Section 801: General Application – Line Extensions

I. Objective:

To provide guidelines for construction of electric lines to serve our members on an equitable basis.

II. Policy Content:

To establish standards for types of service, construction, contract terms, right-of-way, three-phase service and other line extension costs.

III. Provision:

A. Type of Service

  1. Single-phase service is standard for all members.
  2. Service will be furnished at standard PEC voltages.
  3. Three-phase service, where available and economically feasible, may be furnished upon written application by the consumer.

B. Type of Construction

PEC's line extension policies are based on overhead and underground construction.

C. Contract Terms

  1. Standard contract term for electric service under PEC's rate schedules shall be as follows:
    1. Connecting to preexisting services where only a meter and service drop are required: 12 Months.
    2. Members requiring an extension of PEC's secondary or primary line to provide service shall sign a ten (10) year contract.
    3. At the completion of the initial contract term for electric service, the member's minimum bill shall be based upon the applicable rate schedule, and the contract shall automatically be renewed on a month-to-month basis.
  2. At PEC's discretion, based on the estimated usage and job requirements, contract terms may be different than noted above.
  3. The minimum bill shall be the greater of those amounts as specified in the applicable line extension term & condition, the Agreement for Permanent Electric Service or the applicable rate schedule.
  4. Upon disconnection of service for any reason prior to the end of the term of the contract, the member may be responsible for the greater of the minimum bill or the amount specified in the Agreement for Permanent Electric Service for the remaining term of this Agreement.

D. Right-of-Way

  1. In addition to the access permission provided for within the contract, the member shall, upon request, furnish a written easement for the location of PEC's service facilities upon the member's premises.
  2. In the event the member is not the owner of the premises occupied by him/her, such member shall obtain or assist in obtaining from the property owner(s) the necessary easement for the installation, maintenance and operation of PEC's service facilities on or under said premises.
  3. In any real estate development wherein PEC is requested or desires to install underground distribution facilities for service to existing and future members located therein and the dedicated utility easements are found to be insufficient for such installation, the owner (developer) shall, upon request, furnish any additional easements required for such installation by PEC.
  4. PEC's obligation to render service to a member is contingent upon its ability to secure the necessary right-of-way for its facilities across intervening properties. Since PEC's rate schedules do not provide for the cost of paying for right-of-way for the construction of its distribution system facilities to provide service, it must,therefore, rely upon the property owner to provide such right-of-way easements at no cost to PEC. Should PEC be required to pay for right-of-way across intervening property owner, the applicant shall be required to reimburse PEC the actual cost of the right-of-way acquisition prior to the construction of the extension.

E. Three-Phase Electric Service

  1. Three-phase service, when available and economically feasible, may be furnished upon written application by the member. Feasibility may be established by a contribution to construction by the applicant or special extension contract.
  2. The member shall arrange its wiring so that all single-phase and three-phase service shall be taken through one meter.
  3. Protective Control Equipment Required on Three-Phase Services
    Reverse phase relays and circuit breakers, or similar devices, are required for all polyphase services to protect the installation in case of phase reversal or phase failure. Should special cases seem to warrant an exception to the above rules, PEC member should install and maintain the devices necessary to adequately protect his/her equipment and process during periods of abnormal service conditions or the failure of part or all of the service supply.

F. Line Extension Deductions

PEC may reduce line extension costs for extensions PEC deems to improve its overall system for current or future system expansions and/or upgrades.

G. Determination of Length and Cost of An Extension

For purposes of measuring extensions, the distance shall be measured along lines of probable construction from the nearest feasible point of connection to the point of delivery. Cost of delivery will be based off load data supplied to PEC by the applicant.

H. Line Extension Ownership

Every extension shall at all times be the property of PEC regardless of whether a deposit or contribution is made in aid of its construction. At the end of ten ( 10) years, any unrebated portion of deposit shall become a contribution in aid of construction and remain the property of PEC.

I. Meter Deposit and Contributions in Aid of Construction

Any required meter deposit or contribution in aid of construction shall be paid by the applicant prior to the construction of the line extension.

IV. Responsibility

It will be the responsibility of the Sr. Manager of Engineering and Power Delivery and the Sr. VP - Administrative Services to properly administer these provisions.

Approved by the Board of Trustees

  • Effective Date: January 1, 1994
  • First Revision: April 25, 1997
  • Second Revised Date: August 28, 2009
  • Third Revised Date: December 22, 2011
  • Fourth Revision: January 28, 2021