Schedule of Rules & Regulations

The Schedule of Rules and Regulations is a part of all contracts for receiving electric service from Marshall-DeKalb EC and applies to all service received from Marshall-DeKalb EC, whether the service is based upon contract, agreement, signed application, or otherwise. A copy of this Schedule of Rules and Regulations, together with a copy of Marshall-DeKalb EC Schedule of Rates and Charges, which was approved in a public Marshall-DeKalb EC Board of Directors’ meeting, shall be kept open to inspection at the offices of LPC located at 10025 AL Highway 168, Boaz, AL 35957, as well as online at our website.

Each new member will be informed of were the current rate sheet and service policies can be found on mdec.org. Should the member not have access to internet service, a copy of the rate sheet and service policies can be provided by the Co-op. Any local rate adjustment approved by the Marshall-DeKalb EC board of directors will be published in the local edition of Alabama Living and/or posted on the website.

Each application for service to Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative for electrical service will be accepted, along with the required $5 membership fee and applicable security deposit. Membership and deposit are both refundable upon termination of service and payment of any outstanding bills. Upon termination of service, any retained deposit and accrued interest will be applied against unpaid bills of the customer, and the remaining balance will be refunded to the customer.

Normal electrical service will be single-phase at 120/240 volts nominal. Three-phase service may be provided on a case-by-case basis, with the customer paying the appropriate non-refundable construction fees. There will be a minimum monthly billing for each three-phase customer that will be based upon a delivery and total demand charge. Three-phase service is normally available only to general power customers whose load requirements are such that single-phase power is not feasible.

Single-phase 120/240 volt temporary service is available for the purpose of operating portable equipment necessary for building construction. Such service will be provided to a customer furnished and installed service pole for a $40 construction fee, a $10 connection fee, and the required membership fee and security deposit per installation. The service pole shall conform to the NESC and MDEC specifications.

Customer’s Energy Use Data

Upon request by the customer, LPC will make available a customer’s energy consumption data for the prior 12 month period.

Existing Permanent Structure

Electric service will be provided to an existing previously served residence for a transfer fee of $10 and the required membership and security deposit. Maximum length of service shall be 240 feet with the installation of 1 low-voltage 3-wire service pole or 125 feet unsupported.

New Permanent Structure

New permanent residential dwellings will be served as is, an existing previously served residence, except where major construction is required. In those cases where the new residence is to be located at such a distance away from existing 7200-volt primary lines that more than 2 poles are required for service, the member will be required to pay a construction fee of not less than $350 per pole for the poles required over and above 2. The number of poles required shall be determined by the Cooperative using sound pole line design practices as prescribed in the NESC and TVPPA Design and Specifications manual.

Meter Location

All meter locations will be coordinated with and approved by a representative of Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative.

Mobile Homes

Electric service to an individual mobile home will be provided for a $25 trailer construction fee in addition to the required membership and security deposit in cases where a service pole is not required. In cases where major construction is required, the construction fee will be based on the charges listed below:

The number of poles required to serve a mobile home will be determined by the Cooperative using sound pole line design practices as prescribed in the NESC and TVPPA Design and Specifications manual.

Miscellaneous Residential Service

Electrical service to garages, shops, etc., on residential premises will be provided for a $10 connection fee and the required security deposit and membership fees, except where the length of service will exceed 125 feet and the setting of distribution poles are necessary, the member will be required to pay a construction fee based on the charges listed below:

The number of poles required will be determined by the Cooperative using sound pole line design practices as prescribed in the NESC and TVPPA Design and Specifications manual.

Chicken Houses (Broiler Houses, Pullet Houses, Laying Houses )

Electric service will be provided upon for a $10 connection fee and the required security deposit, and membership fee, provided that the distance from an existing Cooperative-owned primary line does not require the installation of more than one 7200 volt primary pole. In those cases requiring additional poles, a construction fee will be assessed at the rate of not less than $200 per pole.

The number of poles required will be determined by the Cooperative using sound pole line design practices.

Barns, hog parlors, grain bins, etc...

All light farm loads will be served for a $10 connection fee and the required security deposit, and membership fee, provided that the distance from an existing Cooperative-owned transformer pole does not exceed 125 feet. In the event that longer service is required, the member will be required to pay a construction fee as calculated from the costs listed below:

The number of poles required shall be determined by the Cooperative using sound pole line design practices.

Normal non-residential service is single-phase 120/240 volts single phase. Three-phase 120/240 or 120/208 power may be provided with mutual agreement and a power contract between member and MDEC. Voltage requirements different from these must be coordinated with Marshall-DeKalb on a case-by-case basis. For non-standard voltages on loads below 225 kilovolt-amperes (KVA), a contribution toward construction will be charged to aid in the cost of the transformers.

For three-phase service to loads less than 75 KVA, Marshall-DeKalb will provide the transformers and overhead service conductors at no cost. Any further construction or voltage other than 120/240 will be billed to the customer. There will be a minimum bill each month based on $1.50 per KVA in transformer size, but no less than $60 for loads between 75 and 500 KVA. Marshall-DeKalb will provide 1 pole, transformers, and overhead service conductors, but any construction costs above this will be paid for by the customer. The same $1.50 per KVA minimum bill is also applicable.

For loads above 500 KVA, Marshall-DeKalb will provide 3 poles, transformers, and overhead conductors. Any additional costs will be paid for by the customer. The same $1.50 per KVA minimum bill is also applicable. Marshall-DeKalb Electric requires case-by-case coordination on Installation of electric motors larger than 10 horsepower (hp). As a general rule, any motor larger than 10 hp will require reduced voltage starting.

For loads larger than 150 KVA requiring underground primary conductor and pad-mounted transformers, MDEC will provide the transformers, primary conductor, and primary terminations. The customer will provide the trans-closure, pad, secondary connections, open the ditch, and provide 2 runs of appropriate size conduit from trans-closure to the pole, and installed to MDEC specifications. The maximum length of underground primary will be 300 feet.

Pole Relocations

Where relocation of facilities is required solely for the convenience of others, an appropriate construction fee will be charged. These relocations will be based on sound pole-line design practices.

Single Point Metering for Multiple Loads

Single point delivery will be made available to those members who may wish to combine loads to avoid multiple billing providing the request is in compliance with the TVA rate schedule requirements. Single-point metering will be provided at no cost unless it is solely to the benefit of the member. In those cases, loads that can be metered with 1 current transformer and 1 meter will be installed for $500. All other requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All equipment beyond the meter will be owned by the member.

Underground Service

Underground service will be made available where feasible. The member will be required to open a trench to a minimum depth of 24 inches and backfill once the service is installed. The member is also required to install the appropriate conduit with a pull string installed. Distances for service lengths will be measured from base of pole to meter base. Underground service for single-phase loads up to 200 amps will be installed for $200 for lengths up to 200 feet.

The policy of Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative as it relates to mobile home parks shall be as follows: Electric service will be furnished through individual meters installed in owner’s wiring and sockets for individual mobile home lots. Each of the services will be installed in accordance with rules and regulations governing all individual electric services. For new installations, inspections will be done be the Cooperative engineering staff in order to locate the meters and services in the most opportunistic locations.

The Cooperative will set a meter in the owner’s meter socket and bill the tenant in accordance with our regular residential policy.

Persons considering the development of subdivisions which may require major distribution line construction should consult Marshall-DeKalb prior to starting the project. Prior to preparing to serve the subdivision, the builder/developer will be required to post $100 for each lot requiring service.

At the end of a 2 year period, the builder/developer will be refunded $100 for each house either completed or under construction. All money not refunded at the end of this 2 year period will be forfeited by the builder/developer.

Security Lights

Security lights will be installed in accordance with existing rate schedules in cases where it is feasible. Standard security lights are 50-watt LED, with special requests being handled on a case-by-case basis. Requests for lights will require the member to pay an installation charge of $50 for a light installed on an existing pole and an additional $200 in cases where a pole is required. To install a 129-watt LED, the member is required to pay $250 on an existing pole and an additional $200 in cases where a pole is required.

Maintenance of security lights is handled on a low-priority basis and will be provided as it can be scheduled with other work in the area.

Marshall-DeKalb Electric Cooperative will respond to any service complaint after the member has first attempted to locate the problem in his own equipment. If the member cannot locate the problem, then Coop personnel will be dispatched to the member’s location to investigate the complaint. Should the problem be determined to be in the member-owned equipment, the member will be required to pay a fee to cover the labor and transportation costs of the trouble call. Otherwise, the problem will be corrected at no charge.

Bills will be rendered monthly and shall be paid within 15 days from the meter reading date on the bill. Bills that are paid after the due date on the billing statement provided shall be subject to an additional charge of 5%. Failure to receive a bill will not release a customer from its payment obligations. Should bills not be paid by the due date specified on the bill, service may be discontinued as set out in the “Terminations” section herein.

The available rights and remedies to dispute the bill with MarshallDeKalb EC will be included in the mailed correspondence from the cooperative. Should the due date fall on a weekend or holiday, the next business day following the due date will be held as a day of grace for payment to be received.

Payments made after the due date will not be subject to additional charges if the remittance envelope bears the United States Postal Service date stamp of the due date or any date prior. Customers desiring to receive electronic bill presentation must enroll in Marshall-DeKalb EC’s electronic paperless billing program by completing the 4 steps under the paperless billing tab on our website, mdec.org, and consenting to its terms and conditions.