13.08 – Electricity

The City of St. Charles Electric Utility (SCMEU) shall be responsible for:  generation and/or purchase, distribution and sale of electrical energy to its customers>

1. City of St. Charles Municipal Electrical Utility (SCMEU).  The City of St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) is an "Illinois Municipal Utility" which, since 1892 to the present time, has been owned and operated by the city of St. Charles, Illinois pursuant to a continuum of State of Illinois Constitutional and Statutory Authority (e.g., Common Law, Statutes  prior to 1913; "Municipal Ownership Act" of 1913; 65 ILCS 5/11-117-1 to 11-117-14 and 11-119-1 to 11-119-5).
   (Ord. 1996-M-53 § 28.)
2. Customer.  Any person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity that has a contractual or other arrangement with SCMEU whereby SCMEU provides service to customer premises.
3. Customer premises (CP).  Any land, space or area, e.g., single family residence, apartment, condominium, store, office, factory, etc., which is to be occupied by a customer and which is served by one or more separate customer electrical distribution systems.
4. Customer Electrical Installation (CEI).  Electric service apparatus, electric wiring, lighting, apparatus, and equipment of all sorts which are located on Customer premises for the utilization of electric energy distributed by SCMEU.
5. Secondary Voltage Point of Connection (SVPC).  An input point of connection of a secondary voltage power source to a customer electrical installation (CEI).
6. Municipal Utility Electrical System (MUES).  Land and land rights; structures and improvements; station equipment; poles, towers, and fixtures; overhead conductors and fixtures; underground conduits; underground conductors and devices; transformers; system protection; and cables, conductors, conduits, poles and apparatus of every sort by which electric energy is transmitted to customer electrical installations.
7. Customer Electrical Distribution System (CEDS).  That portion of the "Municipal Utility Electrical System" apportioned to serve a "Customer Electrical Installation."
8. Primary Voltage Point of Connection (PVPC).  An input point of connection of a primary voltage power source to a customer electrical distribution system.
9. Customer Connection (CC).  That portion of the Municipal Utility Electrical System (MUES) connecting a Customer Electrical Distribution System to a Customer Electrical Installation.
10. New Electric Service (NES).  Electric service, of any kind, to a Customer Electrical Installation (CE) not served by a Customer Connection (CC).
11. Upgraded Electric Service (UES).  Any upgrade of electric service to a Customer Electrical Installation (CE).
12. Temporary Customer Connection (TCC).  A temporary Customer Connection that will be removed after a short period of time, e.g., a temporary connection used during construction on Customer Premises; or a temporary connection to accommodate a casual use of premises.
13. Permanent Customer Connection (PCC).  A permanent Customer Connection to an established Customer.
14. Service.  "Service" is used in its broadest and most inclusive sense, and includes not only the use or accommodation afforded Customers, but also "any product or commodity furnished by SCMEU; and the plant, equipment, apparatus, property and facilities employed by, or in connection with, SCMEU performing any service or in furnishing any product or commodity and devoted to the purposes in which SCMEU is engaged and to the use and accommodation of the public.
15. Rate.  "Rate" includes every rate, charge, fee, rental or other compensation of SCMEU or any schedule or tariff thereof, and any rule, regulation, charge, practice or contract relating thereto.
16. Charge.  "Charge" is used in its broadest and most inclusive sense, and includes any and all billing rendered by SCMEU, or on behalf of SCMEU, as compensation of SCMEU for Service rendered.
17. Monthly Customer Charge.  A Charge fixed by Ordinance for maintaining Service to an established Customer.  This is the minimum monthly charge to a Customer.
18. Energy Charge.  A unit Charge fixed by Ordinance for electric energy supplied to a Customer.
19. Demand Charge.  A unit Charge fixed by Ordinance for the maximum metered demand within a stated period of time, e.g., month.
20. Customer Service Classes.
    1. Residential Service (RS).  Residential Service means Service to (a) a single family residence; (b) each living unit of an apartment building, condominium, or other multiple unit dwelling; and each trailer space in a trailer park; however, Residential Service does not include service to hotels and motels.
    2. Street Lighting Service (SLS).  Street lighting service means service to a governmental entity for dusk to dawn illumination.
    3. General Service (GS).  General Service means Service other than Residential Service and Street Lighting Service.
21. In Place Cost (IPC).  The cost of an electric system installation, e.g., a Customer Electrical Distribution System (CEDS), and/or a Customer Connection (CC), as determined by the most recent experience in the construction of similar installations in the area served by SCMEU; or a reasoned estimate of costs to be incurred by construction of a proposed electric system installation.
22. Service Origination Connection Charge (SOCC).  A Charge corresponding to the In Place Cost of the Customer Electrical Distribution System allocated to serve a Customer Premises.
23. Administrative Enrollment Charge (AEC).  A Charge corresponding to the costs incurred in processing an application for electric service.
24. Service Enrollment Connection Charge (SECC).  A Charge corresponding to the In Place cost of a Customer Connection; and an Administrative Enrollment Charge.
25. Service Upgrade Charge (SUC).  A Charge corresponding to the In Place cost of providing any requested Upgraded Electric Service.
26. Late Payment Charge (LPC).  A Charge prescribed by Ordinance for late payment of charges.
27. Engineering Charge (EC).  A Charge corresponding to the estimated cost of preparing working drawings, specifications, and cost estimates to establish a "Service Origination Charges(s)"; and for preparation of a proposed contract for completion of the requested construction at a specified time.

1. Utility Services – Electric, water, sewer, yard waste, and refuse services that are provided by the City or its designated provider.

The Public Works Director or designee shall have supervision over the policies and procedures governing the installation, operation, maintenance, and repair of the City’s electrical distribution system.  All installations on the SCMEU system shall be subject to SCMEU policies, standard practices, and procedures.

The rates, terms and conditions of the purchase of electrical energy as stated in this chapter shall be a part of the contract with every person or corporation who purchases electrical energy from the city, and every person or corporation by purchasing electrical energy from the city shall be considered to express his assent to the provisions of this chapter.

The terms and conditions of this chapter shall apply, to all customers using the city's electrical service under any of the rates established by Sections 13.08.200 through 13.08.330.

All wiring and other electrical equipment on the premises, or connecting the premises with the city's service, furnished by the customers, shall be suitable for the purposes hereof, and shall be installed and maintained by the customer at all times in conformity with the requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters as stated in the 2014 edition of the National Electrical Code.

All meters, transformers, poles, structures, and other facilities placed on the customer's premises by the City for the purposes of rendering electric service to said premises, unless otherwise expressly provided, shall be and remain the property of the City, and the customer shall exercise reasonable care to protect such property from alterations, misuse, modification, foreign objects, vegetation, loss or damage.  When there is a change in the customer's operation, or construction, which in the judgment of the City makes relocation of the facilities necessary, or if the customer requests relocation, the City will move such facilities at the customer's expense to an acceptable location on the customer's premises.

The customer shall pay the exact cost of upgrades to equipment serving the customer facility.  A “Transformer Cost Credit” (TCC) may be given for the future replacement of existing transformers based on the accumulated depreciation of the existing asset.  Applicability of the TCC and the amount will be determined by the St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU).

The City prohibits unauthorized attachment (including painting or marking) of any wires, signs, clotheslines, antennas, fences, etc. to its poles, pedestals, pad-mounted transformers or other structures.  The City also prohibits the use of its poles for placards or other advertising matter and will remove any such unauthorized attachments without notice and may prosecute any such trespassing.  The City may remove or cause to be removed without notice any unauthorized foreign matter from its poles, pedestals, pad-mounted transformers or other structures at the expense of the property owner.

The City will furnish and maintain all metering equipment necessary for measuring and billing the electricity supplied.  The customer shall provide a suitable place for reading, testing, inspecting or exchanging such metering equipment.

1. Sub-metering is allowed, as an option, on commercial buildings receiving service under one of the City’s standard commercial rates (rate 3 and rate 5).  A multi-use building, containing commercial and residential units, may only sub-meter the commercial units.  Sub-metering is not allowed without prior review, inspection and approval by City staff.
2. The master meter (meter directly connected to City system which feeds all sub-meters) will be City-owned and maintained.  All sub-meters must be owned and maintained by the building owner.  If any sub-meters are installed in a building, all usage in the building must be sub-metered (no usage in a sub-meter installation can be metered only by the master meter).  The building owner shall be billed and is fully responsible for all charges for service provided to the building/property and metered by the master meter.
3. The City takes no responsibility for the sub-meters or their reading or billing.  The City shall not be party to any metering accuracy or billing dispute between occupants of the premises being sub-metered and the building owner or designee.  The master meter will be read by the City according to the City’s reading schedule, which may vary at City’s discretion without notice to the building owner.
4. Sub-metering equipment, when installed, must be in new condition, utility grade equipment, of reputable manufacturer, designed for the purposes used, and must meet appropriate standards for utility metering accuracy as defined by the ANSI (American National Standards Institute), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), or other appropriate standards agency.
5. All sub-metering installations are subject to City inspection to assure compliance with electrical codes and standards.  City reserves the right to approve or reject sub-metering equipment, before or after installation, based on adherence with codes, installation criteria, applicable standards and this ordinance.  Use of any unapproved sub-meter equipment shall make the entire building subject to disconnection of service until approval of the metering installation.
6. All sub-meter devices shall be installed per manufacturer’s recommendations.  Sub-metering shall not impact the delivery of service to the sub-metered premises, i.e. improper installation or improper sizing of meters.  Testing of sub-meter equipment, by qualified meter tester, is required at installation and periodically thereafter per manufacturer’s standards and must meet industry standards for meter accuracy as defined by the AWWA, ANSI, IEEE, or other appropriate standards agency.
7. The city reserves the right to terminate service to the building for lack of compliance with any provision of this Section.

In case the customer is not the owner of the premises or of intervening property between the premises and the city's lines, the customer shall obtain from the proper owner, or owners, the necessary consent to the installation and maintenance on the premises and on such intervening property of all wiring and other electrical equipment required for supplying electricity to the customer.

Certain types of equipment, which may be purchased and used by the customer, may have operating characteristics that have a detrimental effect on other equipment of the customer or may interfere with the satisfactory use of service by other customers connected to the same distribution system.  It is in the interest of all customers that the use of such equipment be avoided.  Where any of the customer's utilization equipment manifests characteristics, which, in the City's judgment, may cause interference with service to other customers or result in operation at a low power factor, the customer shall, at the request of the City, provide suitable facilities to preclude such interference or improve such power factor, or both, as the case may be.  Otherwise, the City shall have the right to provide, at the expense of the customer, the facilities necessary to preclude such condition or conditions.  The City reserves the right to refuse service where such equipment is installed unless the customer provides suitable compensation or protective devices, or makes satisfactory financial arrangements with the City to provide the necessary capacity or protective measures

The properly authorized agents of the City shall at all reasonable hours have free access to the premises for the purpose of reading, examining, repairing or removing the city's meters and for installing, testing, inspecting, repairing, removing or changing any or all equipment belonging to the City.  Should access be denied, or property owner unavailable or unable to provide access more than 6 times in a calendar year, City equipment shall be relocated outside of the inaccessible area at owner’s expense.  In the case of meters, the customer shall maintain a minimum of 3 feet clear working space in front of each meter.  Additional space will be required adjacent to moving machinery.  In the case of pad-mounted equipment, clear and level work areas are required around pad-mounted equipment to provide an adequate safe working space to operate and maintain the equipment.  An 8-foot minimum workspace is required in front of all equipment doors to provide room to operate with hot sticks and to replace the equipment.  A three foot minimum space is required on non-operable sides.

The city shall not be responsible in damages for any failure to supply electricity, or for interruption, or reversal of the supply, if such failure, interruption, or reversal is without willful misconduct or gross negligence on its part.

No electrical energy shall be resold or distributed by the recipient thereof from the city electric distribution system to any premises other than that for which application has been made and meter installed.

All electrical service hereunder and compensation therefore is subject to all general ordinances affecting the collection, administration and operating policies of the city.

1. An application requesting electric service shall be required of all Customers.  An application shall provide all information required by SCMEU to process the request, including but not limited to the following:
   1. Residential - Name, service address, billing address, home phone, driver's license number, and, if not an individual, the taxpayer's identification number;
   2. General - Name of business, type of business organization, service address, billing address, phone number, owner and/or president, manager, taxpayer's identification number.
2. A Customer requesting installation of a Customer Connection to any Customer Electrical Distribution System, which was installed at the expense of SCMEU, is to pay both a Service Origination Connection Charge of One Thousand Six Hundred Thirty and no/100 ($1,630.00) Dollars and a Service Enrollment Connection Charge prior to installation of the requested residential Customer Connection.
   (Ord. 1995-M-30 § 1; Ord. 1994-M-80 § 1.)
3. A Customer requesting installation of a Customer Electric Distribution System (CEDS) to serve either a Residential Service Customer Premises or a General Service Customer Premises is required to:
   1.  Make written application as provided by SCMEU;
   2.  Along with the completed application submit an Engineering Charge as set by SCMEU as payment for the estimated cost of preparing working drawings, specifications, and cost estimates to establish a Service Origination Charge(s); and for preparation of a proposed contract for completion of the requested construction at a specified time;
   3. Accept the contract proposal and arrange for payment of the charges specified therein prior to installation of the requested Customer Electric Distribution System(s).
4. A Customer requesting installation of a Customer Connection to any Customer Electrical Distribution System, which was installed at the expense of a person other than SCMEU, is to pay a Service Enrollment Connection Charge prior to installation of the requested Customer Connection.
5. A Customer requesting any upgrade of a Customer Connection or of a Customer Electrical Distribution System, is to pay a Service Upgrade Charge prior to installation of the requested upgraded service.

The hourly rates to be charged customers for services rendered by function shall be per the current cost per productive hour as established by the City of St. Charles Finance Department.

1. Deposit shall be charged to any customer, whether owner or non-owner, at any time if such customer meets any of the following criteria:

   1. the customer pays late four times during the prior twelve-month period, or
   2. the utility has disconnected service within the last twelve-month  period  for  violation  of  the  provisions  of  the  St. Charles Municipal Code, or
   3. the utility finds out that the application for service was falsified, or
   4. the customer has two or more returned checks (NSF) during the prior twelve-month period. The additional deposit charged shall be in the amount equal to the aggregate of the two highest monthly billings for the twelve-month period ending immediately prior to the request for the additional deposit; or if a twelve-month period is unavailable, then any portion thereof, which amount shall be reduced by the amount of the deposit on hand.
      (Ord. 1993-M-11 § 1; Ord. 1990-M-62 § 1; Ord. 1987-M-89 § 1.)
      The deposits set forth above shall be repaid to such applicant when the city has discontinued or refused the service for which such application was made and when all bills have been paid in full; provided, however, that if the applicant has not paid all bills owing the city for such service within thirty days after such service has been discontinued, then the city clerk shall deduct the amount of the bills so owing from the deposit and remit the balance, if any, to such applicant.
      (Ord. 1990-M-62 § 1; Ord. 1987-M-89 § 1; Ord. 1987-M-30 § 1.)
2. All deposits made by applicants as provided in subsection A of this section who are not delinquent shall be refunded by the city after one year of continuous service during which the applicant has not paid late more than one time during the latest twelve-month period and has received no disconnection notice during that same twelve-month period.  Such a deposit may be returned by crediting the customer's utility bill for the amount of deposit at the discretion of City Comptroller.
   (Ord. 1987-M-89 § 1; Ord. 1987-M-30 § 1.)
3. Any applicant for new service who has been an electrical service customer of the city for two years immediately prior to the date of application, without incurring any arrearage, shall be considered exempt from the requirement for an initial deposit for new service.
4. All desposites made by applicant as provided in Subsection A of this section shall not be subject to interest credit.
   (Ord. 2018-M-16 § 1)

General Service and Multi-Unit Residential Installations (e.g., Apartments, Condominiums)

1. CUSTOMER, as prescribed by the 2014 edition NATIONAL ELECTRICAL CODE, adopted by the National Fire Protection Association, the NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY CODE, 2017 edition C2-2017, RULES AND REGULATIONS of SCMEU, and directives of the Public Works Director or designee, shall furnish, install and maintain:
   1. Foundation and pad for transformer(s)
   2. Primary line conduit to the PRIMARY VOLTAGE POINT OF CONNECTION (PVPC)
   3. Ground grid as required
   4. Service Entrance
   5. Secondary line conduit and secondary conductors
   6. Vehicle barriers as required
2. SCMEU, upon receipt of a specified SERVICE ORIGINATION CONNECTION CHARGE (SOCC), will furnish, install, and maintain:
   1. Transformer(s), switchgear, circuit protection, ground connections for primary and secondary compartments
   2. Primary cables and connections
   3. Make secondary line connections at transformer and at the service entrance

Street lighting capital, maintenance, and retirement work, and miscellaneous services, all as requested of SCMEU, will be billed at SCMEU's incurred cost for materials, labor, equipment charges, and all related overhead charges.

For the purpose of this chapter, the terms "month" or "monthly" means the period between any two consecutive regular meter readings taken as nearly as practicable at thirty-day intervals.

Bills for electric service shall be sent out monthly for all customers and shall be due and payable no less than eighteen days from the billing date.  An additional charge of ten percent shall be made on all bills which have not been paid when due except that one late payment shall be allowed within each calendar year at no increase in cost.

If it is determined that a notice of disconnection of service shall be issued to a customer due to utility charges being over 30 days past due, a payment being returned unpaid by a bank, a deposit not being paid by the due date, and/or a violation of the terms of this Code, an additional fee (a disconnect notice fee) will be charged.  This fee will escalate based on the number of disconnect notices previously issued to the customer in the last twelve months.  The disconnect notice fee schedule is $20.00 for the first notice, $35.00 for the second notice, and $50.00 for any subsequent notices.

1. The City shall have the right to discontinue any utility service provided to the customer on due notice and to remove its property from the customer’s premises whenever monthly City bills, or a portion thereof, remain unpaid for 30 days after the due date specified, or in case the customer fails to comply with, or perform, any of the conditions or obligations of this chapter.
2. A customer’s service so discontinued shall be connected after the customer has made settlement for City utility bills in arrears, plus any current amount outstanding at the City Clerk’s office, or has, to the City’s satisfaction, complied with or performed such other conditions or obligations which were in default, as the case may be.  A minimum fee shall be charged equal to two times one and one-half the midpoint of the wage rate for a meter technician at the time of reconnection.  In the event the City incurs expense for labor in excess of the average cost of reconnection, the City may charge that additional cost for disconnection and reconnection to the customer.

1. Charges for electricity shall be a lien upon the premises.  Whenever a bill for electric service remains unpaid ninety days after it has been rendered, the clerk may file with the county recorder of deeds of Kane County, a statement of lien claims.  This statement shall contain the legal description of the premises served, the amount of the unpaid bill, and a notice that the city claims a lien for this amount as well as for all charges for electricity served subsequent to the period covered by the bill.
2. If the consumer of electricity whose bill is unpaid is not the owner of the premises, and the clerk has notice of this, then notice shall be mailed to the owner of the premises, if his address is known to the clerk, whenever such bill remains unpaid for a period of ninety days after it has been rendered.
3. The failure of the clerk to record such lien claim or to mail such notice, or the failure of the owner to receive such notice, shall not affect the right to foreclose the lien for unpaid electric bills as mentioned in the Section 13.08.210.

1. Property subject to a lien for unpaid electric charges shall be sold for nonpayment of the same, and the proceeds of such sale shall be applied to pay the charges, after deducting costs, as is the case in the foreclosure of statutory liens.  Such foreclosure shall be by bill in equity in the name of the city.
2. The city attorney is authorized and directed to institute proceedings, in the name of the city, in any court having jurisdiction over such matters, against any property for which the electric bill has remained unpaid sixty days after it has been rendered.

The rates for the purchase of electrical energy are established as set out in Sections 13.08.230 through 13.08.292.

A.  Charges for this rate shall be as follows:

1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be seventeen dollars and seventy five cents ($17.75) per meter.
2. Energy Charge. The net energy charge shall be as follows:

Summer Months
$0.1208 per kilowatt-hour for monthly usage up to 1,200 kilowatt-hours   
$0.1366 per kilowatt-hour for monthly usage over 1,200 kilowatt- hours
Non-summer Months                    

$0.1208 per kilowatt-hour for all kilowatt-hours    

For purposes hereof, the “summer months” are defined as the electric usage that is billed to the user starting in the month of June and the next four succeeding months.

       3.  Minimum Charge.  The minimum net monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer                       charge.

       4.  Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net monthly               customer charge and the net energy charge for the billing period.

 B.  General Requirements.

1. The customer's wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation.
2. Service hereunder will be furnished only to a single occupancy, and where service to an apartment building is desired hereunder, each apartment shall be treated as a separate customer and served through a separate metering installation; provided, however, that in apartment buildings containing six or fewer apartments, hall lights and building operating equipment, including no motors larger than one horsepower and not more than six horsepower for all motors, may be connected to the metering installations for one of the apartments, or as a separate metering installation at the discretion of the building operator.  The meters shall be grouped in a single location.
3. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.

1. Availability.
   Electrical energy is available under the Small General Service rate to any customer using the City’s electric system for all requirements other than residential service where such customer has a monthly peak kilowatt demand of less than or equal to 25 kilowatts during the previous eighteen billing periods and 2500 kilowatt-hours or less in the current billing period.  Any customer whose monthly peak demand has exceeded 25 kilowatts in the current or previous eighteen billing periods or has exceeded 2500 kilowatt-hours during the current billing period will be billed at the rate described in Section 13.08.260.
   (Ord. 2011-M-22 § 1.)
2. Charges for this rate shall be as follows:
   1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be fifty eight dollars and eight cents ($58.08) per meter.

   2. Energy Charge. Then net energy charge shall be as follows:  $0.0983 per kilowatt-hour for all kilowatt-hours

   3. Minimum Charge.  The net minimum monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer charge.

   4. Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net customer charge and net energy charge.
3. General Requirements:
   1. The customer’s wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation adequate for a normal load equal to the maximum thirty-minute demand of the customer, at a power factor of eighty-five percent lagging.  Except in multi-occupancy business premises where each business shall be serviced as an individual customer.  Nothing in this rate shall be deemed to preclude a residential occupancy on the customer’s property from being served as a separate customer on a residential rate.
   2. Measurement of Demand and Kilowatt-hours Supplied.  Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer’s premises, the billing demand shall be determined by adding together the separate peak half hour demands at each metering installation.
      1. Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer’s premises and are for the same customer, and if one or more installations qualified for rate 5 and one or more installations qualified for rate 3 then the metering installation readings shall be combined and billed at rate 5.
   3. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.
4. General Requirements:

A.  Availability.  Electrical energy is available under the General Service rate to any customer using the city's electric service for all requirements other than residential service.

B.  Charges for this rate shall be as follows:

1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be seventy dollars and seventy cents ($70.70) per meter.
2. Power Factor Correction.  Customers are required to maintain power factor above .85 lagging.  If customer’s metered power factor is below .85 in the current billing cycle, the customer billing demand will be adjusted in the current billing cycle according to the formula:  Billing Demand = (1+(.85 – Power Factor)) x metered demand.
3. Demand Charge. The net demand charge shall be as follows:  $20.20 per kilowatt
4. Energy Charge. The energy charge shall be as follows:  $0.0630 per kilowatt-hour for all kilowatt-hours
5. Minimum Charge.  The minimum net monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer charge.
6. Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net customer charge, the net demand and the net energy charge for the billing period.
7. General Requirements.
   1. The customer's wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation adequate for a normal load equal to the maximum thirty-minute demand of the customer, at a power factor of eighty-five percent lagging.  Except in multi-occupancy business premises where each business shall be serviced as an individual customer.  Nothing in this rate shall be deemed to preclude a residential occupancy on the customer's property from being served as a separate customer on a residential rate.
   2. Measurement of Demand and Kilowatt-hours Supplied.  Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer's premises, the billing demand shall be determined by adding together the separate peak half hour demands at each metering installation.
      1. Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer's premises and are for the same customer, and if one or more installation qualifies for rate 5 and one or more installations qualifies for rate 7 then the metering installation readings shall be combined and billed at rate 7.
   3. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.

1. Availability.  Electrical energy is available under the Governmental Outdoor Sports Lighting rate to any governmental agency using the City’s electric service for outdoor sports lighting service only.  For purposes of this rate application, outdoor sports lighting is defined as lighting load of over 100 kW demand used to light baseball, football, or soccer fields only.
2. Charges for this rate shall be as follows:   
   1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be ninety five dollars and ninety five cents ($95.95) per meter.
   2. Demand Charge.  This rate does not have a demand charge.
   3. Energy Charge. The energy charge shall be as follows: $0.1839 per kilowatt-hour for all kilowatt-hours
   4. Minimum Charge.  The minimum net monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer charge.
   5. Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net customer charge and the net energy charge for the billing period.
3. General Requirements.
   1. The customer's wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation adequate for a normal load equal to the maximum thirty (30) minute demand of the customer at a power factor of eighty-five percent (85%) lagging.
   2. Lighting Demand Limitation.  All outdoor sports lighting served under this rate will be equipped with lock-out controls that do not allow lighting use from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. in any given day.  Controls must be locked and provide for electric utility verification.  Any lighting use during the above noted hours or at times that the lock-out controls are not present or not functional will be billed under the current rate 5.
   3. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder and shall be subject thereto.
   4. This rate is in effect for all applicable usage after April 30, 2009 and any charges heretofore assessed which are inconsistent with this new rate shall be waived to the extent of the inconsistency.

1. Availability.
   1. Electrical energy is available under the Large General Service rate to any customer using the city's electric system for all requirements other than residential service where such customer has a monthly peak kilowatt demand of at least 450 kilowatts during the billing period.  Any customer on this rate whose monthly peak demand has not exceeded 450 kilowatts in the preceding twelve billing periods will be billed at the rate described in Section 13.08.260.
2. Charges for this rate shall be as follows:
   1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be two hundred seventy-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($277.75) per meter.            
       
   2. Power Factor Correction.  Customers are required to maintain power factor above .85 lagging.  If customer’s metered power factor is below.85 in the current billing cycle, the customer billing demand will be adjusted in the current billing cycle according to the formula:  Billing Demand = (1+(.85 – Power Factor)) x metered demand.
   3. Demand Charge. The net demand charge shall be as follows: 
                              $20.20 per kilowatt
       
   4. Energy Charge. The net energy charge shall be as follows:
                              $0.0630 per kilowatt-hour On-Peak                                                            $0.0530 per kilowatt-hour Off-Peak
       
   5. The definition of On-Peak and Off-Peak Periods:
      Energy On-Peak Periods, for purposes hereof, shall be the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except on days on which the following holidays are generally observed:  New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.  Energy Off-Peak Periods shall be all other hours.
      Demand Peak Periods, for purposes hereof, shall be the hours, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except the holidays designated above.  Demand Off-Peak Periods shall be all other hours.
   6. Minimum Charge.  The net minimum monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer charge.
   7. Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net customer charge, net demand charge and net energy charge.
   8. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.
3. General Requirements:
   1. The customer's wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation adequate for a normal load equal to the maximum thirty-minute demand of the customer, at a power factor of eighty-five percent lagging.  Except in multi-occupancy business premises where each business shall be serviced as an individual customer.  Nothing in this rate shall be deemed to preclude a residential occupancy on the customer's property from being served as a separate customer on a residential rate.
   2. Measurement of Demand and Kilowatt-hours Supplied.  Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer's premises, the demand in any thirty-minute period shall be determined by adding together the separate demands at each metering installation during such thirty-minute period except that:

      In case the demand at any metering installation is registered by an indicating or cumulative demand meter, the demand at such installation in each thirty-minute period of any month shall be assumed to be the same as the highest demand in any thirty-minute period of such month.

      Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer's premises and are for the same customer, and if one or more installations qualified for rate 5 one or more installations qualified for rate 7, then the metering installation readings shall be combined and billed at rate 7.

   3. The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.

1. Availability.  This rate is available only to city of St. Charles owned and maintained street lights and traffic signals.
2. Charges for this rate shall be as follows:
   1. Energy Charge
      $0.0799 per kilowatt-hour for all kilowatt-hours

1. Availability.  Electrical energy is available under the Primary Metered Large General Service rate to any customer using the City’s electric system for all requirements other than residential service where such customer is metered at the primary level (12 kV or higher) and has a monthly peak kilowatt demand of at least 450 kilowatts during the billing period.  Any customer on this rate whose monthly peak demand has not exceeded 450 kilowatts in the preceding twelve billing periods will be billed at the rate described in Section 13.08.260.
2. Charges for this rate shall be as follows:
   1. Monthly Customer Charge. The net monthly customer charge shall be two hundred seventy-seven dollars and seventy-five cents ($277.75) per meter.
   2. Power Factor Correction.  Customers are required to maintain power factor above .85 lagging.  If customer’s metered power factor is below .85 in the current billing cycle, the  customer billing demand will be adjusted in the current billing cycle according to the formula:  Billing Demand = (1+(.85 – Power Factor)) x metered demand.
   3. Demand Charge. The net demand charge shall be as follows:
      $20.00  per kilowatt 
   4. Energy Charge. The net energy charge shall be as follows:

$0.0624 per kilowatt-hour On-Peak                                                                                  $0.0525 per kilowatt-hour Off-Peak

           5.  The definition of On-Peak and Off-Peak Periods:  Energy On-Peak Periods, for purposes hereof, shall be the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except on days on which the following holidays are generally observed:  New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.   Energy Off-Peak Periods shall be all other hours. 

Demand Peak Periods, for purposes hereof, shall be the hours, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Monday through Friday, except the holidays designated above.  Demand Off-Peak Periods shall be all other hours.

6.  Minimum Charge.  The net minimum monthly charge shall be the net monthly customer charge.

7.  Gross Charge.  The gross charge shall be ten percent more than the sum of the net customer charge, net demand charge and net energy charge.

8.  The terms and conditions stated in Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.
 

C.  General Requirements:

1. The customer’s wiring shall be so arranged that all service hereunder may be supplied through a single metering installation adequate for a normal load equal to the maximum thirty-minute demand of the customer, at a power factor of eighty-five percent lagging.  Except in multi-occupancy business premises where each business shall be serviced as an individual customer.  Nothing in this rate shall be deemed to preclude a residential occupancy on the customer’s property from being served as a separate customer on a residential rate.
2. Measurement of Demand and Kilowatt-hours Supplied.  Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer’s premises, the demand in any thirty-minute period shall be determined by adding together the separate demands at each metering installation during such thirty-minute period except that:

   In case the demand at any metering installation is registered by an indicating or cumulative demand meter, the demand at such installation in each thirty-minute period of any month shall be assumed to be the same as the highest demand in any thirty-minute period of such month.  Where two or more metering installations are provided on the customer’s premises and are for the same customer, and if one or more installations qualified for rate 5 and one or more installations qualified for rate 9, then the metering installation readings shall be combined and billed at rate 9.

3. The terms and conditions stated Sections 13.08.010 through 13.08.210 apply to this rate and service hereunder shall be subject thereto.

Watt-hour pulse metering will be provided, upon customer’s request, for applicable systems, under the following conditions:

1. Customer shall submit request for watt-hour pulse metering in writing, including detailed specifications of the customer’s proposed monitoring equipment.
2. Customer shall sign a contract agreeing to participate in Watt-hour Pulse Metering for a period of no less than 18 months.
3. St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility staff will review, at customer’s expense, applicability and compatibility of the customer’s proposed system with the City equipment.  Normal electric engineering rates shall apply for the review and any subsequent work requested.  Payment for all engineering work is due within 30 days of the billing regardless of whether the customer installs the system.
4. City will provide an appropriate watt-hour meter or additional equipment within the meter and a single isolation relay, at customer’s expense.
5. Customer shall pay $20 per month, or any part of a monthly billing period, per each meter installation, for the delivery of the watt-hour pulses.
6. City shall provide normal maintenance and repair, including lightning damage, of the meter and isolation relay.  City material and labor costs shall apply for all other damage to City equipment and shall be billable to the customer.
7. The customer shall be billed for labor and material expended by the City responding to watt-hour pulse metering trouble calls where it is concluded that the City equipment was not malfunctioning.
8. The City shall remove watt-hour pulse metering equipment within 30 days of receipt by City of a written request for discontinuation of watt-hour pulse metering service from the customer.  After discontinuation of watt-hour pulse metering service, the customer cannot reapply for watt-hour pulse metering service for 18 months.

1. Applicability – all rates.
2. Definition.  A Power Cost Adjustment (PCA) will be applied to energy consumption to account for fluctuations in the cost of power.  PCA values can be positive or negative and will be applied on a quarterly basis using the following formula:
   1. Quarterly estimated power cost will be subtracted from estimated revenue from sales to create a target quarterly income number.
   2. Quarterly actual power cost will be subtracted from actual revenue from sales to create an actual income number.
   3. The actual income will be subtracted from the target to create a quarterly income delta number.
   4. The quarterly income delta will be divided by the estimated KWH consumption for the next quarter to create a $/KWH number that will be the PCA for the following quarter.
   5. The goal of the PCA is to create additional revenues, or issue billing credits, that are equal to the previous quarterly income delta.  Differences between the previous quarter income delta and the actual revenue or billing credit that the PCA creates, will be added into the future quarterly PCA.
   6.  Formula:
      Estimated Revenue – Estimated Power Cost = Target Income
      Actual Revenue – Actual Power Cost = Actual Income
      (Target Income – Actual Income)/(Estimated Future Consumption) = PCA
   7. That the PCA shall be increased by an additional 5% if electrical service is provided to a service address outside the corporate limits of the City of St. Charles unless the customer has an electric service agreement with the City that was in existence prior to May 6, 2013 that provides for a different additional charge.

1. A Temporary Customer Connection, as defined in Section 13.08.015 (L) will be provided for a Customer upon application and payment of a Temporary Customer Connection Charge(TCCC) as established by SCMEU on a case by case, In Place Cost basis.
2. Temporary Customer Connections for casual uses shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-one (21) days each calendar year for any event, function, or property.

Deposit shall be charged to any customer at any time such customer makes formal application at the finance office for temporary electric service.  The amount shall be equal to the city's most recent cost for the meter or a minimum of $50.

Any person, firm or corporation who violates, disobeys, or refuses to comply with, or who obstructs the enforcement of any of the provisions of this title, shall, upon conviction be fined not less than twenty-five dollars nor more than five hundred dollars for each offense and a separate offense shall be deemed committed on each day that a violation occurs or continues.

Section 1:        St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) shall make available, upon request, interconnection services to any customer that meets the required guidelines. Interconnection services in this policy refers to on-site generating facilities (as defined in the Customer Self-Generation Net Metering Policy) connected to the SCMEU electric distribution system in a manner that will allow excess electricity generated by the eligible on-site generating facility to be safely delivered onto the SCMEU electric distribution system.

Section 2:        Guidelines for interconnecting to the utility system are as follows;

1. Only generating facilities that have been approved by the Public Works Manager of Electric Services shall be interconnected with the SCMEU electric distribution system.
2. All interconnections shall comply with codes established by National Electrical Code (NEC), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as they may be amended from time to time.
3. Construction and development of generating facilities is required to follow all applicable building codes, permitting processes, and zoning rules.
4. SCMEU is under no obligation to purchase energy supplied to the utility under this standard. This does not preclude the customer meeting applicable standards that would allow the customer to supply power onto the SCMEU distribution system and receive credit for such energy under City of St. Charles’ Customer Self-Generation Net Metering Policy or the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA).
5. SCMEU may require periodic testing of systems. All test reports shall be submitted to the SCMEU Engineering Department after completion of the testing.
6. SCMEU may charge reasonable fees associated with the implementation and application of this policy.

Section 3:        The terms and conditions for any and all such interconnections are set forth in the attached Customer-Owned Facilities Interconnection Agreement, which may be reasonably adapted by SCMEU staff from time to time in implementing this policy and the Customer Self-Generation Net Metering Policy.

Section 4:        SCMEU staff shall develop such documents as needed to implement this policy from time to time.

Customer-Owned Generating

FACILITIES INTERCONNECTION AGREEMENT

This Agreement, (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between the St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility, (“Utility”) and __________________________ (“Customer”).  Customer and Utility are referenced in this Agreement collectively as “Parties” and individually as “Party.”

Recitals

            WHEREAS, the St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) is a municipality-owned electric utility engaged in the retail sale of electricity in the state of Illinois;

            WHEREAS, the interconnection Customer is proposing to install, own, and operate an electric generating facility, or is proposing a generating capacity addition to an existing generating facility that qualifies under the SCMEU’s Customer Self-Generation Interconnection Policy adopted March 7, 2022 consistent with the Electric Service Application which includes the proposed interconnection connection and the Building and Code Permit form completed by the interconnection Customer on ( filed___________ date).                    

Agreement

            NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the covenants and promises herein, the Parties mutually agree as follows:

Article I                                  Scope and Limitation of Agreement

1.1   Scope of Agreement. This Agreement governs the terms and conditions under which the Customer’s generating facility will interconnect with, and operate in parallel with, the distribution system. Terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined shall have the respective meaning given to them in the SCMEU Customer Self-Generation Interconnection Policy.

1.2  Eligibility. Interconnection to the electric system shall be granted only to new or existing Customers in good standing under SCMEU’s terms, conditions, rules, regulations, and provisions for electric service.  The Interconnection Agreement shall be between the Customer who owns a generating facility and SCMEU.

1.3  Request. A Customer desiring to interconnect a qualifying generating facility must permit the installation of the facility, or modifications of an existing facility, through the City’s Building and Code Enforcement Division. All permit application documents, which must also include an  Interconnection Request Application Form and an Electric Service Application Form, must be permitted and processed through the City’s Building and Code Enforcement Division which will then distribute documents and plans to SCMEU and other appropriate divisions for review and approval. All applicable fees required for the permit must be paid upon approval of the permit for the permit to be released and in effect. The Interconnection Agreement processing fee for systems sized ­­­­­25 kW AC and under is $ 200.00.  The processing fee for systems sized greater than 25 kW AC is $300.00.  The Utility may require additional details or clarifications as needed to properly evaluate the application.

1.4  System Effects. SCMEU will analyze the overall impact of the proposed generating facility on the distribution system.  Such analyses will be based on Good Utility Practice to determine thermal effects, voltage fluctuations, power quality, system stability, and other parameters.

1.5  System Upgrades. As a result of the analysis described in section 1.4, SCMEU will provide the Customer with a cost estimate and projected timeframe for any distribution system upgrades that may be necessary to accommodate the generating facility.

1.6  Metering.  The interconnection Customer shall be responsible for the cost to purchase and install appropriate metering. Appendix A illustrates the sample of interconnection and metering requirement, ownership and responsibilities of the Parties.

1.7  Codes and Permits.

1. The interconnection Customer shall be responsible for procuring all building, operating, and environmental permits that are required by any governmental authority having jurisdiction for the type of generating facility and for the necessary ancillary structures to be installed, if any.
2. The equipment shall meet the standards listed in Section 2.7.
3. The construction and the facilities shall meet all applicable building and electrical codes.

Article II                                 Technical Requirements

2.1  Character of Service. The electrical service shall be 60 cycles per second (60 Hertz) alternating current (AC) at supply voltages and number of phases that apply under SCMEU’s terms, conditions, rules, regulations and provisions for electric service, including  metering requirements.

​​​​​​​2.2  Codes Requirements.  Once the generating facility has been authorized to commence parallel operation, the interconnection Customer shall abide by all operating procedures established by the National Electrical Code (NEC), National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration.  Specific codes are listed in Section 2.7 below as “National Certification Codes and Standards”.  In addition, Manufacturer’s Ownership, Operating and Maintenance Manuals shall be reviewed and accepted by both Parties prior to beginning operation.

2.3  Generating Facility Control and Operation. The control system of the generating facility shall comply with the IEEE specifications and standards for parallel operation with SCMEU and in particular as follows:

1. Power output control system shall automatically disconnect from distribution system upon loss of utility voltage and not reconnect until utility voltage has been restored and stabilized by SCMEU.
2. Power output control system shall ride through voltage fluctuations but shall automatically disconnect from the SCMEU distribution system if SCMEU supplied distribution voltage or Customer-owned generation voltage fluctuates beyond plus or minus 10% (ten percent). The interconnection Customer shall provide adequate protection to prevent damage to the distribution system  from inadvertent over/under voltage conditions originating in Customer’s generating facility and to protect the Customer’s generating facility from inadvertent over/under voltage conditions originating from the distribution system
3. Power output control system shall ride through frequency fluctuations but shall automatically disconnect from the SCMEU distribution system if frequency fluctuates beyond plus or minus 2 cycles per second from 60 cycles per second (Hertz).
4. Inverter output distortion shall meet IEEE requirements.
5. The generating facility shall meet the applicable IEEE standards concerning impacts to the distribution system with regard to harmonic distortion, voltage flicker, power factor, direct current injection and electromagnetic interference.
6. The voltage produced by the Customer’s generating facility must be balanced if it is a three-phase installation.  The interconnection Customer is responsible for protecting the generating facility from an inadvertent phase imbalance in the SCMEU distribution system’s service voltage

2.4  Fault Current Contribution. The generating facility shall be equipped with protective equipment designed to automatically disconnect during fault current conditions and remain disconnected until the voltage and frequency have stabilized.

​​​​​​​2.5  Reclosing Coordination. The generating facility shall be coordinated with the distribution system reclosing devices by disconnecting from the system during the initial de-energized operation and shall remain disconnected until the voltage and frequency have stabilized.

​​​​​​​2.6  Disconnect Device. A safety manual disconnect switch of the visible load break type shall be installed by the customer. The disconnect switch shall be visible to and readily accessible by SCMEU and St. Charles Emergency and Fire Department personnel.  The switch shall be capable of being locked in the open position and shall prevent the generator from supplying power to the distribution system.

​​​​​​​2.7  Standards for Interconnection, Safety, and Operating Reliability. The interconnection of a generating facility and associated interconnection equipment to the Utility’s distribution System shall meet the applicable provisions of the following publications:

1. ANSI/IEEE1547-2018 Standard for Interconnecting Distributed Resources with Electric Power Systems (including use of IEEE 1547.1-2020 testing protocols to establish conformity) as they may be amended from time to time. The following standards shall be used as guidance in applying IEEE 1547:
2. IEEE Std 519-2014, IEEE Recommended Practices and Requirements for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems
3. IEEE1453, IEEE Recommended Practice for the Analysis of Fluctuating Installation on Power Systems
4. UL1741 requirement for inverter based generation
5. National  Electric Safety Code (NESC)
6. ANSI/NFPA 70, National Electrical Code (NEC)
7. OSHA (29 CFR § 1910.269)

Article III                               Inspection, Testing, Authorization, and Right to Access

​​​​​​​3.1  Equipment Testing and Inspection.

1. Upon completing construction, the interconnection Customer shall test and inspect its generating facility including the interconnection equipment prior to interconnection in accordance with updated IEEE standards 1547 and IEEE standard 1547.1 by SCMEU inspection authority. The interconnection Customer shall not operate its generating facility in parallel with distribution system without prior written authorization by SCMEU.
2. All interconnection related protective functions and associated direct current supplies shall be tested prior to commencement of commercial service, and (if nameplate rating of Customer’s generating facilities is greater than 25 kW AC) periodically tested thereafter no less than every three (3) years with test results forwarded to SCMEU.

3.2  Certification of Completion. The interconnection Customer shall provide SCMEU with a copy of the Certificate of Completion with all relevant and necessary information fully completed by the interconnection Customer, as well as an inspection form from the Building and Code Enforcement Division and SCMEU inspector demonstrating that the generating facility passed inspection.

​​​​​​​3.3  Witness Test. 

1. For all installations of 25 kW AC or larger, the interconnection Customer shall provide the Utility at least 30 business days’ notice of the planned commissioning test for the generating facility, which will also provide a witness test. For systems sized less than 25 kW AC,  the 30 business days’ notice shall be waived.
2.  If the witness test is not acceptable to SCMEU, the interconnection Customer has 30 business days to address and resolve any deficiencies. This time period may be extended upon agreement between SCMEU and interconnection Customer. If the interconnection Customer fails to address and resolve the deficiencies to the satisfaction of SCMEU, this Agreement shall be terminated. The interconnection Customer shall, if requested by SCMEU, provide a copy of all documentation in its possession regarding testing conducted pursuant to IEEE standard 1547.1.
3. After the generating facility passes the witness testing, the Utility shall affix an authorized signature to the Certificate of Completion and return it to the interconnection Customer approving the interconnection and authorization parallel operation.

3.4  Right of Access. SCMEU must have access to the disconnect switch and metering equipment of the generating facility at all times without notice. When practical, SCMEU will attempt to provide advance notice to the Customer prior to using its right of access.

Article IV                   Effective Date, Term, Termination, and Disconnection

​​​​​​​4.1  Effective Date. This Agreement shall become effective upon execution by all parties.

​​​​​​​4.2  Term of Agreement. This Agreement shall become effective on the effective date and shall remain in effect unless terminated earlier in accordance with Article 4.4 of this Agreement.

​​​​​​​4.3  Governing Law, Regulatory Authority, and Rules.  The validity, interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement and each of its provisions shall be governed by the Codes and Regulations of the City of St. Charles, as well as the laws of the State of Illinois, without regard to its choice of law principals. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to affect any other agreement between SCMEU and the interconnection Customer.

​​​​​​​4.4  Termination. This Agreement may be terminated under the following conditions:

1. By interconnection Customer - The interconnection Customer may terminate this Agreement by providing written notice to the SCMEU, and if the interconnection Customer ceases operation of the generating facility, the interconnection Customer must notify SCMEU in writing.
2. By SCMEU - SCMEU may terminate this Agreement if the interconnection Customer fails to remedy a violation of the terms of this Agreement within 30 calendar days after notice, or such other date as may be mutually agreed to prior to the expiration of the 30 calendar day remedy period.  The termination date may be no less than 30 calendar days after the interconnection Customer receives notice of its violation from the SCMEU distribution system.
3. Upon termination of this Agreement, the generating facility will be permanently disconnected from the distribution system. Terminating this Agreement does not relieve either party of its liabilities and obligations that are owed or continuing when the Agreement is terminated.
4. Upon termination of this Agreement, SCMEU shall open and padlock the manual disconnect switch on Customer’s premises.

4.5  Disconnection.  SCMEU may temporarily disconnect the generating facility upon any of the following conditions, but must reconnect the generating facility once the condition is cured:

1. For scheduled outages, provided that the generating facility is treated in the same manner as SCMEU’s load Customers;
2. For unscheduled outages or emergency conditions;
3. If the generating facility does not operate in the manner consistent with this Agreement;
4. Improper installation or failure to pass the witness test;
5. If the generating facility is creating a safety, reliability or a power quality problem; or
6. The interconnection equipment used by the generating facility is de-listed by the nationally recognized testing Laboratory that provided the listing at the time the interconnection was approved.
7. Failure of the customer to obtain or maintain the insurance coverage set forth in Article 7 of this Agreement.

4.6  Modification of Generating Facility.  The interconnection Customer must receive written authorization from SCMEU before making any changes to the generating facility that could affect the distribution system.  If the interconnection Customer makes such modifications without SCMEU’s prior written authorization, SCMEU shall have the right to disconnect the generating facility immediately.

​​​​​​​4.7  Permanent Disconnection.  In the event the Agreement is terminated, SCMEU shall have the right to disconnect its distribution system or direct the interconnection Customer to disconnect its generating facility.

​​​​​​​4.8  Lost Opportunity. SCMEU is not responsible for any lost opportunity or other costs incurred by the interconnection Customer as a result of an interruption of service under this Article 4.

Article V                     Cost Responsibility for Interconnection Facilities and Distribution Upgrades

​​​​​​​5.1  Interconnection Facilities.

1. The interconnection Customer is responsible for the cost of additional interconnection facilities necessary to interconnect the generating facility with the SCMEU distribution system.
2. The interconnection Customer is responsible for its expenses, including overheads, associated with owning, operation, maintaining, repairing, and replacing its interconnection equipment
3. Distribution System Upgrades. SCMEU shall design, procure, construct, install, and own any distribution system upgrades. The cost of the distribution system upgrades shall be directly assigned to the interconnection Customer whose generating facility caused the need for the distribution system upgrades.

5.2  Cost for Small Systems. For qualifying systems sized 10 kW AC or less, the cost in section 5.1 shall be capped at $1,500.00.

Article VI                   Assignment, Limitation on Damages, Indemnity, Force Majeure

​​​​​​​6.1  Assignment/Transfer of Ownership of the Generating Facility.  This Agreement shall terminate upon the transfer of ownership of the generating facility to a new owner unless the transferring owner assigns the Agreement to the new owner, the new owner agrees in writing to the terms of this Agreement, and the transferring owner so notifies SCMEU in writing prior to the transfer of ownership.

​​​​​​​6.2  Limitation of Liability.  Each Party's liability to the other Party for any loss, cost, claim, injury, liability, or expense, including reasonable attorney's fees, relating to or arising from any act or omission in its performance of this Agreement, shall be limited to the amount of direct damage actually incurred.  In no event shall either Party be liable to the other Party for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages of any kind whatsoever.

​​​​​​​6.3  Indemnification.   The interconnection Customer shall indemnify and defend SCMEU, the City of St. Charles and all its elected officials, directors, officers, employees, and agents from all damages and expenses resulting from any third party claim arising out of or based upon the interconnection Customer's (a) negligence or willful misconduct; (b) breach of this Agreement; or (c) the operation of the Customer's generating facility, regardless of Customer’s negligence or willful misconduct, except when and to the extent the loss occurs due to the grossly negligent actions of SCMEU. SCMEU shall indemnify and defend the interconnection Customer and the interconnection Customer's directors, officers, employees, and agents from all damages and expenses resulting from a third party claim arising out of or based upon SCMEU’s (a) negligence or willful misconduct or (b) breach of this Agreement.    

​​​​​​​6.4  Force Majeure. If a force majeure event prevents a Party from fulfilling any obligations under this Agreement, the Party effected by the force majeure event (Affected Party) shall notify the other Party of the existence of the force majeure event within one business day. The notification must specify the circumstances of the force majeure event, the expected duration, and the steps that the Affected Party is taking and will take to mitigate the effects of the event on its performance. If the initial notification is verbal, it must be followed up with a written notification within one business day. The Affected Party shall keep the other Party informed on a continuing basis of developments relating to the force majeure event unit the event ends. The Affected Party may suspend or modify its obligations under this Agreement.  The term “force majeure” shall mean any act of God, labor disturbance, act of the public enemy, war, insurrection, riot, fire, storm or flood, explosion, epidemic, pandemic, breakage or accident to machinery or equipment, an order, regulation or restriction imposed by governmental, military or lawfully established civilian authorities, or any other cause beyond a Party's reasonable control.  A Force Majeure event does not include an act of negligence or intentional wrongdoing by the Party claiming Force Majeure.

Article VII                  Insurance

​​​​​​​7.1  Insurance. The interconnection customer shall carry general liability insurance coverage, such as, but not limited to, homeowner’s insurance or commercial building insurance.  The interconnection Customer shall provide SCMEU with proof that it has a current homeowner's insurance or commercial building insurance policy, or other general liability policy.  The interconnection Customer shall name the City of St. Charles as an additional insured on its homeowner's insurance or commercial building insurance policy, or similar policy covering general liability and shall cause the insurance company to issue a Certificate of Insurance to the City of St. Charles. The interconnection customer shall notify the City of St. Charles immediately if such insurance policy is terminated or cancelled prior to the end of its term and if the insurance company has communicated an intent not to renew the policy.

Article VIII                Documents and Notices

​​​​​​​8.1  Documents. The Agreement includes the following documents, which are attached or incorporated by reference:

1. One-line drawing
2. Interconnection Request Application Forms
3. System Upgrade Estimated Costs
4. Certificate of Completion

8.2  Notice.  The Parties may mutually agree to provide notices, demands, comments, or requests by electronic means such as e-mail.  Absent Agreement to electronic communication, or unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, any written notice, demand, or request required or authorized in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed properly given if delivered in person, delivered by recognized national courier service, or sent by first class mail, postage prepaid, to the person specified below:

If to Interconnection Customer:

Use the contact information provided in the interconnection Customer's application. The interconnection Customer is responsible for notifying SCMEU of any change in the contact party information, including change of ownership.

If to SCMEU:

Use the contact information provided below. SCMEU is responsible for notifying the interconnection Customer of any change in the contact party information.

Public Works Manager-Electric Services

Two East Main Street

St. Charles, Illinois  60174

Telephone (Daytime): 630-377-4407  (Evening-Emergency ONLY): 630-816-6007

Fax Number: 630-513-7442                 E-Mail Address: Electric@stcharlesil.gov

Article IX                   Signatures

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have caused this Agreement to be executed by their respective duly authorized representatives.

For the Interconnection Customer:

Name:

Title:

Date:

For Utility

Name:

Title: Public Works Manager-Electric Services

Date:

Section 1:         St. Charles Municipal Electric Utility (SCMEU) shall make available, upon request, net metering service to any customer taking service from SCMEU and who meets the requirements set forth in this policy. For purposes of this policy “net metering” means service to an electric customer under which electric energy generated by that electric customer from an eligible on-site generating facility owned by that customer and, under some circumstances, delivered to SCMEU electric distribution facilities, may be used to offset electric energy provided by SCMEU to the electric customer as provided for in this policy.  The term “net metering” is not used as a limiting term, but rather is used in its general sense to include the full range of methods for valuing customer self-generation and implementing fair credits for excess energy delivered to the SCMEU distribution system by the customer. For multi-unit residential and commercial buildings, if all units are on the same account it qualifies as a single customer for purposes of this policy.  If individual units are separately metered and individual tenants have individual accounts, then the term “customer” only refers to the building owner and any usage by the owner.  SCMEU cannot be responsible to allocate renewable generation facilities to individual accounts in a multi-unit residential or commercial building.   Before the project starts construction, the customer must complete the attached application form and receive approval from the Public Works Manager of Electric Services. The customer’s solar system provider or installation contractor must complete and deliver the attached Certification of Completion to the Public Works Manager of Electric Services before the installation can be placed in service.

            Section 2:         For purposes of this policy, an eligible on-site generating facility shall be defined as a renewable energy generating facility, such as photovoltaic facilities and small wind turbines, and may include technology to store renewable energy at the customer’s premises. Other forms of renewable generation shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.  In all cases, facilities interconnected must be deemed by SCMEU to be renewable to qualify for this policy.

            Section 3:         The electric generating facility must also abide by SCMEU’s Interconnection Standards (13.08.315) that are currently in place at the time of installation in order to be an eligible on-site generating facility.         

            Section 4:         Subject to the limitations set forth herein, SCMEU shall make net metering service available upon request to any SCMEU residential or small commercial electric customer with an eligible on-site generating facility owned by the customer. The determination whether a customer is a residential or small commercial customer is based on the City of St. Charles rate classification under which the customer takes electric service and qualifies for, which is Rate 1 for residential and Rate 3 for small commercial. The eligible on-site generating facility shall be located on the customer's premises on the customer's side of the billing meter, connected through a branch circuit breaker located in the customers MCB main distribution panel, and be sized to primarily produce only enough electricity to offset the customer’s own electrical requirements. Proper sizing of eligible on-site generating facilities shall be determined as set forth in Section 13 below.

            Section 5:         Any request for net metering service by a customer that is not a residential or small commercial customer shall be considered on a case by case basis.  The decision with respect to such facilities shall be made by the Public Works Manager of Electric Services based on potential impacts to the distribution system, or portions thereof, as well as to the property of other customers of SCMEU.  Customers that do not qualify for net metering service under this Policy shall be permitted to interconnect and self-generate as required by, and in accordance with, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s rules under the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act (PURPA) on a case by case basis.

            Section 6:         Notwithstanding the provisions in Section 4, SCMEU reserves the authority to withhold, deny or delay approval of the interconnection of proposed on-site generating facilities and of net metering service hereunder if the operation of the facility would be unsafe, or pose a risk of adverse impacts to the distribution system or portions thereof, or to the property of other customers of SCMEU. SCMEU shall withhold approval for only so long as is reasonably necessary to remedy the risk of adverse impact. SCMEU shall only deny approval if the adverse impact cannot reasonably be remedied, or if the customer refuses to meet all applicable State and local safety and electrical code requirements, or refuses to provide for payment of the costs of the improvements to the facility or the system that are required to accommodate the otherwise eligible on-site generating facility.  SCMEU shall not be required to make unscheduled improvements to its distribution system or portions thereof to remedy the situation causing the delayed or withheld approval unless the customer agrees to pay for the reasonable costs thereof.  Likewise, SCMEU may require a customer with an approved on-site generating facility that has been installed and begun to operate to suspend operations of the facility if it becomes unsafe, or causes adverse impacts to the distribution system or portions thereof, or to the property of other customers of SCMEU, and such suspension shall be in place only so long as is reasonably necessary to remedy the adverse impact. SCMEU may require the customer to disconnect the on-site generating facility from the distribution system in dangerous or damaging situations.

            Section 7:         [This Section left blank intentionally.]

            Section 8:         (a) Energy generated by the customer-owned generator during the billing period may supply all or a portion of the energy required by the customer’s load.  The customer shall be credited for excess energy delivered by the customer to SCMEU at the meter from the approved on-site generating facility.

(b) Eligible on-site generating facilities that were approved and in service on or prior to the effective date of the 2022 revisions to this Policy, the following credit method shall be used to determine excess energy credit for a period of ten calendar years from the original installation in-service date:

All energy generated by the customer in excess of the energy required by the customer’s loads are recorded on the SCMEU bi-directional meter for quarterly calendar periods and read at the beginning of the next sequential quarter. Credits for energy delivered to the SCMEU distribution system by the customer are calculated on SCMEU’s previous calendar year’s average cost of electricity and posted as a credit on the customer’s next utility bill. Credits may be carried forward in accordance with paragraph (e) below.

(c) For eligible on-site generating facilities that were approved and in service on or after the effective date of the 2022 revisions to this Policy, the following credit method shall be used to determine excess energy credit:

All energy generated by the customer in excess of the energy required by the customer’s loads are recorded on the SCMEU bi-directional meter for quarterly calendar periods and read at the beginning of the next sequential quarter. Credits for energy delivered to the SCMEU distribution system by the customer are calculated on a Fair Solar Credit as required by the 2021 Climate and Equitable Jobs Act and is described in detail in Section 12 of this policy. Credits will be posted as a credit on the customer’s next utility bill. Credits may be carried forward in accordance with paragraph ( e ) below. Energy delivered by the utility to the customer at the meter, as reflected in the meter reading, shall be billed at the appropriate utility full retail energy rate and for any excess energy generated by the customer from an approved on-site generating facility and delivered by the customer to the utility at the meter, as reflected in the meter reading, a credit shall be created and applied to the customer’s bill based upon the lesser of the full retail energy rate for the customer class and the avoided cost of energy.  Avoided cost shall be determined as set forth in Section 12 below. SCMEU shall install an appropriate meter to measure both the energy delivered by the utility to the customer at the meter and the energy delivered by the customer to the utility at the meter from the approved on-site generating facility.

(d)  Credits from electric energy delivered to the municipal distribution system by the customer shall be used to offset usage based electric energy (kWh) charges only.  No such credits shall be applied to, and the customer shall remain responsible for, (i) taxes, fees, and other charges that would otherwise be applicable to the net amount of electric energy (kWh) purchased by the customer from (Utility) or consumed by the customer, and (ii) other charges to the customer under any other rules, regulations or rates that are not based on per kilowatt-hour (kWh) charges, including but not limited to, basic service charges, customer service charges, facilities charges, demand charges, kVAR charges, transformation charges, taxes and assessments billed on other than kWh basis, rental fees, and late fees. 

(e)  SCMEU shall carry over any unused credits earned and apply those credits to subsequent billing periods to offset usage based electric energy (kWh) charges only for electric energy supplied to the customer by SCMEU until all credits are used or until the end of the annual period. The annual period shall end each year on April 30; however, for new net metering customers with generating facilities installed during an annual period, the annual period shall end on April 30 of the following year.  At the end of the annual period or in the event that the customer terminates service at the service location with SCMEU prior to the end of annual period, any remaining credits in the customer's account shall expire and no credit or payment shall be due to the customer for such expired credits. In the event of termination of an account qualifying for net metering under this policy, any outstanding credits are surrendered. No credit or payment shall be due to the customer for such surrendered credits.  Under no circumstance will credits for excess energy transfer to a new customer at the service location after the customer’s service with the SCMEU terminates.

            Section 9:         Any costs SCMEU incurs associated with the interconnection of generating facilities by a customer, including but not limited to changes in metering (to include installation of a bi-directional meter), or other physical facilities, whether on the customer’s premises or a reasonably necessary upgrade to the municipal distribution system or a portion thereof that is not on the customer’s premises, shall be borne by the customer seeking to install or for whom the generating facility was installed;  provided however that such costs shall be capped at $1,500 to each qualifying customer interconnecting facilities of 10 kW or less. For those facilities greater than 10 kW that are deemed to qualify under this policy, all costs associated with the interconnection of the generating facility shall be borne by the customer seeking to install or for whom the generating facility was installed. Costs assessed under this Section shall be demonstrable and cost-based.  Such costs shall not include or be based on reduced sales by or lost revenues to SCMEU associated with net metering service. 

            Section 10:       [This Section left blank intentionally.]

            Section 11:       SCMEU shall develop such documents as needed to implement this policy and any customer applying for or taking service hereunder shall execute all appropriate documents.

            Section 12:  For approved on-site generating facilities that are placed in service after the effective date of the 2022 revisions to this Policy, Fair Solar Credit “avoided cost” shall be determined based on the sum of 1 and 2 below:

1. The rate in cents per kWh as published and approved annually by the governing body of SCMEU based on the calculations and recommendation from SCMEU’s electric wholesale supplier.  Such rate shall be approved annually in a public meeting. The rate shall take into consideration the following:
   
   1. Historic real time pricing of prior calendar year of energy in the wholesale market as valued at the locational marginal pricing (LMP) for that location as defined by the appropriately located Regional Transmission Organization (RTO),
   2. Solar-weighted LMP:   The simple average of the LMP weighted using Solar Weighting.  Solar weighting is the expected production of each hour of a typical solar installation as determined using the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) System Advisory Model (SAM) as may be amended from time to time,
   3. Capacity value:  Appropriate RTO capacity price with solar factors applied for average system peak times,
   4. Transmission Value:  Appropriate RTO transmission cost recovery with solar factor applied for average peak times.
2. The rate in cents per kWh as calculated by SCMEU for the avoidance of distribution system losses.

            Section 13:  The maximum size in kilowatts AC of the eligible on-site generating facility for an individual customer service location in the rate categories identified in Section 4 shall be determined as follows:

The installation of a renewable generating facility under this Policy is intended to supply all or a portion of the customer’s own usage of electricity. Therefore, in order to be approved, a renewable generating facility must be properly sized so as not to exceed the customers expected annual usage based on the customer’s current energy needs. It is also important to the customer that the generating facilities are properly sized because the credits under this Policy for excess energy delivered to the distribution system expire if not used within the time period established in this Policy.  As part of the interconnection application, customer’s energy usage will be analyzed using 36-months of historical energy usage (if available) in order to calculate the customer’s expected annual usage. If a customer provides documentation specifying why the usage has increased over that time, such as home renovation/addition, installation of electric heating, or an electric vehicle charging station on the premises, then the previous 12-month period shall be used to determine the average for the expected annual usage. If the applicable months of data are not available for an individual customer, the average usage amounts by other similar customers of SCMEU, as determined by SCMEU, shall be used to set the expected annual usage. If facilities are allowed for customers in other rate classes, the right-sizing shall be determined on a case by case basis.

In addition to the foregoing historic usage, SCMEU shall consider potential adverse impacts to the distribution system and to other customers of SCMEU that will be caused by or expected to be caused by the installation of the new renewable generating facility at the particular customer service location as part of the interconnection application review. The maximum size of the eligible on-site generating facility for an individual customer service location shall be reduced below the expected annual usage of the customer to mitigate the potential adverse impacts to the distribution system or portions thereof and to the other customers of SCMEU unless the customer pays for any necessary upgrade to the system or portion thereof to avoid the potential adverse impact.

            Section 14: [ This Section left blank intentionally] 

            Section 15:  SCMEU reserves the right to interpret, amend or rescind this policy. Nothing herein is intended to nor shall it create a right for a customer to rely on any particular netting or crediting methodology contained in the policy from time to time, and all rates for excess credits are subject to change in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois governing municipalities.

            Section 16:  Citizen and customer concerns generally with this Net Metering Policy may be raised in the public comment portion of any open meeting of the governing body of SCMEU, which is the City of St. Charles, at any time and will be considered by the governing body in accordance with its normal processes.  Individual customer complaints, disputes or concerns shall be raised in the first instance with the Public Works Manager of Electric Services.  If the matter cannot be resolved at the utility staff level, this issue shall be reduced to writing and forwarded to the Director of Public Works who shall schedule a meeting in person, by telephone, or other communications media (i.e., Zoom call) with the customer. The customer may invite its contractor or other consultant to participate in the meeting.  If the matter cannot be resolved at this stage, the process will escalate to the City Administrator.  If this process fails to resolve the matter, the customer may appeal it to the circuit court and exercise whatever rights and remedies the customer may have in law or equity.  This policy shall be posted on the (Utility) website along with appropriate contact information.

1. General prohibition against bidding or selling system demand response.  Except as provided in subsection B of this section, the customers of the SCMEU are hereby restricted and precluded from bidding or selling demand response into any organized electric or ancillary services markets operated or administered by PJM (or any successor independent system operator or regional transmission organization) or otherwise participating  in such markets with any demand response resources whether directly or through a third-party aggregator.
2. Exception to general prohibition.  Notwithstanding the general prohibition stated in subsection A, above, the SCMEU, acting with and through its power supplier, Illinois Municipal Electric Agency (IMEA), is hereby approved, authorized and permitted to operate as a Curtailment Service Provider with respect to demand response resources within the City’s municipal electric utility system, including any generation owned by the City, and to offer and sell such demand response resources into programs and markets of PJM Interconnection, L.L.C. or its duly authorized successor.  Participation shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the IMEA’s Demand Response Program, a copy of which is attached as Appendix A, as such program is amended by the IMEA from time to time.
3. All costs incurred by the SCMEU for implementation and continued operation of the Demand Response Program will be the direct responsibility of the customer.  Costs will be billed to the customer at the time the expense is incurred.  These costs include the cost of metering equipment, monitoring equipment, communication devices, communication services, extra meter reading (if required), maintenance of equipment, equipment replacement, billing expense and any other additional costs directly or indirectly related to this program.  Charges include cost for equipment, labor or both.