[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Girard 4-16-1990 by Ord. No. 590 (Ch. VIII, Part 1, of the 1974 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following shall be the schedule of charges, regulations and special provisions for residential service for electricity distributed and sold through the Girard Borough Electric Department:
A. 
Service defined. Residential service (Rate RS) shall apply to customers using the Borough's standard service for residential lighting, appliance operation, cooking and general household purposes.
B. 
Character of service: alternating current, 60 cycles; supplied at 120/240 volts, single phase, in the entire Borough.
C. 
Net rate. The rates of residential service (Rate RS) shall be as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard and as it is hereafter from time to time adopted, amended, and modified by Council.
D. 
Minimum charge. The minimum monthly charge shall be the customer charge as established under the net rate.
E. 
Special provisions.
(1) 
Combined service. Where a customer conducts a business in the same premises as his residence and the combined energy requirements are measured by a single meter, the energy so used shall be billed at the above rate, provided that the connected load in lighting and power used for business or commercial purposes does not exceed 2,000 watts. Where the commercial portion of the total load is in excess of 2,000 watts, separate meters must be installed for the residential and for the commercial requirements, or the combined service shall be billed under the terms and provisions of Rate GS, general service-secondary.
(2) 
Multiple dwellings. When two or more families, with separate cooking facilities, occupy a residential dwelling, the wiring shall be arranged so that the service to each family can be metered and billed separately. If the wiring is not so arranged and two, but not more than four, families are served through one meter, the energy blocks and minimum charges shall be multiplied by the number of families served.
(3) 
Loads in excess of 25 kilowatts. The Borough shall install a suitable demand meter to determine the maximum fifteen-minute integrated demand when a customer's service requires the installation of an individual transformer or when a customer's total monthly consumption exceeds 6,000 kilowatt-hours for two consecutive months or when service entrance requirements exceed 200 amperes. If the demand so determined under this provision exceeds 25 kilowatts, a monthly demand charge, in an amount as from time to time set by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard, per kilowatt shall apply to such excess, in addition to the customer and energy charges. The demand charge in no event shall be based upon less than 75% of the highest excess demand during the preceding 11 months.
(4) 
Temporary service for single-unit house construction. Upon application of owner, a temporary service and meter, both of which are to be transferred to the completed building, will be provided upon the payment of a charge therefor as from time to time established by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard. Where the temporary service requires removal and replacement of a permanent service drop, the payment shall be an amount as from time to time established by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard.
(5) 
Temporary discontinuance of service. If a customer requests a discontinuance and reconnection of service at the same location within a twelve-month period, he shall be required to pay a charge for each of the intervening months in an amount as from time to time established by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard.
The following shall be the schedule of charges, regulations and special provisions for general service-secondary for electricity distributed and sold through the Girard Borough light plant:
A. 
Service defined. General service-secondary (Rate GS) shall apply to customers using the Borough's standard service for general light and power purposes not included within the availability of Rate RS, residential service, with billing demand not in excess of 25 kilowatts. When the customer's active billing demand is equal to or greater than 25 kilowatts for 12 consecutive months or is equal to or greater than 50 kilowatts for two consecutive months, the customer will be transferred to Rate GP, general service-primary, for a minimum of 12 months.
B. 
Character of service: alternating current, 60 cycles; supplied at 120/240 volts, single phase, and 240 volts polyphase. At the option of the Borough, three-phase service may be made available in limited areas at 480 volts for power service or at 120/208 volts where lighting demands exceed 75 kilowatts.
C. 
Net rate. The rate of general service-secondary (Rate GS) shall be as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard and as it is hereafter from time to time adopted, amended, and modified by Council.
D. 
Determination of billing demand. The Borough shall install suitable demand meters to determine the maximum fifteen-minute integrated demand when a customer's total monthly consumption exceeds 1,000 kilowatt-hours for two consecutive months. The billing demand shall be the sum of the individual demands of each metered service. The individual demand of each metered service shall be determined separately.
E. 
Minimum charge. The minimum monthly charge for general service-secondary (Rate GS) shall be the customer charge as established under the Electric Rate Resolution of the Borough of Girard.
F. 
Special provisions.
(1) 
Temporary service. Service of a temporary nature will be rendered at the charges set forth herein, provided that the customer reimburses the Borough for all costs of installing and removing the service installation, including costs of poles, conductors, transformers, meters and other equipment, together with all labor and other expenses incurred, less the salvage recovered from all materials and equipment removed after termination of service. Service will not be connected until the customer has made an advance payment equal to the estimated charges for installation and removal of service.
(2) 
Untransformed service. When service is supplied at primary or transmission voltages (2,400 volts or higher) and the customer furnishes all necessary transformer and terminal equipment, the kilowatt demand charge per month shall be decreased as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution. The Borough, at its option, may meter its service at secondary voltage. The foregoing adjustment shall not apply to bills computed under the minimum monthly charge provision, nor shall it apply where the Borough provides transformation from a higher to a lower primary voltage, if done for the express benefit of the customer.
The following shall be the schedule of charges, regulations and special provisions for general service-primary for electricity distributed and sold through the Girard Borough light plant:
A. 
Service defined. General service-primary (Rate GP) shall apply to customers using the Borough's standard service for commercial and industrial light and power purposes with billing demand in excess of 100 kilowatts.
B. 
Character of service: alternating current, 60 cycles; supplied at 240 volts polyphase in the Borough. At the option of the Borough, three-phase service may be made available in certain areas at 120/208 volts, 480 volts or 277/480 volts. New customers that require transformer capacity in excess of 2,000 kva and existing customers whose load increases such that a transformer change is required (over 2,000 kva) will be required to take untransformed service at a primary voltage specified by the Borough. The Borough may meter the service either primary or secondary.
C. 
Net rate. The rate of general service-primary (Rate GP) shall be as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard and as it is hereafter from time to time adopted, amended, and modified by Council.
D. 
Minimum monthly charge: the kilowatt demand charge for 1/2 of the billing demand, but in no event computed on less than 1/2 of the highest kilowatt demand billed during the preceding 11 months, nor less than 100 kilowatts.
E. 
Special provisions.
(1) 
Temporary service. Service of a temporary nature will be rendered at the charges set forth herein, provided that the customer reimburses the Borough for all costs of installing and removing the service installation, including cost of poles, conductors, transformers, meters and other equipment, together with all labor and other expenses incurred, less the salvage recovered from all materials and equipment removed after termination of service. Service will not be connected until the customer has made an advance payment equal to the estimated charges for installation and removal of service.
(2) 
Untransformed service. When service is supplied at primary or transmission voltages (2,400 volts or higher) and the customer furnishes all necessary transformer and terminal equipment, the active kilowatt demand charge per month shall be decreased as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution. The Borough, at its option, may meter its service at secondary voltage. The said adjustment shall not apply to bills computed under the minimum monthly charge provision, nor shall it apply where the Borough provides transformation from a higher to a lower primary voltage, if done for the express benefit of the customer.
Standard three-phase service shall consist of 240/120 volt, three-phase, 200 amperes to 1,000 amperes; 480/277 volt, Y-connected three-phase, 200 amperes to 1,000 amperes; 208/120 volt three-phase, 200 amperes to 1,000 amperes. Whenever a standard three-phase service is installed at the request of a customer, the customer shall be required to make a deposit of $500 in advance of installation. 480/240 volt delta-connected three-phase, all three-phase service under 200 amperes and any other three-phase service are special order items. Whenever a three-phase service other than a standard three-phase service is installed at the request of a customer, the customer shall be required to make a deposit of 50% of the cost of installation, including labor and material, as determined by the Borough Electric Department, in advance of installation. All deposits shall be refunded by application to monthly bills for service after one year of continuous service.
For night lighting of private areas, the Borough will install a one-hundred-seventy-five- or four-hundred-watt mercury vapor luminaire and lamp connected to existing facilities and replace burned-out lamps during regular daytime working hours as soon as practicable following notification by customer. Any additional facilities required shall be at the expense of the customer. The rate for private outdoor lighting services shall be as provided in the Electric Rate Resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard and as it is hereafter from time to time adopted, amended, and modified by Council, with a guaranteed purchase by customer for a minimum period of 18 months.
A developer or subdivider of new residential developments may apply for underground electric service, to be installed in accordance with the following rules and regulations:
A. 
For the purposes of this section only, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DEVELOPMENT
Five or more adjoining unoccupied lots in a recorded plan for the construction of single-family residences (detached or otherwise) or one or more adjoining lots for the construction of one or more apartment houses containing an aggregate of five or more family units, if electric service to such residential or apartment house lots necessitates extending the Borough's existing distribution lines.
DISTRIBUTION LINE
An electric supply line from which energy is delivered to one or more service lines.
ROW HOUSE
One of a continuous row of five or more single-family residences, in which the house at each end of the row has one party wall, and each of the intervening houses has two party walls.
SERVICE LINE
A line receiving energy from a distribution line and delivering it to the meter or a disconnection device controlling service to the residence or apartment building, whichever is nearer the distribution line.
B. 
All distribution and service lines installed pursuant to an application for underground electric service within a development shall be installed underground, shall conform to the Borough's construction standards and shall be owned and maintained by the Borough. Any streetlighting lines installed then or thereafter shall also be installed underground. The Borough shall not be liable for injury or damage occasioned by the willful or negligent excavation, breakage or other interference with its underground lines by other than its own employees or agents.
C. 
The applicant for electric service to a development shall:
(1) 
At his own cost, provide the Borough with easements satisfactory to the Borough for occupancy by distribution, service and streetlighting lines and related facilities, except in public ways which the Borough has the legal right to occupy.
(2) 
At his own cost, clear the ground in which the aforesaid lines and related facilities are to be laid of trees, stumps and other obstructions. The applicant or his agent shall perform the trenching and backfilling subject to inspection and approval by the Borough.
(3) 
Request underground electric service at such time that the aforesaid lines may be installed before curbs, pavements and sidewalks are laid.
(4) 
The applicant for underground electric service shall furnish to the Borough plans and specifications prepared by and bearing the seal of an electrical engineer. Upon approval of the plans and specifications by the Borough, the applicant shall, at his expense, build the underground electric system in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, subject to daily inspection by a Borough representative. The Borough inspector shall have authority to order strict compliance with the plans and specifications as approved by the Borough.
(5) 
Standard streetlighting service will be by wood pole, whether by overhead distribution system or by underground distribution service. If a developer or subdivider desires a decorative or type of pole other than the standard wood pole, the same will be furnished a price to be negotiated prior to installation. The Borough may require a supply of replacement poles or parts in addition to those required for the initial installation.
Prior to the connection or furnishing of service of any classification, the Borough may require a deposit for service in an amount to be set from time to time by resolution of the Council of the Borough of Girard. Said deposit shall, upon termination of service, be refunded to the customer without interest; provided, however, the Borough may apply all or any portion of said deposit to any balance remaining due for service furnished prior to termination.
The Borough shall designate where meters are to be placed in any new installation. The Borough may, at its expense, relocate any present meters. Meters hereafter installed shall be paid for and owned by Borough.
All property to which electric current is now or hereafter furnished by the Borough shall be subject to a lien for electric rates for said service so supplied thereto in accordance with this chapter. Such liens may be filed by the proper Borough authorities within the time and in the manner provided by law whenever payment for said services has become delinquent and irrespective of whether or not the service is furnished to the owner, tenant or other occupier of said premises. In addition to the lien as herein provided, the Borough shall have the right to refuse to furnish electric current to any owner, tenant or occupier of premises where there is an unpaid bill for said service furnished to a prior owner, tenant or occupier of the said premises.
The Council of the Borough of Girard may from time to time by resolution establish a discount rate at which bills shall be issued for service provided under all classifications. Said discount rates will apply to the base rates as herein provided for. The net amount billed is due and payable within a period of 15 days as shown on the bill. If the net amount is not paid within such fifteen-day period, there shall be due and payable, in addition thereto, such penalty as shall be established by the Electric Rate Resolution of the Borough of Girard. If the net amount of the bill plus penalty is not paid within 40 days of the billing date, the service shall, upon notice thereof, be disconnected. If service is disconnected for nonpayment, the customer shall pay, in addition to all arrearage, including penalty, a reconnect fee as provided by the Electric Rate Resolution.
[Added 2-21-2011 by Ord. No. 715]
All persons owning or occupying property to which electric current is now or hereafter furnished by the Girard Borough Electric Company to any end-use customers are prohibited from obtaining any electric current from any source, including, but not limited to, solar or wind power, other than from the Girard Borough Electric Company.
[Added 2-21-2011 by Ord. No. 715]
No person, firm or corporation shall provide or introduce or generate electric current for light, heat or power for end-use customers within the limits of Girard Borough. The Girard Borough Electric Company shall be the sole electricity generation supplier within the Borough of Girard.
[Added 2-21-2011 by Ord. No. 715]
A. 
Any person, firm, partnership or corporation who or which shall violate § 168-11 or 168-12 of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or suffer imprisonment of not more than 60 days, plus costs of prosecution.
B. 
Injunctive relief. When any person, firm, partnership, or corporation has violated § 168-11 or 168-12, the Borough may petition the Court of Common Pleas of Erie County, Pennsylvania, through the Borough Attorney for the issuance of a preliminary or permanent injunction, or both, as appropriate, which restrains or compels the specific performance of the provisions of this chapter. The Borough may also seek such other action as is appropriate for legal and/or equitable relief. A petition for injunctive relief shall not be a bar against or a prerequisite for taking any other action against a person, firm, partnership, or corporation in violation of the provisions of this chapter.
C. 
Remedies nonexclusive. The remedies provided in this section are not exclusive. The Borough may take any, all or any combination of these actions against any person, firm, partnership, or corporation that has violated, or continues to violate, any provision of this chapter. Any such person, firm, partnership or corporation violating this chapter shall be responsible to reimburse the Borough of Girard for all court costs, attorney fees, and expenses incurred as a result of a violation.
[Added 2-21-2011 by Ord. No. 715]
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed. This chapter shall become effective on February 21, 2011, and shall remain in force until modified, amended, or rescinded by the Borough of Girard, Erie County, Pennsylvania.