Nicor Gas Advises Customers To Call JULIE Before Digging; One free cal

Nicor Gas Advises Customers To Call JULIE Before Digging; One free call to 1-800-892-0123 will help prevent damage to underground utilities

    Business Editors

    NAPERVILLE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 28, 2005--Spring is in bloom and with it comes the lure of outdoor projects. Whether planning a new deck, building a fence or preparing a garden, Nicor Gas advises customers to call JULIE before digging on their property. Calling JULIE toll-free at 1-800-892-0123 protects homeowners and contractors from the potential danger and legal responsibility of damaging underground gas pipes or other utilities.
    JULIE serves as a message handling service for underground utilities, taking information about planned digging projects and distributing the information to the proper utility company. It is then the responsibility of each utility (natural gas, electric, water, sewer, communication) to mark the location of their underground pipes and wires at the excavation site. JULIE neither owns nor marks any underground utilities.
    Homeowners and contractors are required by law to call JULIE in advance of any dig project. The call is free, and operators are available to receive and process calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If customers are unsure about whether to dig, Nicor Gas recommends they call in all cases - just to be sure.

    Projects requiring a call to JULIE include, but are not limited to:

--	Planting flowers, trees or shrubs
--	Installing a fence, swing set or mail box post
--	Adding a pool, pond or fountain
--	Building a deck or room addition

    Guidelines to follow before starting any digging project:

    -- Call JULIE (1-800-892-0123) at least two working days before
    you dig. The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays,
    Sundays or holidays.

    -- Begin the project within 14 calendar days from the call.

    -- Respect the marks and dig with care.

    -- If the marks are destroyed or removed before beginning any
    project then JULIE must be called again.

    -- Never dig without marks.

    -- Remember, the call to JULIE must be made by homeowner or
    contractor - it's the law.

    -- If in doubt about any digging project, call JULIE.

    Established in 1974, JULIE, Inc. which stands for Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators, serves the entire state of Illinois outside of the city of Chicago, which is served by DIGGER. JULIE is a not-for-profit corporation that currently represents more than 1,750 members. For more information about JULIE, including a list of free education materials and safety tips, please visit http://www.illinois1call.com/.
    Nicor Gas is one of the nation's largest gas distribution companies. Owned by Nicor Inc. (NYSE:GAS) a holding company, Nicor Gas has provided safe and reliable natural gas services for 50 years. The Company serves two million customers in a service territory that encompasses most of the northern third of Illinois, excluding the city of Chicago. For more information, visit the Nicor Web site at www.nicorgas.com.

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CONTACT: Nicor Gas Annette Martinez, 630-388-2781

KEYWORD: ILLINOIS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: REAL ESTATE BUILDING/CONSTRUCTION OIL/GAS ENERGY UTILITIES SOURCE: Nicor Gas

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