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National Safe Digging Month emphasizes the critical need to call 811 to ensure utility lines are properly marked before starting any digging projects
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Companies’ underground electric and natural gas lines were damaged nearly 9,800 times in 2025
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Video here: Learn more about how the 811 process works
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – April is National Safe Digging Month, and Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are recognizing the importance of calling 811 before starting any digging projects. This simple step helps protect the nation’s underground utility infrastructure and helps ensure the safety of both customers and professional excavators.
“Underground utility lines can be present even just a few inches below the surface,” said Emily Henson, senior vice president and president of Duke Energy’s natural gas business. “Many digging and excavation incidents are preventable. A quick call to 811 can help you avoid costly, potentially dangerous damages.”
Call first, dig second
The national 811 “Call Before You Dig” system was created so anyone who plans to dig can make a free call to have underground utility lines clearly marked. Contractors, homeowners, business owners and anyone preparing for an excavation project should call 811 at least three business days before digging begins. Local utilities will send a crew to mark underground lines (electric, natural gas, water, sewer, phone, cable TV and others) in the area with stakes, flags or paint.
Digging into the damage data
In 2025, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported nearly 9,800 cuts to underground natural gas and electric lines in their service territories. Specifically, Piedmont and Duke Energy reported more than 3,100 damages to their underground natural gas facilities in the Carolinas, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky, while Duke Energy reported more than 6,600 damages to its underground electric network in all its service territories.
“Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are committed to keeping our customers and communities safe,” Henson said. “Calling 811 to know what’s below before you start any digging project is fast and free, and it’s the best way to dig safely.”
For additional information about 811, visit Piedmont's Call 811 Before You Dig webpage. To get in touch with the 811 center in your state, dial 811 or visit call811.com.
For additional information, see our story on illumination.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. The company’s electric utilities serve 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.
Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.
More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities.
Piedmont Natural Gas
Piedmont Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, distributes natural gas to more than 1 million residential, commercial, industrial and power generation customers in North Carolina and South Carolina. More information: piedmontng.com. Follow Piedmont Natural Gas: Facebook.
Contact: Jason Wheatley
24-Hour: 800.559.3853