Operations

NEW SERVICES

OBJECTIVE

To provide electric service to all applicants within the Cooperative’s service area in accordance with the rules stated herein and based on sound engineering principles and business practices. The Cooperative shall be reasonably assured that the costs of such services are recovered without undue burden to other members.

PROCEDURE

The Applicant for a new service shall:

  1. Abide by all rules and regulations of the Cooperative.
  • Provide utility easements to the Cooperative free of charge.
  • Complete and have on file with the Cooperative a Minnesota State Wiring Affidavit.
  • Complete and submit all forms, pay all fees, deposits and contribution in aid to construction, before the service will be placed on the Cooperative’s construction schedule.
  • Clear the right of way as follows: Overhead primary line requires a forty (40) foot corridor. Secondary lines (120/240v)  require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Underground primary lines require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Right of way must be clean cut sky to ground, stumps cut to ground level and clear of obstructions.
  • Mark the spot on the property where member would like the meter pole located. A forty (40) to fifty (50) foot clearance from the nearest building is required. Applicant shall  place  a stake with the words “meter”, “electric”, or applicants name at the desired location, or schedule an on­ site meeting with Cooperative personnel to determine the location of the meter pole. The Cooperative reserves the right to change the location in the interest of sound engineering practices, safety, economy, etc.
  • Cooperative owned meter loops shall be installed on service poles. The Cooperative reserves the right to upgrade or change location with notice to property owners.
  • The Cooperative reserves the right to provide electrical service within the Cooperative service territory. No member may supply electrical service to property not owned by that member.
  • Pay in advance a contribution in aid to construction based on the following fee schedule:
  1. Application Fee (non-refundable) $100.00 +tax. Application fee shall be valid for 12 months. If service is not constructed within 12 months, a new application fee shall apply.

8. If there is an existing yard pole, existing transformer pole or existing underground stub pole the cost to install up to 200A meter loop shall be $750.00. If there is an existing yard pole, existing transformer pole or existing underground stub pole the cost to install a 320A meter loop shall be $1000.00. 600A and larger services shall be quoted individually.

  • New construction O to 300 feet: $2,700.00. Distances over 300 feet shall be an additional $6.00 per foot for single-phase services and $12.00 per foot for three-phase services.
  • Pay recording fees, cost for special permits, or lease agreements in addition to specialized equipment required for construction not routinely used by the Cooperative.

Satisfy the deposit requirement as outlined in Administrative Procedure 300.50

The Cooperative shall:

Provide all material up to  the line side  of the  meter  including  the  meter  loop  and socket  for a pole-mounted meter. The Cooperative will not install or connect any metered wires.

  • Attempt to obtain all other easements and special permits if required. The cost of such easements and or permits shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
  • A new service will be placed on the construction schedule when:

A     All paperwork is complete and on file.

  • All fees, deposits, and contributions in aid to construction have been paid.
  • The right of way is cleared to the satisfaction of the Cooperative.
  • Construction season shall run from June 1 through November 1. Quotes not paid in full prior to the end of construction season shall incur a frost charge of an additional $10.00 per foot. If no frost is incurred during construction, the frost charges shall be refunded.
  • Remove trees endangering its wires. Maintain the facilities on the line side of the meter and clear and widen Right of Way after initial clearing by the applicant.
  • Reserve the right to terminate the membership and discontinue service to any member who knowingly, intentionally; or repeatedly causes damage to its equipment and/or facilities and violates any other rules or regulations of the Cooperative.

The Cooperative shall determine whether new construction will be overhead or underground.

SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

OBJECTIVE

To establish a procedure for service improvements, line moves and service relocations in accordance with sound engineering principles and business practices. The Cooperative shall be reasonably assured that the costs of such service improvements are recovered without undue burden to other members.

PROCEDURE

Service Upgrades

The Cooperative shall upgrade existing services at the member’s request when there is a proven need of a service upgrade.

The member shall:

  1. Abide by all rules and regulations of the Cooperative
  • Provide utility easements to the Cooperative free of any charge if such easements do not already exist.
  • Complete and have on file with the Cooperative a Minnesota State Wiring Affidavit.
  • Complete and submit all forms and pay all fees, deposits, and contribution in aid to construction, before the service upgrade will be placed on the Cooperative’s construction schedule.
  • Pay in advance a contribution in aid to construction based on the following fee schedule:
  1. Install up to 200A meter loop on an existing yard pole, existing transformer pole or existing underground stub pole: $750.00. Install a 320A meter loop on an existing yard pole, existing transformer pole or existing underground stub pole: $1000.00. 600A and larger services shall be quoted individually.
    1. Service improvements in conjunction with relocating overhead power lines to underground power lines will be subject to Aid to Construction fees above plus an additional fee of $9.00 per foot from the connection point to the metering point.

Line Alterations and Service Relocations

The member shall:

  1. Abide by all rules and regulations of the Cooperative
  • Provide utility easements to the Cooperative free of any charge if such easements do not already exist.
  • Complete and have on file with the Cooperative a Minnesota State Wiring Affidavit.
  • Complete and submit all forms and pay all fees, deposits, and contribution in aid of construction, before the service will be placed on the Cooperative’s construction schedule.
  • Clear the right of way as follows: Overhead primary line requires a forty (40) foot corridor. Secondary lines (120/240v) require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Underground primary lines require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Right of way must be clean cut sky to ground, stumps cut to ground level and clear of obstructions.
  • Pay in advance a contribution in aid to construction based on the following fee schedule:
AYard Pole$1500.00
B.Transformer Pole$1700.00
C.Main Line Pole Moved In Line$1700.00
D.Main Line Pole Moved to Install Angle in Line$2,000.00
E.Stub Pole for Overhead Guy$1500.00
F.Underground Installations/EquipmentFull Cost
  • Each request relative to moving underground equipment will be estimated on an individual basis and advance payment determined after staking the relocation. Cost shall include depreciated value of existing line material.
  • Pay all recording fees, cost for special permits, or lease agreements in addition to specialized equipment required for construction not routinely used by the Cooperative.

The Cooperative shall:

  1. Provide all material up to the line side of the meter including the meter loop and socket for pole mounted meter. The Cooperative will not install or connect any metered wires.
  • Attempt to obtain all other easements and special permits if required. The cost of such easements and or permits shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
  • Schedule construction when the following conditions have been met:

A    All paperwork is complete and on file.

  • All fees, deposits, and contributions in aid to construction have been paid.
  • The right of way is cleared to the satisfaction of the Cooperative.
  • Construction season shall run from June 1 through November 1. Quotes not paid in full prior to the end of construction season shall incur a frost charge of an additional $10.00 per foot. If no frost is incurred during construction, the frost charges shall be refunded.
  • Remove trees endangering its wires. Maintain the facilities on the line side of the meter and clear and widen right of way after initial clearing by the applicant.

Reserve the right, based on service conditions and business economics, to determine whether new construction will be overhead or underground.

DEVELOPMENTS

OBJECTIVE

To provide electric service to all applicants within the Cooperative’s service area in accordance with the rules stated herein and based on sound principles of business. The Cooperative shall be reasonably assured that the costs of such services are recovered without undue burden to other members.

PROCEDURE

To assist real estate developers to make their property more saleable, the Cooperative will install electrical service to lots of platted sub-division providing the land developer requesting service.

The developer shall:

  1. Pay in advance a non-refundable Application Fee of $200.00 + tax. Application fee shall be valid for 12 months. If service is not constructed within 12 months, a new application fee shall apply.
  • Provide the Cooperative with a map or drawing showing the final recorded plat including the location of the utility easements.
  • Provide easements for the entire project free of any charge to the Cooperative.
  • Install visible stakes at all lot corners.
  • Provide for underground services in a location agreed on by the Cooperative, a construction grade in the easement right of way, which shall be not more than (4) four inches above finished grade.
  • Pay full cost of construction for non-revenue producing services.
  1. New construction $2,700.00 plus $6.00 per foot for single phase primary.
  • Pay all recording fees, cost for special permits, or lease agreements in addition to specialized equipment required for construction not routinely used by the Cooperative.
  • Clear the right of way as follows: Overhead primary line requires a forty (40) foot corridor. Secondary lines (120/240v) require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Underground primary lines require a twenty (20) foot corridor. Right of way must be clean cut sky to ground, stumps cut to ground level and clear of obstructions.

The Cooperative shall:

  1. Provide all material up to the line side of the meter including the meter loop and socket for pole mounted meter. The Cooperative will not install or connect any metered wires.
  • Attempt to obtain all other easements and special permits if required. The cost of such easements and or permits shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
  • Services will be placed on the construction schedule when:

A   All forms are complete and on file with the Cooperative.

  • All fees, deposits, and contributions in aid to construction are paid.
  • Right of way is cleared to the satisfaction of the Cooperative.
  • Development meets all zoning requirements as established by City, Township, County, State, or Federal authorities.
  • Construction season shall run from June 1 through November 1. Quotes not paid in full prior to the end of construction season shall incur a frost charge of an additional $10.00 per foot. If no frost is incurred during construction, the frost charges shall be refunded.
  • Remove trees endangering its wires. Maintain the facilities on the line side of the meter clear and widen right of way after initial clearing by the applicant.

Reserve the right, based on service conditions and business economics, to determine whether new construction will be overhead or underground.

TEMPORARY SERVICES

OBJECTIVE

To ensure fair and equitable cost recovery when temporary services are requested and to protect the membership from undue costs associated with temporary services.

PROCEDURE

The Cooperative will construct temporary services. All line material furnished will be owned and maintained by the Cooperative.

The applicant for a temporary service shall:

  1. Complete a membership form.
  • Pay a non-refundable Application Fee of $100.00 plus tax.
  • Complete and have on file with the Cooperative a Request for Electrical Inspection.
  • Pay any past due electrical bill and unpaid costs related to previous temporary services.
  • Pay in advance the estimated cost of construction of the service. The member shall be refunded any overpayment or billed any underpayment when construction is complete.
  • A temporary service will be placed on the construction schedule when:

A    All forms are complete and on file with the Cooperative.

  • All fees, deposits, and contribution in aid to construction are paid.
  • Right of way is cleared to the satisfaction of the Cooperative.

Generators

North Itasca sells Briggs and Stratton whole house generators.  Information on these units can be found at Home Generators | Briggs & Stratton (briggsandstratton.com)

Each home is unique, we will be more than happy to help you with your generator sizing decision.

If you bring your own generator for use on the system it is imperative we consider safety first.  Generators can and will back feed on the our distribution lines creating a very dangerous situation for our linemen.  You MUST ensure you are not back feeding onto our system if you are using a generator.  We have disconnects available for you if you are interested.  When it comes to generators, it’s best to call the office and talk to us directly or contact your electrician.

Gopher State One Call

Add the information for Gopher State again here

House Moves/Tall Equipment

North Itasca Electric will be more than happy to assist you with moving of houses or tall equipment.

We need to know the height of the structure on the trailer or equipment you are hauling.  We will look for the best route to use to safely transport the unit.  When the day comes to move the equipment or home there will be a cost of $150 per hour per two man crew to assist lifting or dropping wires along the route.

Right of Way and Easements

NIECI requires an easement to provide service to your property.  These are not public easements, this is to provide our crews access to our equipment for maintenance and construction.  Easement forms can be found on this website.

Right of Way Easement Form

VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PROCEDURES

OBJECTIVE

To define the Cooperative’s vegetation management program to improve safety and electric service reliability. To Increase member satisfaction and decrease member and landowner complaints due to vagueness and inconsistent applications of the Cooperative’s vegetation management programs. To be cognizant of vegetation management costs in providing a balance between member rates and landowner interests, while achieving high reliability standards, safety and overall satisfaction.