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Thank you for joining The 1952 Society! You’ll be receiving your first correspondence from us soon! In the meantime enjoy posts from The 1952 Society Blog, in the column to the right.

Modernizing the Grid: Revisiting a Century of Transmission Structure Designs

Why upgrading the grid doesn't mean replacing everything old. Would you be surprised to learn that early lattice steel structures were not designed according to national standards? In the early days, each engineering firm followed its own unique design methodology,...

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025

2024 was a busy year for the U.S. power sector with a number of significant policy advancements in renewables, transmission, nuclear energy and other areas. The year ahead will undoubtedly be an active one, too, as the sector navigates ongoing business challenges and...

Can’t Miss Winter Gear for Linemen

You've likely heard the quote: "The best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, the second best time is today." Well if you're a lineman right now, you might be thinking that the best time to buy winter gear was two months ago, but the good news is the second best...

Midwest to lead in ‘build, baby, build’

MISO has proven itself as a national leader in regional transmission planning — and other regions should take note. There’s been a chant building across the energy sector the last several months, “build, baby, build.” With the historic approval of a record-setting...

‘Good riddance’ says Oklahoma governor as DOE nixes 7 national transmission corridors, refines 3

The Biden administration is considering federal support for transmission development in certain areas, but many landowners have opposed the plan, including in Oklahoma and Kansas. The U.S. Department of Energy on Monday opened a 60-day public comment on three...

Equipment Stabilization Considerations for Utility Operations

Utility workers face numerous challenges in their quest to build, maintain and improve infrastructure. One significant yet sometimes overlooked challenge is the risk associated with equipment instability. Crucial aspects of equipment setup include stabilization of the...

MISO board approves $22B regional transmission plan with 765-kV backbone

“Our Tranche 2.1 portfolio … is a major leap forward for the [Midcontinent Independent System Operator] footprint, and in particular our Midwest region,” MISO’s Jeremiah Doner said. MISO estimates that its Long Range Transmission Planning Tranche 2.1 projects will...

A Three-Tiered Approach to Securing Buy-In for Safety Initiatives

Despite widespread recognition of the importance of worker safety, gaining consistent buy-in for safety initiatives remains a significant challenge for many safety and operational leaders. Even with the best intentions and efforts, safety programs too often become...

The Intersection of Infrastructure and Environment

Salmon and steel transmission poles are words not often used in the same sentence in the power delivery industry. As utility professionals responsible for the infrastructure spanning the countryside through a myriad of environmental and ecological conditions, we know that wildlife can be impacted by the work we do. Is it possible to protect both with the right mindset and approach to T&D asset management?

Don’t Forget the Gifts for Linemen in Your Life This Christmas

The cold wind from the north, the layer of brine on the streets (and cars), the bell ringers in red hats in front of the big box stores, kids so amped up that they are practically vibrating, and the proliferation of decorative lights on houses all point to one fact:...

Latest Articles

UNDERSTANDING WIND SPEED LIMITATIONS ON UTILITY EQUIPMENT

The question about what’s permitted for operating aerial devices and digger derricks in high winds is one that comes up frequently with users. Utility crews often must deal with working in wind. Trouble trucks responding during storm recovery, transmission operations to place visibility balls on lines and working above rooflines in urban locations are just a few examples. Plus, some areas of the country experience high winds regularly or seasonally.

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NOAA predicts above-normal 2024 Atlantic hurricane season

NOAA National Weather Service forecasters at the Climate Prediction Center predict above-normal hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year. NOAA’s outlook for the 2024 Atlantic hurricane season, which spans from June 1 to November 30, predicts an 85% chance of an above-normal hurricane season, a 10% chance of a near-normal season and a 5% chance of a below-normal season.

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What is “The 1952 Society”?

What is “The 1952 Society”?

When John Tallman returned from World War II, he and some Army buddies went into business equipping linemen with all the tools and gear they need to keep the lights on. In 1952, John’s son Warren brought that vision to fruition and incorporated Tallman Equipment Company with headquarters in downtown Chicago (read more about Tallman’s history here). In the 70+ years since our founding, Tallman Equipment has  remained dedicated to our mission to be the premier outfitter for the electrical utility industry. As a part of that effort, we have created The 1952 Society to be the exclusive insider portal into the world of Tallman Equipment.

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FR/AR Apparel Use: Are Your Workers Properly Trained?

Many workers in the utilities space bravely put their personal safety at risk every day on the job. Facing potential hazards such as arc flashes, flash fires and unpredictable elements of nature, these workers’ personal protective equipment – particularly their...

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A New Era for Rural Electric Cooperatives

Rural cooperatives are hard at work, discovering how their members can benefit from the Empowering Rural America Program (New Era). Funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering rural electric cooperative utilities and...

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Tallman In the News

9 US electric power sector issues to watch in 2025

2024 was a busy year for the U.S. power sector with a number of significant policy advancements in renewables, transmission, nuclear energy and other areas. The year ahead will undoubtedly be an active one, too, as the sector navigates...

Midwest to lead in ‘build, baby, build’

MISO has proven itself as a national leader in regional transmission planning — and other regions should take note. There’s been a chant building across the energy sector the last several months, “build, baby, build.” With the historic...

‘Good riddance’ says Oklahoma governor as DOE nixes 7 national transmission corridors, refines 3

The Biden administration is considering federal support for transmission development in certain areas, but many landowners have opposed the plan, including in Oklahoma and Kansas. The U.S. Department of Energy on Monday opened a 60-day...

MISO board approves $22B regional transmission plan with 765-kV backbone

“Our Tranche 2.1 portfolio … is a major leap forward for the [Midcontinent Independent System Operator] footprint, and in particular our Midwest region,” MISO’s Jeremiah Doner said. MISO estimates that its Long Range Transmission Planning...

Grid Planning for Building Electrification: Key Takeaways and Considerations for Grid Planners

Electrification in buildings—especially for space heating— is advancing across the US driven by policy incentives, consumer preferences, and advances in technology. Electrification in buildings—especially for space heating— is advancing...

Local transmission spending soars nationwide amid ‘serious absence of cost containment’

In New England, Eversource and National Grid are advancing two local projects totaling $724 million as state utility regulators push for more oversight. Spending on local transmission projects has been increasing across the United States...

DOE Releases Report for Distribution Transformers in Electrical Power Grid

The report focuses at the number of U.S. distribution transformer units, the number and capacity of the assets, the units’ current age profile, and demand for distribution transformers. The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of...

Power Electronics Are Making the Transmission System Flexible

Integrated solutions are required for our interconnected power grid. There’s a transition taking place in the power grid. Actually there are a number of transitions taking place and it’s a normal continuous process. Some are in the...

Chris Wright, Trump’s Pick for Energy, to Focus on Reliability, Affordability

Wright is a frequent Republican donor and will serve on Trump’s newly formed Council of National Energy President-Elect Donald Trump has chosen a Colorado energy CEO, Chris Wright, who heads up one of the world’s largest fracking...

Not just a ‘boondoggle’: State regulators, industrial companies push for cost effective transmission

Proactive planning, incentives and competitive solicitations can help control transmission costs, the Brattle Group’s Johannes Pfeifenberger said. With transmission costs expected to continue increasing, state utility regulators, energy...
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