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RG&E, NYSEG remind contractors & customers to 'Know What's Below': Call 811 before you dig

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Thu, Apr 25th 2019 01:20 pm

Rochester Gas and Electric and New York State Electric and Gas, subsidiaries of AVANGRID Inc., a diversified energy and utility company, reminded contractors that every excavation project, no matter how large or small, always requires a call to 811 (Dig Safely NY).

Customers working on home projects are encouraged to call 811, as well, whenever they are digging. There are currently 100 billion feet of utility lines buried underground in the U.S. These buried facilities, including natural gas, electric, water, sewer, cable TV, high-speed internet and landline telephone, provide the services Americans depend on for their basic everyday needs.

Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before digging will help protect people from injury.

Every year, there are dozens of incidents involving third-party damage to RG&E and NYSEG underground natural gas and electric facilities. These incidents can put people’s lives in danger, are costly, and can interrupt essential utility service.

“Something as seemingly harmless as a pick, tent stake or small excavator can cause serious damage to underground facilities,” said Dennis Bender, director – gas operations, NYSEG and RG&E. “Our goal is to meet the needs of our communities while keeping everyone safe.”

RG&E and NYSEG offer these few examples of when to call 811:

  • Landscaping
  • Digging holes for fence posts, signs (such as lawn signs for elections and garage sales) or a mailbox
  • Anchoring supports for decks and swings sets
  • Planting trees
  • Removing tree roots
  • Driving stakes into the ground
  • Installing a retaining wall

Calling 811 two working days and not more than 10 working days before starting a project that involves excavation is the only safe way to work. Once the call is made, Dig Safely New York will schedule free mark outs of all the underground utilities in the work area. Dig Safely New York can also be reached 1-800-962-7962 or at www.digsafelynewyork.com.

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