Rules,
Regulations
&
Line
Extension
Policies
TRICO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC.
Rules, Regulations and Line Extension Policies
Approved by Arizona Corporation Commission
Decision # 68073 entered August 17, 2005
Docket No. U-01461A-04-0607
Effective Date: September 1, 2005
PREFACE
Trico Electric Cooperative shall render electric service under these approved Rules and Regulations and extend its lines pursuant to this Line Extension Policy. Trico is committed to serve its Customers at rates that are approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
Upon the effective date of these Rules and Regulations and Line Extension Policies, all previously approved Rules and Regulations and Line Extension Policies are hereby cancelled and revoked.
These Rules and Regulations and this Line Extension Policies shall apply in all cases except as modified by terms and conditions of rates or contracts approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
TRICO ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE
P.O. Box 930
8600 W. Tangerine Road
Marana, Arizona 85653-0930
(520) 744-2944
www.trico.coop
INDEX
PART 1. APPLICATION FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
Section
101. APPLYING FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
103. DOUBTFUL PERMANENCY
104. EXTENSION OF LINE REQUIRED
105. SERVICE BEYOND SCOPE OF LINE EXTENSION POLICY
106. CONDITION FOR SUPPLYING SERVICE
107. IDENTIFICATION OF LOAD AND PREMISES
108. IDENTIFICATION OF RESPONSIBLE PARTY
109. ASSIGNMENT OF RATE TARIFF
110. TAMPERING WITH OR DAMAGING COOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT
111. GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF SERVICE
112. SCHEDULING OF SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
113. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT EXCEPTION
114. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT APPOINTMENTS
115. SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS
116. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE COOPERATIVE
117. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
118. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
119. TEMPORARY SERVICE PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
120. TEMPORARY SERVICE - LESS THAN ONE MONTH
121. TEMPORARY SERVICE - MORE THAN ONE MONTH
123. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
124. DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS
125. DEPOSIT RECEIPT
126. INTEREST ON DEPOSITS
127. DEPOSIT REFUND
128. AMOUNT OF DEPOSIT
129. DEPOSIT ADJUSTMENT
130. DEPOSIT PER METER
131. DEPOSITS AND SERVICE SUSPENSION
132. MEMBERSHIP
133. WRITTEN APPLICATION
135. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
136. MEMBERSHIP LIMIT
137. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COOPERATIVE
138. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
139. RATE TARIFF
140. TARIFFS, RULES AND REGULATIONS
142. CUSTOMER RIGHTS
143. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER
144. SERVICE CALL FEES
145. SERVICE INTERRUPTION
146. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
147. DAMAGES TO THE COOPERATIVE
148. SERVICE CHARGES DUE
149. MOBILE HOME PARKS
150. RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT COMPLEXES, CONDOMINIUMS,
AND OTHER MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
151. CUSTOMER PROVIDED FACILITIES
152. METER LOCATION
153. METER SERVICE LINE ALTERATION
154. COOPERATIVE PROVIDED FACILITIES
155. RIGHTS-OF-WAY
156. OBLIGATION FOR RIGHTS-OF-WAY
157. CUSTOMER FACILITIES IN RIGHT-OF-WAY
158. RIGHTS-OF-WAY EASEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC
DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE LINES
159. RIGHTS-OF-WAY IN SUBDIVISIONS
PART 2. LINE EXTENSIONS
Section
201. STATEMENT OF POLICY
202. MINIMUM WRITTEN AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS
203. LINE EXTENSION COSTS
204. LINE EXTENSION MEASUREMENT
205. EXTENSION OF SINGLE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINES TO
INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS AND TO THE PERIMETER OF DULY RECORDED SUBDIVISIONS
- Pictorial Explanation of Refund Methods
- Line Extension Footage Matrix
- Refund Narrative
206. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
207. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
208. THREE-PHASE EXTENSIONS IN EXCESS OF FREE EXTENSION DISTANCE
A. Methods of Refund
B. Three-Phase Underground
209. OVERHEAD OR UNDERGROUND DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES
WITHIN DULY-RECORDED REAL ESTATE SUBDIVISIONS OR COMPARABLE UNRECORDED DEVELOPMENT
210. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
211. METHOD OF REFUNDING SUBDIVISION ADVANCE DEPOSITS
212. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
213. UNDERGROUND EXTENSIONS TO INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS
AND/OR TO THE PERIMETER OF DULY RECORDED REAL ESTATE SUBDIVISIONS
214. CONVERSION OF OVERHEAD TO UNDERGROUND
215. CONVERSION OF SINGLE-PHASE TO THREE-PHASE
216. ADVANCES UNDER PREVIOUS RULES AND CONTRACTS
217. EXTENSIONS FOR TEMPORARY SERVICE
218. SPECIAL OR EXCESS FACILITIES
219. PRIMARY SERVICE
220. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
221. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
222. DEFERRED PAYMENT OF ADVANCE OR CONTRIBUTION
223. PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
224. CUSTOMER GENERATION EQUIPMENT
225. RELOCATION OF COOPERATIVE FACILITIES
226. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROVISIONS
A. Curtailment of service
B. Resale of electricity
C. Copy of Rules to Customer
D. Assignment of agreements/refunds, etc.
E. Notification to Customer
F. Refundable advances/non-interest bearing
G. Grounds for refusing line extension
PART 3. METER READING, BILLING, COLLECTION AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE PROCEDURES
Section
301. FREQUENCY OF METER READING
302. ESTIMATION OF BILL, FIRST AND SECOND MONTH
303. ESTIMATION OF BILL, AFTER SECOND MONTH
304. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
305. CONDITIONS FOR ESTIMATED BILLS
306. NOTICE OF ESTIMATION
308. RATE TARIFFS BASED ON SINGLE POINT OF DELIVERY
309. MEASURING OF ELECTRIC SERVICE
310. MORE THAN ONE METER
311. METER MULTIPLIERS
312. RECORDING METER DATA
313. METER SETTINGS
314. CUSTOMER REQUESTED REREADS
315. REREAD CHARGE
316. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
317. ACCESS TO CUSTOMER PREMISES
318. FREQUENCY AND METHODS OF BILLINGS
319. COMBINING OF METER READINGS
320. MINIMUM BILLING INFORMATION
321. BILLING TERMS
322. EVIDENCE OF RENDERING DATE
323. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
324. DELINQUENT BILLS
325. PLACE OF PAYMENT
327. FAILURE TO RECEIVE BILLS/NOTICES
328. COMMENCEMENT DATE
330. METER TEST/BILLING ADJUSTMENT
331. CUSTOMER REQUESTED METER TESTS
332. UNAUTHORIZED CONNECTIONS/ALTERATIONS
333. METER SEALS
334. METER TAMPERING AND THEFT OF POWER
335. TAMPERING AND THEFT CHARGES
336. ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF PAYMENT
337. PAYMENT TRANSACTION RETURN OR CHARGE BACK
338. METHODS OF PAYMENT AFTER RECEIPT OF TRANSACTION RETURN OR CHARGE BACK
339. CUSTOMER’S OBLIGATION TO RENDER PAYMENT
340. PAYMENT TRANSACTION RETURN OR CHARGE BACK LIMITATION
341. PAYMENT TRANSACTION RETURN OR CHARGE BACK AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE
343. LEVELIZED BILLING PLAN REQUIREMENTS
344. LEVELIZED BILLING PLAN INFORMATION TO CUSTOMER
345. MINIMUM INFORMATION ON MONTHLY LEVELIZED BILL
346. ADJUSTMENTS TO LEVELIZED BILLS
348. DEFERRED PAYMENT PLAN AGREEMENT TERMS
349. DETERMINING INSTALLMENT PAYMENT SCHEDULE
350. ESTABLISHMENT OF AGREEMENT/TERMINATION DATES
351. DEFERRED PAYMENT AGREEMENT DEFAULT
352. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
353. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
354. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
355. CHANGE OF OCCUPANCY
356. OUTGOING PARTY RESPONSIBILITY
357. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
358. NON-PERMISSIBLE REASONS TO TERMINATE ELECTRIC SERVICE
359. TERMINATION OF SERVICE WITHOUT NOTICE
361. SERVICE TERMINATION WITHOUT NOTICE RECORD KEEPING
362. TERMINATION OF SERVICE WITH NOTICE
363. SERVICE TERMINATION WITH NOTICE RECORD KEEPING
364. TERMINATION NOTICE
365. ADVANCE NOTICE INFORMATION REQUIRED
367. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
368. TIMING OF TERMINATIONS WITH NOTICE
369. DELIVERY OF NOTICE REQUIREMENT
371. SERVICE TERMINATION BY COOPERATIVE
373. LANDLORD/TENANT RULE
PART 4. ADMINISTRATIVE AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS
Section
401. INVESTIGATION OF CUSTOMER SERVICE COMPLAINTS
402. RESPONSE TIME ON COMPLAINTS
403. NOTIFICATION OF COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION FINDINGS
404. RIGHT OF APPEAL
405. RECORDING REQUIREMENTS OF COMPLAINTS
406. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
408. COOPERATIVE'S RESPONSIBILITIES ON BILL DISPUTES
409. CUSTOMER’S RESPONSIBILITY UPON INVESTIGATION COMPLETION
DEFINITIONS
1. ABBREVIATIONS: Certain references, organizations and regulatory agencies have been abbreviated to acronyms throughout as a matter of convenience.
ACC - Arizona Corporation Commission
NEC - National Electrical Code
NESC - National Electrical Safety Code
NRUCFC (CFC) or CFC - National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation
RUS - Rural Utilities Service
2. ADVANCE IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION (ADVANCE): Funds provided to the Cooperative by the Applicant under the terms of a line extension agreement the value of which may be refundable.
3. AGREEMENT: Synonymous with "Contract" as used herein.
4. APPLICANT: Any person, firm, organization, corporation or governmental body applying for electric service from the Cooperative.
5. ARIZONA CORPORATION COMMISSION: The regulatory authority of the State of Arizona having jurisdiction over Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.
6. AUTOMATIC METER READING (AMR): The remote collection of consumption data from Customers' utility meters using telephony, radio frequency, power-line, satellite or other communications technologies.
7. BILLING MONTH: The period between any two (2) regular readings of the Cooperative's meters at approximately thirty (30) day intervals.
8. BILLING PERIOD: The time interval between two (2) consecutive meter readings that are taken for billing purposes.
9. CONNECTED LOAD: Total of the nameplate ratings or measured load of the electrical equipment connected to the electrical installation or system.
10. CUSTOMER: The person or entity in whose name service is rendered, as evidenced by the signature on the application or contract for that service, or by the receipt or payment of bills regularly issued in their name regardless of the identity of the actual user of the service.
11. CUSTOMER CHARGE: The amount the Customer must pay the Cooperative for the availability of electric service, excluding any electricity used, as specified in the Cooperative's tariffs.
12. CUSTOMER'S SERVICE ENTRANCE: In general, all conductors, devices, apparatus, and hardware on the Customer’s side of the point of delivery, except the Cooperative's meter installation.
13. CODES: Applicable electric Codes may be the NEC the NESC any Rule or Regulation adopted by RUS, or by a City, Town, County and/or State authority. Any such permitting, clearance requirements or specification the Cooperative deems necessary and or prudent in accordance with sound engineering practices and safety guidelines.
14. CONTRIBUTION IN AID OF CONSTRUCTION (CONTRIBUTION): Funds provided to the Cooperative by the Applicant under the terms of a line extension agreement and/or service connection tariff, none of which is refundable.
15. COOPERATIVE: Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.
16. COOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT: The service lines, meter installations, structures, devices, apparatus, hardware and other facilities installed by or on behalf of, and/or owned by, the Cooperative and/or other transmission and distribution facilities of the Cooperative's system.
17. DAY: Calendar day.
18. DEMAND: The rate at which power is delivered during any specified period of time. Demand may be expressed in kilowatts, kilovolt-amperes, or other suitable units. The period of time, unless otherwise specified in the rate tariff or contract or otherwise provided for, will be fifteen (15) minutes.
19. DEPOSITS: As the word is used in Sections 124 through 131, it shall be deemed to mean deposits made by Customers as a guaranty of the payment of the bills for electric service rendered by the Cooperative.
20. DEVELOPER: Any person, firm, corporation, organization or governmental body funding and/or developing lots or parcels of land for use, sale or lease, improved or unimproved with real property improvements on such lots or parcels.
21. DISTRIBUTION LINES: Any of the Cooperative's power system lines operated at distribution voltages below 69 kV.
22. EFFECTIVE DATE: The effective date of these Rules and Regulations and Line Extension Policy shall be the date that the same are approved by the ACC.
23. ELECTRICAL SERVICE: The availability of electric energy, metered or otherwise, available to the Customer within established standards of voltage and frequency to the point of delivery.
24. ENERGY: Electrical energy, the usage of which is measured in kilowatt hours (kWh).
25. HANDICAPPED: A person with a medically diagnosed physical or mental condition, which substantially contributes to the person's inability to manage his or her own resources, carry out activities of daily living, or protect oneself from neglect or hazardous situations without assistance from others.
26. ILLNESS: A medical ailment or sickness for which a residential Customer obtains a verifiable document from a licensed medical physician stating the nature of the illness and that termination of service would be especially dangerous to the Customer’s health.
27. INABILITY TO PAY: Circumstances where a residential Customer:
A. Is not gainfully employed and unable to pay, or
B. Qualifies for government welfare assistance, but has not begun to receive assistance on the date that he receives their bill and can obtain verification of that fact from the government welfare assistance agency.
C. Has an annual income below the published federal poverty level and can produce evidence of this, and
D. Signs a declaration verifying that the Customer meets one (1) of the above criteria and is either elderly, handicapped, or suffers from illness.
28. INTERRUPTIBLE ELECTRIC SERVICE: Electric service that is subject to interruption as specified in the Cooperative's tariff.
29. KILOWATT (kW): A unit of power equal to one thousand (1,000) watts.
30. KILOWATT HOUR (kWh): The amount of energy delivered in one (1) hour, when delivery is at a constant rate of one (1) kilowatt.
31. LINE EXTENSION: The lines and equipment necessary to extend the electric distribution system of the Cooperative to provide service to one (1) or more additional Customers.
32. MASTER METER: A meter for measuring or recording the flow of electricity that has passed through it at a single location where said electricity is distributed to tenants or occupants for their individual usage.
33. MEMBER: Any Member of the public, including person, firm, association, corporation and bodies politic or subdivision thereof, who has qualified for Membership as provided for in the By-Laws of the Cooperative.
34. METER: The instrument for measuring and indicating and/or recording the flow of electricity that has passed through it.
35. METER INSTALLATION: The meter(s) and auxiliary devices and hardware, if any, constituting the Cooperative's equipment needed to measure energy use and/or billing demand supplied to the Customer.
36. METER TAMPERING: Any situation where a meter or associated devices and wiring has been illegally altered. Some common examples are but are not limited to; meter bypassing, use of magnets to slow the meter recording, and broken meter seals.
37. MINIMUM CHARGE: The amount the Customer must pay for the availability of electric service, including an amount of usage, as specified in the Cooperative's tariffs.
38. NEW CONSTRUCTION ESTABLISHMENT FEE: A charge as specified in the Cooperative’s tariffs for service requiring new construction.
39. PERMANENT SERVICE: Electric service, which in the opinion of the Cooperative, is of a permanent and established character. The use of electricity may be continuous, intermittent, or seasonal in nature. For the purpose of line extension and deposit refunds, small services such as water wells less than ten (10) HP, streetlights, Dusk to Dawn lights, CATV amplifiers and the like are not considered Permanent Services.
40. PERSON: Any individual, partnership, corporation, governmental agency, or other organization operating as a single entity.
41. POINT OF DELIVERY: The point where facilities owned, leased, or under license by a customer connects to the Cooperative’s facilities, as denoted in their service specifications or by written agreement.
42. POWER: The rate of generating, transferring and/or using electric energy, usually expressed in kilowatts.
43. PREMISES: All of the real property and apparatus employed in a single enterprise on an integral parcel of land undivided by public streets, alleys or railways.
44. PROPER NOTICE: Unless specified otherwise, a written message delivered by first class mail or in person by one party to the other at the recipient's last known address, the period of notice commencing from the date of personal delivery or mailing. This may also include email, posting to a secure website or other acceptable means of delivery.
45. REGULAR HOURS: The hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday shall be considered regular hours, except for Cooperative holidays. However, service hours may be worked at hours different from those listed as regular hours.
46. RESIDENTIAL USE: Service to Customers using electricity for domestic purposes such as space heating, air conditioning, water heating, cooking, clothes drying, and other residential uses and includes use in apartment buildings, mobile home parks, and other multiunit residential buildings.
47. RULES: These Rules and Regulations and Line Extension Policies.
48. SERVICE AREA: The territory in which the Cooperative has been granted a Certificate of Convenience and Necessity (CC&N) and is authorized by the law to provide electric service.
49. SERVICE AVAILABILITY CHARGE: A charge for the purpose of maintaining adequate revenue to cover the operating costs of an extension of line beyond the free footage.
50. SERVICE CONNECTION/DISCONNECTION: The attachment/detachment of electric service by an authorized representative of the Cooperative including operation of Customer owned disconnect devices, if appropriate for safety reasons.
51. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT: The establishment of electric service to the Customer when the Customer’s facilities are ready and acceptable to the Cooperative and the Cooperative needs only to install or read a meter or turn the service on.
52. SERVICE LINE: The line extending from a distribution line or transformer to the Customer’s premises or point of delivery.
53. SERVICE RECONNECT CHARGE: The charge as specified in the Cooperative's tariffs, which must be paid by the Customer prior to reestablishment of electric service each time the electricity is disconnected.
54. SERVICE REESTABLISHMENT CHARGE: A charge as specified in the Cooperative's tariffs for service at the same location where service disconnection was made for the same Customer.
55. SINGLE FAMILY DWELLING: A house, an apartment, a mobile home permanently affixed to a lot, or any other permanent residential unit which is used as a permanent home.
56. TARIFFS: The documents filed with the Commission which list the services and products offered by the Cooperative and which set forth the terms and conditions and a schedule of the rates and charges, for those services and products.
57. TEMPORARY SERVICE: Service to premises or enterprises which are temporary in character, or where it is known in advance that the service will be of limited duration. Service, which, in the opinion of the Cooperative, is for operations of a speculative character, is also considered temporary service.
58. TERRITORIAL EXTENT: These Rules, Regulations and Line Extension Policies will be effective and apply throughout the Service Area of the Cooperative by an order or orders of the ACC or by judgment of the courts of Arizona, or by the specific orders of approved rate tariffs of the ACC, in which event such modifications shall govern, where applicable.
59. THIRD PARTY NOTIFICATION: A notice sent to an individual or a public entity willing to receive notification of the pending termination of service of a Customer of record in order to make arrangements on behalf of said Customer satisfactory to the Cooperative.
60. TRICO: Trico Electric Cooperative, Inc.
61. COOPERATIVE’S SPECIFICATIONS: Established standards and requirements supplied to Customers to obtain, construct or maintain their electric service equipment, in accordance with applicable Codes, sound engineering, construction and financial practices.
62. WEATHER ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS TO HEALTH: That period of time commencing with the scheduled termination date when the local weather forecast, as predicted by the National Oceanographic and Administration Service, indicates that the temperature will not exceed thirty two (32) degrees Fahrenheit for the next day's forecast. The Commission may determine that other weather conditions are especially dangerous to health as the need arises.
PART 1.
APPLICATION FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
101. APPLYING FOR ELECTRIC SERVICE
Trico may require a new Applicant for service to appear at Trico's offices at 8600 W. Tangerine Rd., Marana, Arizona, to produce proof of identity and sign the appropriate application form or contract before service is supplied by Trico.
1. The application for service form may require but not necessarily be limited to the following information:
A. Name or names of Applicant(s).
B. Service address or location and telephone number.
C. Billing address/telephone number if different than the service address.
D. Address where service was previously provided.
E. Date Applicant will be ready for service.
F. Statement as to whether premises have been previously supplied with electric service, and if so, date service was terminated and the reason therefore.
G. Purpose for which service is used.
H. Statement as to whether Applicant is owner, tenant or agent for the premises.
I. Information concerning the energy and demand requirements of the Customer.
J. Type and kind of life support equipment used, if any, or to be used by the Customer.
K. Applicant’s social security number (optional).
L. Applicant’s verification of legal age.
M. Name, relationship and address of Applicant’s closest living relative.
2. Customer specific information shall not be released without specific prior written authorization unless the information is requested by law enforcement or other public agency, or is requested by the Commission or its Staff, or is reasonably required for legitimate account collection activities, or is necessary to provide safe and reliable service to the Customer.
3. Where service is requested by two (2) or more individuals The Cooperative has the right to collect the full amount owed from any one (1) of the Applicants.
4. In the absence of a signed application or contract for service, the supplying of electric service by the Cooperative and the acceptance thereof by the Customer shall be deemed to constitute an agreement by and between the Cooperative and Customer for furnishing and receiving electric service under the Cooperative's applicable rates, minimums and provisions for making electric service available.
When in the Cooperative's opinion the permanent nature of the Customer’s requirement for electric service is doubtful, the Customer shall be required to enter into a contract with the Cooperative and shall advance the entire cost of construction, including the transformers and associated structures. See Definition of Permanent Service. The contract shall include provisions for refund when the permanent nature of the service has been established to the satisfaction of the Cooperative.
104. EXTENSION OF LINE REQUIRED
When an extension of the Cooperative's electric lines is requested, over and above the free footage allowances, the Cooperative shall advise the Applicant(s) of the provisions of the line extension policies in Sections 201-227, including the costs associated with the proposed line extension and the method of refunding advanced-in-aid-of-construction funds. Under certain conditions when the anticipated revenue from the proposed line extension does not justify the cost of the proposed extension, a non-refundable contribution-in-aid-of-construction may be required in lieu of the advanced-in-aid-of-construction.
Provisions of the line extension policy are limited to the Cooperative's standard distribution voltages up to 14.4/24.9 kV, loads up to three hundred (300) kVA, Y-Y transformation and construction limited to the Cooperative's construction standards.
105. SERVICE BEYOND SCOPE OF LINE EXTENSION POLICY
When the service requested is different from the standard conditions as noted in Section 104 and elsewhere in this policy, service may be extended to the Applicant(s) under a separate contractual agreement which shall be filed with the Arizona Corporation Commission.
106. CONDITION FOR SUPPLYING SERVICE
The Cooperative reserves the right to determine the conditions under which an extension will be made. Conditions for service and extending service to the Customer will be based upon the following:
A. Customer has wired their premises in accordance with the Codes.
B. Customer has installed the electric service entrance equipment in a suitable location.
C. In the case of a mobile home, the overhead meter panel shall be attached to a meter pole or to some approved support, or an acceptable underground meter panel provided by the mobile home manufacturer may be used.
D. In case of temporary construction service, the electric service entrance equipment shall conform to 106.A and 106.E.
E. All such installations shall be in accordance with the Cooperative's specifications and located at an outdoor location accessible to the Cooperative.
F. Individual Customers may be required to have their property corner pins and/or markers installed to establish proper rights-of-way locations.
G. Developers shall have all property corner pins and/or markers installed necessary to establish proper locations to supply electric service to individual lots within subdivisions.
H. The Customer agrees to have their installation comply and maintain compliance with the applicable Codes. The Customer will also provide, at their own expense all permitting, licensing, clearances and processes and periodic inspections under their control for which they are responsible, prior to the service being connected.
I. The Customer will be responsible for the electric bills of all services.
J. Customer agrees that failure to maintain compliance with the Codes is cause for disconnecting of the service. Code compliance is required before service is restored.
K. A reduced starter acceptable to the Cooperative shall be installed by the Customer for all two hundred (200) HP motors and above and may be required by the Cooperative for motors forty (40) HP and above.
107. IDENTIFICATION OF LOAD AND PREMISES
The premises and electric load to be served by the Cooperative shall be clearly identified by the Customer at the time of application. If the service address is not recognized in terms of commonly used identification system, the Customer may be required to provide specific written directions and/or legal descriptions before the Cooperative shall be required to act upon a request for electric service.
108. IDENTIFICATION OF RESPONSIBLE PARTY
Any person applying for service to be connected in the name of or in care of another Customer shall furnish to the Cooperative acceptable written approval from that Customer guaranteeing payment of all bills under the account. The identity of the party(ies) responsible for accounts, in the name of any Customer, shall be established in a manner acceptable to the Cooperative. Application for service by a minor shall be subject to written assurance of a party responsible for such service as required by the Cooperative. The Customer is responsible in all cases for service supplied to the premises until the Cooperative has received proper notice of the effective date of termination or transfer of service. The Customer shall also promptly notify the Cooperative of any change in billing address.
109. ASSIGNMENT OF RATE TARIFF
The Cooperative shall use its best efforts to assign the appropriate rate tariff for the Customer’s service based on the available data at the time of the service application. The Cooperative shall use its best efforts to notify the Customer of the applicable rate tariff if the Customer’s service classification has changed after initial application, and shall not be required to refund the difference in charge under different rate tariffs. Upon written notification of any material changes in the Customer installation or load conditions, the Cooperative will assist in determining if a change in rate tariff is desirable, but not more than one (1) such change at the Customer’s request may be made within any twelve (12) month period.
110. TAMPERING WITH OR DAMAGING COOPERATIVE EQUIPMENT
The Customer agrees, when accepting service, that no one except authorized Trico representatives shall be allowed to remove or replace any Cooperative equipment installed on the Customer’s property. The Customer will be held responsible for any broken seals, tampering, or interfering with the Cooperative's meter(s), equipment, or property installed on the Customer’s premises. The Customer will be held liable for any loss or damage occasioned or caused by the Customer’s negligence, want of proper care or Customer’s wrongful act or omission on the part of any of the Customer’s agents, employees, licensees, or contractors. The Customer should be aware that under the Arizona Revised Statute §13-1602 it is a felony to tamper with the property of a utility.
111. GROUNDS FOR REFUSAL OF SERVICE
The Cooperative may refuse to establish service if any of the following conditions exist:
A. The Applicant is indebted to the Cooperative and the Applicant has not paid the outstanding balance and fees in full.
B. A condition exists which in the Cooperative's judgment is unsafe or hazardous to the Applicant, the general population, or the Cooperative's personnel or facilities.
C. Refusal by the Applicant to provide the Cooperative with a deposit when the Customer has failed to meet the credit criteria for waiver of deposit requirements.
D. Customer is known to be in violation of the Cooperative's tariffs filed with the Commission.
E. Failure of the Customer to furnish such funds, service, equipment, and/or rights-of-way necessary to serve the Customer, and which have been specified by the Cooperative as a condition for providing service.
F. Applicant falsifies his or her identity for the purpose of obtaining service.
G. Applicant is in violation of these Rules or any applicable Rule or regulation of the ACC or any applicable law, or is in default as to any prior agreement between the Applicant and the Cooperative.
H. Customer has failed to comply with the Codes or permitting/clearance requirements.
112. SCHEDULING OF SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT
After an Applicant has complied with the Cooperative's application and deposit requirement, the requirements of Sections 104-106, and has been accepted for service by the Cooperative, the Cooperative shall schedule that Customer for service establishment.
113. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT EXCEPTION
Service establishments shall be scheduled for completion within five (5) working days of the date the Customer has been accepted for service, except in those instances when the Customer requests service establishment beyond the five (5) working day limitation.
114. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT APPOINTMENTS
When the Cooperative has made arrangements to meet with a Customer for service establishment purposes and the Cooperative or the Customer cannot make the appointment during the prearranged time, the Cooperative shall reschedule the service establishment to the satisfaction of both parties.
115. SCHEDULING OF APPOINTMENTS
The Cooperative shall schedule service establishment appointments within a maximum of four (4) hours during normal working hours, unless another time frame is mutually acceptable to the Cooperative and the Customer.
116. SERVICE ESTABLISHMENT BY THE COOPERATIVE
Service establishment shall be made only by a qualified Cooperative service representative or its agent or contractor.
117. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
118. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
119. TEMPORARY SERVICE PAYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Applicants for temporary service may be required to pay the Cooperative in advance of service establishment, a contribution in aid of construction, based on the estimated cost of installing and removing the facilities, less any salvage, necessary for furnishing the desired service. Temporary service must meet or exceed the requirements of the Codes (see Definition 13).
120. TEMPORARY SERVICE - LESS THAN ONE MONTH
Where the duration of service is to be less than one (1) month, the Applicant may also be required to advance a sum of money equal to the estimated bill for service.
121. TEMPORARY SERVICE - MORE THAN ONE MONTH
Where the duration of service is to exceed one (1) month, the Applicant may also be required to meet the deposit requirements of the Cooperative.
If at any time during the term of the agreement for temporary services the character of a temporary Customer’s operations change so that in the opinion of the Cooperative, the Customer is classified as permanent, the terms of the Cooperative's line extension Rules shall apply.
123. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
A. The Cooperative will not require a deposit from an Applicant for service if the Applicant is able to meet the requirements of 1 or 2 below:
1. The Applicant has had service of a comparable nature with the Cooperative within the past two (2) years and was neither delinquent in payment more than twice during the last twelve (12) consecutive months of service nor was disconnected for non-payment.
2. The Applicant can produce a letter regarding credit or verification from an electric utility receiving service of a comparable nature within the past two (2) years and was neither delinquent in payment more than twice during the last twelve (12) consecutive months of service nor was disconnected for non-payment.
The Cooperative may issue a nonnegotiable receipt to the Applicant for the deposit. The inability of the Customer to produce such a receipt shall in no way impair their right to receive a refund of the deposit, which is reflected on the Cooperative's records.
Deposits shall be interest bearing; the interest rate and method of calculation shall be filed with and approved by the Commission in a tariff proceeding.
Deposits will automatically be refunded by applying the deposit and accrued interest to the account by the Cooperative after twelve (12) consecutive months, during which time the Customer has not been delinquent more than two (2) times in a twelve (12) month period, or at the discretion of the Cooperative at any time before service is terminated. Upon termination of service, the Cooperative shall have a reasonable time, but not less than three (3) working days (Monday through Friday excluding holidays) in which to read and remove its meters and to ascertain that the obligations of the Customer have been duly performed before being required to return a deposit. Upon final termination of the use of the service and full settlement of all bills by the Customer, any deposit, not previously refunded, with accrued interest, (if any), in accordance with the provisions of these Rules will be returned to the Customer or at the Cooperative’s election, it may be applied to the payment of any unpaid accounts of the Customer and the balance, (if any), returned to the Customer.
The amount of a deposit required by the Cooperative shall be determined according to the following terms:
A. Residential Customer deposits may be equal to no more than two (2) times that of the Customer or customer class, estimated average monthly bill.
B. Non-residential Customer deposits may be equal to no more than two and one-half (2 1/2) times that of the Customer’s estimated average monthly bill.
A. The Cooperative may review the Customer’s usage after service has been connected and adjust the deposit amount based upon the Customer’s actual usage.
B. The Cooperative may require a residential Customer to establish or reestablish a deposit if the Customer has become delinquent in the payment of two (2) monthly bills within a twelve (12) consecutive month period or has been disconnected for service during the last twelve (12) months.
A separate deposit may be required for each meter installed.
131. DEPOSITS AND SERVICE SUSPENSION
Customer deposits shall not prevent the Cooperative from terminating the agreement for service with a Customer, or suspending service for any failure in the performance of Customer obligations under the agreement for service, or any violation of the Cooperative's Rules and Regulations in effect from time to time as approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission.
All Customers will be Members of the Cooperative by receiving electrical service from the Cooperative unless the Cooperative is otherwise notified in writing by the Customer that the Customer elects not to become a Member.
An application for service, acknowledging the Customer’s agreement to observe these Rules and the tariffs, rates and schedules of the Cooperative as are now in force or may hereafter be in force and are approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission shall be completed and signed by each Customer other than a Customer receiving Residential Service of the Cooperative requesting service by the Cooperative.
In addition to the provisions of these Rules and the Cooperative’s tariffs, each Member shall be bound by the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Cooperative, as the same may be amended from time to time. Customers who elect not to become a Member shall be bound by these Rules, the tariffs of the Cooperative approved by the Arizona Corporation Commission and those provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws of the Cooperative pertaining to non-Members.
135. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
No Customer may hold more than one membership and a personal membership may be held jointly by both husband and wife pursuant to the provisions of the By-Laws of the Cooperative.
137. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COOPERATIVE
Prompt, reliable electric service to the Customer is the Cooperative's primary objective. In general, there is no charge to the Customer for service calls related to voltage problems, malfunctions of the Cooperative's equipment and other areas where the Cooperative is responsible. The Cooperative shall use reasonable diligence to supply or continue to supply service, but in the event service fails, is interrupted, becomes defective, or becomes unlawful to provide, or through acts of God or by the public enemy, or by accidents, strikes, labor troubles or by action of the elements, or by inability to secure rights-of-way, governmental permits, or certificates, franchises or licenses, or for any other cause beyond the reasonable control of the Cooperative, it shall not be liable therefor. The Cooperative shall not be liable to the Customer for damages resulting from failures, interruptions or defects of service or any consequential damages sustained by the Customer by reason of any failure, interruption or defect of service.
138. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
The Cooperative shall make available, upon Customer request, a copy of the rate tariff pursuant to which the Customer receives electric service from the Cooperative.
140. TARIFFS, RULES AND REGULATIONS
In addition, the Cooperative shall make available upon Customer request a concise summary of the Cooperative's tariffs or the Cooperative's Rules and Regulations concerning:
A. Deposits
B. Termination of service
C. Billing and collection
D. Complaint handling
The Cooperative, upon request of a Customer, shall transmit a statement of actual consumption by such Customer for each billing period during the prior twelve (12) months unless such data is not reasonably attainable.
The Cooperative shall inform all new Customers of their right to obtain the information specified in Section 139, 140 and 141.
143. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER
The Customer, in addition to the other responsibilities set forth in these Rules, shall be responsible for:
A. Use of electric service.
B. The repair or maintenance of Customer-owned equipment beyond the point of delivery, including any condition that adversely affects the Cooperative's service to the Customer or to others.
C. Prompt notification to the Cooperative by the fastest available means of outages.
D. Prompt notification to the Cooperative of any material changes in the Customer’s installation or load conditions.
E. Prompt notification to the Cooperative of any other conditions in the Customer’s electric service resulting in substandard or irregular electric service.
The Cooperative may charge a fee for the services defined below in accordance with the applicable Tariffs of the Cooperative. The amount of the service fee will be determined by the type of personnel needed and whether the work is performed during working or nonworking hours. Reasonable efforts will be made to advise the Customer about appropriate service call fees before the service call begins. Some examples of these service calls are (but are not limited to) the following:
A. Each new Customer may be charged a fee for the service establishment, reestablishment, or reconnection of utility services, including transfers of service. The service establishment fee shall entitle the Customer to one service connection. The service establishment fee shall be non-refundable, non-transferable and shall not apply against a final or any other bill rendered by the Cooperative to the Customer.
B. A response to a power interruption call where it is determined that the Customer’s equipment is at fault and there is electricity at the point of delivery.
C. An interruption caused by the Customer’s willful act or omission, negligence or failure of Customer-owned equipment, even though the Cooperative is unable to perform any work beyond the point of delivery.
D. The reestablishment of a Customer’s service that was previously disconnected for non-payment, unlawful use of service, misrepresentation to the Cooperative, unsafe conditions, threats to Cooperative personnel or property, failure to permit safe access, detrimental effects of Customer loads on the Cooperative system, failure to establish credit and/or sign an agreement for service, or any other reason authorizing the Cooperative to make such disconnection.
E. The Customer requests that the Cooperative pick up bill payment at the electric service location in lieu of other methods of payment, if acceptable to the Cooperative.
F. A reestablishment of electric service to be reconnected when the same Customer who requested the service to be disconnected, remains a resident at the same premises.
G. A return trip to the same premises when the Customer fails to comply with the Cooperative's conditions for supplying service.
H. A return trip to the same premises when the Member fails to have funds available for service reconnect previously disconnected for non-payment.
I. Each time a Trico employee must make a field contact regarding a delinquent bill.
The Cooperative may temporarily suspend service to make repairs, replacements, maintenance, tests or inspections of Cooperative equipment or to make tests, inspections, connections or disconnections of Cooperative service. The Cooperative shall make reasonable efforts to notify the Customer about the need for and the duration of a planned service interruption, but it may suspend service in an emergency situation without prior notice to the Customer.
146. RESERVED FOR FUTURE ADDITIONS
147. DAMAGES TO THE COOPERATIVE
In the event any of the causes of interruptions set forth in Section 144 or any negligence by the Customer or Customer’s electric service cause damage to the Cooperative's property or personnel or the ability of the Cooperative to provide service to others, the responsible party shall be fully liable to the Cooperative therefor and the service charges set forth in such Sections shall not affect the right to recover the amount of such damages.
The service charges and damages referred to in Section 144 and 147 shall be added to the Customer’s monthly bill and be subject to collections and termination, except that service charges for reconnection of any service disconnected for non-payment may be required to be paid prior to reconnection.
A. The Cooperative shall have the right to refuse service to all new construction of and/or expansion of existing permanent residential mobile home parks unless the construction and/or expansion is individually metered by the Cooperative. Line extensions and service connections to serve such expansion shall be governed by the Line Extension and Service Connection Policy of the Cooperative.
B. Permanent residential mobile home parks for the purpose of this Section shall mean mobile home parks where, in the opinion of the Cooperative, the average length of stay for an occupant is a minimum of six months.
C. For the purposes of this Section, expansion means the addition of permanent residential spaces in excess of that existing at the effective date of this Rule.
150. RESIDENTIAL APARTMENT COMPLEXES, CONDOMINIUMS, AND OTHER MULTI-UNIT RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
A. Master metering shall not be allowed for new construction of apartment complexes and condominiums unless the building(s) will be served by a centralized heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning system and the contractor can provide to the Cooperative an analysis demonstrating that the central unit will result in a favorable cost benefit relationship.
B. At a minimum, the cost/benefit analysis should consider the following elements for a central unit as compared to individual units:
i. Equipment and labor costs
ii. Financing costs
iii. Maintenance costs
iv. Estimated kWh usage
v. Estimated kW demand on a coincident demand and non-coincident demand basis (for individual units)
vi. Cost of meters and installation
vii. Customer account cost (one account vs. several accounts)
151. CUSTOMER PROVIDED FACILITIES
Each Customer obtaining service shall be responsible for all electric facilities on the Customer’s side of the point of delivery, the service entrance, and the meter socket. In addition, Customers obtaining two hundred (200) amp or larger service may be responsible for the service lines as determined by the Cooperative.
Meters and service switches in conjunction with the meter shall be installed in a location where the meters will be readily and safely accessible for reading, testing and inspection and where such activities will not cause intolerable interference and inconvenience to the Customer. The Customer shall provide, without cost to the Cooperative, at a suitable and easily accessible location, sufficient and proper space for installation of meters as set forth in the Codes and/or Trico’s specifications.
153. METER SERVICE LINE ALTERATION
Where the meter or service line location on the Customer’s premises is changed at the request of the Customer or due to alterations on the Customer’s premises, the Customer shall provide and have installed at their expense all wiring materials and equipment necessary for relocating the meter and service line connection and the Cooperative may make a charge not to exceed the actual cost for moving the meter and/or service line as set forth in Section 203.
154. COOPERATIVE PROVIDED FACILITIES
A. The investment and/or free footage allowance is set forth in these Rules. The maximum investment and/or free footage allowance will be provided by the Cooperative to the Customer. Maximum investment and/or free footage allowance may be differentiated by Customer class.
B. The cost of any service line in excess of the size or length allowed at no charge shall be paid as set forth in Section 104 & 105.
C. A Customer requesting an underground distribution line or service line in an area served by overhead facilities shall pay for the difference between a non-chargeable overhead connection and the actual cost of the underground connection as a non-refundable contribution.
D. A Customer requesting an overhead distribution line or service line in an area served by underground facilities shall pay the difference between a non-refundable underground connection and the actual cost of the overhead connection as a non-refundable contribution.
The Cooperative shall be granted rights-of-way and easement(s) over the property of the Customer, of sufficient width for the erection, maintenance, operation, repair, replacement, relocation, removal or use of any and all wire, poles, machinery, supplies, equipment, metering and regulating and other apparatus and fixtures necessary or convenient for the supplying of electric service to the Customer. The Cooperative shall be given safe and unimpaired access at reasonable times to the premises of the Customer for the purpose of reading meters, testing, repairing, relocating, removing or exchanging any or all equipment or facilities necessary to provide or remove electric service to the Customer. Immediate and unannounced access may be necessary when the Cooperative is dealing with an outage or emergency. The required easement(s) and access shall be conveyed to the Cooperative prior to service being made available to the Customer without cost to the Cooperative. The Cooperative may terminate service after proper notice is issued if there are violations of the required safe and unimpaired access.
156. OBLIGATION FOR RIGHTS-OF-WAY
The Cooperative shall not be obligated to bear any part of the cost of obtaining rights-of-way, easements, licenses or permits. The Customer may be required to put up a non-interest bearing cost deposit(s) before work to obtain said rights-of-way can begin or continue. Any part of the deposit not used for obtaining rights-of-way may be applied toward and become part of the deposit required as set forth in Section 124 of this policy. It is the Customer or Applicant’s responsibility to obtain the right-of-way from the third party; however, the cooperative may assist when resources exist to do so. It is the Customer or Applicant’s responsibility to notify the third party, neighbor and/or adjacent landowners of the design, surveying and construction activities that could affect them or their surroundings.
157. CUSTOMER FACILITIES IN RIGHT-OF-WAY
When the Cooperative discovers that a Customer or their agent is performing work or has constructed facilities adjacent to or within an easement or right-of-way and such work, construction or facility poses a hazard or is in violation of federal, state or local laws, ordinances, statutes, rules, regulations, Codes or Trico’s specifications or significantly interferes with the Cooperative's access to equipment, the Cooperative shall notify the Customer or their agent and shall take whatever actions are necessary to eliminate the hazard, obstruction or violation at the Customer’s expense.
158. RIGHTS-OF-WAY EASEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC DISTRIBUTION AND SERVICE LINES
The Cooperative shall construct or cause to be constructed and shall own, operate and maintain all electric distribution and service lines along public streets, roads, highways, on public lands and private property, which the Cooperative has the legal right to occupy.
159. RIGHTS-OF-WAY IN SUBDIVISIONS
Rights-of-way and easements suitable to the Cooperative must be furnished by the developer at no cost to the Cooperative and in reasonable time to meet service requirements. No electric facilities shall be installed by the Cooperative until the final grades have been established and furnished to the Cooperative. In addition, the easement strips, alleys, and streets must be graded by the developer to standards determined by the Cooperative, before the Cooperative will commence construction. Such clearance and grading must be maintained by the developer during construction by the Cooperative.
If, subsequent to construction, the clearance or grade is changed in such a way as to require relocation of facilities, or if deemed advisable by the Cooperative to require changing any underground to overhead or overhead to underground, the cost of any damage, relocation, replacement and/or resulting repairs shall be borne by the developer or the property owner of the real property which adversely affected the Cooperative facilities.
PART 2.
LINE EXTENSIONS
The provisions of this policy shall define the conditions governing line extensions. Extensions of distribution or transmission facilities and lines of standard existing voltages necessary to furnish permanent electric service to Applicants and Customers of the Cooperative will be made by the Cooperative in accordance with the provision of this part. These provisions shall apply throughout the entire Service Area of the Cooperative unless modified by the provisions of an effective rate tariff or specific order of the Arizona Corporation Commission, in which cases the provisions of the rate tariff or order shall govern to the extent applicable.
The Cooperative will construct, own, operate and maintain lines along public streets, roads and highways, which the Cooperative has the legal right to occupy, and on public lands and private property across which rights-of-way and easements satisfactory to the Cooperative may be obtained without cost to or condemnation by the Cooperative.
A. Upon request by an Applicant for a line extension, the Cooperative shall prepare without charge, a preliminary sketch and rough estimate of the costs to be paid by the Applicant.
B. Any Applicant for a line extension requesting the Cooperative to prepare detailed plans, specifications, or cost estimates, may be required to deposit with the Cooperative in an amount equal to the estimated cost of preparation. The Cooperative shall, upon request, make available within ninety (90) days after receipt of the deposit referred to above, such plans, specifications, or cost estimates of the proposed line extension. Where the Applicant authorizes the Cooperative to proceed with the construction of the extension, the deposit shall be credited to the costs of construction; otherwise, the deposit shall be non-refundable.
If it is necessary to oversize or route the extension for the convenience of the Cooperative's system, the additional cost of oversizing or routing the facilities shall be done at the Cooperative's expense. Proposed subdivisions with approved plans requiring electric service shall be given plans, specifications, or cost estimates within forty-five (45) days after subdivider pays a deposit as referred to above.
C. When the Cooperative requires an Applicant to advance funds for a line extension, the Cooperative will furnish the Applicant with a copy of the line extension agreement.
D. All line extension agreements requiring payment by the Applicant shall be in writing and signed by both parties.
E. The provisions of this policy shall apply only to those Applicants who in the Cooperative's judgment will be a Permanent Service.
F. In all applications of free footage allowance of line extension, the free footage is per Permanent Service point of delivery on the Customer’s real property, or development at one location.
G. The Cooperative will charge a new construction establishment fee per service to each Applicant requiring construction of a new service, per approved tariffs.
202. MINIMUM WRITTEN AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS
Each line extension agreement shall at a minimum include the following information:
A. Name and address of Applicant
B. Proposed service address and location
C. Description of requested service
D. Description and sketch of the requested line extension
E. A cost estimate is to include materials, labor, and other costs as necessary. The Cooperative may use the average for the previous twelve (12) months when the average matches type of line being constructed.
F. Payment terms
G. A concise explanation of any refunding provisions if applicable
H. The Cooperative's estimated construction date and completion date of the line extension
I. Explanation of required easements
Line extension costs shall use the average construction costs for the previous twelve (12) months for the same type service or if the work order seems to differ from those months, the costs shall be estimated using the following in the calculations:
A. Material
B. Direct labor
C. Overhead: Overhead costs are represented by all the costs which are proper capital charges in connection with construction, other than direct material and labor costs such as:
1. Indirect labor
2. Engineering
3. Transportation
4. Taxes, e.g. (FICA, State & Federal Unemployment which are properly allocated to construction)
5. Insurance
6. Stores expense
7. General office expenses allocated to costs of construction
8. Power operated equipment
9. Employee Pension and Benefits
10. Margins
11. Miscellaneous expenses property chargeable to construction
D. All line extension agreements shall be signed by the Customer. All applicable deposits and/or contributions in aid of construction shall be paid to the Cooperative, prior to construction.
204. LINE EXTENSION MEASUREMENT
Line extension measurement shall be along the route of construction required, but no free distance shall be permitted beyond the shortest practical route to the nearest practical point of delivery on each Customer’s premises as determined by the Cooperative. This measurement shall include, but is not limited to primary, secondary and service lines.
205. EXTENSION OF SINGLE-PHASE OVERHEAD LINES TO INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS AND TO THE PERIMETER OF DULY RECORDED SUBDIVISIONS.
A. Free Extensions: Upon the satisfactory completion of the required site improvements, as determined by the Cooperative, the Cooperative will make single-phase extensions from its existing overhead facilities of proper voltage and adequate capacity free of charge a distance of up to six hundred (600) ft. where the property to be served is not within a subdivision. However, if the cost of that six-hundred (600) ft. extension exceeds by ten percent (10%) the average cost of a normal six-hundred (600) ft. extension, as determined by the Cooperative from its records, the Customer shall pay the additional cost. The distance of six hundred (600) ft. is to be measured from the Cooperative's existing facilities capable of serving the Customer.
B. Single-Phase Extension in Excess of Free Extension Distance: The Cooperative shall make extensions in excess of six hundred (600) ft. upon receipt of a non-interest bearing refundable cash deposit, plus any applicable nonrefundable deposits to cover the costs of construction. The total cost of such additional footage shall be based upon a current construction cost study made by the Cooperative for single-phase extension.
C. Method of Refunds: Deposit refunds will be made to a previous depositor until the total amount of the deposit has been refunded, or the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Cooperative's receipt of the deposit, whichever shall first occur, in all three (3) of the following methods. However, the total refund to a depositor shall never be greater than the amount deposited:
1. General: Deposit refunds will be made to the depositor in the amount of twenty percent (20%) of that portion of the depositor's monthly bill for electric service furnished by the Cooperative that is in excess of any monthly minimum charged the depositor pursuant to the applicable tariff. The refund will be paid by crediting the depositor's monthly bill from the Cooperative for the first monthly bill after the credit has been determined.
2. Initial Depositor: Deposit refunds will be made to an initial depositor when each separately metered new Permanent Service is served directly from the line extension for which the initial depositor has made the deposit, providing the new line extension to such Permanent Service is less than six hundred (600) ft. in distance. The amount of the deposit refund will be equal to the actual cost per foot of constructing the line, multiplied by the difference between six hundred (600) ft. and the number of the actual footage of the new line extension required to serve such Permanent Service.
3. Subsequent Depositor: After the deposit refunds due per Section 205 C. 2. are made and the Initial Depositor has been refunded the total amount they deposited for their line extension, then additional deposit refunds may be made to a Subsequent Depositor. A Subsequent Depositor is a person who paid a deposit for a line extension tapping the extension that the Initial Depositor is served directly from, and who still has un-refunded deposit amounts remaining. The Cooperative will continue to evaluate successive Subsequent Depositors, as applicable, until their deposit has been refunded in full, or they have exceeded the ten years allowable for deposit refunds, per Section 205.
D. If after ten (10) years from the Cooperative's receipt of the advance deposit required for the estimated cost of the new line to be constructed, the amount of the deposit has not been totally refunded, the unrefunded amount shall be considered a contribution in aid of construction and shall no longer be refundable.
A pictorial explanation of the method of refunds pursuant to Subsection 205.C. based upon the initial rate per foot is as follows:
 |
