Planning an Outdoor Digging Project this Spring? Call 811 Before You Dig to Avoid Repair Costs Averaging $3,500

Rhea-AI Summary

PG&E (NYSE:PCG) reminds California residents to call 811 before any digging to avoid costly repairs averaging $3,500. In 2024 there were 1,247 utility-damage incidents in Northern and Central California; 89% of homeowner-caused incidents occurred where 811 was not called. Call 811 at least two business days before digging.

Key Figures

Damage incidents 2025: over 1,200 incidents Damage incidents 2024: 1,247 incidents Average repair cost: $3,500 +3 more

6 metrics

Damage incidents 2025 over 1,200 incidents Underground utility lines damaged due to digging in 2025, Northern/Central CA

Damage incidents 2024 1,247 incidents 2024 digging-related underground gas or electric line damages, Northern/Central CA

Average repair cost $3,500 Average cost to repair a damaged underground utility line

Homeowners not calling 811 89% Share of homeowner damage incidents where 811 was not called

Incidents without 811 overall 55% Overall digging damage incidents where 811 was not called

Pre-dig notice time two business days Minimum time before digging to call 811 or submit online request

Market Reality Check

Price: $17.75 Vol: Volume 23,810,978 is roug...

normal vol

$17.75 Last Close

Volume Volume 23,810,978 is roughly in line with the 20-day average of 24,561,772 (relative volume 0.97). normal

Technical Price at $17.56 is trading above the 200-day moving average at $15.73, indicating a previously constructive longer-term trend.

Peers on Argus

PCG was up 0.51% while several close utility peers were down (e.g., ED -0.78%, P...

PCG was up 0.51% while several close utility peers were down (e.g., ED -0.78%, PEG -0.95%), with only ETR notably higher at 1.11%. Mixed peer moves and no momentum flags suggest this headline was more company-specific than part of a broad sector rotation.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Mar 26 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Mar 26	Earnings call schedule	Neutral	-1.1%	Announced date and time for Q1 2026 earnings release and webcast.
Mar 02	Rate reduction	Positive	+0.6%	Lowered residential electric rates again, fifth reduction since early 2024.
Mar 02	Consumer protection	Positive	+0.6%	Warned customers about rising utility scams during National Consumer Protection Week.
Mar 02	Correction notice	Neutral	+0.6%	Issued correction related to prior scam-prevention communication and figures.
Feb 25	Customer tool launch	Positive	-0.1%	Introduced Clean Energy Calculator to help customers assess electrification upgrades.

Pattern Detected

Recent PCG headlines about customer-focused initiatives and rate changes have tended to produce modest single-day moves, with both small gains and losses following news.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, PCG news has centered on customer affordability, safety, and tools. On Feb 25, it launched a Clean Energy Calculator to model electrification costs. On Mar 2, it highlighted scam-prevention efforts and another electric rate cut, with bills about 13% lower than January 2024. A Mar 26 notice set the timetable for Q1 2026 earnings. Today’s safe‑digging message fits this pattern of operational and customer-safety communication rather than financial catalysts.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement emphasizes safe digging practices and promoting free 811 location services to redu...

Analysis

This announcement emphasizes safe digging practices and promoting free 811 location services to reduce the more than 1,200 underground line damage incidents and average $3,500 repair costs seen in Northern and Central California. It aligns with recent PCG communications focused on customer safety and education rather than direct financial changes. Observers may track whether such initiatives correlate with fewer incidents and operational risk over time.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

In 2025, there were over 1,200 incidents in Northern and Central California where underground utility lines were damaged due to digging

OAKLAND, Calif., April 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year during spring and summer months, many California homeowners and residents turn their attention to yard improvement projects that involve digging. Whether it's repairing or replacing a fence, planting or landscaping, or installing a new mailbox, April is National Safe Digging Month, a reminder to call 811 before any digging project, large or small to dig safely and avoid expensive repair bills averaging $3,500.

During 2025 there were over 1,200 incidents where underground utility lines were damaged due to digging. And far too often, these incidents are a result of seemingly small digging projects where homeowners failed to call 811. In fact, in 89 percent of incidents where a homeowner damaged an underground line while digging, 811 was not called. Not only is digging without knowing the location of underground lines dangerous, it can also result in expensive repairs and inconvenient outages and require a 911 response.

Underground utility lines can be shallow, sometimes only a few inches below the surface, due to erosion, previous digging projects or landscaping, shifting or settling of the ground and uneven surfaces. Customers should make a free call to 811 a minimum of two business days before starting any digging project, large or small.

"Calling 811 is required before all digging projects, even small ones using hand tools.  This simple and free step will help keep you, your family, and neighbors safe, while also avoiding expensive repairs. Once 811 has been notified, professionals will mark the location of underground utilities using paint and/or flags, so you know what's below and can dig safely," said Jeff Janvier, PG&E Gas Operations Lead.  

Warmer weather months see an increase in digging projects, and unfortunately many of those projects are proceeding without a free call to 811 to have underground utilities marked for project sites. In fact, a recent national survey conducted by the Common Ground Alliance (CGA), found that the most common reason homeowners skip contacting 811 is assuming their project is too shallow to pose a risk – a misconception that continues to put people and property in harm's way. From planting a tree to installing a mailbox to setting up a backyard fence, no digging project is too small to call 811.

2024 by the numbers:

• There were 1,247 incidents in Northern and Central California where homeowners or contractors damaged underground gas or electric lines while digging
• In 55 percent of incidents when an underground utility line was damaged due to digging, 811 was not called.
• For homeowners specifically, that percentage rises to 89 percent
• The average cost to repair a damaged utility line is $3,500
• Leading causes of damages to underground utility lines while digging include: building or replacing a fence, gardening and landscaping, planting a tree or removing a stump, sewer and irrigation work and building a deck or patio

Calling 811 is Fast and Free:

• Customers should call 811 a minimum of two business days before beginning any project that involves digging, no matter how large or small. Customers can also visit 811express.com to have underground utility lines marked for their project site.
• Professional utility workers for all utilities (gas, electric, water, sewer and telecommunications) will be dispatched to mark the location of all underground utility lines for the project site with flags, spray paint, or both
• The 811 call center serving Central and Northern California, USA North, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and will provide Spanish and other translation services.

PG&E safe digging tips

• Mark project area in white: Identify the digging location by drawing a box around the area using white paint, white stakes, white flags, white chalk or even white baking flour.
• Call 811 or submit an online request a minimum of two working days before digging: Be prepared to provide the address and general location of the project, project start date and type of digging activity. PG&E and other utilities will identify underground facilities in the area for free. Requests can be submitted a maximum of 14 days prior to the start of the project.
• Dig safely: Use hand tools when digging within 24 inches of the outside edge of underground lines. Leave utility flags, stakes or paint marks in place until the project is finished. Backfill and compact the soil.
• Be aware of signs of a natural gas leak: Smell for a "rotten egg" odor, listen for hissing, whistling or roaring sounds and look for dirt spraying into the air, bubbling in a pond or creek and dead/dying vegetation in an otherwise moist area.

About Common Ground Alliance  
CGA is a member-driven association of nearly 4,000 damage prevention professionals spanning every facet of the underground utility industry. Established in 2000, CGA is committed to saving lives and preventing damage to North American underground infrastructure by promoting effective damage prevention practices. CGA has established itself as the preeminent source of damage prevention data and information in an effort to reduce damages to underground facilities in North America through shared responsibility among all stakeholders. For more information, visit CGA on the web at http://www.commongroundalliance.com. 

About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/planning-an-outdoor-digging-project-this-spring-call-811-before-you-dig-to-avoid-repair-costs-averaging-3-500--302731466.html

SOURCE Pacific Gas and Electric Company

FAQ

Why is PG&E (PCG) urging homeowners to call 811 before digging in April 2026?

Because calling 811 helps avoid dangerous strikes and expensive repairs averaging $3,500. According to the company, many incidents occur when homeowners skip 811, so marking utilities prevents outages, injuries, and costly repairs.

How many utility-damage incidents did PG&E report in Northern and Central California in 2024?

PG&E reported 1,247 incidents of underground utility damage in 2024. According to the company, these incidents involved both homeowners and contractors and highlight risks from small digging projects.

What percentage of homeowner digging incidents lacked an 811 call, per PG&E (PCG)?

For homeowners, 89% of incidents occurred without an 811 notification. According to the company, skipping the free two-business-day notification is the most common reason behind damaging underground lines.

When should I call 811 before starting a digging project according to PG&E (PCG)?

Call 811 at least two business days before any digging project, large or small. According to the company, professional utility workers will mark underground lines with paint and flags to guide safe digging.

What are common causes of underground utility damage cited by PG&E (PCG)?

Common causes include replacing fences, gardening and landscaping, planting trees, sewer and irrigation work, and building decks or patios. According to the company, these routine projects frequently lead to unmarked utility strikes.

How can I request utility marking online and what services does PG&E (PCG) offer?

You can request markings via 811express.com and the 811 call center offers 24/7 support and translation services. According to the company, marking is free and identifies gas, electric, water, sewer, and telecom lines.