Dominion Energy : sees decline in gas line damages, encourages public to continue calling 811 before digging

Dominion Energy sees decline in gas line damages, encourages public to continue calling 811 before digging

Public encouraged to practice safe digging and use 811 service - it's the law!

Damages to Dominion Energy natural gas lines down 20% in 2020

Company piloting new technology to continue progress on damage prevention

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Excavation is the leading cause of gas line damage, so calling before you dig is the best way to keep our communities safe.

GASTONIA, N.C. - Spring is here, and North Carolinians are seeing the usualincrease in construction and home improvement projects that involve digging. In recognition of National Safe Digging Month, Dominion Energy reminds the public to follow the law and protect public safety by calling 811 three full business days before any planned excavation work.

When someone calls 811, utility companiesdispatchprofessional locators to mark underground lines with flagsor paint at no charge. Utilities have three full working days to mark the area requested.

There are three easy and convenient ways to contact North Carolina 811:

1. Dial 811 or call 1-800-632-4949. Both are toll free.
2. Visit NC811.orgto submit a utility marking request online.
3. Download the free North Carolina 811 appfor Apple or Android mobile devices.

'Excavation is the leading cause of gas line damage, socalling before you dig is the best way to keep our communities safe,' said Shaun Randall, general manager of gas operations for Dominion Energy North Carolina. 'We saw a 20 percent dropin damage last year, which shows that the public is doing their part and the system is working,' he continued. 'This year, we plan to make even more progress withnew technology and more education.'

To continue progress on damage prevention, this year Dominion Energy will pilotseveral new technologies, including:

• A newdamage-prevention app for employees. Thisapplication allows the company to more easily identify and report excavators that may not be authorizedto dig. If unauthorized digging activityis found, a frontline employee can intervene and instruct the excavator to call 811.
• Artificial intelligence to predict and prevent damages. This program usespredictive analysisto identify high-risk excavation jobs. This allows the company's frontline workers to proactively intervene at excavation sites that are the most likely to cause damage.

In addition to new technology, the company has created a new team dedicated to promoting safe diggingpractices. The team isworking hand in hand with professional excavators to educate them about the importance of using the 811 system and following safe digging practices. The team will use theinformation collected from the new technologiesto informtheir education efforts and share more best practiceswith builders.

Visit dominionenergy.com/safety/call-before-you-digfor more information about the call-before-you-dig process and other natural gas safety tips.  

About the Dominion Energy
More than 7 million customers in 16 statesenergize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company iscommitted to sustainable, reliable, affordable and safe energyand to achieving net zero carbon dioxide and methane emissions from its power generation and gas infrastructure operations by 2050. Please visitDominionEnergy.comto learn more.

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For further information: Persida Montanez, 800-562-9308, [e-mail]