An applicant for membership, who requires a new installation for electric service on his property, will be asked to execute and submit a legal easement, to permit crossing and entering upon his property for installing and maintaining necessary poles and electric lines and keeping them clear of trees, brush, etc.
In cases where it is not feasible, practical or desirable to construct rural lines on public right-of-way and it is necessary to secure right-of-way on private property or tree trimming permits, the Rural Electric shall attempt to secure them, without cost, before construction is started.
Granting of right-of-way is one economy in electric line construction which helps keep the cooperative's electric rates low and service dependable.
The standard right-of-way for overhead lines includes clear cutting of all brush and trees capable of growing to the height of any conductor, and the trimming of all overhanging and extending branches, to a minimum distance of 20 feet on each side of the electrical conductors. In addition, it covers the removal of leaning and dangerous trees outside of these limits and provides for necessary access rights. However, in order to minimize future costly maintenance, and permit bordering trees to develop a natural appearance, all trees growing within 30 feet of conductors should be removed.
The standard right-of-way for underground lines includes clearing and maintaining a path to a minimum distance of ten feet on each side of the electrical conductors, for construction and repairs, and provides for necessary access.
The standard clearances for brush and trees are also applicable to man-made structures. No structures are to be placed or maintained on right-of-way of the Rural Electric. The National Electric Safety Code prescribes minimum allowable clearances.
Initial clearing of right-of-way may be accomplished by the Rural Electric with the full cost of such work included in construction costs for purpose of determining contract provisions. However, an applicant for service may elect to clear necessary right-of-way to Rural Electric specifications, on his time, at his expense, in order to expedite service construction and obtain more favorable contract provisions.
Normal right-of-way maintenance and improvement are the responsibility of the Rural Electric. Members are encouraged, however, to keep brush and trees from growing within right-of-way limits. The Rural Electric will endeavor to honor the reasonable requests of individual members for preservation of specific tree specimens or for avoidance of herbicide spraying on or along the member's property, even though this adds to our total costs of service.
Upon adequate notice, the Rural Electric will cut trees or other vegetation which, in its judgement, might endanger its lines but which are outside of normal clearing limits. Whenever assistance is requested for removal or trimming of a tree which presents little risk to facilities of the Rural Electric or for which the costs and risks involved in removal outweigh the costs and risks of leaving it in place, assistance will be given in the form of making the Rural Electric's line safe for cutting and removal of the tree by the property owner.
Pole Identification
In accordance with Commission rules, the Rural Electric marks each of its poles so that
its ownership and location can be determined. A number is included by which the
location of each pole may be described. This information is stamped into
aluminum tags that are attached at eye level.
Board Meetings and Member Attendance
The regular monthly meeting of the board of directors is held on the morning of the second Tuesday of the month at our Brownstown office. There are occasional schedule changes, however, to avoid conflicts.
Members occasionally inquire about their rights to attend these meetings or to have a particular concern brought before the board. Whenever possible, any matter requested to be considered by the board is discussed at the next board meeting. Requests for such consideration should be made in writing to the General Manager, as far in advance as possible.
The board may invite any person to attend any part of a board meeting but may also exclude anyone from any part of a meeting, especially if that person's attendance might be prejudicial to the Rural Electric or a member or employee, or could be expected to disrupt the regular conduct of the meeting. Each member has the right, however, to be present and to be represented by legal counsel for the purpose of being heard on any matter set out in a prior written request.
A written request to be heard by the board must state the name, address and account number of the member, the name and address of the legal counsel, if any; the exact nature of the matter to be discussed; the length of time requested on the meeting agenda; and that all available administrative procedures for the matter have been exhausted by the member. The request must be received at least seven days prior to the meeting.
Availability of Information
Copies of all rate schedules, contract forms, rules and regulations, fee schedules and consumer policies that have been filed with the Commission are on file in our office and are available for public inspection. A copy of the current rate schedule applicable to your service will be supplied, without charge, on request.
We also occasionally have requests for documents, information or records from our files. Some of these are readily available and freely given. Some of them, however, would be costly to put together or reproduce and some, such as names, address and account records must be considered privileged personal information available only to the member of record.
Copies of published data will be provided on request. Unpublished documents which are part of the "public record" will be made readily available for examination by a member, in our office. Some other internal records may be made available for examination by a member upon a written request which states the specific documents, needs and intended uses; and which guarantees there will be no release without our written authorization.
Access to certain items must be refused if we or our legal counsel believe release of the information might be prejudicial to the Rural Electric, employees or other members; or if it would tend to disrupt normal operations or cause unwarranted expense. Individual records of employees and members are considered privileged personal information not to be released without the permission of the employee or member.
Cogeneration
Cogeneration is the interconnection of private generating equipment with utility power lines. Although there have been no cogeneration projects in our service area, we have talked with some interested members and have established policy and procedures for complying with federal law (PURPA) and Commission Rules. One of the first things which should be done by any member considering cogeneration is to consult with our Member Services Department concerning the problems, requirements, procedures and rates involved.
Many prospective cogenerators do not realize the complexity and costs of such a project, including:
Special development, engineering and construction costs will be paid by the cogenerating member.
A separate rate may be established for cogenerators based on our overall cost of service to them as a class.
The rate paid to cogenerators for surplus power produced is our "avoided cost", which is considerably less than the rates we charge for regular service.
A guarantee of liability insurance coverage will be required.
Controls must be included to prevent interference with the quality of the Rural Electric's service to others and to assure positive disconnection during Rural Electric outages and maintenance work.
A special cogeneration contract will be required.
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