Getting Started
Before CVEC can start planning your new service, we need the following information:
Send to CVEC
At Your Site
Deposit
New Service Process, Easements, & Power Line Extensions
The entire process typically will take 4 to 8 weeks, but could be delayed when multiple routes must be considered and easements must be negotiated to get power to the site. If power is not already on a customer’s property there is no guarantee that power lines can be extended, unless the appropriate easements are obtained.
The customer requests service by:
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- Calling the CVEC Engineering Department at (800) 367-2832 (extension 5554) or
- Make an appointment to meet with a representative from CVEC's Engineering Department at a CVEC office, in Colleen (Nelson), Appomattox, or Palmyra (Fluvanna)
- Applying online
- Member must then provide CVEC with the necessary paperwork (See Getting Started section above)
- CVEC Staking Technician performs a field visit and investigation.
- CVEC submits the following to customer for signature:
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- Letter stating any associated cost
- Application for membership
- Facilities routing sketch
- Right-of-way easement, if applicable
At this time, CVEC will also mail any easement needed from adjoining property owners.- Member to schedule an appointment to pick up CVEC provided meter base at any CVEC office to be installed and wired by customer’s electrician.
- CVEC will schedule job for construction when:
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- All mailed paperwork has been signed and returned (including any necessary easements)
- All fees are paid
- County inspectors have provided notification that the wired service has passed inspection.
- CVEC requires a signed easement agreement 20 feet wide for underground power cables and 40 feet wide for overhead power lines.
- All trees and brush will be cut down on the full 40-foot width of overhead power line easements. This easement area will be maintained. Significantly less cutting is required for underground power.
- Obtaining easements from adjacent landowners may cause delays in delivering electric service to the customer. CVEC will attempt to obtain the appropriate easements. If unsuccessful, the customer may be required to enter negotiations with adjacent landowners to obtain the required easement.
The picture here is of the initial cutting of a heavily wooded easement area. The second picture is of a mature, maintained easement area.
Easement Instructions
CVEC will supply the first 1400 feet of overhead or underground electric facilities to any residential customer at no cost. Line extensions beyond the 1400 feet for residential customers will be charged at $8.17 per foot.- All other classifications of customers (commercial, industrial, barn, garage, etc.) must pay for the entire line extension at $8.17 per foot.
- Customer is responsible for providing all ditches and road boring for the installation of underground power lines. Primary line will be in CVEC supplied duct. The trench and duct are required to be installed by a CVEC approved contractor. If a return trip is required due to
customer changes, or a site that is not ready (see the “At Your Site” section above), a $200 engineering fee will be charged.
New Service FAQs
Still have questions about installing new service? Get answers on the following topics:
Primary conductor (before transformer) requires minimum trench depth of 36 inches and installation of CVEC provided continuous conduit. Member/member’s contractor is responsible for pickup and return of reel from determined CVEC warehouse location.
Secondary conductor (after the transformer) requires minimum trench depth of 30 inches and member is to provide and install 3 inches schedule 40 electrically rated conduit for the entire length of route.
Exception: VDOT mandates underground state road crossings be installed by method of directional boring. Boring will be provided by CVEC bonded contractor at member’s expense.
All services must be inspected by county building inspections office unless deemed an agricultural exemption. For services deemed exempt, member is responsible for completing CVEC’s Ag exempt release form before installation can be scheduled.
For overhead services greater than 10 feet from CVEC pole:
- Round pressure-treated poles (green), being 20 feet long and 6 inches diameter at minimum Must be used.
For overhead services 10 feet or less from CVEC pole:
- Pressure-treated 4-inch x 4-inch x 16 foot post may be used.
For underground services of any length:
- (2) 4-inch x 4-inch x 10 foot post connected by sheathing material to form an “H-structure” is required. Structure needs to be large enough to handle required metering equipment and disconnect(s)
Note: All poles/post must be embedded 4 feet in ground. Member is responsible for supply and installation of these structures.
Sources of poles:
- 30 feet poles can be purchased at any of the 3 division offices. (Approximately $200)
- Cove Creek Industry, Rt 29 North of Colleen Office ((434) 293-6774)
- 6” x 6” x 16’ post may be purchased from any building supply location.
Member: Meter base, entrance cable service riser, and weather head (from top of meter base to weather head)
CVEC: Line from transformer to point of attachment on structure
As part of the design process a staking technician will conduct a site visit. During the site visit, Staking Tech will layout proposed design in field and gather GPS data for mapping purposes. Locations of proposed structures will be marked with wooden stakes wrapped with white surveying ribbon. Underground conductor route will be marked with white pin flags. Note: Pre-scheduled appointments with Staking Tech are available.
Prior to scheduling site visit:
Building envelope should be cleared, 4 corners of proposed structure should be marked in field, and construction entrance installed. If site is found to be unsuitable for design a $200 re-engineering fee will be required before return trip is made.
Upon completion of site survey:
Member will be issued a cost letter outlining all aide to construction to be paid by the member, a sketch of the proposed route, necessary easement documentation, and any other job-specific documentation required (i.e. large power contract, ag exempt form). Once paperwork has been signed and sent back to CVEC any member requested changes requiring an additional site visit will be accessed a $200 re-engineering fee.
New Residence
CVEC allots initial 1,400 feet of line extension with no direct facilities charge to member. Facilities beyond 1,400 feet allotment will be installed at a cost to member of $8.17 per foot. Allotment and facilities charges apply to overhead and underground line extensions. All new services will require member pay a new account fee of $25.
To receive 1,400 foot allotment, the member must provide the following:
- Copy of approved residential building permit
- Copy of deed (Deed of Gift/ Deed of Bargain and Sale) showing applicant as Grantee
- Copy of plat
- Copy of current well & septic permit with permanent meter base location marked
- If underground, member is responsible for trench meeting CVEC specifications.
Right-of-Way Only
Right of Way Only is an option for members who have purchased land or are in the process of purchasing land and want to attempt to secure easement for electrical facilities prior to building. This work order carries an engineering fee of $200. A staking technician will make a site visit and work with adjoining property owners to exhaust all possible options to secure right-of-way. CVEC will record the obtained easements with the respective county. The engineering fee is refundable if construction is started on the home within 180 days.
Overhead to Underground
If no upgrade to current electrical service is needed, but the member wants to bury overhead electrical lines on their property, then it is a total cost job to member at $8.17 per foot for single phase lines. Construction cost for three-phase facilities will be calculated at standard unit cost. The member is responsible for opening and closing the ditch.
Relocation of Meter
If member wants to relocate the meter, it is a total cost job to member at $8.17 per foot from transformer/pedestal to proposed meter location. Note: For underground services, CVEC does not splice into existing underground service cable for the purposes of extending/relocating facilities.
Upgrades
There is no charge for upgrades. If it is an overhead service and wire size is not sufficient for upgrade, service can be put underground at no charge. Opening and closing of the ditch is the member’s responsibility.
New Service Contact
Please direct all your questions and correspondence about new electric service to:
CVEC Engineering Department
PO Box 247
Lovingston, VA 22949
Security Deposits
If found to be necessary, the security deposit amount will be the equivalent of your estimated maximum liability for 2 consecutive months’ usage.
If the security deposit exceeds $75, you may request up to 3 monthly installments.
The deposit will be refunded to you 1 year after the full deposit has been paid if your account is residential, and 2 years after the full deposit has been paid if your account is commercial; provided you have paid your account in a timely manner.
The Cooperative will pay interest on security deposits held longer than 90 days at a rate determined by the Virginia State Corporation Commission.