Back to Blog

NEW CALL-BEFORE-YOU-DIG LAW: INCREASED OVERSIGHT AND PENALTIES

Posted in Outages

Utilities, excavators and the public are all affected by a new call-before-you-dig law that includes more rigorous enforcement, mandatory damage reporting and higher penalties.

The intent of the law is to improve communication between utilities and excavators/homeowners and decrease damage to underground utilities. The new law requires excavators to:

  • outline the proposed dig in white paint prior to calling for a locate;
  • make arrangements with the affected utilities when projects exceed 700 linear feet; and
  • maintain locate marks for 45 days, after which a new locate must be requested.

Excavators and utilities must report to the UTC any damage to underground facilities within 45 days. Previously, only damage to regulated natural gas and hazardous liquids had to be reported.   A party that fails to request a locate and damages a liquid or gas transmission pipeline will be subject to a $10,000 penalty and may be found guilty of a misdemeanor.

Always CALL 811 before you dig.

Learn more: www.opalco.com/power-information/electrical-safety/

Related Posts

View all blog entries

You may also like...

Brian Silverstein, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative board member and former Bonneville Power Administration senior vice president of transmission, holds a copy of a newly signed BPA contract.

Securing Power for the Islands

OPALCO signs a new contract with Bonneville Power Administration Orcas Power & Light Cooperative recently joined 130 other Northwest public utilities in signing new 16-year electric power contracts with Bonneville … Read more
OPALCO crew holding a tailgater safety meeting on site before a job.

OPALCO Takes Safety Seriously

Commitment to employee-driven safety program protects lineworkers Since 2014, Orcas Power & Light Cooperative has participated in the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association’s rural electrical safety achievement program. OPALCO’s safety … Read more

Quick Fact: OPALCO General Manager / CEO Compensation

General Manager compensation is determined by OPALCO’s Board of Directors through a structured, documented process. Each year, the Board conducts a formal written performance evaluation based on the Board’s Strategic … Read more