Shelby Energy
Every day, lineworkers across Kentucky are out in remote areas of the state doing what it takes to keep the power flowing to more than 1.5 million people served by electric co-ops. Once a year, however, a select group of these lineworkers come together for two days of competition like no other, the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo.
On Sept. 13-14, 125 lineworkers representing 17 of Kentucky’s electric co-ops converged on the Murray-Calloway County Fairgrounds to compete in the 14th annual rodeo.
“It’s about teamwork, it’s about camaraderie and it’s about showing off the skills these linemen have learned,” says David Smart, president and CEO of West Kentucky Rural Electric, which hosted this year’s event.
Blue Grass Energy was the big winner, sweeping the overall individual journeymen category and taking first in the overall team category. Tim Hembree, a journeyman lineman from Blue Grass, placed in the top three in eight categories.
“The Kentucky’s Lineman’s Rodeo is an opportunity for linemen to demonstrate their commitment to safety while showcasing their skills,” says Mike Williams, president and CEO of Blue Grass Energy. “I’m very proud of the hard work and dedication to safety that not only our lineworkers, but all linemen demonstrated while participating in this event.”
The Lineman’s Rodeo was created by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives to promote safety for co-op linemen around the state. The training and skills of these linemen are part of the mission of Kentucky’s electric cooperatives, to provide a high level of electrical services at the lowest possible price through a local, consumer-owned form of business.
“Training for the rodeo has really helped our younger guys,” says Randy Meredith of Nolin RECC, which will host the 2019 rodeo. “They improved in safety and they improved in their technique. So, it was a real win, win situation.
Seven senior individuals, 36 individual journeymen and 36 apprentice lineworkers competed in these events: Capacitator De-Energize, Line De-Energize and Armor Rod & Tie. There were 31 teams from the 17 co-ops that competed in the OCR Changeout, Line Replacement and Underarm Disconnect competitions. Individuals and teams competed in the “Hurt man” competition, which focuses on following the correct procedures in the event someone needs to be rescued after coming into contact with a live wire.
Jason Isaacs, a lineman for Blue Grass who competed for the first time, says the experience was one he plans on repeating.
“It was nerve-racking, but it was a great experience,” he says. “With everyone watching, you just want to do good.”
More than 86 linemen from 15 of Kentucky’s electric co-ops traveled to London, Kentucky last week to compete in the 13th annual Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives Lineman’s Rodeo. The two-day event gave the lineman the opportunity to show off their skills in hopes of bringing home the main trophy.
In the end, it was the host Jackson Energy that took home the big prize. A full list of winners is below.
“This was our first time hosting the rodeo,” said Carol Wright, President & CEO of Jackson Energy. “We were so pleased to see so many of our co-ops come out for this event.”
The competition featured both team and individual events.
“It’s a good working tool for keeping safe,” said Michael Ramsey, a lineman from South Kentucky RECC. “Speed matters, but it’s not the main thing. Safety’s an issue, and the more we concentrate on that, the more people who are going to go home safe every day. And that’s the best part of the rodeo.”
A team of three Clark Energy employees outperformed 23 other teams from 15 Kentucky electric cooperatives to capture the first place team award at the 2016 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo July 29-30. This was the 12th year for the rodeo and Shelby Energy Cooperative hosted at the Shelby County Fairgrounds.
The Clark Energy team—journeyman linemen David Dennis, Raymond Turner and Kevin Vance—completed a series of tasks–hurtman pole swap and and two “mystery” events concocted by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives safety and loss prevention staff–in a time of 30 minutes and 26.38 seconds and a perfect score of 400.
Phillip Cornell, an employee of West Kentucky RECC, was named the top apprentice lineman. Cornell completed a series of four tasks–hurtman rescue, skills climb, de-energizing a line, and cutout & feed change–in 23 minutes and 46:55 seconds and a perfect score of 400.
Jackson Energy’s Jeremy Rayborn was named top journeyman lineman. Rayborn completed the same four tasks as the apprentice competition in 21 minutes and 53.53 seconds and received a perfect score of 400.
“The rodeo is not a speed event,” says KAEC’s Director of Safety and Loss Prevention Clarence Greene. “It’s a test of safety skills and dexterity. The journeyman tasks are really hard because the linemen have to wear rubber gloves to do the same work that the apprentices do in just leather gloves.
“This is one of my favorite events of the year,” says Chris Perry, president and CEO of KAEC/UUS. “We celebrate the best of the lineman in our electric cooperative program through professionalism, safety and the cooperative spirit.”
The 2017 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo will be in London, KY and hosted by Jackson Energy.
To learn more about the rodeo, click “Safety” above and choose “Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo” from the drop-down menu.
Pennyrile Electric, in Hopkinsville, hosted the 11th Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo at the Western Kentucky Fairgrounds July 30 and 31.
The Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo is a yearly competition organized by the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives and showcases the amazing talents of electric cooperative lineman. This year’s rodeo saw 21 of Kentucky’s 26 electric cooperatives’ linemen compete for the coveted titles of top Apprentice, Journeyman, and Lineman team. The competition includes several work-related events: hurt-man, pole top rescue, and skill climb. All events are mainly judged on safety procedures since the rodeo’s main focus is doing line work in the safest possible manner.
Besides the 100+ competing lineman, the rodeo also had 50 judges and 37 volunteers. Family members and co-workers also come out in large numbers to support their various cooperative team members. Sponsors are also important to the success of the rodeo and there were 32 sponsors at varying levels providing support.
The rodeo, which began in 2005, started as part of a state effort to make lineworker safety a top priority for electric co-op utility employees in Kentucky. While the event is a competition, the rodeo tests line workers’ skills and safety practices—scoring rewards safety over speed.
Electric co-op lineman work to be “everyday safe” – this means being aware of your surroundings, identifying risks and making smart choices. We want your family to be everyday safe, too.
At Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, we are committed to safety, every day. From providing safety demos at schools across the state to promoting safety through articles and social media posts, to our veteran Safety Team that provides training to lineman across the state.
Consumer Safety Kentucky Electric Cooperatives, along with the 26 member co-ops, are passionate about promoting safety to its 1.5 million consumer members. By utilizing social media, Kentucky Living magazine, and KentuckyLiving.com, along with safety demonstrations, we make it our mission to spread the word about being safe around electricity.
Safety Team Being a lineman is a dangerous job. These men and women often work in adverse weather in remote areas to ensure that the electricity continues to flow. Our veteran Safety Team travels the state to provide support and training to the linemen. Meet our staff: https://kyelectric.coop/staff/
Mutual Aid
When disaster strikes, co-ops quickly deploy support staff and equipment to emergency and recovery zones to help sister co-ops restore power. For example, when Hurricane Irma ravaged parts of the southeast, 131 linemen from 17 of Kentucky’s co-ops deployed to Georgia to help with relief efforts.
Because the national network of transmission and distribution infrastructure owned by electric cooperatives was built to federal standards, line crews from any co-op in America can arrive on the scene ready to provide emergency support, secure in their knowledge of the system’s engineering.
2024 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo
October 2-4 hosted by East Kentucky Power Cooperative Winchester, KY.
APRRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
The Lineman Apprenticeship Program is a great choice for cooperatives seeking a formalized apprenticeship training and certification program that includes dynamic, hands-on training and skills verification delivered at the benchmark standard. Apprentices complete pre-campus work followed by instructor-led classroom, lab, and field instruction. This is a 4-year Apprenticeship Program. Participants will have 1 year to complete each Northwest Lineman College Module. Participants must have passed all tests for each Module prior to attending the corresponding Field Lab. A passing score for each section of the Northwest Lineman College Module will be no less than 80%. Participants will be required to wait 30 days before retesting, after any test score that is less than 80%. Each Module contains 10 sections and tests. Trainees who successfully complete the Lineman Apprenticeship Program receive a Northwest Lineman College Certificate of Completion. The curriculum is recognized by the US Department of Labor and can be used to obtain DOL Journeyman Certification.
CURRICULUM
1. Year One – 146 Hours/ 7.0 CEUs
Northwest Lineman College Module 1
Enrollment – January 2022
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Basic Skills Workshop/Field Lab 1 Prep
May 2022*
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Field Lab 1: Fundamentals scheduled
March 2023
2. Year Two – 169 Hours/ 7.0 CEUs
Northwest Lineman College Module 2
Enrollment – January 2023
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Field Lab 2: Construction
March 2024
3. Year Three – 145 Hours/ 7.0 CEUs
Northwest Lineman College Module 3
Enrollment-January 2024
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Field Lab 3: Energized work and Line devices
March 2025
4. Year Four – 148 Hours / 7.0 CEUs
Northwest Lineman College Module 4
Enrollment-January 2025
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives Field Lab 4: Leadership and Operations
March 2026
COST & ENROLLMENT:
Kentucky Electric Cooperatives will bill back each cooperative accordingly. The cost is $602.00 per module, per student. 4 – year total = $2,408.0
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