Oregon Administrative Rules › Chapter 860 - PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION › Division 22 - RATES › Section 860-022-0046 - Forced Conversion of Electric and Communication Facilities

Current through Register Vol. 63, No. 7, July 1, 2024
(1) As used in this
			 rule:
(a) "Convert," "converting," or
			 "conversion" means the removal of overhead electric or communication facilities
			 and the replacement of those facilities with underground electric or
			 communication facilities at the same or different locations;
(b) "Conversion cost" means the difference in
			 cost between constructing an underground system and retaining the existing
			 overhead system. This difference is generally equal to the cost of all
			 necessary excavating, road crossings, trenching, backfilling, raceways, ducts,
			 vaults, transformer pads, other devices peculiar to underground service, and
			 "overhead retirement costs." However, if the conversion is required in
			 conjunction with a public project which would necessitate the relocation of the
			 electric company's or large telecommunications utility's facilities at the
			 utility's expense, "conversion costs" shall not include any "overhead
			 retirement costs;"
(c) "Electric or
			 communication facilities" means any works or improvements used or useful in
			 providing electric or communication service, including but not limited to
			 poles, supports, tunnels, manholes, vaults, conduits, pipes, wires, conductors,
			 guys, stubs, platforms, cross-arms, braces, transformers, insulators, cutouts,
			 switches, capacitors, meters, communication circuits, appliances, attachments
			 and appurtenances, and all related facilities required for the acceptance of
			 electric or communication services. However:
(A) "Electric facilities" excludes any
			 facilities used or intended to be used for the transmission of electric energy
			 at nominal voltage in excess of 35,000 volts;
(B) "Communication facilities" excludes
			 facilities used or intended to be used for the transmission of intelligence by
			 microwave or radio apparatus cabinets or outdoor public telephones;
(C) "Electric or communication facilities"
			 excludes any electric or communication facilities owned or used by or provided
			 for a railroad or pipeline and located upon or above the right-of-way of the
			 railroad or pipeline.
(d) "Local government" includes cities;
			 counties; authorities and agencies created pursuant to ORS Chapters 456 and
			 457; special districts of the type described in
			 198.010,
			 198.180; and all other political
			 subdivisions of Oregon;
(e)
			 "Overhead electric or communication facilities" means electric or communication
			 facilities located above the surface of the ground;
(f) "Overhead retirement cost" means the
			 original cost, less depreciation, less salvage value, plus removal costs, of
			 existing overhead distribution facilities no longer used or useful by reason of
			 the conversion;
(g) "Underground
			 electric or communication facilities" means electric or communication
			 facilities located below the surface of the ground exclusive of those
			 facilities such as substations, transformers, pull boxes, service terminals,
			 pedestal terminals, splice closures, apparatus cabinets, and similar facilities
			 which normally are above the surface in areas where electric company or large
			 telecommunications utility facilities are underground in accordance with
			 standard underground practices.