Line Extension Policy for New Service
Do you need to start new electric service? OTEC is here to help you get started. Before you start the process, review our electric service requirements. Our policy is also available in PDF format (link is at the bottom of the page) and requires a reader for viewing. To download a free reader, visit Adobe's website.
If you have received new service from OTEC and would like to comment on the process or express thoughts or concerns, click here fill out our quick, on-line survey right now - all you have to do once you complete it is click "Done."
Or you can fill out a paper version - just click Electric Line Extension Member Questionnaire. It is available in PDF format. Scan the form and email it to jmacy@otecc.com or mail to:
Oregon Trail Electric
c/o Joan Macy
PO Box 226
Baker City, OR 97814
I. Objective:
A. To establish conditions for the extension of electrical facilities to farm, residential, general, industrial, irrigation, subdivisions, and temporary service applicants desiring electrical service.
B. Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) will provide electrical service to all member/consumer/applicants within the boundaries of OTEC’s service territory who desire service subject to the provisions below.
II. Definitions:
A. Farm/Residential Service: Electric service supplied to urban and rural single family or multiple family dwellings where the end use of the service is primarily for domestic use.
B. Irrigation Service: Electric service where the primary end use will be used for irrigation of agricultural crops, drainage pumping, and stock water purposes.
C. Subdivisions: A tract or parcel of land divided into four or more lots, sites, or other divisions.
D. Temporary Service: Facilities constructed to serve a given location that are not expected to be used for their useful service life. Examples of temporary services are constructions sites, recreational vehicle pads, seasonal residential dwellings, and rock crushers.
E. Backbone Line Extension: Electric service supplied to a subdivision that includes primary conductors, transformers, splice boxes, secondary conductors, service drops, and meters.
III. Content:
A. Conditions: The member/consumer will provide an approved electric meter base installed in accordance with OTEC’s specifications that are in effect at the time of installation. Prior to OTEC connecting service, the facilities of the member/consumer must have successfully passed an inspection by the State of Oregon Electrical Inspector. The member/consumer will provide a right-of-way easement, right-of-way clearing, road access, trench excavation, and conduit installation as required by OTEC.
B. Construction cost:
1. The member/consumer will pay 100 percent of the estimated construction cost, which includes the transformer, service drop, and meter, prior to OTEC beginning work. Any amounts advanced in excess of actual incurred construction costs will be refunded upon a final accounting. If the amount advanced is less than the actual cost, the deficiency will be billed to the member/consumer upon final accounting.
2. In an effort to encourage the most efficient utilization of electricity, OTEC members requesting Farm/Residential Service will receive a $1,500 construction credit if they install an energy efficient electric water heater or a water heater that does not use electricity and if they install an electric heat pump for space heating or utilize some fuel source other than resistance electric heating for space heating meeting the following standard:
a. Measure standards:
1) Water heater – the energy factor for the installed electric water heater must be .93 or higher for a 50 gallon tank. For larger tanks exceeding 50 gallons, the energy factor must be .91 or higher.
2) Electric Heat Pumps – the heat pump must be an OTEC Qualified or Performance Tested Comfort System (PTCS) qualified system as specified by OTEC’s current programs. These heating systems must be installed by an OTEC certified dealer. In addition, the installation must have passed inspection by an OTEC representative.
b. Those installations not meeting these energy efficient standards will receive a $500 construction credit per electric service.
3. For line extensions costing more than $5,000 and the cost of the line extension exceeds three times the forecasted annual revenue from the new load, the member/consumer shall be required to enter into a monthly minimum contract for a period of five years. The monthly minimum contract payment shall be equal to one percent of the actual cost of the line extension. During the 5-year contract period, the member/consumer will be charged the monthly contract minimum amount in any month the cost of electric service for the account does not exceed the monthly contract amount. For irrigation accounts, the contract minimum will be applied annually and any deficiency in the required minimum contract electric service charges will be billed during the month of November. As an alternative to a monthly minimum contract, the member/consumer may elect to pay an additional amount equal to 50 percent of the line extension construction cost. The additional payment shall be made in advance and adjusted to 50 percent of actual construction costs upon a final accounting.
C. Work order deposit:
1. When a request for a new electrical service is made, a fee of $150 will be collected as a non-refundable engineering deposit. The engineering deposit will be applied toward the project cost at the time the line extension is constructed.
2. In the case of line extensions that are difficult to estimate or for line extensions that will exceed $15,000, the engineering deposit fee shall be equal to 10 percent of the estimated construction cost.
3. OTEC will cancel the construction project if the applicant does not pay the estimated construction costs within 120 days after receiving the estimate from OTEC. If the applicant subsequently requests the project to be constructed, OTEC may request an additional engineering deposit, if deemed necessary.
D. Field survey, design and cost estimate: Upon receiving a completed line extension application, OTEC will meet with the applicant for a field survey. OTEC will determine the appropriate line extension design in conjunction with the applicant and stake the project, if applicable.
E. OTEC will develop a cost estimate for the project based on current construction prices, less any construction credit. The net cost estimate must be paid prior to OTEC scheduling construction of the project.
F. Service capacity increases: Members/consumers requesting service upgrades will be charged the total cost of the facilities change.
G. Service capacity decreases: Members/consumers requesting service downgrades (reduction in service size and/or transformer capacity) will be charged the total cost of the facilities change.
H. Temporary service: For temporary services (single or three phase) the member/consumer will be required to pay in advance 100 percent of the estimated costs of construction plus removal of facilities less credit for salvageable material. The installed system remains the property of OTEC.
I. Subdivisions:
1. The developer will be required to make a cash payment equal to the estimated cost of the Backbone Line Extension required to serve the subdivision as designed by OTEC. Upon completion of the installation of facilities, the project will be audited and the required payment will be adjusted to actual cost. The installed system remains the property of OTEC. The electrical system shall consist of all primary and secondary voltage equipment necessary to make service available to all lots. Installation of transformers and services may be delayed until service to an individual lot is requested. Each November the developer will pay a fee of four percent of the actual prorated cost of the facilities associated with the lots not yet fully occupied for maintenance, operation and depreciation.
2. The developer will receive a construction credit of up to $1,500, subject to the limitations as described in Section III. B. 2, when a lot receives permanent service. The construction credit period will expire after five years. In no case will the developer receive more than the adjusted cost of construction.
3. The developer will provide OTEC with one copy of a preliminary approved plat map depicting locations, specifications, dedications, easements, and information relating to the subdivision or other division of lands.
IV. Responsibility: It shall be the responsibility of the General Manager to ensure compliance with this policy.
Revised: 3-29-11
Effective: 1-1-11
Approved: 10-13-89, 9-18-92, 10-22-93, 9-23-03, 9-26-06, 10-26-10
