Duke Energy Ohio Executive Vice President, Customer Experience, Harry K. Sideris | Duke Energy Ohio
Duke Energy Ohio Executive Vice President, Customer Experience, Harry K. Sideris | Duke Energy Ohio
As April marks National Safe Digging Month, Duke Energy and its subsidiary, Piedmont Natural Gas, emphasize the importance of calling 811 before undertaking any digging projects. The initiative aims to prevent accidental damages to underground utility lines by ensuring these are marked before any excavation work begins.
Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business, stated, “Even if you’re digging just a few inches below the surface, underground utility lines can still be present. Taking the time to check and be aware of what’s beneath your feet is the best way to dig safely and prevent potentially dangerous damage to our underground utilities.”
The national 811 "Call Before You Dig" system offers a free service for marking utility lines when a call is made three business days before digging. This measure targets contractors, homeowners, business owners, and anyone involved in excavation projects, as local utilities respond by marking the location of underground lines such as electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, and cable TV.
In 2024, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas faced more than 8,870 instances where their underground lines were damaged. This included more than 2,950 damages to underground natural gas facilities across the Carolinas, Tennessee, Ohio, and Kentucky and over 5,920 damages to the Duke Energy electric network.
Weisker added, “Our strongest safeguard is raising awareness and providing continuous education about calling 811 before digging. We are dedicated to the safety of our customers and communities, and spreading this message helps prevent digging and excavation incidents.”
Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, serves millions across various states with electric and natural gas utilities, while Piedmont Natural Gas caters to over 1.2 million customers in the South. Further details on safe digging practices can be found on the Piedmont Call 811 Before You Dig webpage or by visiting call811.com.
Alerts Sign-up