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Excavation Damage Prevention Technology Transfer Workshop

May 17, 2017, Springfield, Virginia

This one-day workshop provided information about efforts to reduce excavation damages and how these translate into methane emissions reductions. The agenda and presentations are provided below.

TimeSession
9:15 am – 9:30 am

Introduction & Welcome

  • Pamela Franklin, PhD, Chief, Non-CO2 Programs, U.S. EPA
  • Douglas A. Staebler, Senior Vice President - Utility Operations, Washington Gas
9:30 am – 9:45 am

Safety Briefing

  • Hardeep Rana, Chief Engineer, Washington Gas
9:45 am – 10:15 am

Opening Remarks and Voluntary Program Participation Journey

  • Melissa Adams, Division Head of Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability, Washington Gas & WGL Holdings, Inc.
10:15 am – 10:30 am

Mitigating Methane from Excavation Damages (pdf)

  • Justin Pryor, Methane Challenge Program Manager, U.S. EPA
11:00 am – 12:30 pm

Partner Case Studies 
Moderator: Brian Jones, Senior Vice President, M.J. Bradley & Associates

  • Scott Brown, Manager, Damage Prevention, Washington Gas
  • Introduction of Enhanced Positive Response (pdf), Thurman Smith, Vice President, UtiliQuest, LLC
  • Damage Prevention Case Study (pdf), John Fiume, Manager, National Grid
  • Gold Shovel Standard Program (pdf), Andy Wells, Public Safety and Damage Prevention Manager, Pacific Gas & Electric
1:15 pm – 2:15 pmPipetown Tour and Locate Demonstration/Investigation
2:15 pm – 3:15 pm

Damage Prevention Program Presentations
Moderator: Scott Brown, Manager, Damage Prevention, Washington Gas

  • PHMSA Damage Prevention Initiatives and Technologies (pdf), Annmarie Robertson, Senior Program Manager, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin., U.S. DOT
  • Working Together to Prevent Damage (pdf), Steven Blaney, DIRT Program Manager, Common Ground Alliance
3:15 pm – 3:30 pmClosing Remarks

Natural Gas STAR Program

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Last updated on September 8, 2025
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