$60K fine given to AT&T after 60 separate cases of unmarked underground lines
TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - AT&T has been fined $1,000 each for 60 separate occasions of failing to provide information about underground lines to excavators in what state leaders fear to be a larger issue.
The Kansas Corporation Commission announced on Wednesday, April 30, that it has ordered AT&T to pay a $60,000 fine for the company’s failure to provide timely marks for underground lines.
State law requires excavators in Kansas to provide at least a 2-day notice of intent to dig to give utilities time to mark their underground lines. The order issued earlier this week stated that on 60 separate occasions between April 30 and May 30, 2024, AT&T failed to provide that information.
Court records noted that the actions of AT&T caused delays to the work schedules of excavators and violated state statutes. Notices of Probable Noncompliance were issued to the company for each incident. The company responded and itted that buried lines were not located before excavation, which contributed to delays.
Commissioners expressed concern about the large number of violations in the order. They were also concerned that this is an ongoing issue that has not been addressed by company leaders. Potential risks include impacts to safety and impairment to services.
Commission Chair Andrew French encouraged staff to propose additional and higher enforcement actions as needed in the future. This includes a potential general investigation to look at the issues more holistically and explore a proactive approach.
In a statement sent to KCTV5 by an AT&T spokesperson, the company said it was disappointed by the outcome:
We are disappointed by the commission’s decision and are reviewing it to determine appropriate next steps. Locate requests are marked by third-party contractors and we work closely with them to ensure they complete the work in a timely and accurate manner. Context is important. The violations cited by the commission represent just 0.18 percent of the 33,000 location requests we responded to in Kansas during that time frame.
To read the order approved by the Commission, click HERE.
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