Contact: Scott Bolden, sbolden@naruc.org

NARUC Recognizes National Safe Digging Day

WASHINGTON (August 11, 2020) — The National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners  and state utility commissions recognize National Safe Digging Day (811 Day), an initiative led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, on Tuesday, August 11, 2020.

“Informing the public about the dangers of potentially hitting buried gas, electric, communications, water or sewer lines while digging is a critical aspect of serving the public interest for state public utility regulators,” said Commissioner Diane X. Burman of the New York State Public Service Commission and chair of the NARUC Committee on Gas. “As the United States continues to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, 811 staff are still working to ensure everyone’s safety.”

Anyone planning to engage in an outdoor digging project — even gardening — should call 811 or go to their state 811 center’s website at least two days before digging to request that the approximate location of buried utilities be marked with paint or flags to prevent unintentionally digging into an underground utility line.

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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.