Edison Electric Institute President Tom Kuhn today offered the following words on the tragic loss of Gulf Power storm crew member Jackie Green:

Green Exemplified Unrivaled Dedication Of Utility Mutual Assistance Community, As Crews Toiled Throughout The July 4th Holiday To Bring Relief To Fellow Americans

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Gulf Power lineworker Jackie Green, who lost her life in a vehicle accident late Tuesday while traveling in a convoy of utility trucks.

“Jackie was a member of a Gulf Power mutual assistance crew that had traveled to Virginia to help local utility workers restore power to customers following the violent storms that swept across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic last weekend.

“Our hearts and prayers go out to Jackie's loved ones and to her Gulf Power family, with whom she served for more than two decades.

“Our thoughts and tremendous appreciation also are with the entire utility lineworker community to which Jackie belonged.  These men and women are bound by a deep bond and ethic based on selfless commitment and dedication to one of the most essential yet dangerous of jobs: maintaining and repairing the millions of miles of electrical lines that carry power to every customer.

“Jackie’s job did not require her to leave her Florida home and service territory to assist with restoration efforts hundreds of miles away. She, along with the entire Gulf Power team and utility workers from across the country, volunteered for this work through the industry’s mutual assistance network, through which companies can “borrow” workers from other utilities to speed the restoration process.

“The thousands of utility workers who dedicate themselves to power restoration and storm recovery are as much the backbone of our electricity delivery system as the nation’s electric grid itself.  Jackie worked in this capacity with her Gulf Power colleagues for 22 years. We are grateful for her service, and we extend our deep condolences to all those touched by her loss.”