Celebrating 8/11 Day 2019 American Gas Association, Verizon, En- CGA Members Ergy Transfer, MISS DIG and OHIO811

08 19

A Monthly Newsletter of the Common Ground Alliance Celebrating 8/11 Day 2019 American Gas Association, Verizon, En- CGA Members ergy Transfer, MISS DIG and OHIO811. CenterPoint Energy, Colorado 811, En- bridge, Energy Transfer, Kinder Morgan, Celebrate 8/11 Day! Phillips 66, Plains All American Pipeline and TransCanada partnered together to highlight the safe digging message at This August, CGA members across the country were several Major League Baseball stadiums. busy promoting the 8/11 Day safety message with a Fans of America’s favorite pastime saw 811 messaging and signage leading up to wide variety of creative and far-reaching campaigns and during games on Aug. 11, including the to keep the importance of safe digging top of mind Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres, Houston Astros vs. Baltimore Orioles, Kan- for homeowners and professional excavators alike. sas City Royals vs. Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs vs. Cincinnati Reds, and Cleveland From Aug. 8-11, NASCAR fans at Michi- the 811 logo and, “Know Indians vs. Minnesota Twins games. gan International Speedway in Brooklyn, what’s below. Call before Mich., had the opportunity to visit a spe- you dig,” tagline onboard cial 811 display along the midway, where the No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil they could meet Mark Stowe, 811 Out- Team Penske Ford at the doors personality and host of “The Di- Consumer’s Energy 400, rection” TV show on the Pursuit Channel, reminding race attendees as well as check out the 811 Ranger bass and millions of TV viewers to boat. On Aug. 11, Joey Logano raced with always call 811 before digging. This CGA col- laborative effort was made possible thanks to Shell Pipeline Company LP, Vectren, A CenterPoint Company,

August 2019 | 2 In addition to these NASCAR and MLB efforts, check out the many initiatives that CGA members planned and executed to educate employees and the public about damage prevention on 8/11 Day 2019:

The Alabama Public Service Commis- sion announced a resolution by the commissioners for 8/11 Day through a media release.

The American Gas Association attended the Washington Gas 8/11 Day celebration on Aug. 9, which featured a technical training demonstration at Washington Gas’ Pipetown training facility in Springfield, Va., and a presentation of this year’s 811 national contest award winner by the National Energy Foundation.

The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) encouraged safe digging practices among its member Atmos Energy unveiled its “Pledge to ducah, Hopkinsville and Owensboro to companies, their employees and their Call 811” to underscore the importance encourage golfers to take the pledge. customers as Aug. 11 approached by of safe digging. As an added incentive to distributing a press release highlighting aspiring 811 ambassadors – and to sup- Buckeye Partners, L.P. held 8/11 Day the importance of 8/11 Day and key port a valued partner that often provides events at its Breinigsville, Pa., and Hous- statistics from CGA research. AEM and aid to communities affected by damaged ton, Texas, offices on Aug. 9, which its 900-plus members work diligently utility lines – Atmos Energy will donate included information on 811, the one call to promote 811 in a variety of ways, $1 to the American Red Cross for every process, locating demonstrations, games including publishing AEM Safety pledge completed online. In Kentucky, and prizes. Buckeye’s racing team also Manuals containing information on Atmos Energy partnered with Kentucky sported the 811 message on their jerseys the 811 process and placing “Call 811” 811 to donate more than 5,000 811 golf while competing at the Valley Preferred signage on equipment. balls to driving ranges in Franklin, Pa- Cycling Center.

3 | August 2019 CenterPoint Energy/Vectren delivered Herald and Bangor Daily News; flew a Dominion Energy North Carolina Gas more than 85 cakes to 16 cities in seven “Call 811 Before You Dig” banner during a held fire pit demos and contractor gas states on Aug. 9 and held an 8/11 Day six-hour flight over beachgoers through- safety classes on Aug. 6 and Aug. 7 with training for local officials at CenterPoint’s out New England; and aired PSAs dur- media in attendance, including Spanish- Oklahoma office. ing the Red Sox vs. Los Angeles Angels language outlets. game, where National Grid had a table Colorado 811 hosted its fourth annual 811 and distributed educational materials ECI Building Corp held a picnic for Run in Arvada, Colo., on Aug. 10, featur- and koozies. Additionally, the Massachu- employees and community members on ing local utility companies, safety dem- setts Department of Transportation ran Aug. 20 and distributed pamphlets from onstrations, music and giveaways. The the 811 message on illuminated highway its LDC energy providers to share infor- event benefitted Veterans Expeditions, signs across the Commonwealth for the mation about protecting buried utilities a local charity that empowers veterans entire weekend. like natural gas. to overcome challenges associated with military service through outdoor training ExxonMobil Pipeline Company set up a and leadership. CBS Denver covered the table at its Houston campus eating area event, and meteorologist Dave Aguilera to give out 811-branded work gloves, served as emcee. garden trowels, cooling towels and hats. ExxonMobil also placed 811 messaging on its campus-wide CCTV system.

Dig Safely New York, Inc. (DSNY) hosted a community day for families on Aug. 11 to generate brand awareness and education, celebrate DSNY’s 50-year anniversary, tie into 8/11 Day celebrations, and serve as a public open house. DSNY also sponsored 10 events across the state, giving out 10,000 branded phone Georgia 811’s Corporate Communica- accessories, sunglasses, reusable grocery tions Manager Megan Estes and Cliff On Aug. 11, Dig Safe System, Inc. ran 8/11 totes, picnic blankets, mugs, work gloves Meidl were interviewed on 11 Alive’s Day ads in the Boston Globe, Providence and T-shirts, as well as created two Atlanta & Company on Aug. 9. Georgia Journal, New Hampshire Union Leader, Snapchat filters for the week of Aug. 11. 811 also joined AGL (Southern Company Burlington Free Press, Portland Press Gas) for an “8 Days, 11 Ways” campaign

August 2019 | 4 to spread the safe digging message – the fair and sponsorship of the midway, T-shirts and other items and an appear- which included a cupcake delivery to lo- in partnership with the Indiana Utility ance by Iowa One Call mascot Gabby cal firefighters and a surprise visit from Regulatory Commission (IURC). Indiana the Groundhog. Iowa One Call also pro- Georgia 811’s mascot, Digger Dog, at 811 messaging appeared on hand sanitiz- moted 8/11 Day through a booth at the Georgia Power’s Customer Care Center ers in every animal barn, the gondola ride Iowa State Fair, which averages more – as well as held an 811-themed office that runs down the major thoroughfare, than 100,000 attendees per day. cookout for employees and a geo-fenc- fair shuttles, ground clings and interac- ing campaign at all Home Depot and tive 811 learning kiosks. Indiana 811 also Lowe’s locations in Georgia. commissioned an artist to create a 3D art piece of the buried utilities that run beneath the fairgrounds, resulting in 13 unique airings of TV stories.

Inland Empire Utility Coordinating Coun- cil thanked 21 local equipment rental stores for sharing safe digging information with customers throughout the year by deliver- Gopher State One Call, Xcel Energy and ing additional 811 CenterPoint Energy sponsored the MN items and cup- 811 Run/Walk 5k at Bde Maka Ska lake on cakes to the Aug. 10 at 8:11 a.m., where all proceeds stores for 8/11 benefitted the Twin Cities Firefighters Day. Operation Warm, a nonprofit organization that provides new, warm winter Iowa One coats for Minnesota children in need. Call sponsored an Iowa Among many other 8/11 Day efforts, Cubs minor Indiana 811 engaged in a takeover of league baseball the Indiana State Fair with a coordi- game, includ- nated branding campaign throughout ing giveaways of

5 | August 2019 derground damages to a minimum and themselves running while wearing the for the safety of those who work around buff via Facebook. those facilities. MISS DIG 811 partnered with United Shore Professional Baseball League to give away MISS DIG 811 bobbleheads to the first 500 fans in the gates at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica, Mich., on Aug. 10. In celebration of 8/11 Day, MISS DIG 811 also debuted its new virtual reality experience and secured an interview on the JULIE, Inc. held special events with the “Hire it Done” radio show. Chicago White Sox, Brookfield Zoo, Il- linois State Fair and Planet Underground, as well as an 811 Run with Nicor Gas. JU- LIE also hosted an event at its call center Louisiana 811 participated in TV inter- to celebrate its 45th anniversary and 8/11 views on FOX 44 in Baton Rouge and Day with employees and their families, KALB-TV in Alexandria to share the 8/11 ran a social media awareness campaign Day message. Louisiana 811 also partici- from Aug. 1-11, and secured a radio inter- pated in Shell Pipeline Company LP’s view on WJOL 1340 in Joliet for Execu- celebration of 8/11 Day and the compa- tive Director Mark Frost. ny’s 100-year anniversary, featuring one of Joey Logano’s cars. Kansas 811 hosted an 811 5K Run/Walk at Riverside in Wichita on Aug. 11, Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. or- Miss Utility of Maryland/District One featuring Laughing Feet performers, ganized a virtual 8.11K run Call and utility partner Baltimore Gas games, sponsor to be completed on Aug. and Electric spread the 811 message to tents, the 811 Bal- 11. Participants com- attendees of the sold-out Aug. 9 and loon and Thunder- pleted the run on their Aug. 10 Aberdeen IronBirds minor league dog. own on the honor baseball games through a variety of system, received engaging promotional items, in-stadium KorTerra, Inc. an 811-branded signage, PA reads and a radio broadcast celebrated the running buff and interview. On Aug. 11, Miss Utility part- success of the medal, and were nered with Washington Gas to spread industry in encouraged to the word at the sold-out DC United vs. keeping un- share photos of LA Galaxy Major League Soccer game with marketing tables both inside and

6 | August 2019 outside of the team’s brand-new sta- NRCGA booth to receive a gift. The event dium. Later in the month, Miss Utility was attended by more than 2,900 people. worked with Columbia Gas of Maryland to educate Hagerstown Suns minor New Jersey Natural Gas Company’s league baseball fans about safe digging. Partners in Safety team hosted its annual 811 Dig Safely Fair and BBQ at a Home Miss Utility of Delmarva held its sec- Depot in Hazlet, N.J., on Aug. 11, where ond annual 811 5K at 8:11 a.m. on Aug. 11, the team gave out 811 T-shirts and edu- which also included a one-mile Fun Walk cated attendees on how to dig safely and a Kiddie K. The cost to enter the and conserve energy. race was $18.11, and proceeds benefitted Construction Angels. league baseball game, Nebraska811 threw New York 811, Inc. partnered with the out the first pitch and sponsored a “Dig New York Mets, SNY, WFAN and Yankees The National Utility Contractors As- for Cash” contest benefiting Construc- Broadcast to spread awareness at the sociation ran a social media campaign tion Angels. Aug. 11 Mets vs. Nationals and Yankees across its platforms to promote 8/11 Day vs. Blue Jays games. New York 811 spon- and the safe digging message. Nevada Regional Common Ground Alli- sored home plate, LED and billboard ance (NRCGA), Southwest Gas Corpora- signage throughout the stadiums, and its North Carolina 811 (NC811) and Pied- tion, USA North 811, ELM Locating, USIC, logo received additional coverage dur- mont Natural Gas highlighted 8/11 Day at NV Energy and RP Weddell partnered ing a recap of the Mets game on “ABC Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, together to sponsor 811 Day at Cowabun- World News Tonight.” At the Mets game, N.C., by supporting NASCAR Whelen ga Bay water park in Henderson, Nev., on New York 811 also presented scholarships Southern Modified Tour champion Burt Aug. 11 and offered $8.11 tickets in advance to 10 college-bound students during an Myers. NC811 also ran a digital geo- of the event. Attendees could also bring on-field ceremony. fencing campaign to promote awareness their proof of ticket purchase to the 811/ of 811 to those within the area of every Home Depot in North Carolina, and Ex- ecutive Director Louis Panzer was interviewed on WXII News 12.

On Aug. 9, Nebraska811 held a free excavator lunch at a large construction project in downtown Omaha to thank excavators for digging safely, as well as distributed 811 coolers and other promotional items at dig sites throughout the state. At an Omaha Storm Chasers minor

August 2019 | 7 OKIE D Critter throw out the first pitch, as well as ran announcements during five games during the week of 8/11 Day. OKIE 811 also distributed branded fans at an OKC Energy FC soccer game and gave out fly swatters at the two-day PBR Rodeo in Tulsa in partnership with Oklahoma Pipeline Awareness Liaison (OPAL).

ONEOK, Inc. encouraged employees to OHIO811 and Columbia Gas participated spread the word about the importance in the Franklin County Engineer’s Office of calling 811 before digging, shared Family Day with the Columbus Clippers, photos and videos on Facebook and where they passed out 811 fliers and pro- Instagram from a “Day in the Life of motional items, and OHIO811 partnered pipeline operator Kurt Noon” demon- with Marathon Pipe Line LLC to dis- strating a line locate in progress, and tribute safe digging information hosted a booth at ONEOK plaza to Oregon 811 provided a coloring contest at the Ohio State Fair. OHIO811 remind employees at the NWUCA Equipment Rodeo and also promoted 8/11 Day at the and educate other partnered with NW Natural to hold the Cincinnati Reds game. building tenants first-ever Safety Day at a Hillsboro Hops about calling 811. minor league baseball game, where OKIE811 sponsored a give- Board Member Joyce Nelsen threw out away for the first 811 fans the first pitch and attendees could check to enter the stadium out the 811 Car. at an Oklahoma City Dodgers minor league Pennsylvania 811 celebrated 8/11 Day baseball game with several events across the state, and had its including an employee lunch in West very own Mifflin, as well as several minor league and independent team baseball games in partnership with Columbia Gas of PA, Lehigh County Authority, Peoples Natu- Newral York Gas, PPLYankees’ Electric, AaronUGI Energy, UGI JudgeUtilities Signs and autographs USIC: Altoona Curve, for Lan- caster Barnstormers, Lehigh Valley Iron- Pigs, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders,

8 | August 2019 demonstrations for local media throughout its service area, including aerial patrols of gas pipelines utilizing an aircraft equipped with a high definition video camera featuring infra-red capability, as well as “on-the-ground” demonstrations of specialized GPS- devices that are attached to excavators to help operators avoid potentially striking underground utility lines.

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) sponsored 8/11 Day messaging and signage at Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. State College Spikes and Washington During 8/11 Day weekend, the South- Wild Things. Additionally, fire east Texas Damage Prevention Council departments like Lafayette co-sponsored the Clint Black and Trace Fire Company spread the Adkins concert at Smart Financial 8/11 Day message to communi- Centre in Sugar Land, as well as the ties by participating in Pennsyl- Cody Johnson & Friends concert at vania 811’s fire station marquee the Toyota Center in Houston. Both campaign for the chance to win events included 811 signage, hand- $500. outs, social media, TV, radio and digital messaging. PG&E took to the air and the ground to highlight 8/11 Day Southern California Gas Com- through a series of pany (SoCalGas) ran 300 technology Bus King ads with 811 messaging throughout major metropolitan areas, as well as partnered with the California Regional

August 2019 | 9 UGI Utilities, Inc. attended Triple, Double and Single A baseball clubs throughout its service territory, where the company had table displays with giveaway items and offered game tickets to its employees.

UniSource Energy Services participated in the Arizona 811 Contractor Appreciation BBQ by helping to prepare and serve food and give out raffle prizes.

On Aug. 11, Urbint, which builds AI- powered software that empowers Common Ground Alliance and Orange infrastructure operators to reduce risks County Fire Authority to hold a mock on their system, harnessed real-world utility line strike. data and trained new AI models to predict which recent 811 tickets its clients The Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, Inc. received would lead to a damage. gave all employees 811 T-shirts to wear 2021 during a group photo following an 811 Virginia 811 worked with the Virginia presentation by its safety team on Aug. General Assembly to designate Aug. 11 as 8. Employees also completed an 811 quiz 8/11 Day in Virginia and pass a resolution CGA for the chance to win Amazon gift cards. to add the holiday to the permanent list of recognized dates in Virginia. Virginia Conference Southwest Gas delivered cookies to 811 also sponsored VA811 Night at Motor multiple radio stations, posted messages Mile Speedway in Radford, Va., and a on social media and community center Norfolk Tides minor league baseball Stay tuned to reader boards, aired radio PSAs, held a game; ran digital ads on Facebook and CGAlert and CGA Update water park partnership, and conducted YouTube; held a canned food drive; field visits to excavators. launched the redesigned va811.com for dates, venues and other website; kicked off a backyard makeover announcements to come! Spire Inc. delivered sweets to the crews contest on Aug. 11; and sponsored the at its operating areas, as well as spon- Cox Utilities hot air balloon at a balloon sored an 8/11 Day at Busch Stadium, festival on Aug. 17. home of the St. Louis Cardinals.

August 2019 | 10 CGA White Paper: Key Takeaway #3 Develop an Integrated Communications Plan to Reach All Types of Excavators

Continuing our series highlighting the marks, compared to just 62 percent of education about state laws governing key takeaways from CGA’s inaugural respondents between 21-34 years old. damage prevention practices, as well as CGA White Paper, which offers recom- “quick reference” guides that are easy to mendations on more effective excavator • 64 percent of respondents ages 50- digest and use on the jobsite. The White outreach, this month we’re looking at 64 reported always waiting the re- Paper’s recommendations for tailoring Key Takeaway #3: Develop an Integrated your excavator outreach based on this Communications Plan to Reach All Types Key Finding are: of Excavators. 1. Help excavators see themselves in the CGA’s focus groups with excavators marketing and educational materials revealed that this stakeholder group your organization produces. desires more specific damage prevention messages. Effective outreach campaigns 2. Produce easy-to-digest materials that should take into consideration that focus on the full damage prevention excavators have different communica- process with specific references to tion needs based on a range of factors. state law. Rather than taking a “one-size-fits-all” approach, consider the differences be- 3. Keep all information approachable tween newer, younger excavators and by avoiding industry jargon whenever those who are more experienced as re- possible. vealed by a quantitative online study: To view the full details on the recom- • 74 percent of respondents between mendations and data behind Key Take- 50-64 reported having personally quired amount of time for utilities to be away #3, download the CGA White contacted a one call center before dig- marked, compared to only 54 percent Paper today. ging, compared to only 54 percent of of respondents between 21-34 years respondents between 21-34 years old. old. You can also share the White Paper recommendations with your Regional Part- • 86 percent of respondents ages 50-64 Specific requests from excavators in our ner group or other stakeholders by using reported digging carefully around the focus groups included a desire for more the tools in our White Paper Toolkit.

11 | August 2019 received pledges from more than 200 chil- educational experience for children in the dren in attendance. The event also featured community, and I am thankful that we got interactive activities allowing children to try to partake in it.” building hula hoops at a pipe fusing station, excavating in construction-themed sand- At the close of the event, many families boxes, try on safety equipment gear and enjoyed a minor league baseball game view a safety-themed puppet show. Chil- between the Bowie Baysox and the Port- dren and their families also enjoyed music, land Sea Dogs. The nearly 7,000 game free giveaways and complimentary face attendees had the opportunity to watch a painting. first pitch thrown by a Miss Utility repre- Miss Utility Hosts Fifth sentative, listen to Miss Utility-sponsored Pamela Fulginiti of MOSH Consulting, a PA announcements and stop by the Miss Annual Touch a Truck Day first-time participant who hosted a variety Utility table to learn about safe digging and of interactive safety activities for attendees, receive giveaways like water bottles, color- On Aug. 3, children and their families from said, “We had an absolute blast interact- ing books, drawstring bags and bookmarks. across the state of Maryland attended the ing with the children and their parents; it is The first 500 children to enter the gates fifth annual Miss Utility Touch a Truck Day our hope that we were able to bring them also received a free special edition Miss Util- at the Bowie Baysox. As one of Miss Util- valuable safety information (with a little ity Baysox backpack, and at the end of the ity’s largest yearly damage prevention bit of fun, of course) that they can use for game, families enjoyed a dazzling display of events, Touch a Truck Day allowed children years to come…This was an exceptional fireworks, sponsored by Miss Utility. to explore heavy machinery and vehicles while learning about how local construction communities work with Miss Utility to keep their communities safe. The event served as an early celebration of 8/11 Day, raising awareness about underground utilities and teaching the next generation of homeowners the importance of contacting 811 before starting any projects that require digging.

During the day’s event, hundreds of attendees toured 40 vehicles, including dump trucks, backhoes and boom trucks. Special guests were also in attendance, like the United States Coast Guard, which brought a boat for attendees to walk through and test the horn, and 9-year-old James Collier, founder of an anti-bullying nonprofit, who

August 2019 | 12 Registration Now Open!

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"Building these relationships is so important to sharing best practices and helping my company 89.8% and the industry as a whole continue to make of surveyed attendees stated that progress in damage prevention." information obtained will help them – Matt Miceli, Nisource implement change at work.

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