Press Release

Media Advisory: PUC, PA One Call Urge Residents to ‘Know What’s Below. Call Before You Dig’ by Dialing 8-1-1

Published on 6/12/2007

Filed under: Electric Gas Water and Wastewater Telecommunications Transportation and Safety

HARRISBURG, Pa – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Pennsylvania One Call System Inc. (PA 1 Call) will remind Pennsylvanians planning an outdoor project that requires digging to dial 8-1-1 to “Know What’s Below. Call Before You Dig” with a media event at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 14 at Harrisburg Area Community College Fire School.

With the backdrop of backhoes, trench diggers as well as emergency personnel and equipment attending PA 1 Call’s Central PA Safety Day at Harrisburg Area Community College, the PUC and PA 1 Call urged all residents planning to dig to call – whether the project is simple or a little more involved. 8-1-1 calls must be made at least three business days before digging. Anyone using power equipment is required by law to call 8-1-1.

WHO:        PUC Vice Chairman James Cawley and PA 1 Call President and Executive Director Bill Kiger

WHAT:      Media event – “Know What’s Below. Call Before You Dig”

WHEN:     11 a.m. Thursday, June 14, 2007

WHERE:    Harrisburg Area Community College Fire Academy School, One HACC Drive, Entrance #5, Industrial Road

In May, the PUC launched statewide radio ads as part of an effort to increase awareness of the new abbreviated dialing. An informational brochure on the “Know what’s below. Call 8-1-1 before you dig.” campaign also is available on the Web site under the Consumer Education link.

In Pennsylvania, homeowners and contractors are required to contact PA 1 Call at least three business days before beginning any digging or excavation project. In 2006, the PUC ordered all local telecommunications exchange carriers and other carriers with switching capabilities – including payphone providers – to fully implement 8-1-1 as the abbreviated dialing code to access PA 1 Call.    

Pennsylvania One Call System, Inc. is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit corporation established in 1972.  Their purpose is to prevent damage to underground facilities.  To promote safety, they provide an efficient, cost-effective communications network among designers, excavators, and facility owners.  Before digging begins, PA 1 Call facilitates contact between those wishing to excavate at a particular location with the owners and operators of underground facilities nearby, including public utilities. All excavators and residents must contact PA 1 Call at least three business days prior to excavation, as required by law. The service is offered at no cost to homeowners.  For more information, please visit www.pa1call.org.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities to ensure safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protect the public interest; educate consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; further economic development; and foster new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner. For recent news releases, or more information about the PUC, visit our Internet homepage www.puc.state.pa.us.

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