Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-Decembery 6, 2006

Win-Win Situation For Public, Excavators & Underground Facilities

New Mexico – The Public Regulation Commission (PRC)now has state-of-the-art mapping technology helping them to enforce state and federal excavation laws designed to prevent damage and protect the public. Thanks to input from the New Mexico State Highway and Transportation Department (NMDOT), New Mexico One Call (NMOC) now has the most accurate, up-to-date mapping system in the state. When a call is placed to NMOC, operators are able to call up the extensive mapping system which now includes a high-tech global positioning system that even shows state mile markers. When the request is forwarded to facility owners, it now is accompanied by very specific location coordinates and directions to the site. This saves time locating the dig site and improves accuracy when marking the various underground facilities such as water, gas, electricity and telecommunications.

NMOC is a not-for-profit organization established in 1990 to provide professional damage prevention resources for excavators and homeowners statewide. The law requires any excavator – professional or do-it-yourselfers – to notify all underground facilities before digging. The facilities then go to the dig site and locate and mark all underground pipes, cables, wires, etc. so the excavator can avoid them when digging.

In an effort to bring members of the excavation community together, several NMOC stakeholders, including the PRC, PNM, National Contractors Association of America’s New Mexico branch (NUCANM) last year formed the New Mexico Regional Common Ground Alliance (NMRCGA). This organization stands at the forefront of identifying and promoting best practices and sharing knowledge to prevent damage to underground facilities throughout New Mexico. By working together, members are dedicated to better protecting the state’s underground facilities as well as the lives of those who live or work near them and those who operate them.

On May 3 and 4, 2007 New Mexico’s excavation community will come together at the NMRCGA’s second annual Trade Show and Conference at the Albuquerque Convention Center. Facility owners, contractors, excavators and vendors will all gather to catch up on new technologies, see state-of-the-art equipment and learn about new rules and regulations in the industry.

The public will be welcome to visit the trade show and see first-hand how the new mapping technology and other new techniques are improving New Mexico’s damage prevention and making the state a safer place to live.

For more information, please visit www.nmonecall.org or www.nmrcga.org.