Safety / Focus Items
The fourth quarter Red Book Joint Safety Meeting was held on December 9th, at the California-Nevada JATC campus in Woodland. Contractors from across the state, LU 47, 1245 and new Red Book Committee Member LU 396 in Las Vegas, NV. We welcome the input from LU 396 on industry issues, especially those specific to work in Nevada. Their expertise will help to grow opportunities for our members in Nevada.
Variety of topics were discussed, including the ever-present issue of driving. We must continue focusing on this topic. At work, and at home. We have made improvements over the previous years but have plenty of room for improvement.
With the changing weather conditions, stay in tune with weather forecast on your route / destination. Conditions can change rapidly in elevation gain. Ensuring proper tires, working lights, chains (where required), and a bit of preparation in the event of an emergency, should meet these changes head on.
Continuation of talks on how to address mental health issues amongst our members. There are resources available for you, or your family. Encouraging members to utilize these services and providing a basic knowledge of what to look for. Talk to one another. Check in on each other. We spend so much time together. Welcome that new crew member with open arms!
The Spanish version of our Red Book & Outside Line Agreement’s. This has taken a significant amount of time and effort, due to some of the technical terminology within. This task, while cumbersome, will pay dividends with our membership. Easing access and understanding are key to knowledge. A special thank you to Eileen Purcell, Shannan Velayas and Ben Contreras for the work on this!
The latest version of the CA Red Book is in stock. Copies are available by contacting your Business Representative or picking one up at the Local Office. An online version is available on our website.
California
While the majority of California was at home, enjoying themselves, during the holiday season, many of our members were working on storm restoration. Christmas Eve saw the arrival of a multi-part storm front. Winds, more than 100 mph, were recorded near Humboldt. Christmas Eve saw more than 150,000 customers out across our jurisdiction.
By midday December 27th, our members had restored over 800,000 customers across the state. An incredible feat, given such a short window to safely operate. Our membership continues to show up and meet the challenges in front of them.
Closing out 2025, PG&E was able to complete over 330 miles of underground hardening, over 205 miles of overhead hardening and remove over 20 miles of overhead lines from the system. This work was completed as part of the PG&E Wildfire Mitigation Plan, and part of a larger goal to underground 10,000 miles in the most fire sensitive areas of California.
After a rather busy fall season, a portion of work came to a crawl at the beginning of December. While utility work schedules are still being developed for 2026, many private projects are starting logistical planning across California. Many of these projects will tap into our recently established Substation Technician program and provide transmission construction opportunities.
Underground Electric Construction Company (UECCo) will be breaking ground on multiple large transmission projects in later Winter / early spring in San Jose. These projects encompass roughly 25 miles of underground transmission, right through the heart of the city. These will help to alleviate future energy supply concerns in the area.
The Fresno Bi-Monthly Informational Meeting continues to take place on the second Tuesday of every other month, from 6pm to 8pm at Round Table Pizza at 5702 N. First St. The remaining meetings for this year will take place on July 8th, Sept 9th and Nov 11. A mass text reminder will be sent out the Monday before each meeting. Please make time to attend the meeting if you’re in the area.
We continue to visit and participate in community / school career days and fairs. Introducing this industry to the next generation will ensure that this trade, which has given so many opportunities, continues to do that. If you hear of any fairs happening in your area, please contact your area representative for discussion on what to do next.
Nevada/Lake Tahoe
Work continues across all properties in Nevada. NV Energy, along with multiple private vendors, continue to have a wide variety of work. Large transmission projects and data center construction continues to light the way, but various other work continues as well.
Greenlink West has seen some issues with completing some sections of the line construction. Until resolution is made, this will hinder the completion of this critical resource from coming online. The company has made a valiant effort in trying to correct this to no avail.
With West line construction on hold, Greenlink North is soon to begin. This project, led by the T&D Power team from the West project, will be another multi-year endeavor for our members. This set of lines will connect western Nevada to eastern Nevada.
SWIP North is scheduled to begin in the coming months. Material has been delayed but is hopeful to arrive in short time. This project is a critical piece in meeting overall regulatory requirements from CAISO. In conjunction with the existing One Nevada and DesertLink transmission lines, this project will give Idaho access to excess solar generation from California and allow California to benefit from excess wind generation from Idaho.
Traffic Control
Our Traffic Control group has capped off its busiest year on record. The membership of LU 1245 continues to set the bar in this space and continues to be the preferred choice of traffic control. There is an added layer of uncertainty, with construction Traffic Control. But every challenge has been met head on.
As our membership continues to grow, our contractor base will grow. We must demand that any contractor joining this growing, thriving work group maintain the high standards set before them. Continue to help mentor and educate new companies, and members as they join our team. We must ensure that ALL OF US are in this together, to get home safely.
The Cal-Nev JATC is now offering Flagger Certification training for current members. This is a great way to expand career opportunities, by gaining basic knowledge of the traffic industry. This is a REQUIRED certificate, to work in the Traffic Control industry. Please visit https://calnevjatc.org/trade-classes/ for more information!
California-Nevada JATC
The JATC will open applications for the Substation Tech Apprenticeship programs on February 9th, 2026. The last opening saw over 250 applications submitted during the opening application time. This number pales in comparison to the Lineman Apprenticeship, that sees around 1500 applications in the same time frame. Substations continue to be the backbone of the electrical infrastructure, providing stable, good paying jobs. If you, or someone you know, are interested in a career change, substations may be for you!
Civil Subcommittee has hit some roadblocks on the entry level, Groundman training. The JATC is currently searching for another vendor, capable of meeting this specific need. Additionally, the subcommittee, IBEW and NECA Contractors together, have decided to pursue an Operator Training Program. Using existing JATC criteria, Cal-Nev JATC will develop a training curriculum to fit the needs of California and Nevada equipment operators.
We must continue to set the bar with our apprentices, in the field and the classroom. Ensuring that our apprentices are supported and trained correctly, is the sure way to improve the quality of craftsmanship for many generations to come. We must take pride in our apprentices, to make strong Journeymen.
CPR & First Aid
CPR and First Aid classes are scheduled for the second Friday of every month at the Woodland and Riverside facilities. If you are interested and want to sign up for this class, visit www.calnevjatc.org ,click on the Web Services tab, then Class Schedule. If you do not already have a web account with the JATC, you will need to create one. Class availability is based on a first-come, first-served basis.
Injured Workers Fund (IWF)
As of December 31, 2025, the balance of the Fund was $687.438.03. Beginning October 1, 2025, the Fund has paid out $77,800 in disability and parental leave claims
The Summary Plan Description (SPD) and Application can be found at the below link: https://ibew1245.com/outside-line-injured-workers-fund/ .
Dispatch
Fourth Quarter Totals
- Journeyman Lineman: 604
- Line Equipment Man: 129
- Groundman: 523
- Traffic Control Technician: 51
Year to Date Totals
- Journeyman Lineman: 2667
- Line Equipment Man: 1061
- Groundman: 2395
- Traffic Control Technician: 378
Organizing
CA Outside Line Construction Agreement:
Support Operations Services LLC
S&S Cable LLC
BlueGate PCA LLC
Lohman Helicopter LLC
Traffic Control Agreement
Lindco, Inc.
Construction Coordinator/Inspector
Pro Energy Inspection Group LLC
Utility Support Services