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Contact:
Matt Pitzarella
724.416.6313
mmpitzarella@nisource.com

Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania Urges Customers, Help Reduce Top Cause of Natural Gas Pipeline Damage

One phone call can save time and ensure safety

CANONSBURG, PA - The number one cause of natural gas pipeline damage is from third parties digging near underground facilities. Since the summer months represent busy season for new construction, Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania urges all customers to utilize the Pennsylvania One Call System.

By calling the Pennsylvania One Call System at 1-800-242-1776, each member facility owner is responsible for marking utility lines. This service is free for non-profit organizations and homeowners doing work on their own residential property. Contractors who do not belong to participating associations and non-member facility owners are assessed a fee.

Regardless if a customer is landscaping or planning a construction project, state law requires you to contact the Pennsylvania One Call System three workings days (not including holidays or weekends) before any landscaping, excavation or construction project.

"Calling before you dig can help prevent serious injury and property damage, while reducing the inconvenience of an outage," said Dan Cote, general manager for Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania. "We want our customers to exercise caution, care and common sense by simply calling before they dig."

Here are six simple tips to avoid damaging underground utility facilities:

1. Determine your project area and make note of it
2. Call the Pennsylvania One Call System at 1-800-242-1776
3. Make sure you know the county and township you're working in
4. Provide the name and contact information for the person digging
5. Allow time for the company to mark off underground utility service
6. Dig with caution and care and remember, safety first!

More information about the Pennsylvania One Call System can be found at www.pa1call.org.

About Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland
Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania, with local headquarters in Canonsburg, serves more than 410,000 customers in 27 counties. Columbia Gas of Maryland serves more than 32,000 customers in three counties. More information about Columbia Gas of Pennsylvania and Columbia Gas of Maryland is available on the World Wide Web at www.columbiagas.com.

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