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400-Plus Citations Given for Call-Before-Digging Violations
By: Associated Press
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FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) – Kentucky utility regulators say their agency has issued more than 400 citations since assuming the role of enforcing the state’s call-before-you-dig law as it relates to natural gas or hazardous liquid lines.
The state Public Service Commission took over responsibility for enforcing the law last July. Since then, the PSC says it has received nearly 1,000 reports of excavation-caused damage to natural gas lines in Kentucky.
PSC Chairman Michael Schmitt says excavation damage to natural gas lines is unacceptable and poses a threat to public safety. Schmitt says the PSC hopes that consistent enforcement, along with education efforts, will reduce the number of “dig-in” incidents.
Last year’s changes to the underground facility protection law requires operators of natural gas lines to file reports with the PSC on all incidents of excavation damage.