Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are urging residents and contractors to call 811 before starting any digging or excavation projects. The reminder comes as Aug. 11 marks National Safe Digging Day, an initiative promoted by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration to highlight the importance of marking underground utility lines prior to excavation.
The companies reported that from January to June 2025, there were over 5,000 incidents where underground electric and natural gas lines were damaged within their service territories, which include North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. Of these incidents, about 1,450 involved damage to underground natural gas facilities in five states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky—while approximately 3,600 cases affected Duke Energy’s underground electric network across all its territories. In 2024 alone, more than 8,870 damages to natural gas and electric lines were reported by both companies.
Anyone planning an outdoor project that involves digging is advised to contact 811 at least three business days before beginning work. After calling the number—which connects users with a local one-call center—a crew will be dispatched to mark the locations of buried utilities such as electric lines, natural gas pipes, water mains, sewer lines and communication cables using stakes, flags or paint.
“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 safe digging practices or how to reach your state’s one-call center online or by phone (dialing 811), resources are available at https://call811.com/. Additional details can also be found on the company websites: https://www.duke-energy.com/ for Duke Energy and https://www.piedmontng.com/ for Piedmont Natural Gas.
Duke Energy serves millions of customers in six states and continues investing in grid upgrades as well as cleaner energy generation sources including renewables and storage technologies. Piedmont Natural Gas distributes service in three states and was recently recognized for customer satisfaction in the South according to a J.D. Power study.
Contact: Zach Vavricka
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