Today is Earth Day and Nicor Gas recognizes that many people may be doing their part to honor the environment by working outdoors to spruce up gardens. But before putting a shovel in the ground, Nicor Gas urges everyone to play it safe and follow the law by placing a call to JULIE (Joint Utility Locating Information for Excavators) before they dig.

Illinois law requires homeowners and contractors to call JULIE in advance of any dig project, regardless of the depth of the project, by simply dialing 811 or visiting www.illinois1call.com to submit a locate request. Because April is a typical month when many people head outdoors to begin work on their landscaping plans, it is recognized as Safe Digging Month in Illinois. "Nicor Gas is committed to providing safe and reliable natural gas service and therefore we hope to encourage everyone planning to conduct any outdoor activity that requires digging to make a quick and simple call to JULIE's 811 number before starting their project. Natural gas lines are buried underground as are other utility lines, a simple call to JULIE can prevent service disruptions, unneeded repair costs, personal injury, and may even save someone's life," said Rocco D'Alessandro, Executive Vice President of Operations for Nicor Gas.

The 811 call is free, and operators are available to receive and process calls 24-hours a day, seven days a week. If customers have a project on their property that requires digging, call JULIE in all cases -- just to be sure it's safe. A call to JULIE before digging protects homeowners and contractors from the potential danger and legal responsibility of damaging underground gas pipes or other utilities.

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

• Planting trees, shrubs, or flowers


• 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 (811) or visit www.illinois1call.com at least two working days before you dig. The 48 hour notice does not include Saturdays, Sundays, or holidays -- never dig without marks


• Begin the project within 14 calendar days from the date of lines being marked


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


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


• If in doubt about any digging project, call JULIE (811)

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 over 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.

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 Inc.

NICOR Inc.

Nicor Inc. (NYSE: GAS) is a holding company and is a member of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. Its primary business is Nicor Gas, one of the nation's largest natural gas distribution companies. Nicor owns Tropical Shipping, a containerized shipping business serving the Caribbean region and the Bahamas. In addition, the company owns and has an equity interest in several energy-related businesses.

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