012: 10,000 Pounds of Ice: How Great Lakes Energy Survived an Unprecedented Ice Storm (with Shaun Lamp)

Co-Op Heroes: Stories from Electric Utility Operators

In this episode of The Co-Op Heroes podcast, host Pablo Fuentes sits down with Shaun Lamp, President and CEO of Great Lakes Energy, to hear firsthand accounts of how crews and community members responded to one of Michigan's most devastating natural disasters in recent memory. When a once-in-a-century ice storm struck in March 2025, Great Lakes Energy's 14,000-mile system faced unprecedented challenges. With up to three inches of ice coating their infrastructure (six times more than design specifications), lineworkers didn't just restore power, they became first responders and community heroes. They cut their way through impassable roads to reach stranded members, many facing dangerously cold homes without heat. Featured stories include: - Lineworkers who left spring break vacations to answer their community's call - Crews strategically positioning themselves in treacherous conditions to clear obstacles - The powerful "My Daddy's a Line Worker" campaign that celebrated the families supporting these essential workers - Critical safety lessons about generator installation and use that protect both homeowners and crews Shaun shares how the cooperative difference shone through during the crisis. Employees who didn't just complete assigned tasks but actively cared for the members and families they serve. He also highlights the collaboration between neighboring cooperatives and the shared commitment to learning and supporting one another across the industry. This is a story about resilience, sacrifice, and the everyday heroes who show up for their communities when everything is on the line. --- Great Lakes Energy can be found at https://www.gtlakes.com/ Great Lakes Energy YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@greatlakesenergy Weather Channel Ice Storm interview with Shaun Lamp : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=su0SOv8Jv4E