An electric line right-of -way (ROW) easement is a strip of land that an electric utility uses to construct, maintain, or repair a power line or a BEC fiber line.
BEC does not own the land but the easement allows the utility to keep the ROW line clear of vegetation, buildings, and other structures that could interfere with line operation.
The easement is generally 20 feet wide, being 10 feet on each side of the center of the power pole, power line, and/or guy wires and anchors.
Fiber is installed following the installation of electric facilities. BEC designs and constructs all overhead lines to accommodate fiber attachments. For underground services, BEC installs a conduit up to the metering point, at no cost to the member, to be utilized by BEC Fiber.
BEC will attempt to design the shortest possible route for installing electric service to your property by utilizing existing easements. If no easement exists, BEC will attempt to procure an easement from the adjacent landowners property on the members’ behalf. Should the easement request be denied, BEC will design the line using the next most feasible route.
BEC completes the trenching and installs the conduit and wire up to the metering point for underground installations. BEC also installs the junction boxes, pad-mounted transformers, and pads they are placed on.
BEC requires an application be submitted for each request for service. Along with the application, a copy of the warranty deed, survey plat, and the signer’s driver’s license or other form of identification are required. If the service entrance exceeds 200 amperes (amps), a load analysis is required. Each application requires a non-refundable $200 engineering fee.
The warranty deed (also referred to as a deed of trust or a deed with a vendor’s lien) provides BEC with legal documentation which serves as proof of ownership. A survey plat is used to ensure we are working within your property’s boundaries.
BEC serves up the metering point, you will need an electrician to complete all wiring beyond that point. For underground metering points or those placed on a structure, you will need an electrician to install a meter rack or loop. For your convenience, BEC sells and installs 200 amp meter loops when the requested metering point will be on a new pole.
Costs vary as they are based on the scope of the project. A basic estimate can be calculated using the cost estimator available on our website. The actual cost is determined following a site visit by a field staking technician. To obtain a cost estimate, the distance from the nearest primary pole to the requested meter location is required.
The engineering fee covers internal processing as well as the tasks required by a field staking technician to complete a request. These tasks include, and are not limited to, site visits, meetings with contractors and applicants, surveying and staking the route, creating easements and cost estimates. The fee is non-refundable.
An electric line right-of -way (ROW) easement is a strip of land that an electric utility uses to construct, maintain, or repair a power line or a BEC fiber line.