THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY GODSHALL, PRESTON, BAKER, BRENNAN, ELLIS, EVERETT, FABRIZIO, FLECK, GEIST, GEORGE, GILLEN, GROVE, HANNA, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, KILLION, KOTIK, LONGIETTI, MAJOR, MARSHALL, MATZIE, METZGAR, MILLARD, READSHAW, ROCK, ROSS, SONNEY, SWANGER, TALLMAN, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, MARCH 5, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 5, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Designating the month of April 2012 as "Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe

Digging Month."

WHEREAS, As engineers, designers, excavators and homeowners

work to keep pace with this Commonwealth's unprecedented

economic development, it is important to minimize damage to

underground utility lines, danger to workers, environmental

pollution and loss of utility service to Pennsylvania citizens;

and

WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania One Call System, a utility service

information center celebrating more than 40 years of continuous

service to this Commonwealth, is key to preventing injuries and

damage when excavating; and

WHEREAS, This unique service provides easy, one-call

notification about construction and excavation projects which

may endanger workers and jeopardize utility lines while

promoting workplace and public safety, reducing underground

utility damage, minimizing utility service interruptions and

protecting the environment; and

WHEREAS, This vital service, which began with only six

utility companies in western Pennsylvania and the City of

Pittsburgh, now serves more than 100,000 excavators and 3,450

critical infrastructure owners throughout this Commonwealth; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Pennsylvania One Call System receives

more than 750,000 notification requests and transmits more than

six million notifications, providing protection to utility

companies, their employees and customers; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

month of April 2012 as "Pennsylvania 8-1-1 Safe Digging Month"

to encourage all excavators and homeowners of this Commonwealth

to dial 8-1-1 or 1-800-242-1776 before digging in order to "Know

What's Below," avoid injury, protect the environment, and

prevent millions of dollars in damages and to remind excavators

that three business days' notice is the law, for safe digging is

no accident, and that more information may be obtained by

visiting www.PAOneCall.org.