Rock Energy linemen return after Hurricane Irma
Rock Energy linemen return after Hurricane Irma

Linemen Justin Busfield and Brent LaBuy returned to Rock Energy Cooperative on Wednesday, Sept. 20, after helping restore power in the wake of Hurricane Irma’s devastation in Florida.
They joined more than 50 co-op employees from 18 Wisconsin energy cooperatives who were assigned to assist rebuilding at Clay Electric Cooperative, headquartered in Keystone Heights, Fla., northeast of Gainesville.
After the hurricane, Clay Electric had about 130,000 members—representing about 75 percent of its system—without power.
More than 40 vehicles were dispatched, including bucket trucks, pole-hauling trailers, and digging equipment. The convoy left from Janesville on Monday, Sept. 11, and returned on Wednesday, Sept. 20, after accomplishing their mission.
In addition to Rock Energy, participating co-ops included Adams-Columbia, Barron, Bayfield, Central Wisconsin, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Oakdale, Oconto, Pierce Pepin, Price, Richland, Riverland, Scenic Rivers, Taylor, Vernon, and Dairyland.
Click here to read the story featured in the November co-op magazine.