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PSC to seek money for "Call Before You Dig" enforcement

For the past several years, the North Dakota Public Service Commission has received a $10,000 grant to advertise the “one call” program, Call Before You Dig.

The money comes from the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. And it normally goes toward advertising, mainly to billboards.

But this year, the PSC has applied for $60,000 -- $10,000 for advertising, and $50,000 to cover staff investigation and legal time.

"We already have enough challenges working with a potential 10 percent budget cut," said Commissioner Brian Kalk. "This seemed to be appropriate."

Kalk said the idea was broached by PHMSA. He said PSC staff then followed through on it.

"We've had one staff individual almost dedicated exclusively this past year to 'one call' enforcement," Kalk said. "So this money could be used from hiring a temporary position to take some of the costs from the PSC general fund budget to help pay for this."

Commissioners said when a company is fined for violating “call before you dig,” the money goes into the state’s general fund – and can’t be used to offset investigation costs.

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