Pennsylvania General Assembly advances bill to reduce “hits” on underground utility infrastructure

The Pennsylvania State House and Senate recently advanced a bill that aims to strengthen the Pennsylvania One Call system, which aims to reduce “hits” on underground utility infrastructure and increase public safety.

Senate Bill 242 would address exemptions to the One Call law and shifts enforcement authority to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC).

The PUC will use a dedicated enforcement team and “damage prevention program” to reach a goal of a 50 percent reduction in hits within the next five years.

“There are about 6,000 reported hits on underground facilities across Pennsylvania every year, which means that a pipeline or other vital utility system is struck once every 20 minutes during the average workday,” Commissioner John F. Coleman Jr. said. “Our goal from Day One is to cut the number of those incidents by eliminating exemptions and strengthening enforcement, as part of a focused program to reduce risks to our contractors, utility workers, and residents.”

Pennsylvania law requires contractors and residents to contact PA One Call at least three business days before excavation. The One Call system alerts utilities whose facilities might be affected and prompts them to mark where their facilities are within the intended digging area.

Exemptions have enabled some facility owners to not participate in the program and not mark lines as well as allowed some excavation to occur without contacting PA One Call.

The PUC applauded the General Assembly for advancing the bill.

“Hits on underground utility systems are not only a hazard to workers and bystanders, but also result in service interruptions, possible environmental damage and costly repairs to damaged lines – which drives up the cost of utility service for everyone,” Commissioner David W. Sweet said. “The improvements to the PA One Call law are the result of a collaborative effort by legislators, contractors, utilities, municipalities and other stakeholders, all with a shared goal of making Pennsylvania a safer place to live and work.”