04/16/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/16/2021 10:32
(LOUISVILLE, Ky.) - Every six minutes an underground utility line is damaged or destroyed because an excavator did not have the lines marked before digging. The odds for avoiding these dig-ins improve by 99% if lines are properly marked in advance. While blue skies and warm spring weather entice us to kick off the winter dust and jump into outdoor projects, Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company are reminding area residents to pick up their phones before picking up their shovels to contact Kentucky 811 to have underground lines marked.
During National Safe Digging Month this April, follow these 7 important tips to keep safe, follow the law and avoid disrupting important utility services.
LG&E is a Kentucky 811 member utility in all of its service territory; KU is a member utility in most of the Kentucky counties it serves. KU customers can visit KU's Call Before You Dig web page or call 800-981-0600 to determine if they are required to contact KU directly to have underground electric lines marked or if they can submit their request to 811 to have all underground lines, including electric marked.
Through their work with contractors and homeowners, and investigating dig-in damages in the field, LG&E and KU personnel and damage prevention coordinators actively educate consumers about the importance of using 811 because it protects public safety and prevents costly damages. Visit lge-ku.com/safety for more important safety tips, resources and information.
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Louisville Gas and Electric Company and Kentucky Utilities Company, part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies, are regulated utilities that serve more than 1.3 million customers and have consistently ranked among the best companies for customer service in the United States. LG&E serves 332,000 natural gas and 425,000 electric customers in Louisville and 16 surrounding counties. KU serves 564,000 customers in 77 Kentucky counties and five counties in Virginia. More information is available at www.lge-ku.com and www.pplweb.com.