I. Membership and Deposit

• If you are NOT currently a member of SVEC, then you will have to complete and submit the Application for Membership and Electric Service and pay the appropriate fees.

II. New Service Application

•  Make sure to fill out all applicable information completely and thoroughly. Any incomplete information may delay the processing of your application. Each new meter request will require its own application.
• You may be required to consult a licensed electrician to accurately complete some of the information. It is important that Sections 7 & 8 are completed as accurately as possible for design purposes.
• Email the completed application to svec@frontier.com or mail it to the following address:

Surprise Valley Electrification Corp.
Attn: New Service
800 W. 12th Street
Alturas, CA 96101

III. Permits

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to acquire all necessary permits and inspections from the appropriate agencies. Each county requires a permit and inspection for any new or upgraded service. SVEC cannot provide electric service until all required steps have been completed. Please contact the appropriate County Building/Planning Department for more information. You must submit a copy of your county permit or permit number to SVEC.

IV. Verification of Ownership

• Please provide documentation showing proof of ownership of the property you wish to receive electric service. (Ex. – Property Deed, Tax Bill, etc.)

V. Map/Drawing

• A detailed map or sketch showing the location where you would like the electric service is extremely helpful. Please include any distinguishing landmarks, buildings, roadways, existing power lines, etc.

I. Site Visit

• Once SVEC has received and processed all the appropriate documentation, SVEC’s Engineering Department will contact you to setup a site visit. It is always better if someone can be present during the site visit, but it may not be necessary depending on the circumstances.
• This gives SVEC’s Engineer an opportunity to look at the layout and discuss with you details such as:

• location of facilities and equipment
• distance from existing power source
• if a primary line extension will be required
• overhead vs. underground
• any other situations or special circumstances

• Should SVEC be required to install facilities across properties other than your own, right-of-way (ROW) for these facilities must be obtained. SVEC will obtain right-of-way on public lands such as Forest Service, BLM, etc. SVEC requires the applicant to obtain right-of-way on private land. Details will be discussed if necessary.
• The applicant will also be responsible for any right-of-way clearing, tree and shrub removal, rocks, etc. SVEC needs a clear path to install their facilities and equipment.
• More in depth and detailed information about the applicant’s responsibilities may be found in SVEC’s Service Requirements.

I. Supplemental Agreement for Electric Service

• Any new service or meter being added will require a Supplemental Agreement.

II. Aid-to-Construction

• If you are responsible for any construction costs associated with your project, you will receive and Aid-to-Construction invoice which must be paid before SVEC will begin construction.

III. Other Documents

• If there are any other required documents such as ROW Easement, VFD Agreement, etc., SVEC will send those to you to as well.

Note: All documentation and fees must be completed and received by SVEC before any construction will begin. SVEC will send all required documentation to you.

I. Construction

• If all requirements have been met and ROW has been cleared, then SVEC will begin construction at its earliest possible convenience.
• If the primary line extension or new service is an underground installation, the applicant is responsible for all trenching, conduit (if required), shading and backfill. Specifications for trenching and conduit may be found in SVEC’s Service Requirements.
• If a three-phase pad mount (underground) transformer is required, the applicant is responsible for the concrete transformer pad. Pad dimensions can be found in SVEC’s Service Requirements.
• The applicant is also responsible for the appropriate size and type of service panel for their specific application. It is recommended that you use a qualified electrical contractor, familiar with the applicable building codes, to install your electrical equipment.
• Once your service panel has been installed, you must contact the County Building Inspector to approve and green tag your service panel. SVEC cannot install a meter without a green tag. Please contact SVEC once your service panel has received a green tag.

The purpose of these requirements are to assist you and your contractor in obtaining electrical service for your residence.  It describes the work SVEC will do and the work SVEC requires of all members for electrical service.  Following these guidlines and procedures allows SVEC to provide electric service in a cost effective and timely manner. 

These drawings are for illistrative purposes only as it is the customer's responsibility to contact the local building inspector for specifics and to comply with all Federal, State, and local wiring codes.  Some of the requirements described here-in are necessarily broad to cover a wide range of conditions.  For answers to more specific questions or concerns, please contact the Engineering Department at Surprise Valley Electrification Corp.  The requirements describe only the wires and equipment typically installed on your property.  If your residence is located farther than 200 feet from an existing SVEC line, a primary or high voltage line extension may be needed.  If this is the case, SVEC will discuss the details with you.

Should SVEC be required to install facilities across properties other than your own property, then right-of-way for these facilities must be obtained.  SVEC will obtain right-of-way on public lands, such as the Forest Service, and requires that you obtain right-of-way on private land.  If this is necessary, SVEC will discuss the details with you as well.

It is the member's responsibility to acquire all of the necessary permits and inspections from the appropriate agencies involved.  For residential construction in Modoc or Lassen Counties, the county building codes require that you have a well and septic system on your property prior to the installation of electrical power.  It is recommended that you hire a qualified electrical contractor who is familiar with the applicable building codes to do the wiring for you.