New Jersey earns perfect score on federal evaluation of excavation safety

New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) President Joseph L. Fiordaliso announced on Monday that New Jersey received a perfect score on a federal government evaluation of the enforcement of its excavation damage prevention law.

A representative of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administrations (PHMSA) conducted the evaluation.

“I am so pleased to announce this achievement for the NJBPU and the Murphy Administration,” Fiordaliso said. “Our team here at the NJBPU works very hard to enforce this law and ensure that we are doing all we can to protect our pipelines and keep New Jersey residents safe.”

Under New Jersey law, businesses and individuals must call 811 at least three full business days before beginning any excavation. Underground facility operators will then place color-coded markers or paint where underground pipes, wires, and other underground facilities are buried.

The NJBPU’s Reliability and Security Division has a satellite office in the “One-Call” center to enable real-time awareness and notification of locator delays, emergencies, and any other risks.

Damages due to excavation is a leading cause of hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline cases that result in fatalities, serious injuries or damage to the environment, NJBPU noted.