Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are encouraging the public to call 811 before starting any digging or excavation projects. This reminder comes as Aug. 11 marks National Safe Digging Day, a date recognized to promote safe practices around underground utility lines.
The 811 service is a nationwide toll-free number established by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It is designed to help prevent accidental damage to underground utilities by having professionals mark buried lines before work begins.
Contractors, homeowners, and business owners are advised to contact 811 at least three business days ahead of their planned digging activities. Utility crews will then mark the locations of underground electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV, and other lines using stakes, flags, or paint.
From January through June 2025, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas reported more than 5,000 incidents where underground electric and natural gas lines were damaged in their service areas across North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. Of these incidents, about 1,450 involved damage to underground natural gas facilities in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. Duke Energy also reported approximately 3,600 cases of damage to its underground electric network across all territories. In total for 2024 alone the companies recorded over 8,870 damages involving both natural gas and electric lines.
“Whether you’re finishing a summer yard project or starting something new this fall, call 811 before you dig,” said Brian Weisker, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business. “Damaging a utility line can be dangerous and costly, but it’s easily prevented by this simple step. Safety and reliability start with contacting 811.”
For more information about how the process works or how to contact your state’s center directly visit https://call811.com/. Additional resources are available on Duke Energy’s website at https://www.duke-energy.com/our-company/about-us/safety/call-before-you-dig.
Duke Energy serves approximately 8.6 million customers with electricity in six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida https://www.duke-energy.com/home—and provides natural gas services to about 1.7 million customers in five states including Tennessee https://www.duke-energy.com/home/natural-gas-services/natural-gas-utilities-service-area-map/. The company continues investing in grid upgrades as well as cleaner energy sources such as renewables and energy storage.
Piedmont Natural Gas distributes fuel to more than 1.2 million customers in North Carolina https://www.piedmontng.com/, South Carolina https://www.piedmontng.com/, and Tennessee https://www.piedmontng.com/. According to J.D. Power’s most recent study on residential customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South region for natural gas service in 2024 Piedmont ranked highest among its peers.
Contact: Zach Vavricka
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