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17th ANNUAL LINEMAN’S RODEO SHOWS COMPETITIVE STRENGTH OF LADWP UTILITY WORKERS

NEWS RELEASE
May 20, 2007
17th ANNUAL LINEMAN’S RODEO SHOWS COMPETITIVE STRENGTH OF LADWP UTILITY WORKERS
LADWP Journeyman Teams Sweep Overall Event
LOS ANGELES (May 20, 2008)  — LADWP Journeyman teams took the top three prizes at the 17th Annual Lineman’s Rodeo and Family Festival held on Saturday, May 17, at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power’s (LADWP) Truesdale Training Center in Sun Valley.  The event showcased some of the extraordinary skills and abilities power utility workers utilize every day to keep power flowing to City residents and businesses.

Despite the heat, this year’s event hosted approximately 35 journeyman and 40 apprentice teams of electric distribution mechanics competing in a variety of events designed to test abilities and demonstrate the safety techniques, skill and speed of power utility workers.  Nearly 3,000 LADWP employees and family members attended the event.

“LADWP had a very impressive showing today,” said LADWP CEO & General Manager David Nahai.  “I’m very proud of everyone who competed and for the effort they put toward keeping the power on in all types of difficult conditions, much like today.”  Temperatures at the rodeo grounds in Sun Valley climbed over 100 degrees.

LADWP journeyman teams took six of the top 10 overall awards including first, second and third place.  An LADWP apprentice team placed second overall with two other LADWP teams placing in the top six overall.  Winners of the competition will compete at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City, Mo., later this year.

“As a long time sponsor of the Lineman’s Rodeo, we are very proud of the skill our members have displayed as well as their pride in their craft,” said Brian D’Arcy, business manager of IBEW Local 18

Participating utilities included: Southern California Edison; Arizona Power Services; San Diego Gas & Electric; Anaheim Public Power; Seattle Public Power; Cities of Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena; Nevada Power, Colorado Power and Local 111 Union, among others.

Among the competitions, linemen and apprentice linemen competed in contests such as the “Egg Speed Climb” in which they carried a raw egg in their mouth, without breaking it, while speed climbing down a 40-foot power pole.  Other competitions included a hurt-person rescue, changing out cross-arms, switching equipment while atop power poles, and more.

Sponsored by LADWP and IBEW Local 18 Union, the annual Lineman’s Rodeo is one of the most beloved events on the Department’s annual calendar.  It is a well-deserved moment in the spotlight for the hard working utility workers who do the dangerous and challenging work of keeping power flowing to the City of Los Angeles.  The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power proudly salutes all line workers, including the winners and competitors who participated in the 17th annual Lineman’s Rodeo.  For a complete list of the event’s results, visit www.lalinemanrodeo.com.

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Terry Schneider, LADWP Public Affairs, 213-367-2265