Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are urging individuals and businesses to call 811 before starting any digging or excavation projects. The reminder comes as Aug. 11 marks National Safe Digging Day, a nationwide initiative that emphasizes the importance of marking underground utility lines prior to digging.
National Safe Digging Day, also known as 811 Day, is led by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The goal is to prevent accidents by encouraging anyone planning an excavation project—homeowners, contractors, or business owners—to contact 811 at least three business days in advance. After calling, local utilities send crews to mark underground lines such as electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, and cable TV with stakes, flags or paint.
Between January and June 2025, Duke Energy and Piedmont reported over 5,000 incidents of damage to underground electric and natural gas lines across their service areas in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. Of these incidents, about 1,450 involved underground natural gas facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Approximately 3,600 damages were reported on Duke Energy’s underground electric network in all its territories. In total for 2024 alone, more than 8,870 damages were recorded involving both companies’ electric and natural gas lines.
“Whether you’re finishing a summer yard project or starting something new this fall, call 811 before you dig,” said Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business. “Damaging a utility line can be dangerous and costly, but it’s easily prevented by this simple step. Safety and reliability start with contacting 811.”
Duke Energy serves about 8.6 million electric customers in six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky—and operates with a total energy capacity of approximately 55,100 megawatts. Its natural gas services reach about 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.
The company continues investing in grid upgrades as well as cleaner generation sources including natural gas plants and renewables as part of its ongoing energy transition efforts.
Piedmont Natural Gas distributes natural gas to more than 1.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee. According to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Gas Utility Residential Customer Satisfaction Study it ranked highest among large utilities for residential customer satisfaction in the South.
For more information about safe digging practices or to find your state’s local center visit https://call811.com/.
More details on Duke Energy are available at https://duke-energy.com/.
