Gridley Municipal Code Ch. 13.15 Rules Governing the Sale of Electric Energy

A. The city users of the municipal electrical system have borne the costs for the existing electrical system in the city, which includes the substation from which municipal power is distributed, and all of the electrical equipment required to keep the system in operation. New connections by owners of property of proposed users of the municipal electrical system will use a portion of the capacity of these existing facilities, which facilities were paid for, or have been constructed by and are owned by the city. Therefore, an electrical capacity fee must be paid to the city for any new connection to the municipal electrical system, or an upgrade of an existing connection that provides the ability to utilize more power.

B. The electrical capacity fee will be a one-time charge collected with the building permit that involves the new connection. The amount of the electrical system capacity fee shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council.

C. The fees collected are to be placed in a fund to be used for capital improvements to the electrical system. The current fund and account to which this fee will be applied is 620-3641. The fund balance of this fund will be reserved for capital improvement projects.

D. After the initial rate modification, effective June 1, 2004, the capacity fee will be evaluated annually. Any cumulative increase in the Engineering News Record’s Construction Cost Index (CCI) resulting in a rate change of at least $25 shall be reflected in the master fee schedule as adopted by resolution of the city council effective April 1 of that year. The fee shall be changed in $25 increments reflecting the cumulative CCI change from the most recently published rate.

E. The CCI (or its successor) published in January for December of the previous year shall be the index used for determining any rate change. The initial CCI for the purposes of this fee is 6825 as published in the January 2004 Engineering News Record.

(Ord. 695, 2000; Ord. 727, 2004)

A. Each property which is proposed to be connected to the municipal electrical system will be served by existing electrical distribution lines that were paid for by existing city users of the system. An electrical distribution fee must be paid to the city by persons desiring to connect directly to an existing electrical distribution line which was installed without direct or indirect cost to the connecting property.

B. The electrical distribution fee will be a one-time charge collected with the building permit that involves the new connection. The amount of the electrical system distribution fee shall be adopted by resolution of the City Council.

C. Persons installing electrical distribution infrastructure in order to connect to existing electrical distribution system or having such infrastructure installed by the city or by city contract shall pay the full cost of the installation. If the property developer does installation, such installation shall be in lieu of payment of the then current electrical distribution fee. If installation is done by the city or by city contract, the property developer shall reimburse the city for costs incurred for such installation, in lieu of payment of the then current electrical distribution fee.

D. The fees collected are to be placed in a fund to be used for capital improvements to the electrical system. The current fund and account to which this fee will be applied is 620-3641. The fund balance of this fund will be reserved for capital improvement projects.

E. After the initial rate modification, effective June 1, 2004, the distribution fee will be evaluated annually. Any cumulative increase in the Engineering News Record’s Construction Cost Index (CCI) resulting in a rate change of at least $25 shall be reflected in the master fee schedule as adopted by resolution of the city council effective April 1 of that year. The fee shall be changed in $25 increments reflecting the cumulative CCI change from the most recently published rate.

F. The CCI (or its successor) published in January for December of the previous year shall be the index used for determining any rate change. The initial CCI for the purposes of this fee is 6825 as published in the January 2004 Engineering News Record.

(Ord. 695, 2000; Ord. 727, 2004)

A. Every property which is provided with a new municipal electric connection will be served by an electric service device that must be installed by the city. An electrical service connection fee must be paid to the city to cover the costs of installing the electrical service line from the distribution system to the property, as well as the cost of the meter.

B. The electrical service connection fee will be a one-time charge collected with the building permit that involves the new connection. The amount of the electrical service connection fee will be established by resolution of City Council.

C. An electric service connection (meter) fee must be paid to the city if the property developer performs the work. In this case the meter fee shall cover the cost of installing the meter. Installation of the service connection line, meter box and other apertures shall be in accordance with the then current City’s Public Works Construction Standards. The portion of the meter fee pertaining to installing the service line from the distribution system to the meter box shall be determined by the City Engineer and deducted from the then published meter fee amount. Alternatively, the City Engineer shall determine the cost of the meter and standard apertures and installation thereof and charge that amount as the meter fee.

D. The funds are to be deposited into the electric operating fund to defray electrical service and meter costs. The current fund and account to which this fee will be applied is 600-3641.

E. After the initial rate modification, effective June 1, 2004, the distribution fee will be evaluated annually. Any cumulative increase in the Engineering News Record’s Construction Cost Index (CCI) resulting in a rate change of at least $25 shall be reflected in the master fee schedule as adopted by resolution of the City Council effective April 1 of that year. The fee shall be changed in $25 increments reflecting the cumulative CCI change from the most recently published rate.

F. The CCI (or its successor) published in January for December of the previous year shall be the index used for determining any rate change. The initial CCI for the purposes of this fee is 6825 as published in the January 2004 Engineering News Record.

(Ord. 695, 2000; Ord. 727, 2004)

A. The city shall waive electrical capacity, distribution and service connection fees for existing city residents who currently receive electric service from Pacific Gas & Electric, at the time those residents secure comparable electrical service from the City of Gridley.

B. Request for waiver.

1. An applicant may request in writing that the City Council waive its electrical capacity and distribution fees provided that the written request for waiver is presented to the City prior to or at the time of any application for electric service with the City. The request for waiver shall identify the applicant and the customer (if different from the applicant) and shall also specifically identify the premises for which the waiver is requested.

2. The request for waiver shall set forth the factual justification for the granting of the waiver consistent with this section and specifically shall identify the particular financial benefit to the City which the applicant intends to provide in addition to any benefits which would otherwise ordinarily flow to the City based upon the existing and historical use of the premises.

3. The request for waiver of electrical capacity and distribution fees shall be allowed only for commercial and industrial electrical and capacity fees, and only applicants requesting commercial and/or industrial service from the City shall be entitled to request a waiver, and only for those premises receiving commercial and/or industrial electrical service from the City.

C. The City Council shall consider the request for waiver of electrical capacity and/or distribution fees and shall consider the specific financial benefit to the City (in addition to any existing or historical use of the premises) which the applicant agrees to provide as a condition of waiver of any fees. The Council may, upon finding an adequate financial benefit to the City, waive any or some portion of the electrical capacity and distribution fees and may also impose specific conditions upon any fee adjustments or waivers.

(Ord 690, 1999; Ord 629, 1994).

A. All users of the city's municipal electrical system shall pay a monthly service charge to offset the operation and maintenance expenses of the electrical system. The monthly service charge shall be established by resolution of city council, and shall be classified as described herein. The service provided for the rates described herein will be supplied at the secondary voltage available.

1. A domestic rate shall be applicable to domestic (residential) and apartment lighting in combination with heating, cooking and single-phase power service in single-family dwellings and apartments, separately metered by the City of Gridley.

a. Service under this schedule shall be nominal 120-240 volts, 60-cycle, single-phase, alternating current.

b. Where a substantial portion of a residence, or of the energy consumed therein, is used for the conduct of business, the energy consumed in such portion will be separately metered and billed under the general service schedule. If facilities to permit such separate meterings are not provided by the customer, the entire premises will be classified as a non-residential service.

c. All new apartments shall be separately metered. Where apartments are master metered, minimum charge will be number of apartments times the minimum domestic rate. Each block shall be multiplied by the number of apartments served.

2. A general service rate shall be applicable to commercial and industrial customers for heating, cooking, power or any other combination thereof (either single-phase or poly-phase), alone or combined with lighting, provided all poly-phase power services to any customer on the premises shall be supplied through one meter.

a. Services to each of two or more separate areas, but not in the same building and which do not overlap within the same premises, may be individually metered.

b. Meter readings for service under this schedule may be combined for the convenience for the City where multiple metering now exists.

B. Service at the rates adopted pursuant to this section will be supplied at the secondary voltage available. Where poly-phase power is to be combined with single-phase, a four-wire service will be supplied, either 120-240 volt, whichever is available. If the connected poly-phase exceeds 60 H:, a threewire 277-480 volt service will be supplied if requested by the consumer and available.

(Ord 695, 2000)

Words used in this chapter are defined as follows:

A. "Applicant" means a person requesting the city to supply electric service.

B. "Application" means a written request to the city for electric service as distinguished from an. inquiry as to the availability or charges for such service.

C. "Billing demand" means the load or demand used for computing charges under rate schedules based on the size of the customer's load or demand. It may be the connected load, the measured maximum demand, or a modification of either as provided for by applicable rate schedule.

D. "Billing period" refers to the time interval between meter readings that are taken for billing purposes.

E. "Connected load" means the sum of the rated capacities of all of the customers equipment that can be connected to the city's lines at any one time as more completely described in the rate schedule.

F. "Customer" means the person in whose name service is rendered as evidenced by the signature on the application, for that service, or, in the absence of a signed instrument, by the receipt and payment of bills regularly issued in his name regardless of the identity of the actual user of the service.

G. "Customer's mailing address" refers to the address specified in a customer's application or any other address subsequently given to the city by the customer, to which any notice or other communication is to be mailed.

H. "Date of presentation" refers to the date upon which a bill or notice is mailed, or delivered by the city to the customer.

I. "Mailed," as used in this context, means that any notice or other communication will' be considered "mailed" when it is properly addressed, and deposited in any United States Post Office, or box, postage prepaid.

J. "Maximum demand" is defined as the average kilowatts during the specified time interval when the customer's use is greatest in the billing period as indicated or recorded by the city's meter.

K. "Meter" refers to the instrument used for measuring the electricity delivered to the customer.

L. "Multiple dwellings" is defined as an apartment building, duplex, court group, or any other group of residential units located upon a single premises, providing the residential units therein meet the requirements of single-family accommodations. Hotels, guest or resort ranches, tourist camps, motels, auto courts, and trailer courts, consisting primarily of guest rooms and/or transient accommodations, are not classed as multiple dwellings.

M. "Nominal voltage" refers to the nominal voltage of a circuit as the approximate voltage between conductors in a circuit or system of a given class, assigned for the purpose of convenient designation. For any specific nominal voltage, the operating voltage actually existing at various points and at various times on the system is subject to normal distribution variation.

N. "Permanent service" is service which, in the opinion of the city, is of a permanent and established character and is not classified as temporary. This may be continuous, intermittent, or seasonal in nature.

O. "Premises" refers to all of the real property and apparatus employed in a single enterprise on an integral parcel of land undivided, excepting in the case of industrial, agricultural, resort enterprises, and public or quasi-public institutions, by a dedicated street, highway, or other public thoroughfare, or a railway. Automobile parking lots constituting a part of and adjacent to a single enterprise may be separated by an alley from the remainder of the premises served provided the customer's wiring across the alley is underground, and copies of all permits for the alley crossing, as required by public authorities are filed with the city.

P. "Temporary service" is defined as service for enterprises or activities which are temporary in character or where it is known in advance that the service will be of limited duration. Service which, in the opinion of the city, is for operations of a speculative character or the permanency of which has not been established is also considered temporary service.

(Ord 695, 2000; Ord 588, 1991)

The character of electric service to be provided at any particular location shall be ascertained by inquiry at City Hall. Specifics relative to electric service are:

A. The rate schedules specified in city fee resolutions are applicable for service where the customer purchases his entire electrical requirements from the city, except where such schedules specifically provide otherwise, and are not applicable where a part of the customer's electrical requirements are supplied from some other source.

B. Alternating current service of approximately 60-cycle frequency will be supplied.

C. Voltages referred to in the fee schedules are nominal voltages.

D. The standard nominal voltages are as follows: 115/210, and 230.

E. Where specified in rate schedules, combined lighting and power service may be supplied at 115/208 volts 4-wire wye.

(Ord 695,2000; Ord 588, 1991).

Electric service shall be provided to city residents in accordance with the following phase and voltage specifications:

A. Single-phase service.

1. Power

2. Motors

a. Installation consisting of one motor:

*or larger provided the locked rotor current does not exceed 40 amp

b. For a group of motors, the voltage shall be in accordance with the specification for the largest motor in the group.

c. Lighting is supplied at 115/230 volts, single phase, except where otherwise specified in rate schedules.

d. Single-phase service may be supplied to installations having a proposed main service switch in excess of the switch capacities specified above provided the written approval of the city has been first obtained as to the number and size of motors, switches, circuits, and related facilities. 115/230 volt installations will be supplied from one 115/230 volt connection where the proposed main service switch does not exceed 600 amperes capacity.

B. Three-phase service.

1. Power and motor service.

2. Where three-phase service is supplied at 208 volts from a 4-wire wye-connected service of 115/208 volts, the maximum demand allowed is 1,000 kva.

3. Service to all loads of 500 kva maximum demand, or over, must be approved by the city as to adequacy of facilities for service.

4. Three-phase load must be balanced between phases in accordance with good engineering practice.

C. At the option of the city, the above voltage and phase specifications may be modified because of service conditions at the service location.

(Ord 695, 2000; Ord 588, 1991).

Customer's motor equipment must conform with the following requirements:

A. Motors that cannot be safely subjected to full rated voltage on starting or that drive machinery of such a nature that the machinery itself, or the product it handles will not permit the motor to resume normal speed upon restoration of normal supply voltage, shall be equipped with devices that will disconnect them from the line upon failure of supply voltage and that will prevent the automatic reconnection of the motors upon restoration of normal supply voltage.

B. All motors of 1 hp or larger shall be equipped with thermal relays, fuses, or other automatic over-current interrupting devices to disconnect completely such motors from the line as a protection against damage due to overheating.

C. Three-phase motors driving elevators, hoists, tramways, cranes, conveyors, or other equipment, which would create hazard to life in the event of uncontrolled reversal of motor rotation, shall be provided with reverse-phase and open-phase protection to disconnect completely the motors from the line in the event of phase reversal or loss of one phase.

(Ord 695, 2000; Ord. 588, 1991).

A. The starting current drawn from the city's lines shall be considered the nameplate locked rotor current or that guaranteed by the manufacturer.

1. At its option the city may determine the starting current by test, using a stop ammeter with not more than 15% over-swing or an oscillograph,_ disregarding the value shown for the first 10 cycles subsequent to energizing the motor.

2. If the starting current for a single motor, 50 hp or smaller, exceeds the value stated in the National Electrical Code, reduced voltage starting or other suitable means must be employed, at the customer's expense, to limit the current to the value specified, except where specific exemptions are provided.

3. All motors larger than 50 hp shall have reduced voltage starting.

B. Reduced-voltage starters may be omitted on any 50 hp or smaller motor in a group installation provided that its starting current does not exceed three times the maximum demand in amperes of the entire installation.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Customers who operate equipment which caused detrimental voltage fluctuations (such as, but not limited to, hoists, welders, radio transmitters, X-ray apparatus, elevator _motors, compressors, and furnaces) must reasonably limit such fluctuations upon request by the city. The customer will be required to pay for whatever corrective measures are necessary.

B. Any customer who superimposes a current of any frequency upon any part of his electrical system, other than the current supplied by the city, shall, at his expense, prevent the transmission of such current beyond his electrical system.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

The city may require the customer to provide, at his own expense, equipment to increase the operating power factor of each complete unit of neon, fluorescent, or other gaseous tube lighting equipment to not less than 90%, lagging or leading.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

The city may require that the wave form of current drawn by equipment of any kind be in conformity with good engineering practice.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

Services with more than one welder connection require the review and approval of the City Electric Department before the service is connected.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Establishment of temporary service. The city will, if the city determines that no undue hardship to its existing customers will result therefrom, furnish temporary electric service under the following conditions:

1. The applicant -shall pay, in advance or otherwise as required by the city, the estimated cost of installation and removal of the temporary service, less the estimated salvage of the facilities necessary for furnishing the temporary service.

2. The applicant shall pay an energy charge equal to 130% of the rate applicable to the highest tier of the regular residential power sales rate structure. This charge shall be effective until the applicable project is completed (if no building permit is involved) or a Certificate of Completion is issued (if a building permit is required). The rate and terms and conditions of providing power under this section and item shall be reflected in an individual agreement for temporary electrical power for construction entered into by the city and applicant.

B. Change to permanent status.

1. If the electrical machinery or apparatus originally installed, or its equivalent, is operated for a period of twelve consecutive months from the date service is first delivered under this rule, and if the customer has proved its permanency to the satisfaction of the city, the payment made by the applicant pursuant to Section A hereof may be adjusted to the basis of the city's rules for permanent service in effect at the time of adjustment, provided, the customer then complies with all the rules applicable to permanent electric service.

2. At the end of the twelve month period referred to above, or at any date prior thereto, the city may refund the remaining amount of the customer's deposit and convert the customer's temporary service to a permanent service.

3. In no event shall an installation be classified as tempor ary for more than twelve months .

C. Refunds.

1. The minimum charge will be made for the "Up and Down" of a temporary service in accordance with the City's current fee schedule, which shall be adopted by resolution of city council.

(Ord. 775, 2008; Ord. 761, 2006; Ord 695, 2000; Ord. 588, 1991).

A. A system extension or reinforcement required by a subdivision or other development outside the present electric service area will be considered economically justified if the city's expense and investment in the construction is not greater than 2.0 times the expected gross annual revenue from the subdivision or other development.

B. If the City Engineer determines that the requested extension is not justified economically, the applicant shall pay as a connection charge, in addition to all other applicable charges, the amount required to reduce the city's investment in the construction of 2.0 times the expected annual gross revenue.

C. The City Engineer's decision, after consideration of all available facts, will be final.

D. Extension of the electric distribution system to serve subdivisions or developments will be subject to budgetary considerations and approval by the City Council for any expenditure of city funds not specifically budgeted for.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Meter installations and miscellaneous service equipment on customer's premises:

1. Meter installations.

a. Location. All meters installed by the city shall be installed at a convenient place, approved by the city, on the customer's premises to be at all times accessible for inspection, reading, and testing. The customer shall, at his own expense, provide a new and approved location for the meter or meters to comply with the foregoing whenever the existing meter or meters become inaccessible for inspecting, reading, or testing.

b. Multiple-occupancy buildings. In all buildings in which meters are required to be installed for various floors or groups of rooms to measure separately the electrical energy supplied to each of several customers, all meters shall be located at one central location unless otherwise specified by the city. Each meter position shall be clearly marked, by the building owner, to indicate the particular location supplied by it.

c. Master meters. A master meter will be furnished and installed by the city upon application by the owner or lessee of any residential building where the floors (or portions thereof) or rooms or groups of rooms are rented separately and where electric energy is to be metered and resold by said owner or lessee to the individual tenants. In such cases, the owner or lessee shall furnish, install, maintain, and test the submeters.

d. Seal of meters. All city meters will be sealed by the city, and no such seal shall be tampered with or broken except by a representative of the city authorized to do so.

2. Miscellaneous service equipment.

a. Equipment furnished by the customer. All service switches, fuses, meter sockets, meter and instrument transformer housings, switchboard meter test busses and similar devices, irrespective of voltage, required in connection with service and meter installation on customer's premises, shall be furnished, installed and maintained by the customer in accordance with the city's requirements. Detailed information will be furnished by the city on request.

b. Equipment furnished by city. The city will furnish and install the necessary instrument transformers, test facilities (except switchboard meter test busses), and meters. The city will furnish metering enclosures when it deems it necessary to locate metering equipment at a location that is not accessible to the customer.

B. Service connections.

1. Overhead services.

a. Service drops. Upon application for service to an existing residential lot where the city's distribution pole line is located on the consumer's premises, or on a street, highway, lane, alley, road or private easement immediately contiguous thereto, the city will furnish and install a single span of service wires from its pole to the customer's first permanent support, provided such support is of a type, and is so located that such service wires may be installed to a point approved by the city in accordance with good engineering practice, and in compliance with all applicable laws, ordinances, rules and regulations, including those governing clearances and point of attachments.

b. Impaired clearance. Whenever any of the clearances required by the applicable laws, ordinance, rules or regulations of public authorities from the service drop to the ground or any object become impaired by reason of any changes made by the owner or tenant of the premises, the customer shall, at his own expense, provide a new and approved support, in a location approved by the city, for the termination of the city's existing service drop wires and shall also provide all service entrance conductors and equipment necessitated by the change of location.

c. Service entrance conductors. For each overhead service connection, the customer shall furnish at his own expense a set of service entrance conductors which shall extend from the point of service delivery at the point of termination of the city's service drop on the customer's support to the customer's meter switch. Such service entrance conductors shall be of a type and be in an enclosure which meets with the approval of the city and any inspection authorities which have jurisdiction.

2. Underground service connection from an underground system.

a. Where the city establishes and maintains an underground distribution system, service in said underground area will be by underground connections. All new lots or parcels shall have underground service.

b. The customer shall provide, at his expense, a pull box in the building, as specified by the city, with conduit and conductors from the pull box to a transformer pad as designated by the city. The city will furnish, install, and maintain the service conductors from its underground system to the transformer pad.

3. Underground service connection from an overhead source. Any customer desiring the service conductors to be installed underground shall furnish, install, and maintain, at his expense, conduit or duct from a terminating pull box in the building to the pole, designated by the city, on which connection is to be made. The customer shall also furnish, at his expense, and convey to the city the necessary material to reach the service arm of the designated pole, and the city will thereafter own, erect, and maintain this material. Material furnished by the customer and its installation shall be specified by the city.

4. Number of services to be installed. The city will not install more than one service, either overhead or underground, for the same voltage and phase classification for any one building or group of buildings on a single premises, except as separate services may be installed for separate buildings or groups of buildings as provided for in the city Public Works Construction Standards, or where required by General Order 95.

5. Special services. Premises for which arrangements are made for any special type of service (such as but not limited to: three-phase service to a residence, emergency, X-ray, welder, or transmitter service) will be served only by underground connection where general service to the premises is by underground connection. All additions to underground facilities to accommodate such service will be made by the city at the customer's expense. Ownership of such additions will remain with the city.

6. Connection of customer's service to city lines. Only duly authorized employees of the city may connect the customer's service to or disconnect the same from the city's lines.

C. Transformer installation on customer's premises.

1. Where the city desires to install transformers on customer's premises, the customer shall furnish a satisfactory right-of-way for the high voltage primary service conductors and shall provide adequate space for the transformer installation. Right-of-way and space provisions must provide required clearances from adjacent structures, and any pad, room, or enclosure provided by the customer shall conform with all applicable laws of the State of California, and/or municipal regulations, and/or regulations of other public bodies having jurisdiction thereof, and be approved by the city.

2. Installations over 500 kva.

a. The city will not furnish pole-type structures.

b. Where the customer has provided a concrete pad or fireproof room in which city-owned transformers and switching equipment may be installed, the city will complete the installation consisting of protective equipment, primary and secondary bus, and necessary grounding. The concrete pad or room is subject to city approval before the installation will be made. The customer shall also furnish and install, at his expense, all secondary equipment and material necessary to receive service at the secondaries of the transformers or the secondary bus, or as otherwise specified by the city.

c. Where transformer and switching equipment is to be located outdoors, the customer shall provide and maintain, at his expense, a concrete pad or foundation as specified by the city. The customer shall also furnish and install, at his expense, all secondary equipment and material necessary to receive service at the secondaries of the transformers or the secondary bus, or as otherwise specified by the city. The city will complete the installation.

3. Installation of 500 kva or less.

a. The city may erect a pole-type transformer structure on existing poles and service from this structure will be supplied as specified by the city.

b. Where the customer has provided a concrete pad or fireproof room, at his expense, the installation will be made in accordance with 2-b hereof.

c. Where the customer has provided a concrete pad or foundation within an approved enclosure, the installation will be made in accordance with 2-c hereof.

D. Ownership and maintenance of facilities.

1. All transformers, meters, service wires, appliances, fixtures, and other facilities installed by the city, upon the customer's premises for the purpose of delivering electric energy to the customer shall remain the property of the city, and may be repaired or replaced by the city at any time, and removed at the termination of service, and may also be used to supply other customers whether or not on the same premises, provided the property rights-of-way have been obtained.

2. No rent or other charge shall be made against the city for placing or maintaining such facilities upon the customer's premises. The customer shall exercise reasonable care to prevent the facilities of the city upon said premises from being damaged or destroyed, and shall refrain from relocating or otherwise interfering with same, and, in case any defect therein is discovered, shall promptly notify the city thereof.

E. Customer's responsibility for his equipment.

1. The customer shall, at his sole risk and expense, furnish, install, inspect, and keep in good and safe condition all electrical wires, lines, machinery, and apparatus of any kind or character which may be required for (1) receiving electric energy from the lines of the city, regardless of the location of the transformers, meters, or other equipment of the city, and (2) applying and utilizing such energy, including all necessary protective appliances and suitable housing therefor.

2. The customer shall also transmit and deliver, and be solely responsible for the transmission and delivery of, all electric energy over or through customer's wires and equipment, regardless of the place where such electric energy may be transformed or metered.

3. The city will not be responsible for any loss or damage occasioned or caused by the negligence, want of proper care or wrongful act of the customer or of any of his agents, employees, or licensees on the part of customer in installing, maintaining, using, operating, or interfering with any such wires, lines, machinery, or apparatus.

F. Right of access. The city shall, at all times, have the right of ingress to and egress from customer's premises at all reasonable hours for any purposes reasonably connected with the furnishing of electric energy and the exercise of any and all rights secured to it by law or these rules.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Net metering rate. For customer-owned solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation:

1. Net metering is available for electric customers who own and maintain solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation systems, where the generating system is less than or equal to 10kW, as defined in Gridley Electric's Rule 21 contained in the city's Public Works Construction Standards.

2. The solar and/or wind electric generating system must be located on the customer's premises, interconnected on the customer's side of the meter of record, operated in parallel with the city's electric utility system, and intended to offset part of but no more than 100% of the customer's peak demand.

3. The net metering solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation rate on billings shall be as follows:

a. For billing periods in which the customer's kWh usage is higher than the customer owned generation output (customer is a Net User) the applicable standard bundled electric rates shall apply for all net energy provided by the city's electric utility including the basic service charge and other nonbypassable charges.

b. For billing periods when the customer's kWh usage is lower than the customer owned generation kWh output (customer is a net producer), the basic service charge and all other applicable nonbypassable charges will apply. The customer shall receive a dollar credit for the net customer-owned generation kWh output delivered to the city valued at the applicable bundled kWh-based electric rate. Excess credit will be used to offset other city services billed to the customer.

4. The customer must enter into an interconnection agreement with the city and receive approval to parallel with the city's electric distribution grid to receive service under this rate.

5. The customer must comply with conditions and terms set forth by the City of Gridley's Electric Rule 21 requirements for safe and efficient interconnection with the city' s electrical system.

6. All photovoltaic modules and inverters, in addition to meeting the technical standards for installation in subsection B, must also appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified Photovoltaic modules and Inverters list.

B. Technical standards for installation of interconnected net metered systems.

1. For the purposes of this section, the applicable sections of the current version of the California Electric Code based on the National Electric Code shall apply to all interconnected systems.

2. Gridley "Rule 21" document, as amended from time to time, is adopted as the Technical Standard for all interconnected systems and is included as a chapter of the city's Public Works Construction Standards.

3. This section is applicable in all instances for the installation and use of customer-owned solar, wind, and/or solar/wind hybrid electric generation. In the event this section is in conflict with other portions of this chapter for applicable solar, wind or solar/wind/hybrid electrical generation facilities, this section takes precedence. For instances where solar, wind and solar/wind/hybrid electrical generation are not applicable, all remaining portions of this chapter apply. This section is not intended to supersede any portion of the Gridley Municipal Code except as specifically prescribed in this section where it applies to the installation of customer installed solar or wind generation.

C. Definitions.

1. "Interconnection Agreement." An agreement between City of Gridley and the producer providing for the interconnection of a generating facility that gives certain rights and obligations to effect Interconnection.

2. "Interconnection; Interconnected." The physical connection of a generating facility in accordance with city requirements so that parallel operation with City of Gridley's Distribution System can occur (has occurred).

3. "Net Metering." Metering for the receipt and delivery of electricity between the producer and City of Gridley.

4. "Parallel Operation." The simultaneous operation of a generator with power delivered or received by City of Gridley while interconnected.

5. "Peak Demand." The highest demand (kW) that the customer has placed on the City of Gridley electric grid. A surrogate, where this demand is unknown, is the size/capacity of the electric service breaker cabinet for the building.

APPENDIX A

PHOTOVOLTAIC INTERCONNECTION STANDARDS FOR SOLAR OR WIND ELECTRIC GENERATING FACILITIES OF 10 kW OR LESS

A. General. This appendix sets forth the requirements and conditions for interconnected non-city-owned, solar or wind electric generation where such generation may be connected for parallel operation with the service of city. For purposes of this appendix, the interconnecting entity shall be designated customer-generator.

B. Design requirements.

1. Customer-generator shall conform to applicable National Electric Code (NEC) Standards [NEC 690] and applicable building codes.

a. Customer-generator shall have a dedicated circuit from the inverter to service panel with a circuit breaker or fuse [NEC 690-64(b)(1)].

b. Customer-generator's overcurrent device at the service panel shall be marked to indicate photovoltaic or wind power source [NEC 690-64(b)(4)].

2. The customer-generator's inverter shall have the following minimum specifications for parallel operation with city:

a. Must be certified as meeting the requirements of UL 1741 and must appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified inverters list located at:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html

b. Inverter output shall automatically disconnect from city source upon loss of city voltage and not reconnect until city voltage has been restored by city [NEC690-61].

c. Inverter shall automatically disconnect from city source within two cycles if city voltage fluctuates beyond ± 10%.

d. Inverter shall automatically disconnect from city within three cycles if city frequency fluctuates ± 2 cycles/second.

e. Inverter output distortion shall meet IEEE 519 Standards.

f. Inverter shall synchronize with city's power system voltage and frequency before closing in parallel.

3. Customer-generator shall meet the interconnection requirements as outlined in IEEE 929 Std. 929-2000 or the most recent version of the IEEE 929 Standards.

4. A visible open disconnect device shall be located on the electrical supply conductors between the solar inverter or wind generator and the facility service panel.

5. Upon notification the customer-generator will, within ten (10) days from date of notification, eliminate any radio or television interference and/or any other power quality problems that may arise from the customer-generator photovoltaic generation.

6. All photovoltaic modules must be certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory as meeting the requirements of the Underwriters Laboratory Standard 1703, and must appear on the latest California Energy Commission certified Photovoltaic modules list located at:

http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/erprebate/equipment.html

(Ord. 761, 2006).

The City of Gridley will not provide city electric service to any parcel of land, residence, commercial enterprise or other use unless said property is located within the city limits, or has otherwise been annexed to the City of Gridley.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Separate metering. Separate premises will not be supplied through the same meter, except as may be specifically provided for in the fee schedule.

B. Other uses or premises. A customer shall not use electricity received from the city upon other premises nor for other purposes than those specified in his application or in the fee schedule applied.

• C. Resale of electricity. A customer shall not resell electricity received from the city to any person, except:

• 1. Where energy is purchased at rates specifically applicable to resale service; or
• 2. Where the charge to tenants is absorbed in the rental for the premises or space occupied; or

3. Where the customer is the owner, lessee, or operator of a multi-family accommodation and electricity is submetered and resold to tenants at the same rates that the city would charge for the service if supplied directly.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

A. Each applicant for electric service shall be required to sign an application on a form provided by the city -and, upon request, will be required to furnish the following information:

• 1. Name of applicant.
• 2. Date and place of application.
• 3. Location of premises to be served.
• 4. Date applicant will be ready for service.
• 5. Whether the premises have been heretofore supplied.
• 6. Purpose for which service is to be used.
• 7. Customer's mailing address.
• 8. Whether applicant is owner or tenant of, or agent for, the premises.
• 9. Information to establish credit of applicant.
• 10. Such other information as the city may reasonably require.

B. The application is a request for service and does not in itself bind the city to serve except under reasonable conditions, nor does it bind the customer to take service for any specific period of time.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

Two or more persons who join in one application or contract for service shall be jointly and severally liable thereunder and shall be billed by means of a single periodic bill mailed to the person designated on the application to receive the bill.

(Ord. 588, 1991).

Customers shall give the city written notice of the extent and nature of any material change in the size, character, or extent of the utilizing equipment or operations for which the city is supplying electric service before making any such change.

(Ord. 588, 1991).