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PROVIDENCE, R.I. (August 11, 2025) – August 11 marks National 811 Safe Digging Day, serving as a crucial reminder to contact 811 before digging. This 811 Day, Rhode Island Energy is encouraging customers, residents, and contractors in the Ocean State to call 811 before starting any digging or excavation project to have underground utility lines properly marked. Dig Safe^® is a free service funded solely by its utility members to promote public safety and avoid underground utility damage. 

Digging without knowing the approximate location of underground utilities can result in serious injury or death, inconvenient service disruptions, and fines and repairs. Hitting underground gas, electric, communications, water, and sewer lines while digging can have a major impact on communities and businesses. Making a free request before digging online at http://www.811beforeyoudig.com/ or by calling 811 will help everyone who digs maintain essential utility service for their communities.

"Safe digging plays a critical role in ensuring the safety of our employees, the public, and the local communities that we proudly serve every day," said Michele Leone, Vice President of Gas Operations at Rhode Island Energy. "Remember, calling 811 before you dig will help to protect you and your family, as well as your neighbors and the local community." 

As part of 811 Day, Rhode Island Energy reminds everyone to take the following steps when planning a digging project:

• Always contact 811 at least three days before digging, regardless of the depth or familiarity with the property
• In Rhode Island, state law requires you to call Dig Safe^® or make an online request at least three days before any excavation starts, excluding weekends and legal holidays - even small or shallow jobs require this
• Consider moving the location of your project if it is near utility line markings 
• If a contractor has been hired, confirm that the contractor has contacted 811 and don't allow work to begin if the lines aren't marked
• Visit www.811beforeyoudig.com for complete information
• Dig Safe is easy to use and free of charge

Failure to call 811 may be punishable by fines, which can be as high as $1,000 for a first offense and $10,000 for subsequent violations.

Rhode Island Energy works closely with local fire and police departments; with their strong support, people are calling before they dig. Calling 811 can avoid an incident that requires police and fire response.

Additional Resources:

• Rhode Island: Call 811 or 1-888-DIG-SAFE (344-7233) | digsafe.com

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About Rhode Island Energy

Rhode Island Energy provides essential energy services to over 770,000 customers across Rhode Island through the delivery of electricity and natural gas. Our team of more than 1,300 employees is dedicated to helping Rhode Island customers and communities thrive, while supporting the transition to a cleaner energy future. Rhode Island Energy is part of the PPL Corporation (NYSE: PPL) family of companies addressing energy challenges head-on by building smarter, more resilient, and more dynamic power grids and advancing sustainable energy solutions.

For more information visit www.RIEnergy.com and stay connected on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.