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Rates - Service
Regulations (Proposed)

Summary of Service Regulations Revisions for Jan. 1, 2010
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New
Residential Development AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION clarified; added paragraphs H-3-d,
e and f
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Updated AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION fees
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Changed Engineering Division and Operations Division to Energy Delivery
Division
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Clarified forms of payment accepted, paragraph M-5
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GENERAL DEFINITIONS
Certain terms
used, for the purposes of and subject to the other provisions and conditions
of the Rate Schedules and Service Regulations, unless otherwise indicated are
defined as follows:
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SYSTEM:
Shall be defined as the Lincoln Electric System acting through the elected
city officials, duly appointed board members, agents and employees within
the scope of their duties and responsibilities.
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CUSTOMER:
Any person, partnership, association, firm, corporation (public or private)
or governmental agency, requesting and/or taking service from the SYSTEM at
a specific location, whether the service at that address be in their name or
someone else’s.
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SERVICE AREA:
The area defined generally by a three-mile limit outside the Lincoln City
limits. A map depicting the exact area may be obtained at the SYSTEM
offices.
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SERVICE WIRES:
The wires, owned by the SYSTEM, connecting the SYSTEM’s distribution system
to a CUSTOMER’s service terminals or conductor.
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POINT OF DELIVERY:
The point where the SYSTEM supplies service to a CUSTOMER and which, unless
otherwise agreed upon between the SYSTEM and the CUSTOMER, shall be the
point where the SYSTEM SERVICE WIRES are joined to the CUSTOMER’s service
terminals or conductor.
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METER:
The device or devices including all auxiliary equipment necessary to measure
and register an electrical quantity (energy, demand and reactive power) that
is supplied by the SYSTEM to a CUSTOMER at a POINT OF DELIVERY.
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BILLING PERIOD:
Bills for metered services are rendered on the basis of the scheduled meter
reading dates or a date agreeable with the SYSTEM for final readings. Under
normal conditions, BILLING PERIODS typically range from 27 to 35 days.
Non-metered service billing periods are based on a monthly schedule set by
the SYSTEM.
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COGENERATION AND SMALL POWER PRODUCTION:
For the purpose of these Regulations, COGENERATION AND SMALL POWER
PRODUCTION shall be defined as all forms of electrical generation that are
or could be in parallel operation with the SYSTEM. Such equipment may
include, but may not be limited to, conventional facilities as well as
renewable generation. See Paragraph L-2.
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FACILITIES INVESTMENT COST:
The total cost to the SYSTEM, including design, material, equipment, labor
and labor overheads to build and install additional facilities above and
beyond existing plant, or to reinforce existing facilities, in order to
serve the CUSTOMER’s load or additions to load.
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AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION:
A payment required from the CUSTOMER to the SYSTEM involving a portion of
construction costs. Such payment does not entitle the CUSTOMER to a right of
ownership of equipment or facilities. The amount and manner of payment of
this cost will be determined by the Energy Delivery Division.
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PROPERTY OWNER:
Any person, partnership, association, firm, corporation (public or private)
or governmental agency, holding title to and represented by that title as
having all rights and privileges of the property described in the title will
be considered by Lincoln Electric System as the PROPERTY OWNER. The PROPERTY
OWNER may be represented by an Agent and upon written notice by the PROPERTY
OWNER, rights and privileges may be exercised by the Agent.
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CONTRACT CUSTOMER:
A customer who requests special services that are not included within the
published retail rate classes of service, which shall include cogeneration
and small power production, as defined by the Public Utility Regulatory
Policies Act (PURPA), wheeling services, certain interruptible services, and
general wholesale power transactions.
Top
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AVAILABILITY AND CHARACTER OF SERVICE
The availability
of service and the equipment to be used in providing electric service shall be
determined by the SYSTEM before electrical plans for service connections are
finalized. An AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION may be required for facilities the SYSTEM
installs in excess of what is normally required for service to a CUSTOMER as
governed by these Service Regulations. The SYSTEM shall advise the CUSTOMER of
the available phase and voltage for that service. The CUSTOMER shall be
responsible for operation, maintenance, replacement and renewal expenses on
all CUSTOMER owned equipment. The CUSTOMER shall permit the SYSTEM to trim
trees including the removal of limbs, to the extent that such trimming shall
be reasonably necessary to prevent interference with the SYSTEM’s lines and
equipment. Top
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REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE CONNECTIONS
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Application for Service (less than 200 amps, secondary voltage)
An “Application for Electric Service” for service entrance sizes of 200 amps
and below and 600 volts or less must be received by the SYSTEM at least 14
calendar days before final inspection by the appropriate Electric Code
Agency if primary distribution facilities are in place and 45 calendar days
if primary distribution facilities must be extended.
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Application for Service (between 200 and 1,000 amps, secondary
voltage)
An
“Application for Electric Service” for service entrance sizes larger than
200 amps and no larger than 1,000 amps and 600 volts or less must be
received by the SYSTEM at least 45 calendar days prior to final inspection
by the appropriate Electric Code Agency.
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Application for Service (greater than 1,000 amps or primary voltage)
An “Application for Electric Service” for service entrance sizes larger than
1,000 amps and any primary metered service (greater than 600 volts) must be
received by the SYSTEM as far in advance as possible. The electrical
connection date will be subject to the availability of the transformer and
other equipment needed and having sufficient time to schedule and complete
work required (this, in some cases, can be six months and longer).
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Easements
The CUSTOMER,
without expense to the SYSTEM, shall provide or procure the easements
necessary to furnish service to the CUSTOMER and the SYSTEM will not be
required to make installation of service connections until all necessary
easements have been given. No service shall be connected or continued unless
all easements requested by the SYSTEM have been granted.
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Electric Code Agency and SYSTEM Inspection
The SYSTEM
will proceed with the connection of a service entrance as soon as practical
after final inspection notice from the appropriate Electric Code Agency is
received, provided specified requirements are met by the final inspection
date. These requirements include, but are not limited to: the above lead
times, filing of easements, establishment of final grade, lot pins, removal
of all obstacles (fences, brick/wood/dirt piles, retaining wall, underground
obstructions, etc.), installation of the required conduit, transformer pad
and other items as deemed necessary by the SYSTEM. Top
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POINT OF DELIVERY AND SPECIAL BILLING APPLICATIONS
The rates of the
SYSTEM are based upon the supply of permanent service to the entire premises
through a single delivery and metering point. If the SYSTEM agrees to supply
service to a premises at more than one POINT OF DELIVERY, the service measured
by the METER at each POINT OF DELIVERY will be considered a separate service,
and meter readings will not be combined for billing purposes. Equipment which
can transfer load between separately metered services will not be allowed,
except in situations approved by the SYSTEM for services at the same location
and on the same rate code. The only exception to the practice of consolidating
meter readings for billing purposes shall be those existing residential
circumstances where three-phase service has previously been provided for air
conditioning purposes only and metered on a separate circuit. In those
circumstances, the existing CUSTOMER shall have the three-phase air
conditioning METER and single-phase residential service METER consumptions
combined and billed at the applicable residential service schedule. The
additional charge for this service is provided in the Residential Rate
Schedule under the Three-Phase Air Conditioning Service Rider.
A CUSTOMER must
arrange in advance with the SYSTEM for a special consideration to be made
concerning abnormal billing demands that result from the CUSTOMER’S testing of
equipment. The CUSTOMER should contact the Consumer Services Division at least
seven calendar days in advance of each expected abnormal billing occurrence. The
SYSTEM will inform the CUSTOMER in writing under what conditions and
provisions special billing consideration will be allowed (i.e., time, duration
and frequency of occurrence, and who must be present during the testing
process).
Top
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CUSTOMER RESALE AND REDISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC SERVICE
It shall be the
policy of the SYSTEM, when cost effective, to require separate metering for
electric power serving each new individual dwelling unit, new industrial or
commercial unit, and future subdivisions of existing buildings as provided for
in the policy for Master Metering established by the Administrative Board
(currently Policy No. 10). Electric service purchased by a CUSTOMER shall be
for the sole use of such CUSTOMER in and upon the premises to which such
service is supplied, and shall not be sold directly nor a bill rendered, on a
metered basis, by a CUSTOMER to lessees, tenants or others. Existing
submetered facilities can remain, as is, if the end user does not pay more for
electric consumption than the applicable LES rate. Top
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TEMPORARY SERVICE
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Charges
A one time
charge of $90.00 will be made for each temporary overhead or underground
single-phase service connection, consisting of SERVICE WIRES and self
contained METER only. When more than the above is required to provide the
requested temporary service, the CUSTOMER shall, on a contract basis, pay
for all work done by the SYSTEM in completing the temporary extension of
existing electric lines and facilities needed to provide the temporary
service requested. The temporary extension charge will be a nonrecoverable
charge, payable in advance of any construction and equal to the estimated
cost of non-reusable material plus 10 percent of the cost of reusable material,
storeroom cost, labor, labor overhead, truck expense, subsistence,
engineering and supervision necessary to construct and remove the extension.
If a contractor is delinquent in paying the charges for a temporary service,
no additional temporary services will be provided to that party until all
amounts due are paid, and payment in advance may be required prior to
providing additional service. The CUSTOMER will provide an identifiable
address on site before temporary service is connected.
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Conversion to Permanent Service
When the
temporary service is for a building contractor and service may be furnished
later on a permanent basis, material in the temporary service may be used in
the permanent connection. Any material and associated labor proposed to be
used in the permanent connection will not be considered in determining the
connection charge for the temporary service.
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Special Cases
At the
SYSTEM’s discretion, it may apply a special procedure for handling temporary
service to short term or seasonal retail stores (i.e., Fireworks and
Christmas tree stands) that provides for flat fees for kWh consumption and
service connection charges. Top
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EXTENSION POLICY
Permanent
single-phase or three-phase extensions will normally be built in the most
direct route from the nearest source of supply and to one service entrance
location. Multiple points of service are not standard and if permitted, may
require an AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION.
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Service Voltages
Normal 60
Hertz alternating current service voltage extensions which can be provided
under the appropriate load conditions as determined by the SYSTEM are:
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from overhead secondary distribution lines:
120 volts,
single-phase, two wire
120/240
volts, single-phase, three wire
120/240
volts, three-phase, four wire
120/208
volts, three-phase, four wire
277/480
volts, three-phase, four wire
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from underground secondary distribution lines:
120 volts, single-phase, two wire
120/240 volts, single-phase, three wire
120/208 volts, three-phase, four wire
277/480 volts, three-phase, four wire
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from primary distribution lines:
7,200/12,470
volt, three-phase, four wire
34,500 volt, three-phase, three wire
If deemed
appropriate by the SYSTEM, other voltage service extensions can be made
available for approved loads upon application by the CUSTOMER.
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Service Installation Cost
Subject to all
other requirements of the Service Regulations:
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Service will
be installed at no charge if the FACILITIES INVESTMENT COST to the SYSTEM
will not exceed 2.5 times the estimated additional annual revenue
resulting from providing the service.
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Service will
be installed with an AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION to be paid by the applicant in
the amount and manner determined by the Energy Delivery Division of
the SYSTEM if the FACILITIES INVESTMENT COST to the SYSTEM will exceed 2.5
times the estimated additional annual revenue resulting from providing the
service.
Estimates of
revenue shall be based upon calculations or upon averages of historical
records of similar types of service. Top
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UNDERGROUND AND RELOCATION POLICY
It shall be the
policy of the SYSTEM to actively encourage the installation of its electric
facilities underground. Major new construction of primary and secondary
systems will be installed underground if determined to be feasible by the Energy Delivery Division.
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Arterial Street Widenings
The SYSTEM
will install the distribution circuit underground if the existing pole line
must be removed or if the poles will be less than a reasonable distance from
the back of the curb after the arterial is widened. The Energy Delivery
Division will be responsible for determining a reasonable distance from the
back of the curb.
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New Primary Distribution Systems
The SYSTEM,
when determined by the Energy Delivery Division to be feasible, will
install all new feeders underground where there is not an existing pole
line. If there is an existing pole line, the Energy Delivery Division
will be responsible for determining the feasibility of installing the feeder
underground, using a base factor such that the cost of underground is not
more than 2 times the cost of installing the feeder overhead.
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Underground Service in New Residential Areas (Single-Family
Dwellings, Townhouses, Duplexes with a Meter Center and Mobile Homes)
The SYSTEM will own, install, operate, and maintain an adequate underground
distribution system including the SERVICE WIRES to the METER socket on the
outside of the house or structure.
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In
subdivisions the CUSTOMER or developer will contribute an
AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION of $472.00 per lot for lots with rear lot lines 100
feet in width or less and $4.72 per rear lot foot for lots with rear lot
lines greater than 100 feet in width. The AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION under this
subsection shall not exceed $944.00 per lot.
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In mobile
home parks the CUSTOMER or developer will contribute an
AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION of $50.00 per lot for an adequate underground
distribution system and will also own, install and maintain the meter
pedestal.
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In either
(a) or (b) above, 100 percent AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION payment (or a 20 percent payment of
the AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION cost and an acceptable payment bond or escrow
account for the 80 percent balance) will be required 30 calendar days before the
beginning date of the SYSTEM’s construction. The remaining 80 percent will be
due, if applicable, upon completion of the project, project phase, or that
portion of the project or project phase completed to date and is
delinquent if not paid in 10 calendar days following billing by the
SYSTEM.
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New residential developments shall be coordinated
with LES to minimize the permanent electric facilities required to serve
the development. The CUSTOMER or developer will contribute an
AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION for any temporary facilities and any facilities in
excess of what would otherwise be minimally required to serve the
development.
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When the CUSTOMER or developer requests construction
which exceeds the scope of the LES Underground Electric Distribution
System Installation Agreement, the CUSTOMER or developer will contribute
an AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION.
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In either (d) or (e) above, the AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION
is a non-recoverable charge, payable in advance of any construction and
equal to the estimated cost of non-reusable material plus 10 percent of
the cost of reusable material, storeroom cost, labor, labor overhead,
truck expense, subsistence, engineering and supervision necessary to
construct and remove the temporary facilities.
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Conversion of Existing Overhead Facilities to Underground and
Relocation of Existing Overhead and Underground Facilities
Public and
private groups or individuals requesting existing overhead facilities to be
installed underground or requesting the relocation of existing overhead or
underground facilities will be required to pay the AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION cost
of doing this work. The Energy Delivery Division will be responsible
for determining the AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION cost and feasibility of such
conversions or relocations.
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Underground Service in Existing Residential Areas for New
Construction (Single-Family Dwellings, Townhouses, and Duplexes with a Meter
Center)
The SYSTEM
will own, install, operate and maintain the underground SERVICE WIRES to the
CUSTOMER owned meter socket wherever direct burial access is feasible. The
SYSTEM will be responsible for determining the feasibility of the
installation.
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Underground Service to Newly Constructed Multi-Family Dwellings,
Condominiums, and Commercial Buildings (Excluding Duplexes with a Meter
Center)
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The SYSTEM
will own, install, operate and maintain the primary and secondary
conductors to the point of termination of the CUSTOMER’s switchgear, bus
duct, or metering point.
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The CUSTOMER
will supply, install and maintain the secondary conduit(s), bus duct and
transformer pad or vault, subject to the SYSTEM’s specifications and
approval. Service from transformer vaults is not standard and may require
an AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION. In cases where the SYSTEM does not require a
transformer pad or vault, the CUSTOMER will supply and install the
secondary conduit(s) to a point designated by and subject to the SYSTEM’s
specifications and approval.
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Grade Changes and Erosion
The PROPERTY
OWNER shall be liable to the SYSTEM for all costs incurred in the relocation
and repair of SYSTEM overhead and underground facilities necessitated by
grade changes and erosion on the property. Top
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INSTALLATION OF SERVICE WIRES AND POINT OF SERVICE CONNECTION
The route of the
service, the location of the service connection and metering equipment shall
be determined by the SYSTEM in coordination with the CUSTOMER. Any wiring
installed without first determining the location of the service connection
and/or METERs will have to be brought into conformance upon notification by
the SYSTEM. Top
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INSTALLATION AND EQUIPMENT
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Service Entrance
Prior to
connection with the SYSTEM’s equipment, the CUSTOMER’s wiring and other
electrical equipment must conform to all requirements of the City of
Lincoln’s Municipal Code or such other requirements of the applicable
governmental authorities. It is the CUSTOMER’s responsibility to obtain from
the SYSTEM the maximum fault current available at the point of connection
for use in design of the CUSTOMER’s protection equipment. It is the
CUSTOMER’s responsibility to provide and maintain unobstructed access to the
METER. The SYSTEM may, at its option, install Off-Site Meter Reading (OMR)
equipment on services with difficult access and charge the CUSTOMER the OMR
charges. The SYSTEM retains the right to access the meter for maintenance
and control purposes.
The point of service attachment of the overhead SERVICE WIRES on a building
shall be of sufficient height to provide the required clearances listed in
the latest edition of the National Electrical Safety Code. It shall be the
responsibility of the CUSTOMER to maintain proper clearances between the
overhead SERVICE WIRES and tree growth or other obstructions. A service mast
or other approved structure to terminate service conductors or reinforcement
of the building for adequate anchorage shall be provided and installed by
the CUSTOMER or their contractor. All instrument transformer enclosures,
meter enclosures, meter sockets and conduits or raceways for meter wiring
shall be furnished and installed by the CUSTOMER and shall be of a type
approved by the SYSTEM.
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Multiple Service
The SYSTEM
will not totalize metering of separate services. Where the SYSTEM contracts
to provide multiple services or multiple voltages for the mutual benefit of
the SYSTEM and the CUSTOMER, metering and billing shall be either by
separate accounts at secondary voltage or consolidated at primary voltage.
If the CUSTOMER chooses to take the service through primary metering, then
the CUSTOMER will own all equipment, including transformers on the load side
of the primary METER.
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Purchase of SYSTEM-Owned Equipment
The CUSTOMER
may, at his option, purchase the equipment on the load side of a primary
METER if the CUSTOMER chooses to take the service through primary metering.
A lump sum payment for the remaining value of the equipment, or a
lease/purchase agreement of monthly payments not to exceed 60 payments,
including an annual carrying charge, will be made to the SYSTEM. The SYSTEM
will furnish metering equipment required to measure the service supplied,
and will keep said equipment accurate within reasonable limits. The CUSTOMER
shall furnish, without cost to the SYSTEM, adequate space in a suitable
location for the SYSTEM’s metering equipment.
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Electronic Data Acquisition
from Billing METERS
The SYSTEM
will provide at the CUSTOMER’s request energy data pulses from SYSTEM owned
revenue METERs equipped with pulse initiators via an isolation relay. The
CUSTOMER will be responsible for all costs incurred by the SYSTEM to
purchase and install any equipment necessary, and the SYSTEM will own,
operate and maintain such devices. The SYSTEM assumes no liability for any
CUSTOMER losses and damages resulting from subsequent failure of this
equipment or the operation thereof.
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Fire Alarms and Exit Lights
All fire alarm
systems, fire water pumps and exit lights must be metered even if the
CUSTOMER must install a meter socket exclusively for these circuits. The
installation must conform with all applicable code requirements.
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Pole Attachments and Joint Trench Occupancy
The SYSTEM
will not allow CUSTOMER-owned equipment on SYSTEM facilities or in
SYSTEM-provided trenches. However, the SYSTEM will allow joint pole
attachments and joint trench occupancy with other utilities and certain
entities which have the right to occupy public rights-of-way. Joint use
agreements will be executed when necessary.
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Notification of Load Increase
The CUSTOMER
shall be responsible for notifying the SYSTEM’s Energy Delivery
Division of expected load increases that are more than 20 percent of the highest kW
demand recorded for that service in the previous 12 BILLING PERIODS. Upon
receiving such notice, the SYSTEM will inform the CUSTOMER of what lead time
is necessary, if any, to provide adequate equipment to service the new load
level. The CUSTOMER shall be held responsible for all damages to SYSTEM
owned and/or privately owned property and/or any injuries that are the
result of a CUSTOMER’s service having been loaded above its designed limit.
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Protection of CUSTOMER Equipment
The CUSTOMER
shall be responsible for providing any devices necessary to protect the
CUSTOMER’s equipment from loss or damage due to disturbances as set forth in
Paragraph O of these Service Regulations. Top
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SYSTEM DISTURBANCES
In cases where
the SYSTEM determines the operation of the CUSTOMER’s equipment has or will
result in excessive system disturbances or costs to the SYSTEM not otherwise
recovered through established rates, the SYSTEM will require the CUSTOMER to
take corrective action, as approved by the SYSTEM, to resolve the disturbances
or pay the costs incurred by the SYSTEM as a result of the system disturbance. Top
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CUSTOMER OPERATION OF GENERATING EQUIPMENT
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Policy and Guidelines
Information
regarding and copies of the SYSTEM’s “POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR
CUSTOMER-OWNED GENERATION” can be obtained from the Consumer Services
Division. A CUSTOMER who operates electric generating equipment shall only
be allowed to parallel such equipment with the SERVICE WIRES upon meeting
the requirements of the SYSTEM’s policy and guidelines for COGENERATION AND
SMALL POWER PRODUCTION. The Guidelines comply with and refer to Public
Utility Regulatory Policy Act (PURPA - PL 95-617) Sections 201 and 210. They
provide that only those generating facilities that meet the Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission (FERC) criteria for qualifying status (see Paragraph
L-2 below) will be considered for parallel operation. Such qualifying
facilities must meet all provisions of the SYSTEM Policy and Guidelines and
the CUSTOMER shall make no connections to the SYSTEM without specific
inspection and approval by the SYSTEM and shall enter into a Parallel
Operation, Power Sale and Interconnection Agreement with the SYSTEM. Any
unapproved installations shall be grounds for immediate disconnection of
SYSTEM’s service. Non-qualifying generating facilities will be allowed only
as outlined in Paragraph L-3 below, CUSTOMER-Owned Non-Qualifying
Generation.
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Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities - (Qualifying)
Pursuant to
the LES Administrative Board’s determination regarding PURPA (PL 95-617)
Section 210, the SYSTEM has adopted the aforementioned Guidelines which
pertain to the interconnection with, and the purchase and sale of, energy
and power to qualifying facilities. The requirements for qualifying status
under the SYSTEM Policy are the same as those outlined by the FERC rules,
Cogeneration and Small Power Production facilities-qualifying status as
found in Subpart B, Part 292, Subchapter K, Chapter I, Title 18, Code of
Federal Regulations.
Small Power Production is generally defined as a facility that 1) produces
electric energy solely by the use, as a primary energy source, of biomass,
waste, renewable resources, or any combination thereof, and 2) has a power
production capacity which, together with any other facilities located at the
same site is not greater than 80 megawatts. Small Power Production
facilities must satisfy the FERC size and fuel requirements described in
Section 292.204 (a) and (b), the owner requirements of Section 292.206, and
other applicable requirements outlined in the FERC rules and regulations.
Cogeneration is generally defined as a facility which produces electric
energy and forms of useful thermal energy (such as heat or steam) which are
used for industrial, commercial, heating or cooling purposes through the
sequential use of energy. Cogeneration facilities must satisfy the FERC
requirement for ownership described in Section 292.206, and the operating
and efficiency standards described in Section 292.205 (a) and (b), and other
applicable requirements outlined in the FERC rules and regulations.
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CUSTOMER-Owned Non-Qualifying Generation (e.g., standby and
emergency)
If the
CUSTOMER does not meet the above criteria and has or wishes to install
generation capacity for supplying needs during an LES service interruption,
then an approved transfer switch shall be installed in the CUSTOMER’s wiring
as specified in the Policy Statement and Guidelines Regarding Non-Qualifying
Generation (e.g., standby and emergency). The transfer switch shall be
capable of disconnecting the load from wiring connection to the SERVICE
WIRES and transferring the load to the non-qualifying generator. The
transfer switch shall break the circuit with the SERVICE WIRES before making
the circuit with the CUSTOMER’s generation or be an LES approved
closed-transition switch. The CUSTOMER must prepare and submit to LES an
“Application for Electric Service” form. Installations will not be connected
without SYSTEM approval. Top
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BILLING RESPONSIBILITY AND SERVICE CONNECTIONS
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Orders for Connections
The SYSTEM
requires each connected electrical service to be in the name of the CUSTOMER
who is responsible for charges relating to the rendering of electric service
to a POINT OF DELIVERY. The SYSTEM will accept orders for connection and/or
to change the name of the responsible party for billing with verbal or
written notice from the financially responsible party or their
representative. A new account service fee of $25.00 is applicable to every
new account, move, transfer, etc., upon the request for service initiation.
Accounts managed under a Landlord’s Agreement are excluded from the new
account service fee. The SYSTEM will impose to the PROPERTY OWNER, when a
reconnection of electric service or load control equipment at an address is
made, a $40.00 minimum charge to be paid in the LES business offices during
the SYSTEM’s business hours or $75.00 after business hours. The
reinstatement of a load control credit shall be treated in the same manner
as a reconnection. In the case of current transformer metering installations
or if a conductor reconnection is required, a charge to cover the actual
labor, material and equipment expenses required for performing the
disconnection and reconnection will be assessed. Termination of service, or
any part thereof, by the CUSTOMER followed by reconnection of service at the
same address by the same CUSTOMER within a period of 12 months from the date
of disconnection will not suspend or eliminate the minimum bill charges
specified in the rate schedule under which the CUSTOMER is taking service
which would have been in effect during the BILLING PERIODS of the
termination of service.
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Tenant/PROPERTY OWNER Provisions
Upon
termination of service to a tenant, the SYSTEM will place the account in the
name of the PROPERTY OWNER. Provided that the PROPERTY OWNER agrees in
writing to indemnify SYSTEM against any claims asserted by a tenant in
possession, if the PROPERTY OWNER advises the SYSTEM in writing that the
property has been vacated by the tenant and that the PROPERTY OWNER will not
be responsible for electric service while the unit is not occupied the
service will be disconnected. The PROPERTY OWNER will not be responsible for
any amount owed to the SYSTEM for electric service furnished the tenant
during the tenant’s occupancy. In subdivided situations that are not
separately metered as required in Paragraph E, the PROPERTY OWNER shall be
the financially responsible party for the electric service furnished to the
tenants therein.
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Security Deposit, Bad Checks and Mislabeled METERS
A CUSTOMER may
be required to make a security deposit to guarantee payment of the account
(LES policy 11 and procedure 155). A $30.00 charge shall be assessed to the
CUSTOMER for all checks needed to be returned for insufficient funds or no
account checks. The SYSTEM shall not be responsible for erroneous billing
resulting from mislabeled METERs, or other problems resulting thereof, when
the mislabeling of the meter socket to its appropriate load lies at fault
with the electrician or any other party not under the direct supervision of
the SYSTEM.
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Billing Demand Responsibility
A new CUSTOMER
taking service from an account with an existing demand history will not be
responsible for the billing demands of the previous CUSTOMER. If the new
CUSTOMER only represents a name change for the existing PROPERTY OWNER, they
will be responsible for the billing demand established by the previous
CUSTOMER unless waived by the Vice President of Consumer Services.
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Forms of Payment
Payment of
electric bills must be made in U.S. currency. A late payment fee of 3.0 percent of the
past due amount will be applied to all accounts not paid by the due date.
The late payment fee will be applied on or after the first business day past
the due date. A reread fee of $20.00 will be charged for LES to return to
CUSTOMER’S service location more than once monthly to reread the meter,
either by CUSTOMER request or due to restricted meter access. The reread
charge applies when the original reading was not in error. Top
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DISCONNECTION OF SERVICE
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At the PROPERTY OWNER’s Request
The SYSTEM
will remove or physically disconnect a service only after written notice has
been received from the CUSTOMER, provided the CUSTOMER is the PROPERTY
OWNER.
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By the SYSTEM
without Notice
Service may be
refused or disconnected by the SYSTEM for any of the following reasons:
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Without
notice in the event of a condition determined by the SYSTEM to be
hazardous.
-
Without
notice in the event of CUSTOMER use of equipment in such a manner as to
adversely affect the SYSTEM’s equipment or the SYSTEM’s service to others.
-
Without
notice in the event of tampering with the equipment furnished and owned by
the SYSTEM.
-
Without
notice in the event of energy theft or any unauthorized use.
-
By the SYSTEM
with Appropriate Notice
Subject to
provision of the termination of electric service policy as established by
the Administrative Board (currently Policy No. 11):
-
For
violation or noncompliance with the SYSTEM’s Service Regulations, except
those listed in Paragraph N-2 above.
-
For failure
of the CUSTOMER to provide and maintain to the SYSTEM unobstructed access
to its equipment.
-
For
nonpayment of any account, provided the SYSTEM has made a reasonable
attempt to effect collection and has given the CUSTOMER prior written
notice to make settlement on the account(s) or have service disconnected.
Disconnection will be made at a service location for all electric service
notwithstanding the fact that a CUSTOMER may have more than one account
for service at such location. The fee for field collection of payment is
$20.00, applicable to all delinquent accounts which LES collects payment
in the field to void termination of service for non-payment. If
disconnected, the SYSTEM will impose a minimum $40.00 reconnection charge.
If payment is received outside the SYSTEM’s business office there will be
a minimum $75.00 charge. In the case of current transformer metering
installations or if a conductor reconnection is required, the SYSTEM may
charge the cost of actual labor, material and equipment requirements for
performing the disconnection and reconnection.
-
For failure
or refusal by the CUSTOMER to provide a requested deposit, in accordance
with policy 11 and procedure 155.
-
For failure
to furnish, or withdrawal by the CUSTOMER of such permits or right-of-way
as shall have been specified by the SYSTEM for rendering service.
-
In the event
the CUSTOMER files a petition of bankruptcy and no arrangements prior to
the filing of the petition have been made with the SYSTEM with respect to
the payment of future electric bills.
-
If metered
service is dormant for 12 consecutive BILLING PERIODS or more, the
METER and SERVICE WIRES may be removed. For a service reconnection see
Paragraph C.
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SYSTEM SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES
The SYSTEM will
endeavor to supply, but does not guarantee, uninterrupted service of a
generally accepted standard. The SYSTEM does not guarantee uninterrupted
service for dual primary service. The SYSTEM shall not be responsible for any
loss or damages caused by (1) the negligence of the SYSTEM’s employees,
servants or agents, resulting in the change of phase rotation, discontinuity
of three-phase current, wave form, or for any other disturbances in service,
or (2) any interruption of service for repairs, alterations, want of
reasonable and economic supply, or (3) any disconnection initiated by the
SYSTEM as set forth in Paragraphs N-2 and N-3 of these regulations, or (4)
failure due to an Act of God, fire, strike, riot, flood, lightning, storm,
civil disturbance, war, or action of public authority. The protection of
customer equipment is the customer’s responsibility as set forth in Paragraph
J-8 of these regulations. Top
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BURIED CABLE LOCATIONS
Nebraska
Statutes (One-Call Notification System Act) require any person who excavates
to first notify the State One-Call Notification Center at least two business
days, but not more than 10 days, before they start to excavate. The Center
notifies each underground facility member/owner (including LES) to either mark
its facilities, issue a clearance that no facilities are nearby, or offer to
meet jointly with the excavator to discuss the request. There are civil
penalties, fines, and strict liability repair assessments for failure to call
before excavating.
The State One-Call Center and LES have information available regarding the
request process. Top
ADDENDUM TO SERVICE REGULATIONS
Summary of LES Service Fees
Below is a listing of service fees set forth in these Service Regulations with a
reference to the paragraph(s) in which the fee is described:
|
Item |
Fee |
Reference |
|
AID-TO-CONSTRUCTION |
A fee charged for a portion of construction cost |
A-10, B, G, G-2-b, H-4, H-6-b |
|
Temporary Service |
$90.00 minimum |
F-1 |
|
Underground Extension (Subdivisions) |
$472.00 for lots with rear lot lines 100 ft. in width or less
$4.72 per rear lot foot for lots with rear lot line greater than 100 ft.
in
width, not to exceed $944.00 per lot |
H-3-a
|
|
Underground Extension (Mobile Home Parks) |
$50.00 per lot
|
H-3-b |
|
Connection Charge
In LES’ Business Office
Outside LES’ Business
Office |
$40.00 minimum
$75.00 minimum
|
M-1, N-3-c
M-1, N-3-c
|
|
Security
Deposit |
Subject to the discretion of LES Credit Department |
M-3 |
|
Returned
Check |
$30.00 |
M-3 |
|
New
Account Service Fee |
$25.00 |
M-1 |
|
Late
Payment Fee |
3.0% of past due amount |
M-5 |
|
Field
Collection of Payment |
$20.00 |
N-3-C |
|
Rereads |
$20.00 |
M-5 |
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