Approximately two-thirds of the natural gas and petroleum products we use every day are transported through underground pipelines – making them an essential part of our nation’s critical infrastructure.
Our greatest opportunity to reduce and eliminate damages is to ensure stakeholders are aware of the national “Call Before You Dig” phone number – 811. If you are planning a project that requires digging, notify your local 811 One-Call Center before breaking ground. The operator will send a representative to mark the location of any buried lines at no cost.
As part of our commitment to safely operate a reliable pipeline network, we strive to increase public knowledge. Here are some key facts:
- What is 811 Day?
National 811 Day falls on August 11th of each year, serving as an important reminder for U.S. residents to call 811 before digging. If a line is unintentionally struck, it can cause inconvenient outages, expensive repair costs, and potential harm to yourself or your neighbors.
- Who operates the 811 phone number?
The free “Call Before You Dig” phone number is operated by each state’s One-Call Center. The hotline notifies all the appropriate utility companies – such as gas, water, sewer, cable, internet, or electric lines – to properly mark the identified lines for safe digging.
- What information should I have ready for the 811 operator?
One-Call centers will ask for information regarding your project, including the location and scope of the work. The operator will need the address of where you plan to dig, including the county and nearest cross street, as well as the type of project you’re completing. After reporting, you will receive a copy of your ticket by email.
- When and why should I call 811?
Whether planting trees and shrubs or installing fences and mailboxes, you should contact 811 before putting a shovel in the ground. After calling, it could take a few days to allow utilities to respond to your request. Laws vary by state, but most require notification between 48 to 72 hours before you plan to dig. Your local One-Call Center will ensure that all appropriate utilities have responded to your request, lines were located and marked with paint or flags. Once the caller confirms that all applicable parties responded, you may carefully proceed to dig around any marked lines or consider relocating projects that are close to buried lines.
Energy Transfer promotes 811 and pipeline safety by creating unique opportunities to reach stakeholders. A few examples of our 2023 public awareness outreach include 811 logo signage with NASCAR, Major League Baseball (MLB), 36th Annual AIA Sandcastle Competition, and local Touch-A-Truck events. These events collectively emphasize the importance of pipeline safety in our communities.
To learn more about pipelines operated or maintained by Energy Transfer, or one of its affiliates near your address, please visit our Pipeline Locator at www.energytransfer.com/pipeline-locator. Email us at publicawareness@energytransfer.com or call Energy Transfer’s non-emergency number at 877-795-7271. Don’t forget to call, it’s the law!
A few examples of 811 initiatives we support:
