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FCC Adopts 811 As National Call-Before-You-Dig-Number

CGA WELCOMES NATIONAL CALL-BEFORE-YOU-DIG NUMBER

Alexandria, VA – March 10, 2005 – The Common Ground Alliance (CGA), a 1,200 member inter-industry group that promotes the safety of pipelines, power and telecommunications cables and other underground facilities, praised the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its adoption today of a national call-before-you-dig 3-digit telephone number – 8-1-1.     

"We commend the FCC.  This simple, convenient number will encourage safe excavation, protecting the nation's vital energy and telecommunications infrastructure and those living nearby," said CGA President Bob Kipp.  "The next step is to get the number online as expeditiously as possible and make it as familiar as 9-1-1."

Careless digging poses a threat to underground facilities and to people.  According to CGA board Chairman Paul Preketes, (Senior Vice President of Gas Operations for Consumers Energy); "There are about 400,000 excavation incidents each year resulting in substantial damage to facilities and about 50 fatalities."

Most states have established "one call centers" for people to call before they dig.  These centers handle between fifteen and twenty million calls annually and, along with other initiatives, have increased safety.  Accidents still occur, however, because some people who dig around underground facilities still do not make the call.  "When companies or individuals plan to dig, the first thing they must do is contact a one-call center.  This will help ensure that underground facilities are properly located and marked," Preketes said.

Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), chair of the House Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality provided key support to help enact the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002, which mandated a 3-digit number.  Besides Representative Barton, the FCC and its chairman Michael Powell, other important advocates for a 3-digit call-before-you-dig number include U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta, Ms. Stacey Gerard of the Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and Commissioner Linda Kelly, Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control and Vice-Chair Gas Committee of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners.

It will take time – perhaps a year or more – for the telecom industry, the FCC and others to fully implement the new number across the United States.  The designation of this new 3-digit number by the FCC will better facilitate the call-before-you-dig process and add to the national Dig Safely program.  The CGA looks forward to assisting this effort through its membership and public awareness campaigns.  For more information about this and other campaigns in damage prevention, visit our website at <A HREF="http://www.commongroundalliance.com. " TARGET=_blank>www.commongroundalliance.com. </A>

For Additional Information:
Common Ground Alliance
1421 Prince Street, Suite 410
Alexandria, VA  22314