NJBPU Increases One Call Law Violation Settlements to Enhance Public Safety

TRENTON — The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) today announced that the State increased the initial offers of settlement for violating the state’s One Call law to protect against gas infrastructure damages starting January 1. The decision reflects a commitment to public safety to prevent potentially dangerous situations caused by unsafe excavation. Initial offers of settlement are now $5,590, up from $3,000—a number that remained unchanged since 2000.

“Upholding public safety is at the heart of what we do,” said NJBPU President Christine Guhl-Sadovy. “We’ve seen firsthand the consequences when individuals or companies ignore the One Call law.  Increasing the offer of settlement for violations sends a clear message that we are doubling down on our commitment to protect residents, improving quality of life, and ensuring compliance with this vital safety regulation.”

The Underground Facilities Protection Act, known as New Jersey’s One Call law, requires excavators and homeowners to make a toll-free call to 8-1-1, or submit a request online, before digging so that underground utilities can be properly marked. This critical step helps prevent accidents, service disruptions, and even loss of life due to unintended damage to underground fiber, gas, water, and electric lines. 

In conjunction with the increased initial offers of settlement, the NJBPU and utility companies have expanded educational outreach efforts to promote awareness of the law, including making training available in several different languages. Training is designed to prevent violations by educating individuals and companies on the importance of calling 8-1-1 and following proper procedures before digging.

These New Jersey mayors also know how important One Call is for helping keep their residents safe:

“Anyone who digs before calling puts the lives of their family and neighbors at risk,” said Lakewood Mayor Raymond Coles. “I’m sure we have all seen news reports of the damage caused by ruptured gas lines. Don’t take the chance. Make the call.”

“Contacting One Call ensures both your safety and the safety of your neighbors. Please make sure any work you do is done properly with approvals from the One Call service,” said Asbury Park Mayor John Moor.

“It’s like putting a seatbelt on – we want to take every precaution for our safety and our families’ safety,” said Hope Township Mayor Timothy McDonough. “NJBPU has made it very easy to comply with the NJ One Call law, by just picking up the phone and calling 8-1-1. Whether contractors are working in small municipalities like Hope or larger municipalities, there is no excuse for not taking every step to ensure the safety of workers and residents.”

“With home elevation projects and home demolitions underway in Manville due to flooding, a heightened awareness to calling 8-1-1 before you dig is necessary throughout our community,” said Mayor Richard Onderko of Manville Borough. “Avoid the higher fine amount, be safe and call ahead.”

“As a town with its own Utility Department, it is extremely important for contractors to call 8-1-1. There have been times when a contractor has not called and has hit a water main or sewer pipe. This becomes a municipal problem with having an emergency repair which is costly to all involved and that could have been avoided with one phone call,” said Mayor Ben LoParo of Township of Ocean, Ocean County.

This new settlement structure specifically targets the most consistent violators of gas infrastructure damages—those who fail to contact the New Jersey One

Call Center altogether before commencing excavation activities. Repeat offenders who disregard safety requirements and place the public at risk will face steeper penalty settlements.  The settlement adjustments will not impact individuals or companies that have taken steps to comply with the law. Those who make the effort to follow proper procedures and adhere to safety regulations will not be impacted by the new settlement structure.

The NJBPU’s Division of Reliability and Security, charged with the ensuring protection and security of lifeline utility services and critical infrastructure for the State of New Jersey, issued penalties totaling $1,803,200 for the 2024 fiscal year and opened 1,900 new One Call violations in 2024.

How to use One Call:

• Always call the New Jersey One Call Center before digging at 1-800-272-1000 or 8-1-1.
• Be ready with the required information: the municipality, street address, extent of work, caller’s name, contact person name, address, and phone numbers.
• Wait for the site to be marked. Marking can be in colored paint, flags or stakes.
• Respect and protect the facility operator’s marks. Note the color of all markings used and what type of facilities they indicate.
• Dig with care. Always hand dig within two feet on either side of any marked lines.
• If damage, dislocation or disturbance of an underground utility line occurs, immediately notify the affected facility, utility or pipeline.
• If damage creates an emergency, take immediate steps to safeguard health and property.

For more information on the offers of settlement increases or to learn more about New Jersey’s One Call law, visit https://www.nj1-call.org/.