|
Establishing new service? Planning ahead is the key
By Walter Allread
 Establishing new residential service with York Electric is a fairly simple process but getting connected before you're ready to move in requires a little planning and advance notice.
Service to previously occupied homes and apartments usually can be re-established within a day or two. But, for new homes, where the co-op must design and construct the service, homeowners should plan for a minimum of 10 working days, say employees in the Engineering and Member Services departments.
Tim Scism, senior staking engineer, notes that York Electric is the state's second-fastest growing co-op, currently adding between 2,000 and 2,500 services each year. Scism, who's been with the co-op 21 years, says annual growth was closer to 1,000 new services just a few years ago.
In most developments, York Electric and the developers have planned for the electric infrastructure in advance. This allows for all lines except for the actual service to the home to be run prior to construction of the new homes. Once a home is complete, only the service line from the street to the home must be installed.
Individual homes, common in the more rural areas of York Electric's service area, can be more labor intensive, Scism notes. Sometimes rights of way must be cleared and longer lines constructed to serve single rural homes. "It takes more time to meet the member's needs," he says.
Boom times
Either way, the process begins with an application, either by phone, fax or a walk-in visit to a co-op office. Donna Howell, one of York Electric's member services representatives (CSRs), notes that all 17 CSRs at three co-op offices are trained to handle new service orders. A construction boom this summer kept the co-op's fax lines humming with orders, she notes. "We're averaging about 20 a day," Howell says. "We did 253 in one month."
That makes advance notice crucial, she says. "As soon as someone knows that they're going to need service, whether it be moving into an existing home or a manufactured home that's being moved onto a site, they should get us the information so we can get the ball rolling."
For the CSRs, it's all about details. "The paperwork in the beginning stages is what's essential," Howell says. "Our first responsibility is, make sure we have a permit." In some cases, the CSRs look for existing accounts with developers, contractors or builders. If one exists, they can proceed with a temporary service order.
'Communication is the key'
If the CSR is not familiar with a new subdivision, they can check with Engineering "because they know what subdivisions are going in," she says. "Communication is the key. We communicate a lot with Engineering."
 They also share technology. "Our enhanced mapping system is a key to good member services," Howell says. CSRs can access the maps, which indicate the precise location of York Electric co-op lines and other equipment throughout the service area, to clarify service order questions. An example might be determining if a new home is in the co-op's service area. "We can pull up the mapping system and get close enough to see," Howell says. The highly detailed maps are updated as engineers design new services.
Howell notes that York Electric cross-trains CSRs with operations and engineering employees to give them a more thorough understanding of how the co-op provides service in the field. "You can do it on paper all day long," Howell notes, "but when you go out in the field, it helps you understand what's happening."
One thing they learn, as Scism notes, is, "Right of way can be difficult." In addition to clearing or trimming vegetation, the co-op sometimes must obtain encroachment permits for new lines where highways, railroads and high-pressure gas lines are present, Scism says. And, to prevent damage and loss of utility service, the co-op works with the Palmetto Utility Protection Service (PUPS) to establish the location of all underground facilities.
The extra mile
York Electric employees do their best to help people who have waited to apply but they can't guarantee the work will be completed in short order. Howell stresses, "As soon as the county provides that permit, we need to get a copy of it."
The CSRs work hard to get accounts set up promptly, even if they don't receive complete information, she notes. "If we get the permit off the fax and we don't have anything in the system to match it to, we'll start calling the numbers on that permit — the homeowner's number or the manufactured home company — just to give us an idea of what's going on."
A homeowner can't occupy a new home until the county electrical inspection has been completed and the final certificate of occupancy has been given, she points out. "Usually within 24 to 48 hours after approval, a co-op meter can be placed on the home to begin service," Howell says. "Getting correct information and documentation to the co-op early on prevents delayed move-ins," she notes.
When establishing new service, remember:
- Don't hesitate. As soon as you know you'll need a new service, contact York Electric Cooperative. Have the physical address ready when you call or visit. We'll determine if your home would be served by the co-op. Provide the co-op with your permits ASAP.
- Provide a good daytime phone number for either the person applying for service or the contractor. The daytime number is added to new service orders in case co-op engineers or servicemen need to contact the member with questions about the service.
- Factor in whether new rights of way might have to be cleared. For all York Electric overhead lines, a clear, 30-foot-wide ground-to-sky right of way is required. The type of trees and other vegetation to be trimmed or cleared can affect the time it takes crews to do the job. So can other variables, such as weather conditions.
- Moving into a manufactured home? Even if the home isn't on site yet, let us know. York Electric can begin processing the service order. However, the co-op will not be able to design and construct the service until a copy of the permit is sent to the co-op by the county, either by fax or e-mail. This is true for all types of residences.
- Consumers requesting other types of services, such as well pumps and barns, should first contact their county planning and zoning department. As soon as the member knows he/she will need power to a site, he/she should contact York Electric with the proper documentation, including permit and underground clearance forms.
Related link:
From the President & CEO: The importance of knowing who we are »
|
