One free call before a digging project can prevent injuries, property damage and service disruption

HOUSTON- August 11, 2014 - Today's date of 8/11 is a natural reminder for everyone to call the national "Call Before You Dig" number, 811 prior to any digging project. One free call to 811 before digging can prevent injuries, property damage, service disruption and possibly costly fines for damaged infrastructure.

"CenterPoint Energy spends millions of dollars annually to enhance the safety and reliability of our underground utility lines in the communities we serve. The public can do their part by calling 811 before every digging project," said Joe Berry, manager of Underground Locating for CenterPoint Energy. "When a call is made to 811, 99 percent of the time there is no damage to vital underground utility lines."

When homeowners call 811, they connect to their local One Call Center, which then notifies the appropriate utility companies of the homeowner's intent to dig. Professional locators are sent to the requested digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint or both. The flags and spray paint notify workers of the underground gas lines and to dig carefully.

The depth of utility lines varies and there may be multiple utility lines in a common area. So, whether it's a small project like planting trees or shrubs or hiring a professional for an outdoor project, smart digging means calling 811 before each job.

Since the 811 "Call Before You Dig" campaign was created in 2004, there has been roughly a 40 percent reduction in excavation damages. For more information, visit call811.com.

CenterPoint Energy, Inc., headquartered in Houston, Texas, is a domestic energy delivery company that includes electric transmission & distribution, natural gas distribution and energy services operations. The company serves more than five million metered customers primarily in Arkansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, and Texas. The company also owns a 55.4 percent limited partner interest in Enable Midstream Partners, a publicly traded master limited partnership it jointly controls with OGE Energy Corp., which owns, operates and develops natural gas and crude oil infrastructure assets. With more than 8,500 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 140 years.www.CenterPointEnergy.com.

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