Dial before you dig - Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy remind customers to call 811 on National Safe Digging Day
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- Aug. 11 is 811 Day – a day dedicated to the importance of calling 811 at least three business days before digging begins
- Piedmont Natural Gas and Duke Energy reported damage to underground natural gas and electric lines nearly 4,900 times this year
- Video here: Learn more about how the 811 process works
"This summer and fall, many homeowners and contractors will work on yard and landscaping projects that require digging or excavating," said Sasha Weintraub, Piedmont Natural Gas senior vice president and president. "Before you pick up the shovel or power up excavation equipment, dial 811 at least three business days before digging to help keep yourself and our communities safe and to prevent costly and potentially dangerous damage to underground utility lines."
Call first, dig second
The national "811 Call Before You Dig" system was created so anyone who plans to dig can have underground utility lines clearly marked by making a free call. Contractors, homeowners, business owners and anyone preparing for a digging project should call 811 at least three business days before digging begins. The local utilities will then send a crew to mark underground lines in the area (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) with stakes, flags or paint.
Digging into the damage data
From January to June 2023, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported damage to nearly 4,900 natural gas and electric lines in their service territories (
More specifically, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported about 1,600 damages to underground natural gas facilities in
"We are committed to the safe operation of our underground infrastructure and the safety of our customers, employees and communities," Weintraub added. "While accidents do happen, most damaged lines can be prevented with a free call to 811."
For additional information about 811, visit Call 811 Before You Dig. To contact the 811 center in your state, dial 811 or visit call811.com.
For additional information, see our story on illumination.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1.1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2023 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Contact: Zach Vavricka
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SOURCE Piedmont Natural Gas; Duke Energy
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