SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced findings from a
recent survey of 1,750 of its customers that shows 811 – the free
service to mark underground utility lines – is well-known but
misunderstood and underused in Northern and Central California. To keep
everyone safe when digging, PG&E is urging all of its customers,
excavators, first responders and businesses across the state to promote
the free service and most importantly – to use the service two business
days ahead of any digging projects.
Common misconceptions among customers surveyed include:
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Over 50 percent of customers think it’s safe to dig up to 12 inches
before needing to call 811.
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All customers and excavators need to call 811 every time they dig, no
matter how deep they dig.
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Almost 20 percent of customers believe it’s safe to plant a tree
without calling 811.
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Any time customers plant trees in their yards, they need to call 811
two business days before.
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Of the customers who have never called 811 before digging, 60
percent felt their project was too small or believed it was already
safe where they were digging.
“PG&E is committed to keeping the community safe, but we need the help
of our customers and the community to avoid the potential hazards caused
by dig-ins. Our recent survey gets to the heart of the safety issue
showing that three in four of our customers are aware of the 811 free
marking, but only one in seven have ever called 811 before digging.
That’s not good and it needs to get better. Calling 811 is simple, free
and can prevent injuries or even save a life,” said PG&E’s Jesus Soto,
senior vice president of Gas Operations.
“We want to send the message that no digging project is too small – any
time a shovel or digging tool strikes the earth, you need to call 811.
Whether you’re planting a tree, installing a mailbox or performing a
large-scale excavation, calling 811 or using the new online tool
811express.com should always be the first step,” said Ryan White,
general manager of USA North 811.
Last year, there were more than 1,735 strikes on PG&E’s underground
infrastructure. Of those dig-ins, more than 55 percent had not called
ahead to have underground utility lines properly marked. In 2016, the
average cost to those who damaged PG&E’s underground utility lines,
including fines and repairs, amounted to $7,500.
August 11 is National Safe Digging Day where the importance of calling
811 two business days before digging is recognized across the nation.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric energy companies in the United States. Based in San
Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of
the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/
and pge.com/news.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170727006228/en/
Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company