Integrys Energy : August 11: A Great Day to Remind People to Call 8-1-1 for Safe Digging

For Release: 08/11/2015

August 11: A Great Day to Remind People to Call 8-1-1 for Safe Digging CHICAGO, IL -August 11 is a great day for Peoples Gas Delivery to remind its customers to call the DIGGER 8-1-1 Hotline at least 48 hours/two business days before beginning late summer digging projects. Activities like landscaping, installing a mailbox, and building a deck are among the projects that require a call to 8-1-1. Location specialists will come to the site to locate and mark all underground utility services in the area free of charge. DIGGER is a not-for-profit corporation that provides contractors, excavators, homeowners and others a free service through a single toll-free number, 8-1-1 or (312) 744-7000 to call for the locating and marking of underground facilities. The federally-mandated national 8-1-1 "Call Before You Dig" hotline number was created to help protect people from injury by unintentionally damaging underground utility lines while digging. Natural gas and electric lines are buried underneath the property and could be in striking distance, even for a simple project like erecting a tent for a holiday party. It is important that contractors, workers, residents and anyone planning work that requires digging to follow pipeline safety procedures and be aware of safe digging practices. There were more than 1,000 "hits" on Peoples Gas pipelines last year alone. Peoples Gas has approximately 4,000 miles of underground distribution and transportation natural gas pipeline in the city of Chicago. Calling 8-1-1 or DIGGER at (312) 744-7000 for City of Chicago residents well in advance to have locates completed, will help ensure you can start your summer projects safely. People can start projects safely as planned and ensure there are no disruptions to electric or natural gas service, possibly to entire neighborhoods. Peoples Gas is celebrating 165 years of delivering safe and reliable natural gas service to Chicago. Our employees are committed to being the people you can trust for energy you depend on. You can find more information about natural gas safety, energy efficiency, and other energy-related topics at peoplesgasdelivery.com