Press Release

Media Advisory: PUC and PA 1 Call Encourage Pennsylvanians to ‘Know What’s Below. Call Before You Dig’ During Summer Projects

Published on 6/17/2008

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

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) and Pennsylvania One Call System Inc. (PA 1 Call) will urge residents planning an outdoor project that requires digging this summer to dial 8-1-1 to “Know What’s Below.  Call Before You Dig” during a media event at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, at Harrisburg Area Community College.

As part of this year’s annual PA 1 Call’s Central PA Safety Day, the PUC and PA 1 Call will remind residents planning to dig to call 8-1-1 at least three business days before beginning a project if you plan to use power equipment, as required by law.

WHO:             PUC Commissioner Kim Pizzingrilli and PA 1 Call President and Executive Director Bill Kiger

WHAT:           Media event at PA 1 Call’s Central PA Safety Day including a “Know What’s Below” excavation demo

WHEN:          10 a.m. Thursday, June 19, 2008

WHERE:        Harrisburg Area Community College, Shumaker Public Safety Building, Industrial Drive, Gate Entrance No. 5.  Enter at the Welcome Center to be directed to the media event location.

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 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.PaOneCall.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, audio of select Commission proceedings or more information about the PUC, visit our Web site at www.puc.state.pa.us.

###

Contact:

• Denise McCracken
  Senior Communications Specialist
  717-787-5722
  demccracken@pa.gov