FPL urges customers to call 811 before they dig

Company partners with Sunshine 811 on annual safety awareness campaign to promote free utility line marking service

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Aug 09, 2013, 02:00 ET

JUNO BEACH, Fla., Aug. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At the height of summer, when outdoor projects are also peaking, Florida Power & Light Company encourages Floridians to call 811 before beginning work that might involve digging. FPL partners with Sunshine 811, the organization that offers the free call service for utility line marking, to heighten awareness about underground line safety.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120301/FL62738LOGO )

Whether building a pool, installing a fence, planting a tree or some other outdoor project that might require digging, the work should start by making a free call to 811 so that underground utility lines can be marked. Excavators should call at least two full business days before digging to prevent outages, injuries, environmental contamination and potential fines.

"At FPL, safety is always a priority," said Joe Heatherly, FPL's lead cable locator. "There are underground utilities that you may not even suspect are there and if you hit one of them it can be dangerous."

In addition to being underground, utility lines can also run beneath canals and waterways throughout Florida so a call to 811 before beginning any excavation work on docks, seawalls, bridges, etc. will also ensure that utilities are properly identified in and around the water.

"FPL receives about 2,000 requests every day for line locating," said Heatherly. "We encourage everyone to call 811 before tackling outdoor projects. The process is free, easy and it is required by law."

Florida Power & Light Company
Florida Power & Light Company is the largest rate-regulated electric utility in Florida and serves the third-largest number of customers of any electric utility in the United States. FPL serves approximately 4.6 million customer accounts and is a leading Florida employer with approximately 10,000 employees as of year-end 2012. During the five-year period ended December 31, 2012, the company delivered the best service reliability among Florida investor-owned utilities. As of year-end 2012, its typical residential customer bills are the lowest in Florida, and based on data available in July 2012, are about 26 percent below the national average. A clean energy leader, FPL has one of the lowest emissions profiles and one of the leading energy efficiency programs among utilities nationwide. FPL is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Fla.-based NextEra Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit www.FPL.com.

SOURCE Florida Power & Light Company