Media Contact: Regina Davis, rdavis@naruc.org

WASHINGTON (April 4, 2022) —The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and its members are reminding citizens during Safe Digging Month to avoid accidents and utility interruptions when engaging in any outdoor project and has issued the following statements:

“This is the season when many outdoor projects begin. However, we strongly urge anyone engaged in any outdoor residential or business projects to exercise extreme caution and reach out to 811. The costs of striking and damaging underground gas, electric, communications, water and sewer lines reach billions of dollars annually — not to mention the serious health risks that could be avoided.”

NARUC President Judith Williams Jagdmann
Virginia State Corporation Commission

“The responsibility of state utility regulators, along with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, in ensuring public safety by overseeing millions of miles of underground pipelines across the country cannot be overstated. Hitting buried utility lines can be avoided by contacting states’ 811 One–Call service several days in advance of beginning any excavation or digging project, including small yard projects. This simple precaution can prevent service disruptions, serious injuries and costly repairs.”

Commissioner D. Ethan Kimbrel, Illinois Commerce Commission
Chair, NARUC Committee on Gas

NARUC and many state public service commissions will continue to raise awareness on the need for safe digging practices throughout the month. To learn more about safe digging by state, visit bit.ly/SafeDiggingMap.  

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About NARUC

NARUC is a non-profit organization founded in 1889 whose members include the governmental agencies that are engaged in the regulation of utilities and carriers in the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. NARUC’s member agencies regulate telecommunications, energy, and water utilities. NARUC represents the interests of state public utility commissions before the three branches of the federal government.