Line Life Podcast

ICYMI: Safeguarding Human Flight Amid Drone Expansion

As lineworkers and pilots work "inside the wires" from helicopters, drones could soon be a part of this shielded airspace. Mike Starner of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and Heather Moran of Level Ascent Solutions explored the Federal Aviation Administration's proposed rules regulating the use of drones.  This audio story, authored by Mike Starner of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and Heather Moran of Level Ascent Solutions, was featured in the January 2026 issue of T&D World magazine. Their story highlights safety concerns around rights-of-way and the need for rapid communication and coordination. It also shares how technologies can help if implemented with input from pilots, drone operators and utility safety professionals. Listeners will hear why preserving human judgment and teamwork is essential as drone inspections and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations expand. It will also focus on why collaboration, standardized protocols and training are critical to safely modernize inspections above the power line. For more information, read the article [https://www.tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations/article/55336197/safeguarding-human-flight-amid-drone-expansion]on the T&D World website.

Live from Chicago: Spotlight on Technology at the 2026 IEEE PES T&D

Join us for a roundup from the IEEE PES T&D 2026 conference in Chicago, featuring interviews with exhibitors about the rise of 765 kV transmission, the looming matting shortage for large build-outs and the growing power demand from data centers. Vendors and technology providers discuss solutions for improving grid reliability and resilience. Hear conversations with Hubbell, Shemar, Sterling Site Access Solutions, Smart Power and Ayr Energy about local manufacturing, automated mat production, power-flow technologies and upcoming projects representing gigawatts of new capacity. For more coverage and videos, visit www.tdworld.com [https://www.tdworld.com/ieee-pes-show-update] and tune into our sister podcast, T&D World Live. You can also listen to our latest episode in our ICYMI series, "Powering Reliability: Inside the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show [https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ynv9h-1abbc3b]" on Podbean [http://linelife.podbean.com] or in your favorite podcasting app. Thanks for listening!

ICYMI: Powering Reliability: Inside the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Show

The T&D World team just returned from Chicago for the 2026 IEEE PES T&D Conference and Exposition. This audio story in our ICYMI series previews the event, featuring a Q&A with Jackie Peer, director of industry outreach for the event steering committee, and Carla Frieh, co-chair of the local organizing committee. Power engineering professionals from around the world came together in Chicago from May 4-7 to explore practical solutions for a more reliable, resilient grid. ComEd hosted the week of education and networking at the McCormick Place in Chicago, where attendees could browse exhibits on the show floor, attend technical and panel sessions and participate in technical tours and networking events.   To see more coverage of the event, stay tuned to the T&D World [https://www.tdworld.com/ieee-pes-show-update] website [https://www.tdworld.com/ieee-pes-show-update] and look for a future episode of the T&D World Live Podcast, which will feature a recap moderated by Christina Marsh with Amy Fischbach and Nikki Chandler of T&D World.

Ramping Up Resiliency in Houston: Featuring Nathan Brownell of CenterPoint Energy

In the wake of Hurricane Beryl, CenterPoint Energy began modernizing its system through the Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative (GHRI). To improve resiliency and reliability, the utility is performing targeted undergrounding of its power lines, clearing vegetation and installing storm-resistant fiberglass poles in its service territory. For this episode of the T&D World Line Life Podcast, Nathan Brownell, vice president of resilience and capital delivery for CenterPoint, shares how his utility is striving to have the most resilient coastal grid in the country. For more information, read the cover story of the June 2026 issue of T&D World magazine. You can also stay tuned to the Line Life Podcast [http://linelife.podbean.com]to listen to a narrated version of this article in our ICYMI series.

ICYMI: Record-Breaking Rodeo: A Week of Safety, Innovation and Competition

Join the T&D World Line Life Podcast as we recap the record-setting 2025 International Lineman's Rodeo Week in Kansas City — a week of safety training, cutting-edge tools on the trade show floor, Trade Night traditions and the intense competition that showcases the best in the line trade. Hear stories of resilience and self-preservation in the line trade from the safety and training conference and discover how the industry comes together to celebrate skills, innovation and community during the annual International Lineman's Rodeo Week. Visit the T&D World website [https://www.tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations/article/55327127/living-and-loving-the-line-life]to read this story from the December print issue online. While you're on Podbean [http://linelife.podbean.com] or on your favorite podcasting app, listen to another audio story for the Line Life Podcast about the results of the 2025 competition: "Lineman's Rodeo Rewind [https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-czb4v-1a91dd6]." We look forward to seeing you in mid-October for the 2026 International Lineman's Rodeo Week! Stay tuned to the field-focused Electric Utility Operations  [http://tdworld.com/electric-utility-operations]page for more information about the 2026 event and year-round coverage of the line trade. You can also subscribe to our Lineman Life and Lineman's Rodeo News enewsletter on our website [https://endeavor.dragonforms.com/loading.do?pk=TDW_HMWEB&omedasite=TWnewpref] and visit the website [https://www.linemansrodeokc.com/2026] for the International Lineman's Rodeo Association (ILRA) for more details.