UG = Underground OH = Overhead Company = IPL, Alliant Energy Customer = Property landowner
Question: When company is performing a rebuild in an area, what is the customer charged if they choose to convert their OH service to UG?
Answer: The customer will be charged for the installation method and cable, the standard set-up fee to wreck-out the overhead and bury the customer’s service line is waived since the company will already have the equipment in place. NOTE: This does NOT apply if the customer comes back and requests their service line to be buried AFTER the rebuild is complete.
Question: When would the customer need to pay for the new UG service installation?
Answer: Once customer meets with company representative, an application for service must be filled out by the customer or customer electrician for company to provide an estimate and invoice. Invoice needs to be paid per the estimate provided prior to contractor doing any service work.
Question: What are the different installation methods?
Answer: The piece of equipment used to install customer UG service. Trencher, Plow or Drill Rig. This will depend on the layout of the land and the cost for each method is billed at a different rate. This cost will be included in the estimate. Restoration on the customer property is the responsibility of the customer.
Question: Why is the restoration the responsibility of the customer?Answer: Company will take care of all the restoration for the project and installing the main line. If the customer chooses to have their service line on their property changed from the existing OH to the new UG, the customer will be responsible for the restoration of the new service line from the property line to the meter.
Question: When converting from an OH Service to an UG Service during the company rebuild project, does the customer receive any free footage?Answer: Not for an established customer. The Company will only provide a one-time credit for the cost of the original service.
Question: Can the Company provide UG service in exchange for an easement?
Answer: No, we can not exchange an easement in place of the customer new UG service cost; the customer pays for the service and their electrician. If an easement is needed that will be negotiated directly with the customer.
Question: Can the company hire an electrician for the customer?
Answer: No, if the customer is requesting a new UG service, the customer is required to hire an electrician to work on the customer side of the company meter.
Question: Customer meters can no longer be on company poles. When the customer’s meter is on an existing company-owned distribution pole what needs to happen with the customer’s meter?
Answer:
• If the pole is on the customer property, and in good shape, the meter may remain on the pole. Company will give the pole to the customer at no cost. The customer will be required to sign a pole sale agreement document and take ownership of the pole.
• If the pole is on the customer property, and is at the end of the pole life, we can not give the pole to the customer. Company will work with customer to provide a meter pole close to the same pole location and not bill for the meter pole or pole installation. In this scenario the company would hire the electrician to move the meter to the new meter pole.
• If the pole is not on customer property, company will work with customer to provide a meter pole close to the same pole location and not bill for the meter pole or pole installation. In this scenario the Company would hire the electrician to move the meter to the new meter pole.
Question: What would be some additional cost to the customer?
Answer: Customer is responsible to work with their Electrician to provide a company approved meter socket and apply for State of Iowa electrical permit.