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

Proper marking prevents damage and injury

BINGHAMTON, NY — April 12, 2022 — 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 to prevent damage to underground electric lines and gas pipes.

Every year, there are dozens of incidents involving third-party damage to NYSEG and RG&E underground natural gas and electric facilities. These incidents can put people’s lives in danger and interrupt essential utility services.

“Whether you are a homeowner doing a DIY digging project for the first time, or a professional excavator with years of experience, placing a location request with UDig NY at least two days before beginning your digging project is essential,” said Al Langland, Vice President of Gas Engineering, NYSEG and RG&E. 

The service is free and can be scheduled by contacting UDig NY at UDigNY.org or by calling 811 between two and ten full working days before digging begins.

“Digging without placing a location request dramatically increases your risk of causing damage to underground utilities,” said Kevin Hopper, UDig NY executive director. “This National Safe Digging Month, I encourage anyone planning a digging project to visit udigny.org to learn more about protecting yourself and your community by placing a location request before you dig.”

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 with white paint.
  • Call UDig NY, a free and easy service at 811 or visit UDigNY.org.
  • Verify all utilities listed on the UDig NY ticket have been marked or cleared prior to beginning underground construction
  • Be aware privately owned utilities may be present during construction and are the homeowner’s responsibility to locate. These may include but are not limited to gas, electric, water, sewer, storm water, cable, and telecommunication service lines that are not public utilities.
  • 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.

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) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $39 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, 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 7,000 people and has been recognized by Forbes and Just Capital as one of the 2021 JUST 100 companies - a list of America's best corporate citizens - and was ranked number one within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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