The Electric Department is hereby created to
serve the Borough of Seaside Heights.
[Amended 5-21-1997 by Ord. No. 97-6; 12-20-2000 by Ord. No. 2000-23; 12-20-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-21; 2-6-2002 by Ord. No.
2002-1; 3-15-2006 by Ord. No. 06-02; 4-4-2007 by Ord. No. 07-06; 12-19-2007 by Ord. No. 07-14; 5-21-2008 by Ord. No. 08-06; 2-18-2009 by Ord. No.
09-04; 12-21-2011 by Ord. No. 11-13; 12-19-2012 by Ord. No. 12-14]
A.
The following rates will be in effect for all electric customers
for electric usage:
|
Kilowatt Hours
|
Rate
| |
|---|---|---|
|
First 10
|
$5
| |
|
All others
|
$0.18 per kilowatt hour
|
B.
Floodlights; monthly rates.
(1)
The following monthly rates shall be charged to any electric customer
requesting the installation and maintenance of a floodlight on a utility
pole under the control and maintenance of the Borough of Seaside Heights:
|
Wattage
|
Monthly Rate
| |
|---|---|---|
|
150
|
$22
| |
|
250
|
$28
| |
|
400
|
$38
| |
|
1,000
|
$50
|
(2)
If a customer requests that service to a floodlight be disconnected,
and then requests reconnection of such service to the same floodlight
within a year of the request for disconnection, the fee for reconnection
shall be nine times the monthly rate as set forth above.
C.
Rates for governmental entities. Whenever an electric user, that
is charged electric rates by the Borough of Seaside Heights, is a
governmental entity supported primarily from real estate taxes levied
on the property owners of the Borough of Seaside Heights, that entity
shall be charged the same rate that the Borough pays for its wholesale
power. The Borough does not have to charge interest for the late payments
made by governmental entities within the Borough of Seaside Heights.
[Added 7-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17;[1] amended 12-20-2006 by Ord. No. 06-20; 12-19-2012 by Ord. No. 12-14; 10-7-2015 by Ord. No. 15-15]
A.
All electric accounts shall be in the name of the property owner
of record, and such owner shall remain solely liable to the Borough
for payment of such account. No electric account shall be opened in
a tenant's name from January 1, 2016, forward.
B.
If any account has been opened in a tenant's name prior to January
1, 2016, that account must be changed to the name of the property
owner of record, and the owner shall remain liable to the Borough
for payment of any electric bills accruing to such account prior to
January 1, 2016, in the event that the tenant does not pay such electric
bill in a timely fashion.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also superseded
former § 219-3, Security deposits, as amended.
There is hereby established a minimum customer
electric service charge for all electric customers of the Borough
of Seaside Heights in the amount of $5 per month per meter. This minimum
customer service charge shall only be applied in those instances where
the electric consumed by a customer is less than $5 per month per
meter for the billing cycle.
Bills for electric current shall be submitted
to account customers on a monthly basis.
A.
All electric bills shall be due and payable within 10 days of the billing date to the customer. In the event that said payment is not made in full within five days of the expiration of the ten-day period, then said service shall be immediately discontinued upon 48 hours' notice to the customer. Upon receipt of such notice, the owner of a property may submit a written request to the Borough requesting that service not be discontinued or, in the event that service has already been discontinued, reinstated even though payment has not been made in full, so long as such property owner accepts and acknowledges that a lien in accordance with § 219-6C will be placed upon such property for the delinquent amount due the Borough, together with any future unpaid charges.
[Amended 12-3-1997 by Ord. No. 97-14]
B.
Disconnection of residential service for nonpayment
may be suspended for a period of up to two months when a customer
submits a physician’s written statement affirming the existence
of a medical emergency within the premises, the nature and probable
duration of such emergency condition and that termination of service
will aggravate the medical emergency. The physician’s statement
must be accompanied by proof from the customer of an inability to
pay the utility bill during the medical emergency. At the end of such
period of emergency, the customer shall remain liable for payment
of services provided during the period of emergency.
[Amended 12-20-2006 by Ord. No. 06-20]
C.
All unpaid electric bills shall remain, until paid,
municipal liens against the property and premises where such electric
power is furnished and shall draw interest at the rate of 18% per
annum from and after the date when they shall become due, and shall,
in addition to all other remedies, be collectible in the same manner
as arrearages of taxes.
[Amended 12-3-1997 by Ord. No. 97-14; 7-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17]
In the event that a discontinuance of service
has been effectuated by reason of nonpayment as hereinabove set forth,
the reconnection of the electric service may only be made upon payment
of the total outstanding bill, all accrued interest due thereon and
a reconnection fee in the amount of $50. A reconnection fee of $100,
together with the payment of the total outstanding bill and all accrued
interest due thereon, shall be required for service to be reinstated
other than at the meter. A reconnection fee of $200, together with
the payment of the total outstanding bill and all accrued interest
due thereon, shall be required for service to be reinstated for electric
service of 400 amps or greater.
[Amended 7-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17]
There shall be an installation fee of $100 for
each new service installed. In addition, there shall be no replacement
charge for an existing service.
A.
All Borough equipment and facilities shall be metered
by September 1, 1977. This section shall not apply to street lighting,
which shall be billed on an estimated basis.
B.
Meters for all electric accounts shall be moved to
the outside of the premises of each consumer by no later than January
1980. All new services installed shall be on the outside of existing
structures, except where vault rooms have been installed. Cost of
meter pans shall be the responsibility of and shall be charged to
the electric customer.
C.
Demand meters may be required by the Borough if deemed
necessary. The cost of said meters shall be the responsibility of
and charged to the consumer.
D.
Any customer requesting the testing of a meter must
do so in writing. If the test results show the meter to be running
fast, there will be no charge for the testing. If, however, the test
shows the meter to be accurate within 5% of 100%, or running slow,
then the customer will be billed, and obligated to pay a fee of $100
for the test.
[Amended 12-20-2006 by Ord. No. 06-20]
A.
It shall be unlawful for anyone to use electric energy
supplied by the Borough of Seaside Heights unless a meter has been
duly installed. Any unmetered electric users will be subject to a
fine of no less than $100 and no more than $1,250, by imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days or by community service of not more than 90
days or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service,
as determined in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. The
continuation of such violation for each successive day shall constitute
a separate offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting
the continuation of the violation may be punished as provided above
for each separate offense.
B.
Any individual who tampers with, alters or in any
way interferes with the operation of an electric meter or electric
service shall be subject to a fine of no less than $100 and no more
than $1,250, by imprisonment for not to exceed 90 days or by community
service of not more than 90 days or any combination of fine, imprisonment
and community service, as determined in the discretion of the Municipal
Court Judge. The continuation of such violation for each successive
day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person or persons
allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation may be punished
as provided above for each separate offense. In addition, the Borough
may discontinue the supply of electric service and remove its equipment
from a consumer’s premises without notice in the event evidence
is found that the Electric Department’s service wires, meters,
switch boxes or other property or appurtenances on the consumer’s
premises have been tampered with to illegally divert current.
C.
Employees of the Electric Department of the Borough
of Seaside Heights shall be allowed access to individual electric
meters at all times during the regular workweek between the hours
of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Said access shall be given after the employee
presents proper identification. Anyone who refuses said employee access
or who interferes with said employee shall be subject to a fine of
no less than $100 and no more than $1,250, by imprisonment for not
to exceed 90 days or by community service of not more than 90 days
or any combination of fine, imprisonment and community service, as
determined in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge. The continuation
of such violation for each successive day shall constitute a separate
offense, and the person or persons allowing or permitting the continuation
of the violation may be punished as provided above for each separate
offense.
D.
Any person violating or failing to comply with any
other provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be
punishable by a fine of no less than $100 and no more than $1,250,
by imprisonment for not to exceed 90 days or by community service
of not more than 90 days or any combination of fine, imprisonment
and community service, as determined in the discretion of the Municipal
Court Judge. The continuation of such violation for each successive
day shall constitute a separate offense, and the person or persons
allowing or permitting the continuation of the violation may be punished
as provided above for each separate offense.
All energy adjustment costs levied upon the
Borough of Seaside Heights shall be charged to all electric customers
of the Borough, regardless of classification, on a per-kilowatt-hour
basis. All billing for energy adjustment costs will be in addition
to the rates set forth hereinabove and shall be charged as a separate
item on the regular periodic billing.
A.
Meter reading. Anyone wishing an additional meter
reading must submit such request in writing at least five days in
advance of the date of said reading. This request is to be submitted
to the Borough Hall Electric Billing Department and shall be accompanied
by a fee of $10 for said special reading.
[Amended 12-20-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-21]
B.
Transformers.
(1)
The Borough Electric Department shall make all final
decisions as to locations and placement of transformers, and whether
or not the system is better served with a pad-mount or pole-mounted
transformer.
(2)
The customer shall be responsible for the installation
of the pad for a pad-mount transformer and any trench work necessary
on their property and restoration of same. The Borough Electric Department
shall be responsible for the installation of all primary wire and
conduit from the pole to the transformer and any trench work on public
property. Subsequent to the installation of a new transformer as hereinabove
described, maintenance and replacement of said transformer shall be
the responsibility of and at the discretion of the Borough of Seaside
Heights through its Electric Department.
[Amended 1-21-1998 by Ord. No. 98-2; 7-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17]
(3)
The Borough Electric Department shall have access
to all transformers at all times. Failure to abide by this section
shall subject the customer to the penalties hereinafter set forth.
(4)
As of the effective date of this chapter, all transformers
in service in the Borough will become the property of the Borough,
and the Borough will be responsible for replacement of same. If any
customer previously purchased a transformer or wishes to purchase
one, then they must inform the Borough, in writing, of their desire
to be responsible for replacement or other costs associated with said
transformer.
C.
Temporary electric service. There shall be a $100 charge for a temporary electric service for construction purposes only, for a duration of no more than 90 days. Consumption will be charged at the same rate as specified in § 219-2.
[Amended 7-20-2005 by Ord. No. 05-17]
D.
Electric self-generation shall be governed by the
following regulations:
[Added 12-20-2006 by Ord. No. 06-20]
(1)
Consultation with Municipal Utility.
(a)
To assure safety and the optimum value for both
the customer and the Municipal Utility, it is essential for the customer
to consult with the Utility before purchasing, constructing, operating,
or interconnecting any self-generation equipment to the system. No
self-generating equipment may be connected to the Municipal Utility
unless the customer notifies the Municipal Utility and all necessary
equipment, in the opinion of the Municipal Utility, is properly installed
to isolate the generating equipment from the Municipal Utility system.
(b)
The Municipal Utility will assist the customer
in evaluating the feasibility of the proposed self-generation project,
in particular helping the customer evaluate the economics of the project
after taking into account the customer's responsibility and obligation
to pay all interconnection costs.
(2)
General requirements:
(a)
No self-generating equipment or facility may be connected to the Municipal Utility without express authorization from the Municipal Utility and unless the requirements contained in this rule are fully and completely satisfied. The customer must provide complete plans and specifications of the proposed equipment, including a single-line diagram and details of proposed protective schemes. Plans must be certified by an electrical engineer. Upon receipt of the certified plans and a fee of $1,000, as provided in Subsection D(2)(e) below to compensate the Municipal Utility for the cost of engineering services provided herein, the Municipal Utility will provide specific switching, breaker, and isolation plans for installation at the customer's expense. Any review of plans by the Municipal Utility does not constitute approval of the correctness of customer's plans. Installation must be in compliance with the National Electrical Code and all applicable municipal, county, and federal codes or regulations.
(b)
Prior to connection to the Municipal Utility
system, the equipment and interconnection shall be inspected by the
Municipal Utility or its qualified representative. Inspections undertaken
by the Municipal Utility shall be undertaken solely for the purpose
of determining compliance with the proposed plans and for the safety
and integrity of the Municipal Utility system. Nothing done by the
Municipality Utility inspector shall constitute approval or waiver
by any other inspector who may be authorized to inspect such facility
and interconnection.
(c)
Prior to interconnection with the Municipal
Utility system, the customer shall enter into a written agreement
with the Municipal Utility. In addition to the operating provisions
contained in these rules, this agreement shall permit unlimited right
of entry to the customer's property for safety reasons or to disconnect
whenever the Municipal Utility believes that continued operation of
the self-generation equipment could result in harm to the Municipal
Utility system or to a customer of the Municipal Utility. Municipal
Utility employees shall have the right to inspect and test the interconnection
facilities during reasonable hours. This agreement also shall require
the safe operation of the equipment or facility, indemnification of
the Municipal Utility for damages of any type, including, but not
limited to direct, consequential, punitive damages, to the Municipal
Utility or any other customer as a result of the operation of the
self-generation equipment or facility. The agreement shall contain
such other provisions as are appropriate for the protection and safe
operation of the Municipal Utility.
(d)
The customer shall be responsible for the safe
operation of the self-generation equipment and shall be responsible
for all costs of repairs, corrections, or updating of interconnection
facilities. The customer shall be financially responsible for all
costs of interconnection, including, but not limited to, review of
the plans for equipment and the proposed isolation scheme, voltage
regulation, wiring, labor, special metering, and inspection. The Municipal
Utility shall provide a good faith estimate of the cost of reviewing
the plans, inspections, and for the cost of all equipment that may
be necessary to interconnect the self-generating equipment with the
Municipal Utility, and the customer shall pay the Municipal Utility
the full amount of the good faith estimate. Any amounts not expended
shall be returned to the customer. Any additional costs reasonably
incurred by the Municipal Utility to complete the interconnection
with the customer shall be paid to the Municipal Utility prior to
interconnection. The customer shall be responsible for the cost of
periodic testing of the interconnection facilities.
(e)
The customer shall not change any aspect of the operation, the wiring, the controls, or the interconnection of the self-generation equipment without first providing prior written notice to the Municipal Utility of all proposed changes to the plans or the as-built drawings, as the case may be. All changes or proposed changes shall be certified by an electrical engineer, in the same manner as provided in Subsection D(2)(a) above. This information is essential for determining whether the existing interconnection equipment is adequate for the requirements and for safety reasons in the event of emergency cut-off. The customer shall pay all reasonable engineering fees incurred by the Municipal Utility to review and inspect the proposed installation.
(f)
Self-generating equipment that is intended to
operate in parallel with the Municipal Utility shall be subject to
a contract that provides for such interconnected parallel operation.
(3)
Electrical requirements.
(a)
For facilities intended to operate in synchronization
with the Municipal Utility:
[1]
The interconnection point between the self-generator
and the Municipal Utility shall be on the customer's side of the designated
metering location. It shall operate in synchronization with the municipal
system.
[2]
Electrical quality must be 60 Hz, alternating
current having voltage and phase characteristics acceptable to the
Municipal Utility. Operation of the self-generating unit shall not
result in flicker, voltage fluctuations, interference with electronic
equipment, or damage to Municipal Utility or customer-owned equipment.
[3]
Equipment shall be capable of being manually
and automatically isolated from the Municipal Utility system within
a maximum of 10 seconds, and provide for automatic disconnection from
utility lines that have been de-energized. All costs incurred to interconnect
the self-generation equipment shall be the responsibility of the customer.
(b)
For generating equipment not intended to operate
as interconnected generating facilities:
[1]
The customer shall install all equipment, switches
and devices necessary to allow such facility that is capable of being
served by the generating equipment to be electrically isolated from
the Municipal Utility. All generating equipment subject to this subsection
shall be designed so that it is incapable of being operated unless
it is isolated and disconnected from the Municipal Utility.
(4)
Meter requirements. All metering costs associated
with the interconnection or the interconnected operation of the equipment
shall be the responsibility of the Customer. Any deliveries to the
Municipal Utility shall be through a separate billing meter. Reversing
meters are not permitted.
(5)
Purchase of excess generation.
(a)
The Municipal Utility and the customer shall
enter into an agreement that addresses all purchase and payment obligations.
The Municipal Utility shall only be required to purchase from PURPA
qualifying facilities, as defined in 18 CFR 292.201.
(b)
Rates for the purchase of excess energy from
the PURPA qualifying facility shall be based upon the Municipal Utility's
avoided cost. The avoided cost shall be calculated so that it takes
into account the all inclusive cost of energy, including capacity
costs, availability, dispatchability, load limitations, operating
contingencies or limitation, energy costs, and administrative costs.
If the Municipal Utility does not require capacity and would receive
no benefit from the addition of capacity, the Municipal Utility shall
only pay for the avoided cost of energy, excluding all capacity costs.
Moreover, the Municipal Utility may charge a net metered customer
an administrative fee designed to recover the Municipal's costs of
standing ready to provide capacity and transmission service to the
entire load of the net metered customer.
(6)
Installation of transfer switch.
[Added 8-3-2022 by Ord.
No. 2022-18]
(a)
Customers may apply to install a meter-mounted transfer switch. The
application is required to be completed by a licensed electrician,
who must provide the complete plans and specifications for the proposed
equipment, together with an application fee of $100. The licensed
electrician shall affirm in the application that they have explained
to the customer how to properly operate the switch and the generator.
(b)
Installation of the transfer switch must be in the presence of the
Municipal Utility for the purpose of an installation of a lock on
the meter.
