ATLANTA, Aug. 3, 2022
/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company Gas is getting in the trenches
alongside the National Excavator Initiative (NEI) and bringing
along one of America's most trusted personalities, executive
producer, Emmy-winning host, bestselling author, podcaster and
skilled-trades advocate, Mike Rowe.
Mike's animated alter ego, Micro Mike Rowe, joins to spread the
word on the importance of contacting 811 before you dig.
Known for the hit TV series, "Dirty Jobs," "Somebody's Gotta Do
It" and his groundbreaking Facebook show, "Returning the Favor,"
Rowe and his animated sidekick highlight the critical importance of
underground utility infrastructure. With some earthy humor, they
share what can — and likely will — go wrong if homeowners and
contractors don't contact 811 before digging.
Through the National Excavator Initiative, Rowe connects with
industry experts who help educate the public and professional
excavators about the 811 process. The campaign includes radio,
print, online media and billboards.
"Southern Company Gas is excited to work with the National
Excavator Initiative to feature Mike
Rowe and Micro Mike Rowe's voices to amplify our messaging
around the importance of contacting 811 before you dig," said
Kim Greene, chairman, president and
CEO of Southern Company Gas. "Ensuring the safe delivery of natural
gas to our 4.3 million customers and our communities is paramount.
This new collaboration will serve as one of the many ways we
educate people on the importance of safe digging."
Contacting 811 at least three business days before starting any
digging project is free and is required by state law. When
homeowners and contractors contact 811, it notifies the appropriate
utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators are
then sent to the requested dig site to mark the approximate
locations of underground lines with flags, paint or both.
Southern Company Gas encourages homeowners and contractors to
always dig with C.A.R.E:
- Call before you dig: Before starting any outdoor digging
project, customers should call or click 811 at least three days in
advance to request having underground utility lines marked.
Requests to have utility operators locate underground lines,
including natural gas, electric, water, sewer, telephone and cable
lines, can be made 24 hours a day, seven days a week (excluding
holidays). The service is free.
- Allow the required time for marking: After contacting
811, wait for underground utility lines to be marked before
digging. Locators will mark the approximate location of buried
lines with color-coded spray paint, flags or stakes corresponding
to the utility. The color used for natural gas lines is
yellow.
- Respect the marks: Only use hand digging tools to
carefully uncover the area around a utility line when you need to
dig near location markers.
- Excavate carefully: Make sure the marks remain visible
during the project. If the lines are damaged or removed, customers
are encouraged to contact 811 to have lines redrawn.
For more information about Southern Company Gas' commitment to
safety, visit southerncompanygas.com/safety.
About Southern Company
Gas
Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of
Atlanta-based Southern Company
(NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Southern Company Gas
serves approximately 4.3 million natural gas utility customers
through its regulated distribution companies in four states and
approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that
market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments
in interstate pipelines, asset management for natural gas wholesale
customers and ownership and operation of natural gas storage
facilities. For more information,
visit southerncompanygas.com.
About the National Excavator
Initiative
The National Excavator Initiative aims to raise awareness of
underground infrastructure and the importance of contacting 811
before digging. NEI is supported by over 70 companies across the
country, including those operating pipelines and electric
transmission lines, local electric, gas, water and waste utilities,
manufacturing, excavation, construction companies, industry
associations, and 811 organizations. Public service announcements
featuring Rowe and Micro Mike Rowe, as well as informative video
content with industry experts can be seen at
www.safeexcavator.com.
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content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/southern-company-gas-and-national-excavator-initiative-get-dirty-with-mike-rowe-to-spread-the-word-to-contact-811-before-digging-301598499.html
SOURCE Southern Company Gas