UNDERGROUND EXTENSION POLICY

Upon application for electric service, the Cooperative will furnish and install underground primary and secondary service within its service area, or where allowed by law, to new developments, permanent residential dwellings, and to commercial, industrial, or public buildings.

Prior to the installation of the Cooperative’s electric facilities, the owner, member, or developer will furnish, without cost to the Cooperative, necessary easements and rights-of-way and will be required to initially cut and clear the same. Lot lines must be established and staked, the right-of-way cleared of vegetation and other obstructions, and the project prepared to final grade before construction begins. The owner, member, or developer is responsible for identifying, locating, and exposing all privately-owned below ground facilities and obstructions prior to the installation of the underground electric facilities. The Cooperative will not be responsible for damage to any privately-owned underground facilities that are not identified, located, and exposed prior to the installation of the underground electric lines.

Where, due to conditions in the soil, as much as 5 percent of the trenching work cannot be accomplished by the use of standard trenching machines and techniques, excess costs incurred by such conditions may be charged by the Cooperative. The excess charge for abnormal trenching is specified in the Schedule of Charges. Where there are other unusual conditions, such as high water or unusual local wiring or electrical code requirements which require installation procedures and materials not normally used, the excess cost of such procedure may be charged by the Cooperative. These charges are in addition to any other charges required by the SRR .

Additional charges may be made by the Cooperative to defray the expense of constructing temporary overhead facilities installed at the request of and to accommodate the owner or developer through, by, or into areas that will ultimately be served by underground facilities. The CIAC will be based on the total estimated line extension cost, plus the estimated cost of retiring the facilities, less any salvageable materials. These charges are in addition to any other charges required by the SRR .

The type of construction and location of facilities will be at the option of the Cooperative. Should the owner or developer desire changes in either location or type of construction, and provided that the Cooperative agrees that the requested changes will not present future problems, such installations will be made only upon the owner or developer agreeing to pay to the Cooperative the estimated additional cost incurred. These charges are in addition to any other charges required by the SRR .

The Cooperative will construct its facilities to meet or exceed the then existing minimum standards of the latest edition of the National Electrical Safety Code, the Rural Utility Service’s Construction Specification Manuals, and any other then existing applicable codes or standards that exist at the time of construction. The facilities will be designed and operated using sound engineering principles and practices.

Where the owner, member, or developer wishes to pave roads, driveways, or other areas prior to the installation of the underground distribution facilities, the Cooperative will provide conduit and a layout showing where the conduit must be installed. The owner or developer, at his or her own expense, will be required to install the conduit under roads or other paved areas to meet the specifications provided by the Cooperative. In the event that the owner or developer requests the Cooperative to install the conduit prior to the installation of the underground service, the requesting party shall pay a CIAC equal to the total estimated cost of the conduit installation. In all cases, the owner or developer will be responsible for tamping the trench to adequate compaction prior to paving. In the event that conduit is not installed prior to paving, the owner, member, or developer will be required to pay all costs incurred in boring under or cutting through and replacing pavement within the development or project. The costs for boring are included in the Schedule of Charges. These charges are in addition to any other charges required by the SRR .

Protection of shrubs, trees, and grass sod during the installation of the underground facilities will be the responsibility of the owner or developer.

The owner or developer will hold the Cooperative and/or its subcontractors harmless from all costs and claims for damages or injury (including death) and including reasonable attorney’s fees. It will be the responsibility of the owner or developer to re-seed and/or maintain the trench cover.

The owner or developer will be required to pay all required deposits and costs incurred in boring under or cutting through and replacing pavement within the development. The costs for boring are included in the Schedule of Charges. This charge is in addition to any other charges required by the SRR .

All agreements for these services shall be reduced to writing and will be provided under the following additional terms and conditions.

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