The cooperative requires easements to build lines on private property. Most landowners agree to easements if they are the ones requesting service. However, if we must pass over someone\'s property to serve someone else, that easement is sometimes more difficult to obtain. That is the main reason that we ask our members to obtain all the required easements to serve them. The members can usually obtain the easements from their neighbors a lot easier than the cooperative can obtain them. The cooperative provides all necessary paperwork and can provide assistance in this area.

More and more people are requesting underground service. This service is not presently built into our rate. Presently, we charge the difference between underground service and overhead service of $8 per foot. There are some instances where it may benefit Norris and the rest of the members to provide underground service. In those few instances there would not be an additional charge for underground service.

A certain amount of cost is anticipated in building new services to members. Sometimes a member requests service quite a distance from our present lines. In that case the member may be required to make a non-refundable construction contribution. In this way, all cooperative members can receive about the same benefit from the cooperative on new construction.

The following voltages are presently available: Overhead Single phase 120/240 volt Single phase 480 volt Three phase 480-277 volt Three phase 120/240 volt Three phase 12470/2700 volt Underground Single phase 120/240 volt Three phase 120/208 volt Three phase 480/277 volt Three phase 12470/2700 volt Three phase service is restricted to locations where Norris Electric presently has three phase primary lines. If three phase service is required in a location not presently served with three phase, the member would be responsible for the majority of the cost to build three phase to the location.

On new construction we require that the member clear any brush or trees 15 feet on either side of the new line prior to the line being built. It must be cleared straight up as well so no branches can overhang the new line. With the member doing this clearing it reduces the cost to the cooperative. Cooperative personnel will clear existing lines. Clearing is done either by equipment or vegetation control chemicals. Our easements have a paragraph that addresses the right of the cooperative to clear vegetation growth from the line. Of course the best way to control this is for members not to plant any trees near the lines.