News Releases

PROVIDENCE, RI (April 8, 2025) – Spring is officially here, and as Rhode Islanders prepare to get their outdoor home improvement projects underway, Rhode Island Energy reminds anyone planning to dig—for any type of project—to first contact Dig Safe^® to prevent damage to underground utilities. The month of April is designated as National Safe Digging Month to remind customers of the importance of calling 811.

Rhode Island state law requires a call to Dig Safe at 811 (or a visit to digsafe.com) for every digging project, no matter how large or small, to submit a request to mark the location of utility lines below the ground. Striking a single underground utility line can result in injury, repair costs, fines, and potential service interruptions. Calling 811 helps avoid an incident that requires police, fire, or utility response. The service is free of charge.

“Safety is a top priority for us at Rhode Island Energy – this applies to our employees and customers alike,” said Karen Sousa, Lead Specialist, Pipeline Public Awareness, at Rhode Island Energy and Dig Safe Representative for the State of Rhode Island. “At this time of year, many Rhode Islanders are looking forward to starting their outdoor home improvement projects, so we remind them to call 811 before digging. It is critical to protecting not only themselves and their families, but also the communities where we live and work.”

Whether installing a deck or a fence, planting shrubs, taking up a do-it-yourself project, or hiring a professional, Dig Safe must be notified at least 72 hours (not including weekends and holidays) before digging begins. Dig Safe connects the caller to their local call center, which notifies the appropriate utility companies of the intent to dig. Professional locators then arrive at the digging site to mark the approximate locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both.

The utility marks should stay intact for the duration of the digging project. If the marks are compromised for any reason, residents should call Dig Safe at 811. In Rhode Island, tickets do not expire as long as the marks are maintained.

A few important reminders:

Call before you dig.  Contact Dig Safe at least three full working days before beginning any digging project by visiting digsafe.com or dialing 8-1-1.

Wait for the utility lines to be marked. At no cost, 811 technicians will mark the location of the utility lines on the requested property. Once you've confirmed the utilities have been marked, it is safe to begin the digging project.

Respect the markings for your safety. Dig at least 18 inches on either side of the designated centerline of buried lines. A good rule of thumb is two feet from all sides.

Dig with care. If you accidentally damage a utility line, no matter how minor it may seem, move to a safe location. From a safe place, call 911 or Rhode Island Energy at 1-800-640-1595 immediately.

Visit Rhode Island Energy’s Gas Safety page for more information on the ‘call before you dig’ process.

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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 or 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 X, Facebook, and Instagram.