You post: "I have a friend who worked at EWEB" and then go on to imply that the workers at EWEB were purposely protecting squirrels to pad their paycheck. Correct? (no getting out with, they are just words, it's just numbers, etc.) 
First, how shall we judge your source? Did your EWEB person actually speak with authority about "all"  linesmen by surveying all of them? Could it have been a joke? You make a serious charge from an unknown source. Do we just believe you?
You continue with more assumptions, believing that the extra money made from that saved squirrel (as if that squirrel WILL) short a powerline) was spent on a new propeller for a boat. Why a boat? Are you insinuating linesmen are well-off boat owners who spend their ill-gotten public funds on frivolous personal expenditures? 
I just can figure out why someone would make such charges of linesmen, though it might be from a serious disregard for the truth even if it disparages those do dangerous work. If so, that's sick.