Common Ground Alliance (CGA)

Latest Press Releases

As the national association dedicated to protecting underground utilities, people who dig near them, and their communities, the Common Ground Alliance is the preeminent source for damage prevention news and information. CGA’s news releases are available below. For media inquiries, click here.

Common Ground Alliance Hosts Conference & Expo in Colorado on Preventing Utility Damages

Expo showcased technologies to help prevent 14,000+ annual incidents of buried utilities damage in Colorado

Sarah Daley / Thursday, April 18, 2024 0 230

Colorado Springs, Colo. – Common Ground Alliance (CGA) – the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines and the people who dig near them, this week hosted its 2024 Annual CGA Conference & Expo at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. With 1,400 damage prevention leaders in attendance, the CGA Conference & Expo is the largest gathering of its kind in America.

More than 38 times each day on average in Colorado, buried power, water, gas, internet, and other utility lines are damaged by digging. That’s over 14,000 times each year that Coloradans’ lives and businesses are interrupted by damage to underground infrastructure. In fact, contractors were fined $500,000 for damaging 766 utility lines just in Colorado Springs alone. April is also National Safe Digging Month across the country.

“This was our largest-ever Conference & Expo, and it’s a testament to the growing importance of preventing damage to underground infrastructure that affects Coloradans 38 times each day,” said CGA President and CEO Sarah Magruder Lyle. “We thank Colorado Springs and the state of Colorado for the warm welcome to this beautiful state. And we’re grateful for the partnership of our attendees, sponsors, and Colorado 811 for helping share that preventing damage to the utilities we all rely on is a shared responsibility we can achieve together.”

During National Safe Digging Month in April, and throughout the year, homeowners must contact 811 before beginning all digging projects including gardening, building a fence or installing a mailbox

Sarah Daley / Thursday, March 28, 2024 0 1107

WASHINGTON (March 28, 2024) – In observance of National Safe Digging Month in April, Common Ground Alliance (CGA) – the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them, and their communities – today announced results from a recent national survey which found 26.9 million homeowners planning do-it-yourself digging projects will not contact 811, putting themselves and their communities at risk of utility service disruptions, costly fines and repairs, and even serious injury or death.

Col. Mullane to share lessons in risk management from NASA’s Space Shuttle program

Kelly Cahill / Friday, February 9, 2024 0 1000

Common Ground Alliance (CGA) – the national association dedicated to protecting underground utility lines, people who dig near them and their communities – today announced that retired U.S. Air Force Officer and former NASA astronaut Colonel Mike Mullane will be the keynote speaker at the 2024 CGA Conference & Expo in Colorado Springs, Colo., from April 14-18, 2024.

CGA’s newest research highlights telecom’s unique challenges in preventing damage to underground infrastructure amidst the infrastructure boom

Sarah Daley / Thursday, December 7, 2023 0 2144

Reducing Excavation Damage & Improving Worker Safety in an Era of Telecom Expansion - Tower Times p40

Sarah Daley / Sunday, October 1, 2023 0 0

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Press Releases

Latest Press Releases

Common Ground Alliance Hosts Conference & Expo in Colorado on Preventing Utility Damages

Expo showcased technologies to help prevent 14,000+ annual incidents of buried utilities damage in Colorado

Survey Reveals 26.9 Million Americans Plan to Dig Without Contacting 811 First, Risking Disruption to Critical Services

During National Safe Digging Month in April, and throughout the year, homeowners must contact 811 before beginning all digging projects including gardening, building a fence or installing a mailbox

CGA Announces Retired Astronaut Colonel Mike Mullane as Keynote of 2024 CGA Conference & Expo

Col. Mullane to share lessons in risk management from NASA’s Space Shuttle program

New Common Ground Alliance White Paper Examines the Telecom Industry’s Critical Role in Reversing the Upward Trend of Damages to Buried Utilities

CGA’s newest research highlights telecom’s unique challenges in preventing damage to underground infrastructure amidst the infrastructure boom

Reducing Excavation Damage & Improving Worker Safety in an Era of Telecom Expansion - Tower Times p40

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Expo showcased technologies to help prevent 14,000+ annual incidents of buried utilities damage in Colorado

During National Safe Digging Month in April, and throughout the year, homeowners must contact 811 before beginning all digging projects including gardening, building a fence or installing a mailbox

Col. Mullane to share lessons in risk management from NASA’s Space Shuttle program

CGA’s newest research highlights telecom’s unique challenges in preventing damage to underground infrastructure amidst the infrastructure boom

Annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report provides recommendations to address persistent industry challenges, achieve goal of 50% damage reduction in 5 years

The case study details a GIS pilot program in Minnesota that seeks to reduce dig-ins by enhancing mapping technology and accessibility to 811 system end users

CGA invites thought leaders to share their unique damage prevention perspectives and insights in Colorado Springs, Colo., next April

National trade association will discuss preventing damage to infrastructure at Orlando conference

Common Ground Alliance’s new arm, the Damage Prevention Institute, will reduce damages to buried infrastructure through shared responsibility in data benchmarking and continuous metrics improvement

Annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report provides recommendations to address consistent damage root causes and emphasizes the importance of high-quality damage data

White Paper provides insights into how natural gas stakeholders are uniquely positioned to lead the damage prevention industry

O’Malley will share her inspirational story of success at the annual conference, set for April 17-23, 2023 in Orlando, Fla.

The 2022 Technology Report highlights eight damage prevention technology applications driving real-world successes and identifies opportunities for further technology development

Hall brings decades of industry experience to CGA’s new Damage Prevention Institute, which will focus on addressing systemic issues in the damage prevention process

The Damage Prevention Institute will reduce damages to underground infrastructure by developing metrics and a peer review process to significantly increase efficiencies across the U.S. damage prevention system

CGA calls on homeowners to contact 811 before beginning projects that require digging – including gardening, building a fence or installing a mailbox – to prevent damage to essential underground utilities and keep communities safe

Brown to deliver keynote during Wednesday morning of CGA’s 2022 Conference, set to take place in Anaheim April 4-8

CGA invites thought leaders to share their damage prevention success stories and set the agenda for the next decade of damage prevention in Anaheim, Calif., in April

New effort would reduce damages to underground infrastructure and significantly increase efficiencies across the U.S. damage prevention system

Annual Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report highlights persistent damage root causes year over year, despite lower construction activity

The Best Practices Guide 18.0 provides guidance for damage prevention safety and includes new practices that reflect advancements in technology

The 2021 Technology Report identifies existing and emerging damage prevention technologies

A panel of damage prevention experts addressed key topics in excavation safety and the CGA Next Practices Initiative

Report to the Industry identifies three critical issues driving inefficiencies and damages, and recommends four strategies for restoring reliability of the damage prevention system

New CGA White Paper: Insights into Improving the Delivery of Accurate, On-Time Locates

2019 DIRT Report Released

Derby Favorite to Encourage Americans to Call 811 Before Digging

Press Release - Crown Castle Renews its Commitment to Safety

Press Release - CGA Launches 2021 Conference & Expo for March

Press Release - CGA Releases Annual Technology Report 2020

Press Release - CGA Holds Virtual Awards in 2020

Press Release - CGA Launches “Next Practices” Initiative

Press Release - CGA Analysis of Near Miss Data Suggests Late Locates are Underreported

Press Release - DIRT Report: Annual Excavation-Related Damages Increased from 2017 to 2018

Press Release - CGA Publishes Inaugural White Paper

Press Release - Survey Results: 40% of homeowners will put themselves at risk by not calling 811

Press Release - DIRT Report: Damage Has Increased on Pace with Excavation Activity 2015-2017

Press Release - CGA Wins NSC's Green Cross for Safety Advocate Award

Press Release - PG&E Renews its Commitment to Safety with Platinum Level of Support

Press Release - TransCanada Renews Decade-Long Commitment to Safety with Platinum Sponsorship

Press Release - Kinder Morgan Signs on for Highest Level of Support for CGA

Press Release - 40% of Homeowners Will be at Risk by Not Calling 811

Press Release - CGA Publishes Inaugural Technology Report

Press Release - CGA Requests Damage Data for 2017 DIRT Report

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