NYSEG and RG&E Customers are Reminded to Call 811 Before Digging During National Safe Digging Month

Proper marking of underground utilities prevents damage and injury

BINGHAMTON, NY — April 7, 2021 — April is National Safe Digging Month and with warmer weather approaching, New York State Gas & Electric (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) remind homeowners and contractors starting any projects that involve excavation or digging to have underground utilities marked to prevent damage. This is essential to protect themselves and others from injury and prevent damage to the electric lines and gas pipes that lay underground. Customers and contractors are reminded to contact Dig Safely New York by calling 811 at least two and no more than 10 full working days before the start of any excavation project. Underground utility marking requests can also be submitted online at digsafelynewyork.com. 

“Whether you’re putting in a foundation or building a deck, making this simple call will help keep everyone safe,” said Al Langland, Vice President of Gas Operations at NYSEG and RG&E. “Contractors are required by law to call Dig Safely New York before digging, and we strongly encourage do-it-yourselfers to call as well.”

Dig Safely New York is free and available to receive calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

 

Follow these tips for a safer project:

 

  • Plan to have underground utilities marked as part of all underground construction
  • Mark out the area of construction
  • Call Dig Safely New York, a free and easy service at 811 or 800.962.7962
  • Provide adequate training and supervision on a jobsite to assure that good construction practices are followed
  • Properly maintain all underground utility markings
  • Hand dig in the area of underground facilities
  • Provide adequate protection and support for underground facilities
  • If our underground facilities are damaged or disturbed, notify RG&E at 800.743.1702 for natural gas or 800.743.1701 for electricity. NYSEG can be notified by calling 800.572.1121 for a natural gas emergency and 800.572.1131 for an electric emergency. We'll come right away to ensure the site is safe and make repairs if required
  • Use and properly install suitable backfill material around underground facilities
     

For more information, visit Dig Safely New York at digsafelynewyork.com. 

NYSEG and RG&E are subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc. 

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About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit rge.com . 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

Learn about the Iberdrola Group’s global pandemic response at its COVID-19 Hub.

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