Members who own and operate a net-metering generating facility with a capacity of not more than 25 kilowatts are subject to these additional service rules:
33.1 Applicable Standards
A net-metering facility shall be consistent with the applicable standards established by the National Electric Code, National Electric Safety Code, and shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established in the Oregon State Building Code.
33.2 Disconnection Device
As required by the Oregon State Building Code and in accordance with the National Electrical Code, an approved disconnecting device capable of isolating the net-metering facility from the Cooperative’s system shall be provided by the member and shall be accessible to Cooperative personnel at all times.
33.3 Interference
No generating facility shall cause interference or disturb the quality of service to other members.
33.4 Facility Inspection
Generating facilities shall be inspected for safety assurance on a periodic basis acceptable to the Cooperative or as specified by applicable codes or industry standards.
Any extension built to serve a single consumer (regardless of the number of meters) shall be deemed abandoned when service is discontinued and request for reconnection is not made within the following twelve months. In such circumstances, at the Cooperative's sole option, the Cooperative may consider any interest of the consumer in the line extension plant and equipment, if any, forfeited. The consumer's interest in the plant in service may be retained in exchange for payment of the monthly facilities charge that would otherwise be due on the consumer's account or accounts if service were reconnected. The condition of facilities, size and right-of-way clearances may also incur cost to be paid 100% by consumer.
The Cooperative may require adequate security, including the granting of a lien on the real property where the work is performed, to secure any outstanding payments.
The requirements for extension of multi-phase overhead lines are further defined as follows:
A. New Service Not Calling for Special Requirements:
The Cooperative will furnish service for any new or added poly phase load without imposing any special requirements where all the following situations are found to exist:
The expected annual revenue from the business to be supplied is estimated to at least equal the Cooperative's new investment to be devoted exclusively to serving the prospective consumer.
It will not be necessary to make any premature investment in new or reconstructed facilities other than in those facilities that will be devoted exclusively to serving the prospective consumer.
The non-salvable investment by the Cooperative for the prospective consumer will not be unusually large as compared to the rest of the investment.
The prospective consumer has a satisfactory credit rating.
The proposed service is neither strictly temporary nor of uncertain permanency but is expected to be permanent.
B. New Service Calling for Special Requirements:
If, in the case of an application for new or added service one or more of the situations listed above are found not to exist, then the prospective consumer will be subject to certain special requirements in order to qualify for service.
The special requirements may apply separately or in combination, depending upon the number of disqualifying situations that are found.
While many situations definitely call for application of one or another of the special requirements, other situations are not as well defined and consequently need careful consideration and exercise of good judgment in the determination of the special requirements to be applied.
Many factors, such as the nature of the consumer's operations, the expected use of service, the anticipated revenue and the amount of investment by the Cooperative in the necessary facilities, influence the decision as to the special requirements to be applied.
The various situations that may be encountered and the special requirements that are applicable to each are set for in the succeeding paragraphs of this policy.
C. Disqualifying Situations and Special Requirements:
Insufficient Revenue
If the anticipated revenue is found to be too small in relation to the necessary investment in new facilities, the Cooperative may select one of the following ways by which the prospective consumer may best meet the revenue requirements:
a) Signing of an open-term contract to guarantee each year for electric service, an amount equal to the Cooperative's necessary investment in new facilities. An open-term contract is one that shall be effective for a minimum of 5 years and for such further period as the The contract shall be deemed canceled whenever the actual annual revenue received by the Cooperative from the consumer in each of 3 consecutive contract years after the second anniversary of the contract is equal to or greater than the annual revenue guarantee. This option is only available where it is anticipated that the guarantee.
b) Making sufficient contribution of cash so that the Cooperative's net investment in new facilities, devoted exclusively to serving the consumer, is no greater than the anticipated annual revenue.In cases of this kind, the consumer will be required to sign a contract by which he will guarantee and secure both:
(1) To pay annually an amount including use of service equal to the Cooperative's net investment; and
(2) To pay annually in equal monthly installments, for at least 5 years and for such further term as he takes service, an amount in addition to and independent of all other charges and for which no kilowatt-hour use shall be included, equivalent to 11% of the amount of the cash contribution.
Consumer's contracts may be adjusted upon any anniversary in which the revenue from use of service has been and may be reasonably expected to be greater than that required to support the Cooperative's net investment in the extension which is devoted exclusively to servicing those consumers.
Premature Investment In case of premature investment the Cooperative may require a non-refundable contribution from the prospective consumer in sufficient amount to cover the extra expense to the Cooperative of the premature investment.
High Proportion of Non-salvable Investment
If the amount or proportion of the necessary non-salvable investment by the Cooperative is considered to be too large in comparison with the rest of the investment, then the Cooperative may require a written guarantee of revenue or a non-refundable contribution or a combination of both.
Unsatisfactory Credit Rating
If there is questionable credit, the Cooperative may require a reasonable fee to secure payment of anticipated bills for an extended period or, as an alternative, the Cooperative may require a returnable contribution and a reasonable fee to guarantee payment of current bills.
A. Choice of Route - Public Vs. Private Right-of-Way
As a general rule extensions are to be built along public right-of-ways in preference to private property routes, and immediately adjacent to all-season roads, in order to provide for future extensions and additional consumers as well as more convenient and economical maintenance and service.
B. Choice of Feed - Between 2 Acceptable Sources
Where premises to be served lie between two adequate and perfectly acceptable sources of feed, consumer requirements shall be based on the shorter of the two distances regardless of the route selected by the Cooperative for actual construction of the line. Approval must be obtained from the Cooperative for construction along the longer route.
The Cooperative will own and maintain its lines together with all meters, transformers, poles and other facilities constructed or installed in connection with service extensions.
Proof of ownership of property by contract or deed.
Proof of septic tank approval of the county or other agency.
State electrical inspection and permit as necessary.
Evidence of approval for structure by the city, county or other governing agencies when necessary.
Notification by the applicant of any property deed restrictions or zoning requirements that may affect the installation of the Cooperative's facilities.
Provide, when necessary, an all-season gravel road which the Cooperative vehicles and equipment will be able to operate over in order to build and maintain the electric power line.
The developer shall pay all costs for the line extension facilities.
The developer or owner who requests the underground electric service may, at his or her expense, purchase and install vaults and duct systems that meet the Cooperative's specification. The ownership of the vault and duct system will revert to the Cooperative after inspection and acceptance of the systems. The cost of inspection shall be borne by the
developer or owner.
Commercial Mobile Home Parks
Service to commercial mobile home parks will depend upon the permanency of the business by evidence of the owner's own investment in water, sewerage, grounds, roads, and other investments.
Tenants of the park must apply directly to the Cooperative for establishment of service. The Cooperative will bill the tenants directly on the appropriate rate and will be responsible for collections.
Commercial and industrial consumers, including developers, shall comply with the above sections and further comply with the following.
At the time of application for service, commercial and industrial consumers shall provide lot plans and load estimates to the Cooperative in a form sufficient to permit the Cooperative to accurately plan the placement of Cooperative facilities sufficient to meet the needs of the consumer and to allow the Cooperative sufficient lead time to order necessary materials that will be required.
If any materials are required for a service extension which are not part of the Cooperative's standard inventory or system use, or the consumer wishes to have spare equipment available at the Cooperative for emergency purposes, the consumer shall pay the cost of such equipment prior to ordering the materials or equipment.
the Cooperative and the consumer for service under this policy. Such contract shall, at a minimum, contain the following terms of the agreement: a) length of the agreement; b) termination; c) facility charges; d) minimum charges; e) ownership of the facilities; f) maintenance of the facilities; and g) renewal of the agreement.
