Purpose & Introduction:
Undergrounding of Service and Redundant Service
KCBPU is charged with developing and maintaining policies and procedures for carrying on the
daily business of the utility. This policy applies to the creation and implementation of Large
Electric Infrastructure Extensions, Additions or Improvements to provide adequate and efficient
electric service which are considered beyond the scope of basic electric service extensions
because of the size, scope, character or special needs of the requested extensions.
Large extensions are defined herein and shall include, but not be limited to, extensive
additions of transmission and distribution conductors and structures, and other special
additions beyond KCBPU's basic electric service extensions rules and regulations for Large
Residential, Commercial, and Industrial Customers, developments and subdivisions, as may be
requested by the Applicant and as determined by KCBPU.
This Policy defines requirements and procedures for the study, design, construction and
implementation of "Large Electric Service Extensions to Electric System Infrastructure"
of primary distribution, sub-transmission or transmission circuits, or for additional substation
infrastructure. It explains the role and obligation of the Customer and KCBPU for bearing the
extraordinary added costs of large infrastructure extensions which are above and beyond the
size, scope or extent of small extensions of service.
The Policy defines "Large Electric Service Extensions" as opposed to simple
"Small Electric Service Extensions" along with other key terms and words.
KCBPU reserves the sole right and responsibility to provide electric service at the point of
service to all Customers within its service territory in an efficient and cost-effective manner
according to its Design Standards, Policies, Rules and Regulations, and Specifications.
KCBPU's Electric Service Standards and Regulations state that standard basic electric service to
any Customer shall be furnished using above-ground circuits on overhead structures. Underground
electric distribution and service shall be provided if the surrounding area is already served by
only underground electric service, as may otherwise be mandated by city ordinance, for special
requirements in new residential, large commercial and industrial electric subdivisions and
developments or for special requirements in other areas as approved by KCBPU. KCBPU requires
that for underground electric service extensions to be provided in such cases, the Applicant
must pay the cost of the underground electric service as an aid-to-construction fee. Advance
payment of the estimated cost as determined by KCBPU, is required. Additional payments by the
Customer and/or refunds or credits by KCBPU resulting from adjustments to such estimate and
reconciliation of the final project cost to the estimated cost shall be made in accordance with
this Policy as described herein.
This Policy does not in any way conflict with or supersede the provisions contained in the KCBPU
Adopted Fee Schedules, including, but not limited to, considerations for redundant service for
Large Electric Service Extensions. The Customer may request redundant electric service, but if
such service is approved by KCBPU, the Customer must pay the full cost of the redundant electric
service. Advance payment of the estimated cost of redundant electric service, as determined by
KCBPU, is required. Additional payments by the Customer and/or refunds or credits by KCBPU
resulting from adjustments to such estimate, and reconciliation of the final project cost to the
estimated cost, shall be made in accordance with this Policy as described herein.
Project Creation:
Customer shall make written Application for Service to KCBPU through the Electrical
Engineering Department. The Service Application shall explain the size, scope, and extent of the
proposed Electric Service as defined below.
Electrical Engineering shall review the Customer's Service Application to determine whether the
proposed Service can be provided by KCBPU's existing electric system or whether the new Service
will require large extensions, additions, modifications, or configuration changes to KCBPU's
Electric System. This shall include but not be limited to overhead or underground structures,
new distribution or transmission circuits, circuit breakers and breaker bays, overload and short
circuit protection, source transfer switching, redundant service, or new substation capacity to
properly deliver service to the Customers.
The Customer's Service Application shall include data on loads and any other technical
information in support of the request, sufficient to allow the Electrical Engineering Department
to accurately determine the scope and extent of the proposed Service Application Project.
Upon request by Electrical Engineering, Customer shall provide additional information such as
plans, drawings, expected size and type of loads, building sizes, load projections and
extraordinary or special service requirements before the Application for Service can be
considered complete.
Project Definition:
The Customer or designated agent(s) shall submit in the Service Application a
Project Request to the Electrical Engineering Department. The Project Request shall include but
will not be limited to:
- Basic Project Definition - Provide a plat map or preliminary layout of the proposed area
containing or comprising the total Project.
- Description - Provide a detailed description of the proposed Project in lay terms outlining
its general scope, total size and number of loads and Customers, and locations of users.
- Preliminary Estimate of Costs - Customer must furnish a preliminary estimate of costs for
the proposed Project.
- Technical Information - Furnish technical information, catalog cuts, and specifications of
performance for any special items defined in Item 2 above, which might require special
service or connections, to allow proper review by Electrical Engineering.
- Other Considerations - Furnish such other information required by the Electrical Engineering
Department for any special needs of the development.
- Project Schedule - Submit a Project Development and Construction Schedule including desired
date of temporary and permanent service, commissioning, completion, number of phases of
staged development, and levels of demand and voltage at each stage of completion so that
Electrical Engineering can properly determine the resources, staff, materials, equipment,
associated hardware, and materials required to achieve an integrated Project solution.
If the proposed scope, costs, timelines, or schedules are determined to be unreasonable given
the available resources, budget, and capital funding, the Electrical Engineering Department
shall continue to meet with the Customer and designated agents to attempt to define a mutually
agreeable Project Scope and Schedule (together known as the “Project Definition”).
Extensions of Electric Service Infrastructure (whether basic, small or large) are and will
remain the exclusive property of KCBPU. The costs of developing such extensions under this
Policy are considered to be costs of extending electric service to the Customer, but are not to
be considered as assets of the Customer in any way. The costs must be paid for by the Customer
in order to receive electric power and energy. Advance payment of estimated costs, additional
payments by the Customer and/or refunds or credits by KCBPU resulting from adjustments to such
estimate, and reconciliation of the final project cost to the estimated cost, shall be made in
accordance with this Policy as described herein.
After the Service Application and Project Definition have been completed, reviewed, and approved
by the Customer and KCBPU the Electrical Engineering Department shall prepare a Preliminary
Design Statement describing the approved proposed requirements, schedule, needed resources,
preliminary estimates of the Project cost, and preliminary layouts for purposes of Preliminary
and Final Design Phases.
Project Preliminary Design and Final Design of the large extensions to KCBPU's
electrical infrastructure shall not begin until the Project Scope, Schedule, Costs and Payments
Schedules have been determined and approved by KCBPU, and all payments made for required study
fees, deposits, and advance payments by the Customer as required by KCBPU Policy.
Preliminary Design Phase:
- Electrical Engineering shall assign a designer or team from the Electrical Engineering staff
(or a designated contract consultant).
- Customer shall assign a designated contact person for the Project to consult with the KCBPU
designer or team.
- These parties shall be the primary designated points of contact for the Customer and KCBPU
respectively on all Project correspondence, scheduling, field work, coordination, and design
data.
- KCBPU's design team (or design professional) shall prepare Preliminary Design Documents
including (as necessary) drawings, materials, and any other design issues as may be required
for the Project. This shall become the foundation document for final design and act as the
vehicle for the first series of pre-construction meetings with the Customer and KCBPU.
- Once reviewed and approved as to scope, completion, and accuracy, this document shall be
used to guide the Final Design of the Large Electric Service Extensions.
- At this time, KCBPU shall invoice Customer for any required advance payments, purchased
materials and goods in stock. Final design shall not proceed until the Customer has made
payment on the invoices. Any service or extension allowances, fees, contributions in aid of
construction, or other charges applicable as per KCBPU Policy Number PE-310-002 shall be
applied to this invoice.
Final Design Phase:
Following completion and acceptance of the Preliminary Design Phase documents,
Final Design shall begin. Dependent upon the scope and size of the Project, this may involve
detailed design drawings, plans, standard detail drawings, materials lists, and refined
estimates of costs, including credits for contributions-in-aid-of-construction and allowances.
During Final Design, changes in design, scope, Project timeline, and budget may occur, subject
to site conditions and the following circumstances:
- Design Changes - If design changes are requested in writing by the Customer (other than
minor procedural modifications) KCBPU shall review the requested revisions to the overall
Large Service Extensions. If approved, the Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Designer
shall present the proposed modifications to the Electrical Engineering Department for review
and approval. Major changes shall include, but not be limited to: scope, timeline, budget,
delivery, product availability, product substitution, site conflicts, changes made to the
Project Layout or Scope, and unforeseen obstructions and site conflicts.
- Budget Changes - If changes are initiated by the Customer on the Project amounting to more
than 2% of the original Project Budget as defined in the accepted Preliminary Design
Documents, the parties shall meet and review the proposed changes to the budget, but shall
not proceed until the changes are approved by KCBPU and the Project Budget is amended.
- Changes in Project Scope - Any major changes to the Project Scope shall require a review by
the T&D designer, the Senior T&D Engineer and the Director of Electrical
Engineering, and personnel or agents of the Customer after the requirements are deemed
necessary. If approved, the Design Documents will be changed, and the changes shared with
all affected parties, along with a Statement of Impact on the Project. Minor changes in
Project Scope shall be submitted as a matter of record, and must be submitted for approval
before proceeding further.
- Project Timeline Changes - Any major changes to the Project timeline by either the Customer
or KCBPU which have arisen or are reasonably expected to arise must be addressed in a prompt
and judicious manner. The parties shall meet and review the proposed changes to the Project
timeline. Any changes in the timeline resulting from said meeting and review will be
recorded in a Project Timeline Change Document with the Customer and KCBPU advised.
After the Final Design Documents are completed, the T&D designer, the Senior T&D
Engineer, the Director of Electrical Engineering, the Manager of Electric Operations, the
Customer, and KCBPU management (as applicable) shall meet to review the Final Project Design
Documents for approval to construct. This may require further modifications as directed in or
subsequent to such meeting; if so, the Documents shall be revised and re-submitted until
approval is given by KCBPU.
Large Electric Service Extensions Revenue Agreement Phase; Payment
of Estimated Costs:
KCBPU shall prepare a “Large Electric Service Extensions Revenue Agreement” for the
Customer's review and execution in four original counterparts. Such Agreement will include but
not limited to: definitions, scope of the extensions, schedules, estimates of Project Costs, and
provisions for applicable allowances, advance payments, and deposits, along with exhibits in
support thereof.
The Large Electric Service Extensions Revenue Agreement shall be executed promptly after the
completion of the final Design Phase. The Agreement must be executed before the Project
Construction Phase can begin.
KCBPU shall promptly invoice the Customer for all monies due KCBPU under the terms of the Large
Electric Service Extensions Revenue Agreement as executed.
The Customer shall promptly make payment in full on the invoice, before work can begin. The
Project work shall not proceed until the invoice is paid in full in U.S. dollars, via wire
transfer, cashier’s check or certified check drawn on the account of the Customer using an
acceptable financial institution or bank.
The above provisions relating to the submission of an invoice by KCBPU to the Customer and the
obligation of the Customer to pay such invoice in full prior to commencement of the Project work
shall be applicable to any provision contained in this Policy or otherwise in the KCBPU Policies
and Procedures requiring advance payment of estimated costs, whether or not a Large Electric
Service Extensions Revenue Agreement has been entered for the project in question.
Construction Phase:
Electrical Engineering shall promptly order equipment, hardware, and materials items according
to the Final Design requirements. These items shall be charged to the Project Budget accounts as
they are received into stock or drop-shipped at the Project Site.
After these purchases are ordered, the Electric Operations Division crews, contractor labor (if
any) and needed equipment shall be retained, scheduled and coordinated. The Project shall enter
the Execution Phase, beginning with surveys, layouts, staking, and construction with available
materials.
A KCBPU representative shall be assigned as a Project Manager/Inspector to effect the
installation and implementation of the Final Design based on the Department's workload,
schedules, and the overall needs of KCBPU. The Project Manager/Inspector shall work to achieve
the efficient completion of the Project with the approval of the Senior T&D Engineer,
especially if changes in scope, budget, project direction, or time of completion arise.
The Project Manager/Inspector shall maintain an up-to-date, orderly record of Project Progress,
distribute Project Report Forms to the Senior T&D Engineer, and maintain the Project Record
file for permanent reference by KCBPU.
The Customer's designated contact person and the KCBPU Project Manager/Inspector shall each
maintain correspondence and coordination on a regular basis as required by the overall Project
Needs. Together, they shall record the results of all informal or formal meetings, and the
conclusions of on-site discussions which shall be added to the permanent Project Record.
Either the KCBPU or the Customer may issue Requests for Change Order, Field Orders, or Contract
Modifications as required by such matters as site conditions, the schedule, availability of
materials and supplies, or changes to the Project Scope.
However, no work shall begin on such proposed Changes until a Change Order, Field Order, or
Contract Modification has been executed and approved. Any such changes which cause a change in
the overall Project Cost shall be promptly invoiced to and paid by the Customer (if an increase
in overall Project Cost). If there is a decrease in overall Project Cost and such overall
Project Cost is lower than the amount of estimated costs for which the Customer advanced funds
to KCBPU, KCBPU shall promptly refund the difference, provided that such amount may be held as
credit for anticipated future project cost increases in appropriate circumstances. Prompt
payment shall be paid within 30 days of approval thereof by the invoiced party, unless the terms
of the executed and approved Modification explicitly provide otherwise. The Agreement
Modification shall be made a part of the Agreement by reference and attached to the original
Agreement as an Exhibit thereto.
As the Project construction begins, Customer shall make Application for Temporary Electric
Service to KCBPU's Engineering Department and shall identify all locations and desired service
capacities, phases, and voltages at which such temporary services are required within the
Project Scope. Payment for Temporary Service shall be processed according to KCBPU’s Adopted Fee
Schedules.
Project Acceptance Testing:
After key project components and phases are installed, but before implementation or acceptance
for final or partial use, they shall be tested and commissioned according to appropriate
standards for correct installation, performance and quality control. The Project
Manager/Inspector shall maintain records of all test results, interpretation, and corrections
(if needed), before acceptance for incorporation into the Project.
Operational testing adequate to demonstrate successful Project operation shall be performed
according to a written plan prepared by the Project Team, and results thereof will be maintained
as part of the Project file.
After commissioning and proper operation is achieved, the Project Manager/Inspector shall execute
a Project Acceptance document, listing the date said acceptance was issued, along with
appropriate documentation supporting such conclusions as may be called for in the Project Final
Design Documents or the Contract Documents.
Final Acceptance:
Once the Project has been built, installed, tested, commissioned, placed into service,
and required Training has been performed, the Project Manager/Inspector shall prepare multiple
counterpart copies of the complete Project Manual including, but not limited to, as-built
drawings, change orders, operations and maintenance documents, bills of material suggested spare
parts, complete item lists, test records, suggested schedules of maintenance or updating, and
records of all software, operating systems, firmware, and programming licenses.
The Project Manager/Inspector shall also include in the Manual the final installed cost of the
Project, along with copies of Requisitions, Invoices, Payments, and summaries of all Project
materials, equipment, labor, contracts and other sundry services, and submit same to the KCBPU.
Permanent Electric Service Agreement:
If the Project Extensions inure to the benefit of a single party Customer for the purchase and
use of electric energy after the completion of the extensions, the Customer shall promptly make
Application for Permanent Electric Service to KCBPU's Electrical Engineering Department for the
Rate Tariff Class designated by KCBPU as appropriate for this level of use. KCBPU shall prepare
and deliver four duplicate original counterparts of KCBPU's standard Power Service Agreement in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Rate Manual of KCBPU and appropriate rider
attachments as may be applicable. Permanent electrical service, metering and ability to use the
services under this tariff shall not be furnished to the Customer until the Power Service
Agreement has been fully executed and three of the duplicate counterpart originals have been
delivered to the KCBPU Electrical Engineering Department. Except as may otherwise be agreed to
by KCBPU in such Agreement, the term of the original Agreement shall be for five years from the
date of execution, with year-to-year renewal after that term. If the Customer cancels the
Electric Power Service Agreement prior to the end of the original term for any reason except
those enumerated in the terms of the Agreement, the Customer shall be declared as in default of
the Power Service Agreement and shall be disconnected with notice. The Customer shall be
responsible for any energy, demand, Customer, facility and metering charges as of the date of
disconnect plus any other costs incurred by KCBPU in handling the contract default.
Project Final Payment:
The final project summary of costs shall be prepared for presentation to the Customer and KCBPU
management. Once the final summary of costs has been reviewed and approved by KCBPU, and there
has been a reconciliation of actual to estimated costs, if the actual costs were less than the
estimated costs for which the Customer made a deposit with KCBPU, a refund of the difference
shall be made to the Customer. The KCBPU will pay no interest on the Customer's deposit or on
any non-refunded balances. If the final actual cost of the project is greater than the estimated
cost, the Customer shall make an additional payment to the KCBPU for the difference. Any
outstanding project costs due and payable by the Customer shall be paid promptly, and must be
paid before permanent electric service can be provided.