Call 811 Before Digging to Avoid Buried Utility Lines
March 18, 2010
With the snow melted and the ground almost ready for planting, anxious homeowners are gearing up to start those outdoor digging projects. But before they reach for that shovel, they should remember to call 811, the national call-before-you-dig hotline. The telephone number 811 has been designated as a national hotline to ensure that buried utility lines are marked before digging. Dialing 811 will automatically direct callers to the Pennsylvania One Call System or, in Maryland, to Miss Utility, who will then alert the appropriate underground facility owners – like Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland – of the planned dig. The facility owners will then identify and mark underground lines or facilities at the work site. For more information about digging safely in Maryland, visit www.missutility.net. In Pennsylvania, visit www.pa1call.org.
Learn more tips to save energy, safely heat your home and save money this winter.
Contact: Mike Marcus
724-416-6333
724-416-3695 (cell)
mmarcus@nisource.com
In an effort to help customers manage winter heating bills, Columbia Gas of Maryland today released the final in a series of ongoing public service announcements called “Cold Weather Minute” to print and broadcast media outlets across Columbia Gas of Maryland service areas. These tips are aimed at helping customers manage their energy bills this winter heating season by using energy wisely.
About Columbia Gas of Maryland
Columbia Gas of Maryland serves more than 33,000 customers in Garrett, Allegany and Washington counties. It is one of the 10 energy distribution companies of NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI). NiSource distribution companies serve 3.7 million natural gas and electric customers primarily in nine states. Visit Columbia Gas of Maryland online at www.columbiagasmd.com.