VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Aug. 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- So far this year, about 45 damages to Virginia Natural Gas pipelines were caused by digging that could have been prevented if a homeowner or professional contractor dialed 8-1-1 two days prior to digging to have buried utilities' facilities marked.
Today – 8/11 – Virginia Natural Gas is reminding everyone to Call Miss Utility of Virginia at 8-1-1 before they begin any excavation project to request facilities marked.
The Call-Before-You-Dig hotline reminder coincides with National 811 Day, a day set aside to promote awareness of buried utility lines and the use of the free locating service to ensure public safety and continuity of service.
"Even relatively minor do-it-yourself jobs such as installing a mailbox and planting a tree can damage a pipeline and result in costly damages, possible injury and service interruption," said Robert Duvall, vice president, Virginia Natural Gas. "Making a quick and easy call can help maintain safe and reliable service."
The number of requests to have Virginia Natural Gas pipelines marked has increased, said Steve Light, Public Awareness and Training Manager for Virginia Utility Protection Service. VUPS operates the Miss Utility of Virginia call center.
"More people are hearing the message that calling 811 is the first step to keep yourself safe and to avoid damaging important underground utilities," Light said. "Everyone should Dig with C.A.R.E. in Virginia."
Residents should dial 8-1-1 to connect to Miss Utility of Virginia prevention center at least two business days before digging. Through the free service, one-call personnel will notify the affected utility companies, who then send crews to mark the approximate location of buried facilities.
For more information about the Miss Utility of Virginia service, visit www.va811.com.
About Virginia Natural Gas
Virginia Natural Gas, a wholly owned subsidiary of AGL Resources (NYSE: AGL), provides retail natural gas sales and distribution services to 275,000 customers in southeast Virginia. For more information, visit www.virginianaturalgas.com.
About AGL Resources
AGL Resources (NYSE: AGL), an Atlanta-based energy services company, serves approximately 2.3 million customers in six states. The company also owns Houston-based Sequent Energy Management, an asset manager serving natural gas wholesale customers throughout North America. As an 85-percent owner in the SouthStar partnership, AGL Resources markets natural gas to consumers in Georgia under the Georgia Natural Gas brand. The company also owns and operates two high-deliverability natural gas storage facilities: Jefferson Island Storage & Hub near the Henry Hub in Louisiana and Golden Triangle Storage in Texas. For more information, visit www.aglresources.com.
SOURCE Virginia Natural Gas
