In the event an extension is partially or completely supported
on structures used for supporting transmission circuits or in the
event the extension is built to serve both single-phase customers
and three-phase customers, the Utility will compute and apportion
among the customers served the extension contribution requirements
and contribution refund rights in a fair and equitable manner consistent
with the pertinent facts and will retain in its files a memorandum
of such computation and apportionment. The contribution requirement
of the single-phase customers shall not be greater than would have
been the case if an extension (complying with present engineering
standards) had been constructed to only serve single-phase customers.
The Utility will extend Utility-standard underground service
to all classes of retail customers requesting new service in all areas
served by the Utility.
A.
Underground service extensions to be furnished by the Utility are
limited to those which may be placed in locations where grade levels
and other conditions are satisfactory to the Utility, such as across
residential or farm yards or commercial premises or along driveways.
The route of the underground construction must be clear of any trees,
brush, fences or other surface obstructions that would interfere with
normal operation of trenching equipment. Trench backfill shall consist
of the original soil and shall not be power tamped. Lawn and landscaping
restoration shall be the applicant's responsibility.
B.
Underground service extension in locations such as beneath undeveloped
land, quarries, gravel pits, swamps and water will not be furnished
except by written approval of the Utility for each installation.
C.
The Utility will not install an underground service extension where
engineering, operating, construction, safety or legal problems would,
in the Utility's judgment, make it inadvisable to perform the
installation, unless these problems can be resolved by the payment
of contributions and/or the charges as provided for in these extension
rules.
D.
Notification must be given to the Utility sufficiently in advance
of construction so that a sequence of construction can be provided
for and the work coordinated with other utilities involved.
E.
If the trench cannot, for any reason, be dug prior to the freezing
of the soil, the Utility may temporarily install secondary voltage
conductors in suitable mechanical protection on top of the ground
and dig the trench when the ground is thawed.
F.
The Utility shall not be prevented from installing underground electric
equipment where necessary by reason of physical conditions or congestion
in the area when this type of construction is the most economical
type for the conditions.
A.
For unusual construction costs, a contribution is required which
may be subject to a partial refund as additional customers attach.
The cost shall include:
(1)
An amount equal to the estimated cost of boring or pavement cutting
required where conductors must be installed in rocky soil, frozen
ground or other similar conditions.
(2)
An amount equal to the cost of any special requirements, such as
municipal requirements, rearrangement of facilities due to a change
of plans or the need for an underground service extension different
from or more elaborate than the Utility's standard underground
construction.
(3)
An amount equal to the estimated extra cost of trenching through
any area where normal plowing and trenching methods cannot be used
(for example, ledge rock, boulders, landfill, etc.).
B.
Upon completion of the construction, if the actual amount of such
extra cost is actually less than the estimated amount, the Utility
will refund the difference between the estimated and actual costs.
In accepting an application for underground electric service
under this schedule, the Utility does not undertake to avoid the construction
of overhead lines in the neighborhood which may be necessary to serve
customers who demand and have the right to receive service from overhead
lines. However, in order to avoid duplication of facilities, applicants
for electric service whose premises can be served from an underground
distribution system that has previously been installed adjacent to
the applicant's premises shall be required to be served by an
underground lateral from such system and shall pay the contributions
and charges required in these extension rules.
A.
The Utility will install a Utility-standard single-phase underground
electric distribution system in accordance with this schedule where
required by ordinance or when requested by and agreed to by the property
owner(s) or developer or subdivider of the land area to be served.
(However, all lines exceeding 15,000 volts in such areas may be overhead.)
B.
Electric distribution facilities provided for under this rule are
only for providing service to permanent buildings.
C.
The Utility will own and maintain the underground conductors and
appurtenances, and the character and location of such facilities shall
be at the discretion of the Utility.
A.
Subdivisions.
(1)
For purposes of this schedule, a subdivision shall be defined as
a division of lands consisting of five or more contiguous lots. Lots
directly across a street from each other are considered to be contiguous.
(2)
To qualify as an underground distribution area, the property owner(s)
or land developer or subdivider shall have provided a suitable recorded
plat of the subdivision with deed restrictions, all satisfactory to
the Utility, to require all Utility service to be supplied by underground
lines and prohibiting overhead lines, except for lines exceeding 15,000
volts and with easements shown.
(3)
An area which qualifies as a subdivision may be established as an
underground distribution area in either of the two following ways:
(a)
All new subdivisions not already receiving electric service
are defined as underground distribution areas where, by ordinance,
the electric distribution systems are required to be underground.
(b)
A group of property owners or land developer or subdivider may
request that an area be served by an underground distribution system.
Such area shall be specifically defined and of reasonably regular
shape.
B.
Mobile home courts. A new mobile home court or an expansion of an
existing mobile home court may be established as an underground distribution
area where:
(1)
The court consists of five or more established mobile home locations,
all of which are contiguous.
(2)
Occupancy of the mobile homes is to be on a year-round basis.
(3)
The owner of the mobile home court provides for the Utility a written
commitment that all Utility service will be supplied by underground
lines and prohibiting any overhead lines except for lines exceeding
15,000 volts.
C.
Condominium developments and apartment house complexes. A new residential
condominium development, apartment house complex or an expansion of
an existing housing facility may be established as an underground
distribution area where:
D.
Easements. The property owner(s) or land developer or subdivider
shall have secured for the Utility, at no cost to the Utility, such
easements as the Utility may require for the installation, operation
and maintenance of its facility, including, but not limited to, easements
for its transformers and switches. The property owner(s) or land developer
or subdivider shall inform the Utility of any known or expected underground
obstructions with the cable routes. Any earth fill added to easements
to bring the grade to final level shall not contain any large rocks,
boulders, debris or rubbish. (NOTE: In subdivisions, easements shall
be provided along side lot lines as necessary for underground cables
to streetlight locations approved by appropriate governmental authority.)
E.
Expansion of underground distribution areas. An established underground
distribution area may be expanded to include such lots or building
sites as are contiguous to it which are not already served by overhead
lines. The owners of such lots shall be responsible for seeing that
the lots meet the requirements specified above for the underground
distribution area to which it is contiguous.
A.
Contribution for construction within underground distribution area.
All of the provisions of contributions for construction of underground
extensions will apply except that the extension allowance will apply
to those lots at which dwelling units are occupied or under construction
(construction has proceeded above the foundation level) only. The
Utility may require that the contribution in aid of construction be
paid in advance of construction or may, at the Utility's option,
offer the property owner(s), land developer or subdivider an installment
payment plan.
B.
Distribution line to underground distribution area.
(1)
Where an extension of the Utility's existing distribution system
is required in order to reach the underground distribution area, said
extension will normally be overhead construction. The extension allowance
for the overhead distribution line will apply to those lots on which
dwelling units are occupied or under construction (construction beyond
the foundation level) only. The Utility may require that the contribution
in aid of construction be paid in advance of construction or may,
at the Utility's option, offer customers an installment payment
plan.
