LAKEWOOD, Colo.—Gering lineman Jim Marlin retires Nov. 26 after more than 32 years with the Federal government, including 22 years at Western Area Power Administration.  Since 1988, Marlin has worked at Western's Gering, Neb., field office.

        Marlin's Federal service includes three years in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969.  He joined the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1974 and then was transferred to Western in 1977 when the agency was created.  He worked for Western's sister agency, the Bonneville Power Administration, from 1979 to 1983 and then returned to Western.

        As a member of Western's Gering line crew, Marlin shared responsibilities for the scheduled maintenance, emergency maintenance and construction of high voltage transmission lines ranging from 34,500 to 230,000 volts.  The Gering crew maintains about 800 miles of transmission lines.

        Marlin's family includes his wife Carolyn, children Jamie and Kevin and three grandchildren.

        Western Area Power Administration annually markets and transmits more than 10,000 megawatts of power from hydroelectric powerplants owned and operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 15 western and central states. It is part of the Department of Energy.