For Release: 04/18/2012

North Shore Gas Employee Appointed to the Board of Directors of JULIE, Inc.

WAUKEGAN - Ted Andersen, a senior claims analyst with North Shore Gas, has been appointed to the board of directors for JULIE Inc. (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators), a not-for-profit corporation that provides homeowners and professional excavators with one place to call for safe digging.

Andersen, a 25-year employee, is responsible for all aspects of claims and risk management associated with property damage or personal injury claims involving North Shore Gas. His career path has included a number of years in Human Resources where he held a variety of positions in Personnel, Labor Relations, Safety, and Claims. In 2009, Ted was asked to join the Illinois Commerce Commission's (ICC) Underground Utility Damage Prevention Advisory Committee where he serves as a trusted member representing all Illinois utilities during damage investigation hearings.

"I am extremely honored to have been appointed to the board of directors at JULIE" said Andersen. "Pipeline safety is a top priority at North Shore Gas. We will continue to work with JULIE and others to stress the importance of professional excavators and homeowners calling before they dig."

Andersen's appointment to the board becomes effective on Friday, April 20, and comes at a great time during JULIE's annual campaign to increase awareness of April as "Safe Digging" month. From homeowners working on simple projects in the backyard to contractors working at an industrial job site, JULIE has the "Call 811"pre-established system in place that will send a locator technician from appropriate member facility owners and operators to where the digging is planned within two working days. There is no charge for the service and the 811 call is toll free.

Accidental contact from digging near underground utility services (natural gas pipelines, electric power lines, water lines and communication lines) can be extremely dangerous and could cause personal injury and disrupt vital services to entire neighborhoods. Anyone planning work should not wait until the last minute and must call the JULIE hotline at 811 at least two business days before planning to dig.

The Safe Digging Month was started by the Common Ground Alliance, an association created to work with all utility stakeholders in an effort to prevent damage to underground utility systems. The Alliance has 1,400 members nationwide, including North Shore Gas, and grew out of the US Department of Transportation's study that pointed out the national need to establish best practices amongst the entire utility industry.

About North Shore Gas

www.northshoregasdelivery.com

  • Bonnie Johnson
    Manager-Public Relations
    Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
    (312) 240-3661
distributed by