“ANSI”
means the American National Standards Institute.
“City”
means the city and borough of Sitka.
“Employees”
means the employees of the city and borough of Sitka charged with the responsibility of delivering services to the citizens and customers while ensuring good business practices, and considering the needs and wants of customers.
“IEEE”
means the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
“NEC”
means the National Electrical Code.
“NESC”
means the National Electrical Safety Code.
“OSHA”
means the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
“Overhead point of delivery”
means customer’s service entrance conductors at the weather head.
“RUS”
means the United States Department of Agriculture’s Rural Utilities Service.
“SDCG”
means the Sitka design and construction guidelines.
“Underground point of delivery”
means the supply terminals in a customer’s meter base, current transformer enclosure or supply (line) side of a customer-owned disconnect(s) in a privately owned system.
“Utility”
means the city and borough of Sitka electric department.
(S.G.C. 15.01.005; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The city wants to treat its citizens in a fair and consistent manner, while recognizing the distinct needs and requirements of each customer. To promote uniformity of service, the city has adopted this customer service policy. This customer service policy provides guidelines for electric service while meeting the requirements of good business practices.
The mission of the utility is to provide its customers with adequate and reliable electric utility service at the lowest cost, consistent with industry standards and sound business principles. It is the customer’s responsibility to install their service conductors and equipment in accordance with the customer service policy and the utility’s Sitka design and construction guidelines (SDCG). It is the customer’s further responsibility to comply with all financial obligations set forth in the customer service policy and related payment plans in order to ensure uninterrupted access to electrical power. The long-term inability to pay electrical charges shall not be the basis for supplying electricity without charge, or for reduced charges, to customers without explicit action of the assembly.
(S.G.C. 15.01.010; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The utility director is responsible for the planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of the electric utility system. In addition, the utility director is designated as the grievance officer for customers. The utility director is authorized to hear concerns and complaints, and settle disagreements. Only the utility director shall have the authority to direct reconnections of electric service, which has been disconnected for nonpayment or failure to meet agreed-upon terms of customer repayment plans, after normal working hours. The finance director is responsible for the billing and collection of all fees and charges for electric service.
The finance director shall have the responsibility to consider all complaints and concerns regarding electrical billings and disconnections for failure to meet financial payment obligations. The finance director shall have the authority and responsibility to direct the disconnection of electrical service for customers for nonpayment or failure to meet agreed-upon terms of customer repayment plans. Other than stipulated by other sections of this chapter, the finance director shall not have any specific responsibility to notify customers of impending disconnection in advance; furthermore, a customer’s failure to honor specific commitments, either temporally or financially, shall result in immediate disconnection of electrical service without advance notice. The finance director, at his or her discretion, may, but is not required to, authorize the reconnection of any customer’s electric service if the finance director deems it to be in the best interest of the utility and the municipality to do so. The finance director also has the discretion to, but is not required to, waive fees associated with a reconnection.
The discretionary authority of the finance director shall be limited in certain aspects, as follows:
A. 
The finance director may extend the due date for any payment up to 14 days upon completion of a signed agreement with a customer firmly committing to such a date;
B. 
The finance director may manage disconnections in such a way as to avoid otherwise disconnections for unmet customer financial obligations of $50.00 or less;
C. 
The finance director may, but shall not be required to, direct that electric service be continued for customers with a serious medical condition for which electrically operated medical machinery is required to operate on a 24-hour basis in order to sustain the life of the customer.
The administrator will create, maintain and update a customer service procedure manual and the Sitka design and construction guidelines (SDCG) procedures manual, both of which will be in compliance with the Sitka General Code. These manuals may be updated by approval of the administrator with assembly notification. These manuals and codes may be more restrictive than the Sitka General Code where the municipal administrator deems necessary.
(S.G.C. 15.01.012; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
All electric rates are subject to sales tax if applicable. These rates are effective for all electricity billed after July 1, 2025, regardless of when electricity was consumed.
The assembly shall consider annually an adjustment to the electric rates, based on the Consumer Price Index, at a time when any adjustment could be made effective July 1st of the year applied. An adjustment, if any, shall be based on the prior year annual report for the municipality of Anchorage, Alaska, from the United States Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Consumer Price Index, and determined to be the percent change to the current year from the percent change of the prior year, and will be effective July 1st of any year applied. The first such adjustment date may be July 1, 2018.
B. 
Residential services.
1. 
Applicable to all residential customers for all uses in the home or residence, subject to the rules and regulations and customer services policies of the city and utility.
2. 
Energy charges.
Type
Charge
All kWh from the first billing cycle in November through the last billing cycle in April
$0.1371 per kWh
All kWh from the first billing cycle in May through the last billing cycle in October
$0.2193 per kWh
Customer charge is $21.90 per month
Customer charge for remote island customers is $34.70
C. 
General service – Small.
1. 
Applicable to all nonresidential customers for all uses, including lighting, heating and power, when the electricity consumed in the preceding 12 months is less than 100,000 kWh and has a measured demand of less than 50 kW, subject to the rules, regulations and customer service policies of the utility and the city. Typical customers in this class could include: restaurants, retail vendors, churches, fueling stations, and service industries.
2. 
Energy charges.
Type
Charge
All kWh from the first billing cycle in November through the last billing cycle in April
$0.1347 per kWh
All kWh from the first billing cycle in May through the last billing cycle in October
$0.2148 per kWh
Customer charge is $61.00 per month
Customer charge for remote island customers is $101.00
3. 
Demand charges.
Type
Charge
First 25 kW
No charge
Over 25 kW
$6.71 per kW
D. 
General service – Large.
1. 
Applicable to all nonresidential customers for all uses, including lighting, heating and power, when the electricity consumed in the preceding 12 months is equal to or greater than 100,000 kWh or has a measured demand equal to or greater than 50 kW, subject to the rules, regulations and customer service policies of the utility and the city. Typical customers in this class could include: grocery stores, industrial users, and seafood processing facilities.
2. 
Energy charges.
Type
Charge
All kWh
$0.1656 per kWh
Customer charge is $361.00 per month
3. 
Demand charges.
Type
Charge
First 25 kW
No charge
Over 25 kW
$6.72 per kW
E. 
General service – Public authority.
1. 
Applicable to all noncommercial and nonresidential customers for all uses, including lighting, heating and power, subject to the rules, regulations and customer service policies of the utility and the city. Typical customers in this class could include: schools, tribal governments, and other public government buildings.
2. 
Energy charges.
Type
Charge
All kWh
$0.1678 per kWh
Customer charge is $123.00 per month
3. 
Demand Charges.
Type
Charge
First 25 kW
No charge
Over 25 kW
$6.72 per kW
F. 
Boat service.
1. 
Applicable to separately metered boats, lights, heaters, pumps or other uses.
2. 
Energy charges.
Type
Charge
All kWh from the first billing cycle in November through the last billing cycle in April
$0.1371 per kWh
All kWh from the first billing cycle in May through the last billing cycle in October
$0.2193 per kWh
Customer charge is $20.48 per month
G. 
Street and security light service.
1. 
The utility will only install, at the expense of the customer, yard or security lights which can be attached to existing poles which are the property of the utility.
2. 
Rate per month. This fee is in addition to the actual installation charges required for installing the desired fixture.
Monthly unmetered street or security light energy rate is calculated as follows:
(0.482 kWh per lamp watt) times (the wattage of the lamp) = kWh per month.
Example: 0.482 kWh x 100-watt lamp = 48 kWh per month.
Monthly energy rate is: kWh per month times $0.2243 per kWh.
48 kWh per month x $0.2243/kWh = $10.77 per month energy rate.
Typical lamp energy rates:
70 watt
$7.57 per month
100 watt
$10.81 per month
150 watt
$16.22 per month
175 watt
$18.92 per month
250 watt
$27.03 per month
400 watt
$43.24 per month
1,000 watt
$108.11 per month
The above costs include the cost of maintenance of the unmetered street and security lights.
3. 
Previously installed security lights. Customers found to be benefiting from a previously installed security light shall have the option of removal of the light at no charge.
4. 
A street light may be installed and maintained by the city provided it is for the purpose of public safety. If a light is requested by a customer, it is the responsibility of the customer to show that concurrence is reached by all affected neighbors.
H. 
Controlled service interruptible load – Large consumer.
1. 
Applicable to Interruptible Loads Greater Than 100 Kilowatts. The customer must have written approval from the city and borough electric department for an alternative system. Loads must be new, not conversions of existing loads. Associated equipment utilized by the alternative firm portion of the load, such as electric fans and pumps used in the distribution of heat, shall be wired separately from the controlled service so as not to be interrupted.
2. 
Character of service. Interruptible without notice, and available only when there is a surplus of hydroelectric energy – alternating current 60 cycles, single-phase or three-phase. Characteristics depend upon available circuits.
3. 
Rate per month. Basic customer charge for each month or portion of a month: $550.00.
Energy Charge. Conceptually, the energy charge for all kilowatt-hours shall be adjusted monthly so as to be no more than 90 percent of the equivalent average price paid by the state of Alaska or the city and borough of Sitka, whichever is lower, for No. 2 fuel oil delivered in Sitka.
The energy charge calculation will be performed by multiplying 0.0317 times the average price paid two calendar months prior by the state of Alaska or the city and borough of Sitka, whichever is lower, for No. 2 fuel oil delivered in Sitka. This factor assumes an overall oil heating system efficiency of 70 percent and a heat equivalent of fuel oil of 138,599 BTU per gallon. The maximum energy charge for all kilowatt hours under this rate shall be 12.72 cents per kilowatt hour.
Example 1: If the city and borough’s price for No. 2 fuel oil is $1.20 per gallon, the rate would be 0.0317 times $1.20 equals 3.80 cents per kilowatt hour.
Example 2: If the city and borough’s price for No. 2 fuel oil is $4.20 per gallon, the rate would be 0.0317 times $4.20 equals 13.31 cents per kilowatt hour. However, due to the maximum energy charge, the energy charge in this case would be 12.72 cents.
In the event that the customer must utilize interruptible energy when it is considered not available, energy will be provided at a penalty rate.
4. 
Penalty rate. The penalty rate will be equal to one and one-half times the firm rate. Penalty rates will be in effect when the city and borough has acted to interrupt the customer’s controlled service load but the customer chooses not to be interrupted. If the customer chooses to not be interrupted, they will forfeit the ability to continue to participate in the program, unless the city administrator determines that a true emergency had occurred.
5. 
Temporary incentive rate. When it is in the best interest of the city and borough of Sitka, the city administrator may negotiate a temporary incentive rate with individual customers to encourage new capital investment which increases or adds new interruptible customers. In no case will the temporary rate be applied to a customer for more than 10 years.
6. 
Control criteria. Electrical loads are subject to interruption as deemed necessary by the city and borough. Typical conditions could include peak loading, hydroelectric generation shortages, maintenance or other emergencies. The city and borough will provide customers with five days’ notice for planned interruptions. For unplanned interruptions, the city and borough will provide as much notice as practicable.
7. 
Service connection. Consumer is to install metering equipment separate from the normal continuous service connection, which meter may be a submeter of the firm service meter, and install an electrically operated switch or circuit breaker that can only be operated by the utility. The specific metering and circuit switching equipment design for interruptible service is subject to review and approval by the utility.
8. 
Special provisions.
a. 
The city and borough of Sitka shall not be liable for loss or damage caused by interruption of service. The city and borough of Sitka will not be responsible for start-up or operations of the customer’s alternative system.
I. 
Fuel surcharge. A fuel surcharge shall be implemented to recover the utility’s costs of supplemental diesel generation in excess of budgeted funds for projected diesel operations. The costs of supplemental diesel generation to be recovered include fuel oil, lubricating oil, filters, labor, and other ancillary costs in excess of budgeted funds. The fuel surcharge will be levied as a per kilowatt hour (kWh) rate and will be calculated as follows: the quarterly projected cost of supplemental diesel operations which exceeds budgeted diesel operations divided by quarterly projected kWh sales. KWh sales projections will be kWh sales for the same period from the previous fiscal year times a load growth factor. The fuel surcharge will be recovered over a 12-month period. The utility will maintain a balancing account to match revenues from the fuel surcharge with actual supplemental generation expenses, and will adjust this account on a quarterly basis. Any surplus in the balancing account at the end of a recovery period will be retained by the utility and will be utilized exclusively to reduce future fuel surcharges. Any deficit in the balancing account at the end of a recovery period will be added to the estimated costs to be recovered in the next recovery period. Fuel surcharges may be recalculated and changed during any quarter upon approval of the municipal administrator due to emergencies or other unforeseen circumstances.
Kilowatt hours sold on an interruptible service basis or for street lights are not subject to a fuel surcharge.
J. 
Determination of demand. The billing demand shall be the maximum average kilowatt load used by the customer for any period of 15 consecutive minutes during the billing period as indicated by a demand meter.
K. 
Tax provision. Any taxes levied are in addition to the electric rates and fees charged.
L. 
Resale of energy. The utility will not allow the resale of energy or another person and/or organization to connect to or share the customer’s electric service.
Landlords may allow common tenants of the same physical structure to share electrical service under one landlord account.
M. 
Power factor. The customer agrees to maintain unity power factor as nearly as possible. Unless specifically agreed to in writing, the utility shall not be obligated to deliver power to the customer at any time at a monthly average power factor below 0.95 lagging. The customer will be given ample time to bring the power factor into compliance which shall not exceed six months from the time of official notification by the utility or make other arrangements with the utility. The utility may bill for all kVarh in excess of 0.95 average power factor for the billing period at the rate of 9.45 cents per kVarh.
N. 
Energy assistance fund. An energy assistance fund is hereby established to provide an opportunity for city and borough of Sitka electric customers to make a voluntary monthly contribution to a fund that will provide limited financial assistance to customers. The intent of the program is to help provide emergency financial assistance to customers to pay electric utility bills. The program will be administered by the Salvation Army.
O. 
(Reserved)
P. 
Commercial electric rate temporary incentive program – New commercial customers or existing commercial customers with a new load.
1. 
The administrator may authorize and approve a temporary incentive electric rate for a new commercial customer or an existing commercial customer with a new load. The customer must submit an application and qualify for the rate.
2. 
To apply, the customer must submit an application to the electric department, on a form supplied by the electric department. The application must include a power system “one-line” diagram of the proposed new load, along with an estimate of the annual kWh for the proposed new load stamped by a certified Alaska engineer.
3. 
To qualify, the customer must meet the following requirements:
a. 
The load for the proposed new service must be new, not a conversion of an existing load;
b. 
The annual customer billings for the proposed new service, as estimated by the electric department under the existing general service rate service class, must exceed $75,000 per year; and
c. 
The customer must be commercial.
4. 
Once the customer is qualified, the administrator must authorize the application by finding that granting a temporary incentive rate is in the best interests of the city and borough and that the rate does not create an unreasonable competitive advantage over existing commercial customers.
5. 
Once the application is authorized by the administrator, the electric department shall negotiate a temporary incentive electric rate agreement with the customer; and, when signed by the customer, it shall be submitted to the administrator for approval by signature. In no case will the rate be applied to a customer for more than three years. In all agreements, the customer shall be required, at the customer’s expense, to provide a separate meter and a new service connection.
6. 
Upon signing the agreement, the administrator shall provide the assembly with a copy of the agreement. A copy of the agreement shall be available to the public at all times through the municipal clerk at the Sitka City Hall.
7. 
Once the agreement is approved by the administrator, the customer shall request a connection from the utility office, advise the attending utility officer that the new service is a “temporary incentive electric rate” class, and is required to provide the attending utility officer a copy of the agreement. The electric department shall be responsible for terminating the rate pursuant to the terms of the agreement.
8. 
If the customer fails to install or operate the new service equipment according to the approved power system “on-line” diagram, or otherwise comply with the approved agreement, the temporary incentive electric rate may be revoked by the administrator upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the customer.
(S.G.C. 15.01.020; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 05-45 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 06-13 § 4(A), 2006; Ord. 06-40 § 4(A), 2006; Ord. 11-37 § 4, 2011; Ord. 12-20 § 4, 2012; Ord. 13-06 § 4, 2013; Ord. 13-28 § 4, 2013; Ord. 13-39 § 4, 2013; Ord. 15-23 § 4, 2015; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016; Ord. 17-05S § 4, 2017; Ord. 17-06S § 4, 2017; Ord. 17-39S § 4, 2017; Ord. 18-39 § 4, 2018; Ord. 19-26 § 4, 2019; Ord. 19-42 § 4, 2019; Ord. 20-18 § 4, 2020; Ord. 21-10 § 4, 2021; Ord. 22-11 § 4, 2022; Ord. 23-07 § 4, 2023; Ord. 24-12 § 4, 2024; Ord. 25-08 § 4, 2025)
A. 
Customer responsibilities.
1. 
New customers establish credit in one of these ways:
a. 
Provide proof of 12 months of good payment history with another utility.
b. 
Provide acceptable surety bond or letter of credit (commercial account only).
c. 
Provide a cash deposit.
d. 
Be an existing city customer with a good payment history.
2. 
Allow utility personnel access to property to set up and maintain service.
3. 
Customers must pay their bill by the due date shown on each monthly bill or a finance charge will be applied. Payments received on the due date must be made in person at the city customer service desk or by direct phone contact with the city customer service representative. If a customer has agreed to make an extra payment towards past due balances in conjunction with a payment plan, such payments must also be made by the due date on each monthly bill.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that customer service personnel are notified in advance of a customer’s inability to fully pay all charges and fees by the date on which they are due, as indicated on the utility bill. Utility customer service personnel shall have no obligation to proactively inform customers of consequences of failure to fully pay charges when due, or of impending disconnections of electrical service unless otherwise specifically stated elsewhere in this chapter.
It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure that all individuals who have need to inquire about, or manage the details of, a customer’s account are added to that account. Customer service personnel may not release account information to individuals who are not authorized to obtain such information.
4. 
Notify customer service of another person or customer who should receive any notice of service interruption for nonpayment of bills.
5. 
Notify customer service if there is someone in the household who is seriously ill, handicapped or on a life support system.
6. 
Notify customer service of questions or complaints about service.
7. 
The customer must be aware of city-owned property at the customer’s home or business and take all reasonable and proper precautions to prevent damage to it. In the event that the city-owned property is damaged because of the customer’s negligence, the utility will charge the customer the actual costs of replacement or repair.
8. 
Install, maintain and repair wiring inside the customer’s premises.
9. 
The customer must notify the city when electric use changes may make him/her eligible for a rate change.
10. 
The customer must ensure that no damage occurs with the initiation, termination or change of utility service requested past the point of city connection.
11. 
The customer will not permit any person, except as authorized by the utility, to make any connections, repairs or changes to service drops, vaults, splice boxes, equipment or any unmetered portion of the service serving the property which is owned by the utility.
12. 
When a change of occupancy (tenant or owner) takes place on any premises being serviced by the utility, notice of such change shall be given within 10 days prior to such change. The outgoing customer will be held responsible for any and all charges for electrical services supplied, to include charges for disconnection and reconnection for nonpayment until such notice has been received by the finance utility.
B. 
Customer rights.
1. 
A customer has a right to request his/her deposit be refunded if he/she establishes credit by other means, maintains an excellent credit rating for one year or discontinues service from the city.
2. 
If the customer is notified of an impending disconnection for nonpayment, he/she has a right to request installment payments designed to pay the account in full according to an agreement at the discretion of the city’s finance director.
3. 
The customer has a right to request a review by the city’s finance director of any complaint.
C. 
City responsibility.
1. 
Refund the customer’s deposit if conditions are met.
2. 
Give written notice 15 working days before service is interrupted for failure to pay (the customer’s bill contains the 15-day notice). The notice will respect a customer’s right to privacy regarding publication of debt.
3. 
Avoid disconnection for nonpayment after 4:30 p.m. on a Friday, on a weekend or on a holiday.
4. 
Avoid disconnection for nonpayment during freezing weather conditions (below 32 degrees Fahrenheit).
5. 
Provide and explain rate schedules, how meters are read and other additional reasonable information.
6. 
Respond to questions or complaints from customers. The city may not agree with the complaint but pledges prompt, courteous and honest answers within one day of the complaint.
7. 
Provide available historic billing and usage information for a customer’s account when requested by the customer.
D. 
City rights.
1. 
To access the city’s utility facilities on customer’s premises.
2. 
To receive notice of changes in address, status of utility service or problems with utility service.
3. 
To receive timely payment for services delivered to a home or business.
4. 
To take legal action regarding equipment tampering or financial delinquencies by the customer.
(S.G.C. 15.01.025; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
Deposits are required as follows:
1. 
Two hundred fifty dollars for residential.
2. 
Three hundred fifty dollars for commercial.
3. 
Seventy-five dollars for harbor.
B. 
Service charges.
1. 
There will be a separate $10.00 service charge for each of the following types of electrical services:
a. 
Establishing a new customer service account.
b. 
Transferring an existing customer service account to a new location. (Example: boat slips, residential, commercial.)
2. 
There shall be a separate $50.00 charge for each of the following types of electrical services:
a. 
Connecting or disconnecting existing electrical service due to a customer request during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
b. 
Disconnecting or reconnecting electrical service disconnected due to nonpayment during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
3. 
There will be a separate $200.00 service charge for the following type of electrical service:
a. 
An electrical service trouble call during the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, if determined to be the responsibility or fault of the customer.
4. 
There will be a separate $500.00 service charge for the following types of emergency electrical services:
a. 
Emergency reconnection of electrical service disconnected due to nonpayment outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday including holidays. Any emergency reconnection of electrical service due to nonpayment shall be authorized in advance by the utility director and shall be contingent upon the availability of service personnel to perform the reconnection and finance personnel to receive and process the service charge.
b. 
An electrical service trouble call outside the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, if determined to be the fault or the responsibility of the customer. Payment must be received in advance before electrical service is reconnected after normal working hours due to disconnection for nonpayment or problems which are the fault of the customer. Decisions to reconnect electrical service before receiving payment shall be at the discretion of the utility director. The utility director shall be under no obligation to direct the reconnection of electrical service if finance personnel are unavailable to receive and process service charges.
5. 
Work orders. Customer services are provided and tracked through a work order number assigned to each job. Customers requesting services that require billing shall obtain and sign a work order at the utility customer service desk. The work order authorizes and initiates the project. Tracking of material, labor and equipment and billing is done with the work order.
All service charges are subject to sales tax if applicable. All charges will be billed to the customer, except for reconnection due to nonpayment. Service charges for reconnection due to nonpayment must be paid in cash or other legal tender at the city utility customer service desk, 100 Lincoln Street, before service will be reestablished.
C. 
Fees – New services on existing distribution lines. Before the utility will install a new service on existing distribution lines, the customer shall pay all appropriate fees and sales tax. The customer shall contact the electrical department for an estimate of the work. The electrical department shall provide the customer a nonbinding estimate of the work. The customer shall then pay a deposit to the city and borough of Sitka for an amount equal to the estimate prior to the work being performed. Subsequent to the work being completed the city and borough shall invoice the customer for any additional charges not in the estimate or credit will be applied to the customer account.
1. 
Clarification. For purposes of these policies, a residential structure is defined as any structure designed for human habitation in which at least 50 percent of the square footage is normally used for human habitation.
2. 
New single residential service fee.
a. 
Overhead service. The customer shall be responsible for the actual cost of installing the service.
b. 
Underground service. The customer shall be responsible for the actual cost of installing the service.
c. 
Installation fees. The fees shall be charged at a rate equivalent to the actual costs including material, labor, design and engineering, equipment, and overhead. A written estimate detailing the estimated cost will be provided upon request. Estimates made by the utility are not binding.
3. 
Remodeling existing residential structure fee. No fee will be charged, provided an upgrade of the service entrance is not required.
4. 
Fees for additions to existing residential structures. The actual cost shall be charged if the construction results in the relocation or replacement of the existing service entrance.
5. 
Fees for replacing existing residential structures. Fees for replacing existing residential structures due to fire, flood or other disaster which destroys the structure shall be charged as follows: The actual cost shall be charged if the construction results in the location or replacement of the existing service entrance.
6. 
Fee for properties being served by an electrical L.I.D. Fees for properties being served by an electrical L.I.D. shall be charged as provided for in SGC Title 17.
7. 
Residential service disconnect/reconnect fees for electrical service repair. There shall be a total $200.00 service fee charged for a customer-requested disconnect and reconnect of any electrical service at the point of delivery for the purpose of repairing or upgrading the existing service. This fee shall be collected at the time of application for the disconnect.
If the service configuration is substantially modified, the customer shall be charged actual cost in lieu of the $200.00 fee. Actual cost is to include all labor, materials, equipment and overhead.
8. 
All other electrical services. The fees for all other electrical services, including three-phase transformers, submarine cable and services (islands), industrial, commercial, etc., shall be charged at a rate equivalent to the actual cost including material, labor, design and engineering, equipment, and overhead. A written estimate detailing the estimated cost will be provided upon request. Estimates made by the utility are not binding.
D. 
Meter tests. Tests at the request of the customer will be made, and if the meter is found to register within over two percent of the correct value, the customer shall pay a test fee of $30.00. If the meter is found to exceed the two percent limit plus or minus, the bill for the preceding 12 months may be adjusted accordingly, and no charge will be made for the testing.
E. 
Credit applications. Credit applications will be available and must be filled out before a customer has electrical services rendered in their name. If it is found that the customer has misinformed or misled the city with false information, the account can be closed without notification until all matters are clarified and adhered to according to the policies of the city. All information furnished on said credit application will be confidential and used only by the city or its assigns.
F. 
Vacation rates. None.
G. 
Fees and charges. All fees, charges, actual costs and/or service charges are based on the average labor, benefits and any administrative or other costs incurred by the city. These rates are subject to annual review.
H. 
Actual costs. Actual costs for vehicles and materials are billing rates plus shipping and overhead per the following: The actual cost for labor is double the employee’s wage per hour, to account for the wages, benefits, employer taxes, and overhead. Subcontractor costs may also be charged if a subcontractor is required. The minimum time charged for vehicle costs and labor is one hour. A written estimate of actual costs is available upon request, in accordance with subsection (C)(8) of this section.
Vehicle Costs
Billing Rate per Hour
Pickup/SUV/Van < 1 ton
$28.00
Truck, flatbed, 1 ton
$34.00
Chipper
$60.00
Crane truck, 5 ton
$80.00
Tractor with backhoe
$90.00
Service truck, 1-1/2 ton w/bucket
$146.00
Bucket truck, 65 ft+ reach
$180.00
Crane truck, 10 ton
$180.00
Materials
Cost plus 50% for shipping and warehousing
Labor
Double the employee’s wage per hour
Subcontractor
Costs charged by subcontractor plus overhead
(S.G.C. 15.01.030; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 06-13 § 4(B), 2006; Ord. 06-40 § 4(B), 2006; Ord. 07-18 § 4, 2007; Ord. 07-22 § 4, 2007; Ord. 12-20 § 4, 2012; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
Right of access. The utility, through its authorized employees or agents, shall have access to its meters and equipment at all reasonable times for the purpose of reading meters and testing, examining, repairing, or replacing any equipment which is the property of the utility. If such equipment is so located that locks must be operated to reach it, the utility shall be supplied with keys to such locks. In cases where locking devices have been installed on customers’ disconnect devices, it is required that emergency municipal personnel, i.e., fire and police, also be supplied keys to such locks.
B. 
Application for new service. Each customer requesting service shall supply the utility with the necessary information to provide the service. This information shall be supplied on an application for service form, available at the utility or customer service desk located at 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, Alaska. A work order will be opened to provide the service. Large industrial or commercial services and service contracts shall contain such provisions and stipulations as may be necessary or desirable to protect the interests of both the utility and the customer, as determined by the utility director. In the absence of a signed agreement or application for service form, the delivery of service by the utility and its acceptance by the customer shall be deemed to constitute an agreement and acceptance of the policies.
C. 
Easements and rights-of-way. Where it is required to place equipment, vaults, splice boxes, structures, or other materials owned by the utility associated with providing services, the owner(s) involved with the project shall be required to grant an easement to the city and borough of Sitka electric department. This easement shall include all areas as prescribed by the utility. Utility personnel will forward a copy of the recorded easement to the owner(s). In cases involving islands, tidelands, wetlands, etc., all Corps of Engineers permits and Department of Natural Resources costs will be paid for by the customer. Rights-of-way are also required to be conveyed to the city and borough of Sitka. The grant of utility easement must be complete, signed by the property owner, copied to the city, and recorded by the State Recorder’s Office. The city will pay the recording fees.
D. 
Temporary electrical service. Temporary service is normally rendered for construction purposes, but may also be rendered to traveling shows, public event displays, etc. Whenever possible, it is recommended that temporary construction services be placed in the permanent location. Where there are existing secondaries of sufficient capacity (also suitable phase and voltage), service will be provided at applicable rates under these conditions:
1. 
Provision by the customer of a temporary electric service construction post or construction pole within 100 feet of existing facilities with suitable protective devices and meter socket;
2. 
Payment by the customer must be made in accordance with normal billing procedures for the actual cost of installation and removal; and
3. 
Temporary service must be initiated with a work order at the utility customer service desk, 100 Lincoln Street, Sitka, Alaska.
E. 
Character of service. The utility will designate the character of electric service. All service shall be alternating current (AC), 60 hertz. Nominal secondary delivery voltages are 120-volt, 240-volt single-phase and 240-volt three-phase, for overhead service. Service may also be delivered at 120/208 or 277/480 volts three-phase grounded wye, only where such secondaries exist. When the size of the load justifies a separate transformer installation, all costs associated with such transformer installation will be borne by the customer. The delivery of 120/208 volts shall be at the option of the utility. In general, delivery voltages and phases will be those available at the point of service. If different phases or voltages are necessary, the costs shall be computed in accordance with the policies set forth herein. To determine the type of service to be supplied, the customer shall consult the utility before proceeding with the installation of wiring or ordering of electrical equipment. Padmount transformer for three-phase service can only be in voltages of 120/208 and 277/480 volts.
F. 
Service taps. All connections between utility wires and customer wires will be made and removed exclusively by utility-authorized personnel. The utility reserves the right to make all service connections. The connection of utility’s electric service or any alternative thereof by anyone except utility-authorized personnel is prohibited. Violators of this rule will be prosecuted. The user of such a connection shall be presumed to have made or consented to the unauthorized connection and will be responsible for any costs and/or power charges as well as the party making the unlawful connection, unless proven to the contrary.
Any tap made ahead of any service equipment for fire pumps, exit lights, control power for the circuit breaker, etc., shall be provided with proper disconnect equipment and over current protection adequate for the service load. Such connections shall be made only where specifically approved by the utility and must be metered, either by the existing or an additional meter.
G. 
Pole attachments. The utility forbids any attachments or work by others on its poles or facilities without specific written authorization. Customers utilizing utility power poles by permission will be required to enter into a joint pole use agreement with the city and borough, and will be required to pay joint pole use fees.
H. 
Grounding. The grounding conductor and equipment of the service shall be effectively and permanently grounded in accordance with the latest edition of the NEC or in accordance with the requirements of applicable authorities. Grounding electrodes shall be copper, copper clad, or galvanized steel. Under no circumstances shall a gas, water, or fuel oil piping system be used as the grounding electrode. Metallic riser conduits on the outside of the building and water piping within the building shall be independently grounded.
I. 
Objectionable effects. The utility reserves the right to disconnect service where equipment used by the customer results in objectionable effects upon or interferes with the operation of facilities of the utility, its customers, or another public service company unless the customer discontinues use of such equipment or installs corrective equipment to overcome the objectionable effect or interference. The customer will be charged for the cost to disconnect the service.
J. 
Load/phase balance. The customer shall balance three-phase loads so there is less than a 20 percent imbalance.
K. 
Meter/meter seals. Meters shall be provided by the utility and all meter installations and points of access to unmetered wiring on the customer’s premises will be sealed by the utility. All cabinets and equipment enclosures containing unmetered conductors shall be made sealable before the service is energized. Metered and unmetered conductors shall not share the same conduits as raceways.
(S.G.C. 15.01.035; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The administrator shall establish written policies and procedures for customer service connections and shall make this information available to the public.
(S.G.C. 15.01.040; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
Line extensions may be constructed by the utility or by a contractor. They will become the property of the utility to own and maintain if constructed along a public road or serve more than one customer. All construction must be in compliance with the NESC along with the SDCG. Underground line extensions are prepared by the utility.
B. 
Overhead or underground line extensions to subdivisions shall be paid for by the subdivision developer. In the case of multiple owners, agreement between all parties must be documented in writing prior to commencement of work.
C. 
The cost of overhead or underground line extensions shall be the responsibility of the customer. These extensions can be constructed by the utility or a contractor; however, they shall become the property of the utility upon being energized and shall be constructed according to these policies.
D. 
For underground service locations, the utility shall be consulted in every case before work is started so that it may designate the facility from which the service will be taken, the location of the conduit, and meter location. Precautions must be taken when trenching near other underground facilities or poles to prevent undermining of the pole. The customer or contractor performing the work will be held financially responsible for any damage to utility facilities. Customer-installed conduits and trenches must be inspected and approved by the utility before backfilling.
E. 
Utility pole replacements or relocations. If the utility requires a pole to be relocated or replaced, the riser will be reattached at the utility’s expense.
F. 
Risers installed on utility-owned poles shall be galvanized rigid steel or utility-approved plastic conduit and brought to a point not less then eight feet nor more than 12 feet above ground line. Two four-inch risers or their space equivalent are the maximum permitted on one pole.
G. 
On privately owned poles, the customer shall furnish and install the galvanized steel or utility-approved plastic conduit and mounting straps up to the pole to a point 12 inches below the utility’s secondary conductors.
H. 
Relocation of poles or equipment. In the event any customer requests their delivery point to be moved or desires a pole or other utility equipment moved, including yard lights, fixtures, transformers and/or other facilities located thereon, for any reason, the utility will, if feasible from an engineering point of view and provided the necessary right-of-way can be obtained, do so and will require the customer to pay an amount sufficient to reimburse the utility for all actual costs including materials, labor, equipment, and overhead. In the event that conditions not defined occur, then the principles and policies as outlined herein and in the extension policy shall be applied.
(S.G.C. 15.01.045; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
General. All electrical facilities in new subdivisions shall be installed underground per the SDCG.
B. 
Services. Underground services will be the responsibility of each customer.
C. 
Single developer. The developer of a subdivision of a parcel of land will be responsible for providing and installing all underground electrical facilities. This includes primary, secondary, transformers, termination cabinets, pull boxes, etc.
(S.G.C. 15.01.050; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The utility will provide metering for individual mobile homes, RV spaces and boat marinas under the current rate structure providing the following conditions are met:
A. 
The system owners shall furnish and install a wiring system to connect to the utility facilities via main disconnect(s). This device shall be installed by the customer at a predetermined location set by the utility for the purpose of protection, isolation, sectionalizing, maintenance and testing between privately owned equipment and electric circuits, and municipally owned equipment and electric circuits.
This device shall be designed and rated to carry expected load and to open and close all ungrounded conductors of the circuit simultaneously from their source of supply by nonautomatic means and to open all ungrounded conductors of the circuit simultaneously from their source of supply automatically on a predetermined load current or fault current in excess of specified design.
Utility maintenance and replacement responsibility terminates at the supply (line) side of the customer-owned disconnect(s).
B. 
The system owner shall furnish and install a wiring system connecting each service location with a meter socket and protective device (breaker/disconnect). Such a wiring system and protective device (breaker/disconnect) shall be of adequate capacity to maintain standard current and voltage to each location. Systems are to be installed in accordance with all current codes and requirements.
C. 
Whenever a service is disconnected, it shall be brought into compliance with current codes and standards prior to being reenergized.
(S.G.C. 15.01.055; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
Owner policy. Special conditions may apply to electrical service provided to rental structures. The owner or owner’s representative of such structures may request that the account for the rental structure be placed in “owner status” for the purposes of cleaning and nonoccupancy only. Accounts in owner status are subject to the following conditions:
B. 
While in owner’s status, an account will be charged for all electricity consumed, subject to minimum consumption requirements.
C. 
The owner/landlord is not required to pay a residential deposit if in good credit standing with the city. Residential deposits will be required, however, from all tenants when the structure is rented.
D. 
The owner/landlord must notify the utility customer service desk immediately upon occupancy of a rental unit. If the unit is occupied and the utility customer service desk has not been notified of the occupancy, the owner/landlord is liable and responsible for all electricity charges for the account until such notification is given and the account is switched to the tenants.
E. 
Under no circumstances will the owner turn an electrical meter on or off. Meter connects and disconnects will be performed by the utility.
F. 
When an owner account is transferred to a tenant, or transferred from a tenant back to an owner, a service charge will be charged to the account.
G. 
If a renter is being disconnected for nonpayment of electrical charges, the municipality will notify the owner, if said owner has provided contact information, that service to the rental structure is being disconnected before the physical disconnection occurs.
H. 
Upon vacation of the rental structure by tenants the account will automatically be transferred to the landlord/owner. The transfer will be subject to a service charge.
I. 
If owner/landlords turn off electric service, they will be liable for any costs that are incurred by the tenants and/or the municipality.
J. 
If any owner is disconnected for nonpayment, the municipality will immediately remove the owner status from all of the individual’s owner accounts. Thereafter, each account must individually meet the billing credit policy herein.
K. 
If an owner is disconnected for nonpayment and the municipality has not been notified that a tenant has occupied the structure, the owner will be immediately charged for all appropriate services while the structure was occupied, and the account will not be reconnected until all charges are paid in full.
(S.G.C. 15.01.060; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The administrator shall establish written policies and procedures for customer motors and controllers and shall make this information available to the public.
(S.G.C. 15.01.065; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The utility may refuse or discontinue service to customers who operate equipment which causes detrimental voltage fluctuations (such as, but not limited to, hoists, welders, radio transmitters, X-ray apparatus, elevator motors, compressors and furnaces). The customer must reasonably limit such fluctuations upon request by the utility. Undesirable load characteristics include, but are not limited to, 20 percent unbalanced load between phases, a power factor below 90 percent, or cyclical demand fluctuations produced by the customer’s equipment. The utility may require, as a condition of service, that customers install, at their expense, equipment that will eliminate the undesirable load characteristics.
(S.G.C. 15.01.070; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
The administrator shall establish written policies and procedures for customer special equipment connections and shall make this information available to the public.
(S.G.C. 15.01.075; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)
A. 
General. All installations of customers’ generating equipment require adherence to fundamental rules for safeguarding of all personnel and the utility’s equipment. The utility must be consulted before any generating equipment is connected to any circuit which is or can be supplied from the distribution system. This is to assure against any unanticipated backfeed of electricity into the utility’s system.
B. 
Standby generators. This type of generator is for emergency supply for lighting and other load and is usually connected in case of loss of the normal supply. A double throw switch or conductor shall be provided to positively disconnect from the normal supply and transfer all ungrounded conductors of any emergency lighting or power load to the standby generator. Automatic transfer systems must be approved by the utility.
C. 
Systems operated in parallel with the utility’s supply. Customers considering the installation of generating equipment to supply all or a portion of their electrical energy requirements and who wish to arrange for, or continue to receive, service from the utility’s system for their remaining electrical energy requirements and/or for standby service must consult the utility regarding the design, installation, and operation of such generating equipment. This consultation should be done before the customer is committed to a specific system design.
(S.G.C. 15.01.080; Ord. 05-15 § 4(A), 2005; Ord. 16-38 § 4, 2016)