A nonprofit publication of the Kentucky Center for Public Service Journalism

Duke Energy: Call 811 before you dig to prevent personal injury, avoid outages


As summer yard projects continue, Duke Energy reminds everyone to call 811 before digging to prevent potential personal injury and avoid electric and natural gas outages.
 
“Keeping our customers safe and protecting our underground utility infrastructure are top priorities,” said Amy Spiller, president, Duke Energy Ohio and Kentucky. “Even simple digging jobs can cause serious injuries and disrupt vital utility services to communities, so it is important to call 811 to prevent unnecessary and potentially dangerous situations and outages in our communities.”

The national “811 Call Before You Dig” system was created so anyone who plans to dig can make a free call to have underground utility lines clearly marked.

Contractors, homeowners, business owners and anyone preparing for a digging project should call 811 at least three business days before digging begins. The local utilities will then send a crew to mark underground lines in the area (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) with stakes, flags or paint.
 
From January to June 2022, Duke Energy reported damage to 499 natural gas and electric lines in its Ohio and Kentucky service territory. More specifically, Duke Energy reported 405 cuts to underground natural gas facilities and 94 damages to its underground electric network in the area.

“Our best defense is awareness and ongoing education to call 811 before you dig,” added Spiller. “We are committed to sharing this message with our customers and communities to avoid these accidents.”
 
For a video that shows how to use 811, click here. For additional information about 811, visit Call 811 Before You Dig. To get in touch with the 811 center in your state, dial 811 or visit Call811.com.

Duke Energy Ohio/Kentucky, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, provides electric service to 880,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in a 3,000-square-mile service area, and natural gas service to 550,000 customers in a 2,650-square-mile service area in Ohio and Kentucky.
 


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