MidAmerican, Mediacom, CenturyLink fined for violating Iowa’s underground infrastructure locating law

(UI) – Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced a settlement with MidAmerican, Mediacom, and CenturyLink over compliance with Iowa’s One Call law.

Iowa law requires that excavators give proper notice before excavations to protect underground infrastructure and prevent injury. Owners and operators of underground facilities are then required to timely and accurately locate and mark their facilities.

Inaccurate locate markings can cause damage to underground infrastructure that may lead to injury. Homeowners and businesses may also face higher costs and delays for their projects as a result of untimely locate responses. 

In May 2021, the State issued warning letters to MidAmerican, Mediacom, and CenturyLink regarding their companies’ failures to adequately address untimely and inaccurate locating of their underground facilities.

The State continued to receive complaints after the letters were issued and conducted an investigation. While the investigation discovered significant violations of Iowa’s One Call law, all three companies have also made drastic improvements in their locating and marking performance and compliance.

“Iowa’s One Call law protects workers from dangers such as hitting a gas pipe or electric line. This resolution with MidAmerican, Mediacom, and CenturyLink is a major step in helping us to protect Iowans and underground infrastructure,” said Attorney General Bird.

As part of the settlement, MidAmerican, Mediacom, and CenturyLink will each pay $50,000 in civil penalties by August 1.

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